Portugal

Portugal offers some of the best LGBT rights in the world. It was the eighth country to legalize same-sex marriage, same-sex couples can adopt children, and the nation offers straightforward reassignment surgery and name-change procedures for transgender people.

Gay Activity: Legal
Lesbian Activity: Legal
Gay Marriage: Legal
Right to Change Gender: Legal, Surgery Not Required
Same-Sex Adoption: Legal
LGBT Discrimination: Illegal
Equal Age of Consent: Equal

Lisbon and Porto have thriving gay scenes with annual pride parades. Lisbon’s nightlife centres around the Bairro Alto (Upper District), and the capital is home to one of Europe’s biggest queer film festivals. You can also find bars, clubs and beaches in smaller towns.

Gay Villages

Lisbon: Príncipe Real & Bairro Alto

Pride Festivals/Events

Lisbon Pride: Annually in Mid-June
Lisbon Bear Pride: Anually in Late May
Queer Lisboa (LGBT Film Festival): Annually in September
Porto Pride: Annually in July

Best Gay Bars

Lisbon: Trumps (Club)
Lisbon: Finalmente (Club)
Lisbon: Construction (Club)
Lisbon: Side Bar (Cocktail Bar)
Lisbon: Shelter bar (Bear Bar)
Lisbon: TR3S (Bear Bar)
Porto: Fabrik Bar (Cocktail Bar)
Porto: Invictus Cafe (Coffee Bar)
Porto: Conceição 35 (Bar)
Porto: Syndikato (Bar)
Porto: Zoom (Club)

Best Lesbian Bars

Lisbon: Purex Clube (Primarily but not exclusively Lesbian)

5. Sintra 
UNESCO World Heritage Sintra is a fantastical city situated in Portugal’s lush rolling hills. Its historic city-centre streets are lined with pastel palaces, mansions and houses that look like they were plucked from a Disney movie.

4.Douro Valley
Uncork one of Europe’s oldest (and most famous) wine regions. Not only are the vintages world-class, the verdant terraine and snaking river make an excellent backdrop while you wine & dine al fresco.

3. Porto
Gay-Welcoming Porto is a true hidden gem. Get lost in its intricate alleyways while appreciating the juxtaposition of classic and modern architecture.

2. The Azores Islands
Often described as the Hawaii of the Atlantic, this archipelago is an active adventurers dream destination. Consider surmounting Portugal’s tallest mountain on Pico Island, surfing Europe’s best waves on São Jorge Island, or see endemic whales and dolphins off the coast of Faial Island.

1. Lisbon
Get aquainted with Lisbon’s surreal cityscape either aboard one of her famous trams or from her countless miradouros (viewpoints). After you’ve taken in the vantage, take your time slowly devouring her endearing neighbourhoods from trendy Bairro Alto to Gay-Welcoming Príncipe Real. In the evenings, enjoy the city’s very late nightlife, including some of Europe’s best gay bars and clubs. By day’s end you’ll have fallen under Lisbon’s spell.

Best Time to Visit: Portugal is one of Europe’s warmer countries so temperatures, crowds, and hotel prices can be unbearable in the summer. Spring or fall (April/May and September/October) is a splendid time to travel here.

Electricity: F-type sockets.

Vaccinations: The WHO suggests immunization against Hepatitis A and B,  rabies, and influenza before visiting Portugal. If visiting the Azores or Madeira Islands from a country infected with Yellow Fever, a vaccination certificate is required. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, consult with your doctor or a travel medical clinic.

Visas: If your passport is from the USA, Canada, Britain, or Australia, you don’t need a visa. There may be exceptions, and all visas are the traveller’s responsibility. For more info, click here.