Lisbon and surroundings has been an alluring gay destination since at least the 18th century when writer William Beckford escaped a homosexual scandal in England and moved to Sintra. Today, after decades under a homophobic dictatorship and despite the power of the Church in ultra-Catholic Portugal, Lisbon has slowly come out of the closet.

The upbeat nightlife, balmy climate, charming and lively outdoors atmosphere, sandy beaches nearby (including a predominantly gay beach), great cultural attractions, and intimate setting of pastel colors and narrow streets create a gay-friendly ambience that has turned the city into an increasingly popular gay destination.

On the whole, it is a fairly modern and accepting city, although Portugal remains one of the most closeted countries in Western Europe and, as with anywhere else in the world, you'll find the occasional person that frowns upon homosexual couples and families. But Lisbon is a very welcoming city to gay travelers and gay/lesbian sex is legal from the age of sixteen.

The gay scene is thriving, and as João Soares (a former mayor) wrote in the preface of the first Lisbon Gay & Lesbian Guide (often available at the "Welcome Center" in Comercio Square), Lisbon is increasingly a place of "freedom, tolerance and creative restlessness."

GAY HANGOUTS
Some of the city's most popular bars and clubs such as "Lux" (the best club in the city whether you're gay or straight), the very underground "Kremlin," and "Paradise Garage" attract a large gay crowd, and you don't need to go to strictly gay hangouts to meet gay locals -- a number of cafes in the Chiado district are popular meeting points for everyone ("A Brasileira," "Benard", and "Café no Chiado"), as well as the Armazéns do Chiado shopping mall.

If you're looking for a cool gay spot for during the day, head to Mar Adentro Café, where you can sit down reading the periodicals available, with your laptop computer (there is free wi-fi internet access), or meet the locals over a light meal or drink, before heading north to the action in Bairro Alto and Chiado at night.

Chiado is one of the "gayborhoods" of the city, along with Bairro Alto, and Princípe Real. These are very inviting areas with a myriad of restaurants, bars, bookstores, antique shops and clubs. The atmosphere is relaxed and laid-back, and everyone is free to be and act themselves.

There is also a number of gay-friendly restaurants, particularly in Bairro Alto, such as "Império dos Sentidos," "Pap'Açorda," and "Sinal Vermelho."

The beaches south of the city are also popular gay hangouts in the summer months, especially that of Meco, and one known as "Beach 19," for being the nineteenth stop of a toy train that runs by most beaches of the shore known as "Costa da Caparica" (reached by bus from Praça de Espanha uptown).

GAY EVENTS
Like most major world cities, Lisbon hosts the annual Gay Pride Festival every June (called "Arraial Pride"), with a march down Avenida da Liberdade and celebrations throughout the city. Another annual event is the Gay and Lesbian Film Festival that takes place in September, screening around 100 films from all over the world.

Click here for a list of mixed or predominantly gay bars and clubs. Check out "Spartacus" in Bairro Alto if you're looking for a sauna (Largo Trinidade Coelho, 2. Tel.: + 351 21 322 50 22 ), and Hotel Anjo Azul if you want to stay at a gay hotel. For other choices of accommodation, see our lists of hotels, hostels, and apartments.

Also take a look at our shopping guide and our detailed information on all the sights to ensure that you'll have a gay old time in this captivating city.

CURIOUS FACT Some of Portugal's greatest historical figures and artists were gay. Both Vasco da Gama and Ferdinand Magellan are believed to have had homosexual relationships during their voyages at sea, while the country's greatest modern poet Fernando Pessoa, wrote some homoerotic verse in English (especially in the long poem "Antinous"), never married and was known to have close friendships with openly gay writers. Other prominent gay Portuguese include: Mario Cesariny, Portugal's top surrealist painter who spoke about his sexual encounters with Portuguese sailors in the semi-biographical documentary film "Autografia;" António Variações, Portugal's most popular pop singer in the 1980s, and Mario Viegas, a renowned 20th century playwright and actor.

Stay at a hotel by the so-called gay beach, "Beach 19" by Costa da Caparica! Check out Costa da Caparica Hotel and Vip Praia do Sol Hotel. Or check out our selection of modern, central apartments, offering the privacy you won't find at hotels! See also a list of gay and lesbian bars and clubs!