Lisbon Gay Guide

'Steamy Hot' is the best way to characterize the gay life in Lisbon. Lisbon is definitely not the first city to think of when searching for where to spend your next gay vacations, with London, Paris, and Madrid on the map overshadowing it. However, when we are talking about gay cruising or underground gay scene, well Lisbon does it best.

Gay life in Lisbon is not laid-out, the local gay community is very active, and homosexuality is fully accepted by the locals. A recent social experiment with a gay couple holding hands showed that, even though you might get a couple of strange looks, you will not face any problems holding hands with your boyfriend in public. The active gay scene of Lisbon has led to the creation of an organized gay scene!

The gay scene of Lisbon is extensive, and a huge part of it is "underground". The nightlife of Lisbon is concentrated on the Bairro Alto area, including the gay street Rua Barroca where you will find the most popular gay bars in Lisbon. Principle Real is another great area with gay bars and clubs, while Alfama, the oldest part of Lisbon, has some excellent traditional entertainment options as well.

As it concerns your accommodation in Lisbon, first of all, we would recommend you to choose an apartment or a hotel located in the city's central neighbourhoods like Baixa, Chiado, Principe Real, or Bairro Alto. There are not many gay-only hotels in the city, however, The Late Birds Lisbon is a great gay guest-house, which can easily become your reference point. Other than that, you even can rent your own gay-owned apartment or stay in a gay-friendly hotel!

There are a couple of gay beaches near Lisbon, which are a must-visit during summer months. Beach 19 at Costa da Caparica is the most popular one, where thousands of gay men visit it every summer. Many of the men are actually naked, while there is a lot of action taking place in the bushes. Costa da Caparica is the least popular gay beach, and the southern you go, the fewer people you will meet. A great place to spend your afternoon!