Gay & Lesbian travellers

Lisbon is currently on a par with mainstream Europe when it comes to gay and lesbian equality and the Portuguese are some of the most relaxed people in this regard. Lisbon is a popular place for gays and lesbians, who are treated with respect (and not just “tolerated”). The city has a thriving gay scene with plenty of gay friendly bars, nightclubs, restaurants, cafes, saunas and beaches.

Most of these places are located in the Bairro Alto, Chiado and Príncipe Real neighbourhoods. Lisbon is home every year to the Lisbon Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, which now attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the country and Europe. Lisbon has a gay hotel called the Anjo Azul, housed in a building that was the celebrated poet Fernando Pessoa’s last home. The hotel is easily distinguished by its XVIII century facade, covered with typical Portuguese “azulejo” tiles. The age of consent is 16 in Portugal and homosexual sex is legal.