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Portugal is on track to be ’the’ next destination in Europe. Lisbon is laden with history. Porto and the Douro Valley offers enchanted vineyards and towns. And like Iceland or Hawaii, the Azores Islands are a magical place in the middle of an ocean. With its emerging tourist industry, Portugal offers excellent value without the crowds that Europe is notorious for.
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.
Lisbon: Príncipe Real & Bairro Alto
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
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)
Lisbon: Purex Clube (Primarily but not exclusively Lesbian)
UNESCO World Heritage Sintra is a fantastical city 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.
Uncork is one of Europe’s oldest (and most famous) wine regions. Not only are the vintages world-class, the verdant terrain and snaking river make an excellent backdrop while you wine & dine al fresco.
Gay-Welcoming Porto is a true hidden gem. Get lost in its intricate alleyways while appreciating the juxtaposition of classic and modern architecture.
Often described as the Hawaii of the Atlantic, this archipelago is an active adventurer’s dream destination. Consider surmounting Portugal’s tallest mountain on Pico Island, surfing Europe’s best waves on São Jorge Island, or seeing endemic whales and dolphins off the coast of Faial Island.
Get acquainted 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, slowly devour 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.
Covid-19 Vaccination Requirements: Out Adventures requires proof of complete Covid-19 vaccination from all guests, following recommendations by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For more details, please see our Covid-19 FAQ.
Other Vaccinations: Based on the entry requirements for Portugal, there are no other vaccinations needed. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, you should consult your doctor or a travel medical clinic, as Out Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations.
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.
LGBT Rights in 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
Gay Portugal Travel
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.
Lisbon: Príncipe Real & Bairro Alto
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
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)
Lisbon: Purex Clube (Primarily but not exclusively Lesbian)
Best Places to Visit in Portugal
UNESCO World Heritage Sintra is a fantastical city 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.
Uncork is one of Europe’s oldest (and most famous) wine regions. Not only are the vintages world-class, the verdant terrain and snaking river make an excellent backdrop while you wine & dine al fresco.
Gay-Welcoming Porto is a true hidden gem. Get lost in its intricate alleyways while appreciating the juxtaposition of classic and modern architecture.
Often described as the Hawaii of the Atlantic, this archipelago is an active adventurer’s dream destination. Consider surmounting Portugal’s tallest mountain on Pico Island, surfing Europe’s best waves on São Jorge Island, or seeing endemic whales and dolphins off the coast of Faial Island.
Get acquainted 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, slowly devour 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.
More Info
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.
Covid-19 Vaccination Requirements: Out Adventures requires proof of complete Covid-19 vaccination from all guests, following recommendations by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For more details, please see our Covid-19 FAQ.
Other Vaccinations: Based on the entry requirements for Portugal, there are no other vaccinations needed. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, you should consult your doctor or a travel medical clinic, as Out Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations.
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.
Get to know the four Azores Islands featured on Out Adventures active gay tour, Portugal: Azores Islands Adventure.
Read MoreSeven unique experiences gay travellers can enjoy on The Azores Islands with Out Adventures.
Read MoreToday’s gay travel podcast narrows in on the Azores Islands. Our fabulous hosts offer insights on how to get there and how to get around once you land. They also offer their opinion on what to eat, sleep, see and do on the Atlantic archipelago.
Read MoreBeginning in Perfect Porto, swerving into the lush Douro Valley and finally ending in gorgeous Lisbon, our first foray through Portugal was a smashing success. Here’s but a handful of photos taken by our travellers.
Read More
