Barcelona is an open and tolerant  city when it comes to the gay community with respect among locals and tourists. Barcelona is also the gay capital of the Mediterranean and is very near the town of Sitges, one of the most chic resorts of Catalonia and internationally recognized as an excellent gay destination. Barcelona is the capital of design in Spain where you can enjoy the fabulous Mediterranean climate with hot summers, pleasant springs and autumns and mild winters. With all these features, can you imagine a better combination for gay tourists who come to visit this beautiful city in Spain?

If you come to spend some days in Barcelona, ??you’re probably interested in finding good accommodation options for gays in the city. In this case, we certainly recommend you to choose the Eixample district of Barcelona, ??specifically in the Eixample Esquerra Barcelona area, ??also known as Gayxample.

Gay Parade 2011. Photo by Cassandra Martinsson

Gayxample or Gaixample is the area between Calle Sepúlveda, Arago, Rambla de Catalunya and Villarroel. It is centrally located in the city of Barcelona and ??well connected with the rest of the city by public transport. But what is special about the Gayxample neighbourhood? In this beautiful residential area are a lot of pubs, shops, clubs, bars and restaurants dedicated to gay and so this is the best place to find accommodation for gays and lesbians in Barcelona.

Our Gay Guide Barcelona recommends the best places for shopping, bars, discos and beaches frequently visit by the gay community. Many of these sites are located in the Gaixample area. However, if we could choose a few sites representing the gay scene in Barcelona, we would say:

• Arena VIP (Gran Vía 593): There are several nightclubs in the city Arenas, but this is one of the most emblematic. It has two rooms, one of house and techno rhythms and a more commercial floor. For excellent partying in a great atmosphere! As the atmosphere is so good, this club also attracts straight  boys and girls.
• Dietrich (Consell de Cent 255): Great place for a drink with terrace.
• Air BCN, Diana Hall (Calle Valencia 236): This is a bar for girls, with good pop music and drinks at reasonable prices.
• Marbella Beach is the only nudist beach in the city, however, the nudity is optional. This beach meets most of the gay community and the atmosphere is great. Note that this beach is absolutely not just exclusive for gays, as there are straight people frequently

Gay Parade 2011. Photo by Cassandra Martinsson

There are two very important events for the gay community in Barcelona, The Barcelona Gay pride and the Circuit Festival. Both events mean more than a week of celebration and joy. Barcelona can be proud of its tolerance and during the gay pride  you are assured of great parties held in the end of June. The Circuit Festival is Europe’s biggest gay leisure event with parties every day in both Barcelona and Sitges. The Circuit Festival takes place in the beginning of August and there are two separate versions, one for boys, one for girls.

If you want to visit Barcelona during the Circuit festival you might, as well, be interested to stay in a daily apartment in Sitges because some festivities of this festival are taking place in this pretty village.

Both events are definitely held during the best times of the year to visit the city, to take advantage of the warmth of the summer. However, do not forget that it is always a good time to visit Barcelona!

Gay Parade 2011. Photo by Cassandra Martinsson