Gay district of barcelona
Is Eixample Area In Barcelona a "Gay Area" or Suitable For Everyone?
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Q: We plan to rent an apartment. Someone recommended Eixample rather than Las Ramblas or the Gothic Quarter. We are in our 50's and open-minded, but I have heard Eixample referred to as Gay-xiample. Are there certain parts of Eixample that are exclusively gay areas and where we might feel out of place? If so, which parts? We appreciate shops, restaurants, bars and modernist architecture. Are there differences between Eixample Izquierda & Derecha?
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A: You won't have any problems with choosing your accommodation in Eixample. Eixample has some bars and clubs that are geared towards the gay community; however, Eixample is by no means categorized as a "gay area" and to label it as such is wholly inaccurate. I
Barcelona Gay Guide
After Franco popped his zapatos back in 1975 a radical alter took place in Spain. Right-wing Catholic conservatism was abandoned as Spain ushered in a recent democracy and embraced liberal values with glee abandon. Starting in Madrid, but with echoes in Barcelona, Bilbao and Viga, a excellent movement took place in art and culture – La Movida – which was characterised by freedom of expression, the breaking of taboos imposed by the Franco Regime, use of recreational drugs and gay love.
To this day, along with Madrid, Barcelona remains one of the most liberal and gay-friendly cities anywhere in the world with many Spaniards relocating from the some of the more conservative areas of the country to live their life here to the fullest. It’s very common to see gay couples holding hands and kissing openly in streets and bars without even a hint of approbation from the cosmopolitan locals. Thanks to the city’s sensational architecture, cultural attractions, gay nightlife scene, beautiful people and nudist beaches, Barcelona has become a Mecca fo
Gay Area in Barcelona
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Q: Where is the gay part of Barcelona town centre? And what is the best way to get around the city?
A: There are no defined gay areas as such in Barcelona as it's quite a liberal metropolis. However Sitges beach is well-liked with the Gay community (about 30 minutes on the drill from Barcelona city centre) The area that has the most gay bars, and clubs, is Eixample near Calle Diputacio and Arago streets along with Calle Balmes and Villaroel (Calle is another word for street ) You will find a comprehensive guide to the Gay and Lesbian scene in Barcelona in the Time Out guide which we have reviewed. They hold devoted a chapter to reviews of Bars, shops and clubs catering for the gay scene.
Barcelona is quite small, and you'll be able to walk around to most places or just use the Metro which will take you just about anywhere in the city. Try taking a look at our Barcelona metro page for more information.
Gay Barcelona Travel Guide 2025
Upcoming Events in Barcelona
About Barcelona and its gay life
For gay travellers Barcelona has been one of the favourite destinations in Europe for the last decades. The city has this perfect combination of a warm Mediterranean climate, beaches within and close to the city, mountains in the hinterland and the culture, nightlife, sights and infrastructure of an European metropolis.
Among the things that make Barcelona unique are the many fine examples of Catalan Art Nouveau architecture (Modernisme Català). Barcelona is also a good place to love the modern design that had bloomed after the end of the Franco dictatorship in Spain.
As you can notice on our gay maps, the center of Barcelona's gay scene is in the Eixample district (sometimes called the Gayxample neighborhood, or Gaixample in Catalan) with most of the gay bars, hotels and shops in Barcelona.
Annual highlights and queer events in Barcelona are Barcelona Gay Pride in July and the Circuit Festival party weeks in August.
For a day at the beach you c