Five cities for party in Europe: these are the top gay destinations for 2017. New year, new luck travelling: 2017 offers gay globetrotters plenty of opportunities to discover new places. As tolerance for same-sex couples is growing in many places, the number of suitable desitnations is growing each year.

Luckily there is hardly any place in Western Europe where gay couples have to avoid when planning their holidays. And so the list of potential destinations is getting longer and longer every year, which is definitely positive, but also ensures that those who want to travel are spoilt for choice. There are such classics as the Dutch capital Amsterdam and Spain’s dream metropolis Barcelona, which has long been open to gays and lesbians and even has extra nudist beaches for gays. It is also one of the most popular cities for party in Europe. New destinations have recently emerged that are worth a visit. It is striking that it is increasingly worth taking a look at Eastern Europe, even though in many places the infrastructure for homosexuals is far from that in Western countries. Nevertheless, those who plan their holidays for 2017 should not leave out the East.

To help you decide on the destination of your next holiday, we present the top destinations for 2017 here.

Gran Canaria: Sea and sun

Calling the third lagest island of the Canaries an insider’s tip for gay travellers, would indeed be rich. Gran Canaria has been one of the top destinations for same-sex couples for years. They make up a significant share of the island’s total tourist numbers since many years. It is the countless dream beaches that attract the sun-hungry in droves – whether heterosexual or homosexual. The majority of the party and wellness offers, e.g in the famous Yumbo Centre is aimed quite simply at everyone, although some places have emerged over the years where gays feel particularly comfortable. So most gays head for the beach of Maspalomas. A popular meeting place for cocktails and new acquaintances is the beach bar number 7.

Prague: Gay scene growing

The Czech capital is one of the most popular cities for party in Europe among men and enjoys special recognition for various reasons. First of all beer is still pretty cheap despite a recent price increase and a trip from Germany does not take long. There are also numerous activities that do not tend to exist in Western Europe in the same way. Prague is also becoming more and more attractive to gay travellers. The scene in the city continues to grow. There is no real gay quarter where the scene meets. Gay clubs are spread all over the city. Nevertheless, it is becoming apparent that the Vinohrady neighbourhood – a melting pot for creative and intellectuals – has a particular attraction for homosexuals. Exploring this part of Prague during long weekend break could be an idea for 2017.

Berlin: Meagre but tolerant

Maybe in 2017 it will simply be a good idea to stay domestic. Why not visit Berlin (again)?  Everyone is currently doing this after all – from modern hipsters and young families to the groups of men celebrating their stag do here. The city is in a constant change and there are always new spots to discover. There is no distinct gay quarter. The whole city is open and tolerant – not only since ex-mayor Klaus Wowereit, the first openly gay mayor, was in power. It cannot be denied though that the gay scene is a little more at home in Schöneberg around Nollendorfplatz than elsewhere. There are bars, pubs and numerous shops that particularly cater for they gay clientele.

Vienna: Dance the rainbow waltz

The city of cafés and its famous ‘schmäh’ (a sort of revile) is always worth a visit – but in 2017 there is another very special reason: the 20th anniversary of the famous Regenbogen Ball that also invites same-sex couples to waltz. The ball’s motto “We are unstoppable” impressively shows the self-image of Vienna’s gay and lesbian scene that has been cultivated for centuries: We’re simply part of the norm here. This normality is also reflected in the fact that there are a few dedicated gay party offers, but all in all homos and heteros celebrate together.

Budapest: extremely liberal

Hungary’s capital is certainly the most controversial destination in this top 5 list. On the one hand, there are the recent restrictions on the part of the political class around Prime Minister Victor Orban and the recent increasing attacks on homosexuals, and on the other hand there has been a real change in Budapest’s increasingly tolerant society over the last two decades or so. This has led to Hungary’s reputation as the most liberal Eastern European country. Gay-friendly clubs and parties speak for themselves, and most of the many (thermal) baths also open their pools and saunas to gay visitors. In recent years, numerous gay hotels have also opened.

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