Your 2025 LGBTQ+ travel guide: top destinations with direct flights from London Stansted Airport
Go further, and fly freely
Dreaming of your next queer-friendly getaway?
Whether you're chasing sunshine, culture, or world-class Pride events, these LGBTQ+ welcoming cities are all directly connected to London Stansted. Get inspired, pack your bags and travel proud!
Berlin, Germany
Bold, historic, and fiercely queer, there are few cities that wear their LGBTQ+ history and identity as proudly as Berlin. Wander through the LGBTQ+ neighbourhood of Schöneberg, where queer culture where queer culture has thrived for more than a century. Visit the Schwules Museum and immerse yourself in the vibrant nightlife at KitKatClub or Möbel Olfe. Come summer, Berlin Pride (CSD) lights up the city with marches, parties, and inclusive activism. Whether you’re after culture, history, or unforgettable nights out, Berlin has it all!
Sitges, Spain
Where every hour is golden hour and everyone is welcome! A short journey from Barcelona, Sitges offers an inviting beachside haven for LGBTQ+ travellers. Known for its inclusive energy, the town is famous for Gay Pride celebrations, Carnival, and Bear Week. Lounge on the gay-friendly beaches, sip mojitos at beachfront bars like El Horno, or dance the night away at clubs like Organic. Sitges delivers sun, style, and warm hospitality all year long.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Effortlessly cool and radically inclusive, Amsterdam embraces LGBTQ+ travellers with open arms. Explore the Canal Ring, visit the Homomonument, or cruise through centuries of progressive culture. The city’s Pride celebrations (including its legendary Canal Parade) are among the most photographed in the world. Whether you’re touring queer history museums or bar-hopping through Reguliersdwarsstraat, Amsterdam blends authenticity, acceptance, and adventure.
Iceland
Nature, nightlife, and Nordic pride. Reykjavík may be compact, but it packs in a big queer welcome. The capital’s LGBTQ+ scene is centred around inclusive venues like Kiki Queer Bar, and it plays host to one of Europe’s most scenic Pride parades each August. Add in geothermal lagoons, stunning landscapes, and gender-equal policies, and you’ve got a one-of-a-kind LGBTQ+ travel destination.
Nice, France
Riviera glamour meets a rainbow welcome as Nice offers a sparkling combination of Mediterranean charm and LGBTQ+ inclusivity. Take a stroll through the old town, then head to the city’s well-established gay beach near Opera Plage. The town also celebrates LGBTQ+ culture through events like Pink Parade and the In&Out Queer Film Festival. By night, enjoy cocktails and cabaret at Le Glam or Malabar Station.
Milan, Italy
High fashion, strong espresso, and rising queer culture! While Italy still has some work to do on LGBTQ+ rights, Milan shines as a cultural and progressive outlier. The Porta Venezia district is the heart of the city’s queer scene, home to stylish bars, drag brunches, and queer art spaces. Milan Pride is one of the biggest in Italy and continues to grow each year. Enjoy a city that’s full of life, creativity, and cosmopolitan energy.
Even more direct destinations to explore
Barcelona, Spain: a historic LGBTQ+ scene, great weather and massive Pride.
Thessaloniki, Greece: relaxed Mediterranean vibes and a growing queer nightlife.
Lisbon, Portugal: Fado meets fabulous; check out Bairro Alto’s gay scene.
Copenhagen, Denmark: Scandinavian cool with deep LGBTQ+ rights roots.
Oslo, Norway: queer museums, festivals, and inclusive public policy galore.
Why London Stansted Airport is your perfect LGBTQ+ travel gateway
London Stansted is more than just a gateway, it’s your personal launchpad to queer joy, global exploration, and freedom.
Flights of fancy - wherever you fancy!
From Berlin to Barcelona and Nice to Netherlands, Stansted connects you to top LGBTQ+ destinations across Europe and beyond without a London city-centre scramble. Budget airlines like Ryanair and easyJet offer regular, affordable routes, making spontaneous getaways and big Pride weekends more accessible than ever.
Boarding passes? More like all-access passes to inclusivity
Smaller than Heathrow or Gatwick, but packed with modern conveniences, London Stansted offers a smoother travel experience with shorter queues, smart security, and helpful staff. Need accessibility support or special assistance? It’s easy to request in advance, and inclusion is a growing focus throughout the terminal.
From runway to rainbow way
Located in one of the world’s most diverse regions, London Stansted proudly serves a community of travellers who reflect every identity and orientation. Whether you're travelling solo, as a couple, or with your chosen family, the airport offers a welcoming atmosphere where you’re just one flight away from your next unforgettable Pride parade or beach escape.
Fly high, fly proud, fly you
Stansted is proudly part of the Manchester Airports Group, which actively supports diversity across its locations. Through charity work, staff LGBTQ+ networks, and community involvement, London Stansted is building more than just flight paths, it’s helping build bridges.
Ready to take off?
Whether you’re planning a dreamy beach escape, hitting the party circuit, or discovering queer history abroad, London Stansted Airport is your reliable, relaxed, and well-connected hub. Fly out with confidence and travel proud, wherever you're headed next.
Useful links
Book FastTrack
Save time and use the express lane at Security and Passport Control
Airport parking
Accessible parking, close to every terminal
Security
Everything you need to know about going through Security
Related articles
Tick Vegas off your bucket list
10 unforgettable things to do in Viva Las Vegas - its never been easier with direct flights from Manchester Airport
10 tips to prepare for your next holiday
Make your airport experience, journey, and holiday run as smoothly as possible
Where to soak up the sun this winter
Ditch the cold this winter season, and treat yourself to a sunny sanctuary abroad
- Airport discounts
- Competitions
- Services and announcements
Know what you are looking for?
Follow us
©2025 Stansted Airport Limited. All rights reserved.