Madrid LGTB Life

Of late, Madrid has become one of the top gay destinations in the world. It’s easy to know why: not only is our capital a first class tourist and cultural destination, it is also a fun, friendly and tolerant city that has loads in store for LGTB tourists.

Spain has one of the most progressive legislations in terms of homosexual rights and that, together with all of Madrid’s attractions, makes for a city where everyone feels welcome. Gay tourists will feel quite at home in Madrid in one of the most famous gay districts in the world: Chueca. This traditional neighbourhood has become a trademark for modernity, avant-garde fashion, the latest designs, the craziest parties, delicious cuisine and excellent music and clubs.

Chueca unites people who have been living here forever and people who are new to the area, and all of them coexist with the thousands of visitors that arrive daily, attracted by the cultural, leisure and commercial offer available in the district. The neighbourhood’s two main avenues are: Calle Fuencarral and Calle Hortaleza, which are home to the most original and daring trendsetting fashions. It’s not just about fashion, though. There is also furniture, gifts, books, interior design, exqui- site perfume shops, hotels of all kinds (designer, luxury, affordable...). Anything anyone could want to make the most of a welcoming and special city.

Madrid is known world over for its endless nights in which Madrilenians party on until the early hours of the morning and surprise tourists with their contagious happiness. That is especially true of Chueca and of the wide range of nightlife venues that cater for an equally wide range of tastes. Along with the development of the neigh- bourhood, Madrid currently stages an event that has been labelled as the “Best Gay Pride in the World.” The celebrations go on for a whole week and end with a huge, massive parade which always takes place on the first Saturday after June 28.

Madrid, LGTB capital of Spain, has a population of 500.000 gays in all the region
The region of Madrid is visited annually by 3 million LGTB guests
From the majors cities of Spain Madrid is reachable by the train and its airport is the 4th biggest in Europe
The Madrid LGBT Pride is the most multitudinous event periodically celebrated in Spain.
The Madrid Pride has the participation of 2 million visitors and is one of the majors celebrations in Spain
The climate, the Spanish culture friend of life on the street and a completely respectable society has made it possible for Madrid to have a great LGBT neighbourhood, the neighbourhood of Chueca. In it, there is a great daily and nocturnal life
There are around 600 companies that almost exclusively lead to the LGBT target. Bars, cafes, discotheques, saunas, bookshops, sex shops, restaurants, outdoor cafes, travel agencies, psychologists, gyms, hotels, hair salons, etc. Many other businesses and large companies also do so but not in an exclusive manner
There is yearly over 350 leisure, cultural and sportive events oriented to the LGTB community
Madrid is also the LGBT capital in Spain
It is the city in which the largest LGBT community lives
Attraction focus point for all of Spain: 56% of gay men in Madrid were born in a different province or country
The most important media, associations and LGBT neighbourhood in Spain are found in Madrid

To acknowledge our excellent festivities, our city was recently awarded the title “Best Gay Event in the World” by LOGO/MTV. The truth is that Madrid’s Gay Pride is not limited to the parade, and actually includes a whole week of celebrations known as the “Gay Pride Festivities” during which the whole of the city centre, not just Chueca, buzzes with activity and good spirits, and everywhere is packed with rainbow flags and people who flock to the capital from all over the world ready to make the most of the city and these celebrations. The whole capital takes part in a week where fun is the main objective.

Nevertheless, Madrid is so much more than Chueca and Chueca is so much more than partying. Both the city and the neighbourhood itself offer gay tourists a range of attractions that go well beyond the limits of Chueca and Gay Pride. From some of the best art museums in the world to a gastronomy that experts have rated as top notch; from the blue sky that lights up almost every day of the year to the peace, freshness and greenness of our parks; from fashionable streets to tiny, hidden- away bookshops; from activities for kids to the best sport events... In a nutshell, Madrid is for everyone