TOP 5: Gayest Cities In Europe

<p>Pretty much everywhere in Europe is gay friendly, especially in the original member states, however some of the newer members have come on leaps and bounds when it comes to equality, so we’ve added these in as well.</p> <p></p><p>PARIS</p> <p><img src="http://www.thegayuk.com/communities/8/004/009/928/388/images/4617750300.jpg" width="460" height="306" alt="Image Credit: photophilde - flickr" title="Image Credit: photophilde - flickr"/></p> <p></p><p>Gay Paris, one of the world’s most romantic getaways, voted for in countless surveys and polls as the place to go away – and with a thriving gay scene and same-sex marriage now legal, it might be time to brush up on your French. You can drive there from London, thanks to the tunnel for under £40 and it should only take just over 5 hours. Parking can be easily found in the outer reaches of Paris, say in Antony and then a ride into the centre on the ultra smooth Metro.</p><p></p><p>Recognition of same-sex relationships (civil partnerships and marriages): </p><p>★★★★★</p><p>Protections (anti-discrimination in work, anti-discrimination in provision of goods, gender, hate crime bill, equal marriage):</p><p> ★★★★★</p><p>Equality Laws (age of consent, blood donation, adoption, surrogacy, right to fight for country): </p><p>★★★★</p><p>Gender Rights: </p><p>★★★★★</p><p>Gay scene: </p><p>★★★★★</p><p></p><p>AMSTERDAM</p> <p><img src="http://www.thegayuk.com/communities/8/004/009/928/388/images/4617750293.jpg" width="460" height="345" alt="Image Credit: Kevin Dooley - flickr" title="Image Credit: Kevin Dooley - flickr"/></p> <p></p><p>Laid back Amsterdam, our liberal friends over the water are a very accepting nation and cheap to get to with an abundance of ways to travel there. Most of the scene is centred on Reguliersdwarsstraat Street. Amsterdam is an interesting city, with a village feel. Linked by a series of canals, the city is walkable, with much to see and experience. It’s a city that will enliven your senses. From the infamous red light district, to the green of the cafes where you can indulge in a little smoke or cake. Amsterdam is laid back and incredibly friendly. English is widely spoken. You could drive from Paris to Amsterdam - <a href="http://www.goeuro.co.uk/to_amsterdam">GoEuro</a> says that it would only take 5 hours and 14 minutes to drive and cost £44.24 in fuel or you could travel by train in 3 hours 20 minutes and cost around £80 for two of you.</p><p></p><p>Recognition of same-sex relationships (civil partnerships and marriages): </p><p>★★★★★</p><p>Protections (anti-discrimination in work, anti-discrimination in provision of goods, gender, hate crime bill, equal marriage): </p><p>★★★★★</p><p>Equality Laws (age of consent, blood donation, adoption, surrogacy, right to fight for country): </p><p>★★★★★</p><p>Gender Rights: </p><p>★★★★★</p><p>Gay scene: </p><p>★★★★★</p><p></p><p>LJUBLJANA</p> <p><img src="http://www.thegayuk.com/communities/8/004/009/928/388/images/4617750305.jpg" width="460" height="307" alt="Image Credit: Roberto Taddeo - flickr" title="Image Credit: Roberto Taddeo - flickr"/></p> <p></p><p>Ljubljana in Slovenia is an undiscovered gem in the heart of Europe, perfect for a weekend romp or for a week’s R&R. Ljubljana is the capital city of Slovenia, a smaller country, which is one of the European Union’s most recent members and it packs giant thrills. Friendly and welcoming, the Slovenes are keen to share their country with you – and their gay scene is flourishing, with a hip younger crowd. Ljubljana offers bustling riverside cafes and arty street markets. With the second ever Pink Week, starting in the spring, now would be a brilliant time to book. There are numerous gay clubs in the capital including klub K4, Lan, Tiffany and Galerija. Make sure you also take time to visit Lake Bled, around 40 minutes outside the capital and stay in the amazing Eco Huts.</p><p></p><p>Recognition of same-sex relationships (civil partnerships and marriages): </p><p>★★★</p><p>Protections (anti-discrimination in work, anti-discrimination in provision of goods, gender, hate crime bill, equal marriage): </p><p>★★★★</p><p>Equality Laws (age of consent, blood donation, adoption, surrogacy, right to fight for country): </p><p>★★★</p><p>Gender Rights:</p><p>★★★</p><p>Gay scene: </p><p>★★★</p><p></p><p>BARCELONA</p> <p><img src="http://www.thegayuk.com/communities/8/004/009/928/388/images/4617750298.jpg" width="461" height="308" alt="Image Credit: Nikos Roussos - flickr" title="Image Credit: Nikos Roussos - flickr"/></p> <p></p><p>Barcelona is a gorgeous place to stay and that Mediterranean heat and sunshine will definitely get you in the romantic mood. Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia. Gay men and women can walk confidently around the city and you’ll find the gay scene nestled away in the narrow alleyways of the older Quarter near the Ramblas. Set by the sea, Barcelona is a cosmopolitan city with a great friendly gay scene. Sexy boutique hotels are your haven away from the bustle. For gay or gay friendly places to lay your head try Axel Hotel Barcelona which receives outstanding reviews according to <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g187497-d305582-Reviews-Axel_Hotel_Barcelona-Barcelona_Catalonia.html">TripAdvisor</a>. The Hotel California is another great stay, having won the Trip Advisor excellence award four years in a row. </p><p></p><p>Recognition of same-sex relationships (civil partnerships and marriages): </p><p>★★★</p><p>Protections (anti-discrimination in work, anti-discrimination in provision of goods, gender, hate crime bill, equal marriage): </p><p>★★★★★</p><p>Equality Laws (age of consent, blood donation, adoption, surrogacy, right to fight for country): </p><p>★★★★★</p><p>Gender Rights: </p><p>★★★★★</p><p>Gay scene: </p><p>★★★★</p><p></p><p>COLOGNE</p> <p><img src="http://www.thegayuk.com/communities/8/004/009/928/388/images/4617750290.jpg" width="460" height="307" alt="Image Credit: Carlos Andres Reyes - flickr" title="Image Credit: Carlos Andres Reyes - flickr"/></p> <p></p><p>Cologne, Germany is a really progressive country with a brilliant recent history of equality for LGBT people; Cologne holds one of the largest pride events in Europe in early July. Gay life centres around two neighbouring districts Heumarkt -Alter Markt (older, more mature) and Rudolfplatz (younger and busier). There are over 18 gay or gay friendly venues including the friendly, although conflictingly named, Barstard Bar and the Baustelle 4 U. Cologne has a few impressive sights to see, but perhaps the most exciting is the river Rhine that is a major link to the rest of Europe. If you fancied something different, try jumping on a riverboat cruise and awake up somewhere new each morning. For a gay stay try the highly recommended Chelsea Hotel, which gets an impressive 8 out 10 on <a href="http://www.booking.com/hotel/de/chelsea.html?sid=36e3d6be1abbad31e6bfeaf41cd83d00;dcid=4;no_rooms=1;req_adults=2&">Booking.com</a> with prices starting at £75. The cheapest way to get to Cologne from the UK is to fly, costing from £27.98 with Ryanair and taking 6 hours 25 minutes. Train would take 4 hours 25 minute. </p><p></p><p>Recognition of same-sex relationships (civil partnerships and marriages): </p><p>★★★</p><p>Protections (anti-discrimination in work, anti-discrimination in provision of goods, gender, hate crime bill, equal marriage): </p><p>★★★★</p><p>Equality Laws (age of consent, blood donation, adoption, surrogacy, right to fight for country): </p><p>★★</p><p>Gender Rights: </p><p>★★★★★</p><p>Gay scene: </p><p>★★★★</p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p> </p>