Category Archives: europe

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Coronavirus updates gay travel

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If you are one of the millions who viewed disco icon Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” hand washing video, you have seen a great metaphor for the current COVID-19 crisis. Let’s stay safe, keep our spirits up, and hold on for the future.

Most major cities across the globe have pride month events scheduled for 2020, and most of them will be forced to cancel and reschedule. Here’s a brief summary for the cities we cover on VamosGay: Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Montevideo, Santiago, Buenos Aires, Mexico City, and Lisbon. Try skyscanner.com to compare the latest international airfares.
(Note: The information below is current as of July 25, 2020.)

🇦🇷 Buenos Aires Sat, Nov 7 (unconfirmed)
🇵🇹 Lisbon (unknown)
🇧🇷 São Paulo cancelled for 2020, new date June 6, 2021
🇧🇷 Rio de Janeiro Sun, Sept 27 (confirmed)
🇨🇱 Santiago Chile Sun, Jun 28 (online only)
🇲🇽 Mexico City Sat, Jun 27 (online only)
🇺🇾 Montevideo (Fri, Sept 25 confirmed)

lisbon

Gay Guide to Lisbon

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The Lonely Planet Guide to Lisbon describes the Portuguese capital as a “city armed with Gothic grit and glamour” and we wholeheartedly agree.  If you have learned a bit of Portuguese from traveling with our guides to Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, now is the time to explore Lisbon.

Getting There & 2020 Travel Dates

Skyscanner is one of our favorite places to search for and keep track of deals.  More deals can be found at Iberia.com and AirFrance.com,  For package deals with airfare and hotels, try Expedia.

Upon landing, many Europeans can happily connect their mobile devices, but everyone else can visit Vodafone’s airport kiosk. 
They offer 30 GB of data over 15 days for only €15 (SIM card included.)  Perfect if you have a dual SIM phone for travel and use our Google Map to gay Lisbon to navigate the city.

Lisbon is the 3rd sunniest city in Europe and welcomes visitors all year round.

⚕️ Coronovirus Update:  As of March 2020, the previously planned events for the year are under review and no longer confirmed.

Here are a few 2020 dates for the LGBT travel calendar.
Lisbon Bear Pride       May 27 – June 3
LGBT Pride March       June  20
Arrail Lisboa Pride       June TBD
Queer Lisboa       September 18 – 26

Hotels & Places to Stay

Some travelers are looking for a stylish suite to make their Instagram followers jealous.  Others, want a charmingly simple flat within walking distance of the city’s attractions.

The Late Birds Lisbon tops our list of gay-friendly places to stay. Click below for the full list of places we highly recommend.

View list of gay friendly hotels of Lisbon »

Bars & Nightclubs

Strip down to your jockstrap and have a Super Bock (a popular Portuguese beer) or dress up and enjoy champagne with your husband.  Lisbon has a wide spectrum of gay nightlife.  Click below for the full list.

View Gay Bars & Clubs of Lisbon »

Restaurants & Cafes

Lisbon is a gastronomic paradise!  We are still working on our full list of gay-friendly recommendations, but until it’s ready, use our Google Map of Gay Lisbon to discover the best food, ambiance, and service.

Saunas, Dark Rooms, and Gay Beaches

Trombeta Bath is the city’s biggest sauna and has the highest number of daily patrons.  But, there are many other places to have a hot time in Lisbon.  You can even hop on a ferry and sail over to Lisbon’s clothing-optional gay beach!  Check out our list of hot spots for 2019 (updated to exclude several that recently closed.)

View the Saunas and Beaches of Lisbon »

Get the Lisbon News from Our Newsletter

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Hotels & Gay-Friendly Places to Stay in Lisbon

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Like the men of Lisbon, our list of gay-friendly places to stay are gorgeous, charming, and … make you want to re-book your flight home to stay a few days longer.

The Late Birds Lisbon   ★ Editor’s Choice 2019

Neighborhood: Bairro Alto / Principe Real
From the moment you’re welcomed through the doors of this gay owned and operated men’s guesthouse you will immediately want to extend your stay for even more time at the outdoor swimming pool, which includes a garden, a sun deck (photos above) and a lounge bar.
View more info, photos, and reviews »

Bairro Alto Hotel

Neighborhood: Bairro Alto
This 5-star boutique hotel features luxurious rooms and their terraces offer panoramic views of Lisbon and the Tagus River. The Bairro Alto Hotel sits few blocks away from the best bars and restaurants in the gayborhood.
View more info, photos, and reviews »

My Story Hotel Ouro

Neighborhood: Baixa
With a themed décor based on Portuguese tiles, the charming My Story Hotel Ouro occupies an 18th century building in the heart of the historic Baixa district of Lisbon. Its outdoor esplanade is on one of Lisbon’s traditional pedestrian streets.  Close to Baixa/Chiado metro station and within walking distance of popular tourist sights, shopping areas and Bairro Alto gay nightlife.
View more info, photos, and reviews »

As Janelas Verde

Neighborhood: Estrela
This little gem is outside of our previously listed gayborhoods but it is the perfect place for the culture maven who chooses to skip the bar scene.  This romantic property is on the banks of the river Tagus near Lisbon’s Museum of Ancient Art and is perfect for exploring the city’s architectural wonders.
View more info, photos, and reviews »

More flats and apartments …

You will find many openly gay guys renting their spaces through AirBNB (and, the gay-owned and operated MisterBNB is also available. ) However, if you search the prices for flats and apartments on Booking.com, you may find equal (or better) prices.

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Bars & Clubs of Gay Lisbon

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Gay nightlife in Lisbon is fun, fabulous, and pretty easy to navigate.  Most of the bars and nightclubs are within walking distance of the  best gay-friendly places to stay in Lisbon.
Download our VamosGay Google Map to Gay Lisbon to your phone before you go  to avoid using mobile data.

If you’re only visiting for a weekend, try Thursday and Friday nights in Bairro Alto, and Saturdays and Sundays in Principe Real.  (Check this calendar of Portugual’s public holidays for dates when nightlife will  explode.)

Gay Parties in Lisbon

Conga is the best and one of the most popular monthly gay parties.  Most parties don’t have a fixed location.  Once you’ve arrived, you’ll encounter party promoters with flyers and free passes for events at any of the larger clubs like Trumps or Construction.

Several major events in 2019 will guarantee parties throughout the city: Lisbon Bear Pride (May 29 – June 3),  LGBT Pride March (June 29), Arrail Gay (June 22), Queer Lisboa (September 20-28)

Gay Bars & Nightclubs in Lisbon

49 da ZDB

Hipster bar connected to Zé dos Bois Gallery
Young men and women come to drink, chill, and enjoy the bohemian vibe of the space.
Neighborhood: Bairro Alto
Rua da Barroca 49, Lisbon Portugal

Bar 106

This small place to grab a drink is one of Lisbon’s oldest gay bars.  Happy hour until 11:30pm.  Also popular on Sundays.
Neighborhood: Principe Real
Rua São Marçal 106, Lisbon Portugal

Bar Cru

Raunchy mix of bar and sex club.
Being asked to check your clothes at the door might scare off the timid, but once inside, you can join the mix of locals and tourists at the bar in their underwear and take a peek at what’s going on in the “play area.”
Neighborhood: Principe Real
R. São Marçal 170, Lisbon Portugal

Bairru’s Bodega

This wine bar offers a mature oasis as you enjoy the streets of Bairro Alto.  Order their excellent sangria de champagne.  Or try the  ginjinha!
Neighborhood: Bairro Alto
Rua da Barroca 3, Lisbon Portugal

Burlesque Club

Friendly staff, and stylish, burlesque-theme interiors make this a great place for visitors to spend the night out in Lisbon.
Neighborhood: Bairro Alto
Rua da Rosa 159, 1200-383 Lisboa, Portugal

Clube da Esquina

Outstanding cocktails and local men make this “corner bar” worth a stop as you explore this popular section of the city.
Neighborhood: Bairro Alto
Rua da Barroca 30, Lisbon Portugal

Construction Lisbon

Very popular multi-level gay night club.  DJs keep the men on the dance floor.  Sometimes Friday can be so much fun, you’ll want to go back for more on Saturday.
Neighborhood: Principe Real
Rua Cecílio de Sousa 84, Lisbon Portugal

Corvo Real

New, trendy, and highly-recommended!
Cocktails, craft beers, cheeses, oysters, and more upstairs.  After 10pm, step down to the small basement dance floor where the DJ keeps the men moving until 2am during the week, and 3am on weekends.
Neighborhood: Principe Real
Calçada Eng. Miguel Pais 18,, Lisbon Portugal

Espaço 40 e 1

Small bar with a mixed crowd.  Take a look at the many equally small bars surrounding it.  Depending on the night, you may be tempted somewhere else, but Espaco 40 e 1 is a popular place to start.
Neighborhood: Bairro Alto
Rua da Barroca 41, Lisbon Portugal

Finalmente Club

Open everyday from midnight to 6am.  Finalmente remains a popular night spot for gay guys over 30.  Have a drink, enjoy the music, and cruise the crowd.  Finalmente’s legendary and spectacular drag shows start around 3AM.
Neighborhood: Principe Real
Rua da Palmeira 38, Lisbon Portugal

Friends Bairro Alto

Fun and friendly!  Grab a mojito and take a selfie with any of the energetic staff.  Popular with groups, but solo visitors will easily be equally drawn into fun atmosphere.
Neighborhood: Bairro Alto
Travessa da Água da Flor 17, Lisbon Portugal

Lux Frágil

Destination for DJs where the party doesn’t kick into gear until after 2am.  See who’s playing on the clubs website, and be prepared for attitude at the door.  Gay friendly, but the crowd depends on the guest DJs.  It’s near the coast and has a rooftop deck.
Neighborhood: Santa Apolonia
Av. Infante D. Henrique, Armazém A, Cais da Pedra a Sta Apolónia, Lisbon Portugal

Maria Lisboa

A popular stop in the Bairro Alto gayborhood.
Neighborhood: Bairro Alto
Rua Atalaia 97, Lisbon Portugal

Pride Burlesque

A fabulous crowd (including more and more straights) fills this narrow space for drinks under the chandelier.  Fridays are popular.
Neighborhood: Bairro Alto
Rua da Rosa 159, Lisbon Portugal

Purex

You’ll find Purex at the top of nearly every list of LGBT bars in Bairro Alto.  This trendy nightspot has a great bar and their Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights fill a void in Lisbon’s weekend-centric calendar.
Neighborhood: Bairro Alto
Rua das Salgadeiras, 28, Lisbon Portugal

Saara Lounge

Highly-recommended new addition
From Thursdays through Saturdays, this stylish space continues to draw an attractive crowd amazing (yet inexpensive) cocktails … plus a dark room.
Neighborhood: Bairro Alto
Rua da Rosa 14G, Lisbon Portugal

Secret Bar

From the owner of Trumps, Secret Bar draws a younger crowd with pop music and themed parties.
Neighborhood: Principe Real
Rua Cecílio de Sousa 72, Lisbon Portugal

Shelter Bar

Bear-ish bar where you can have a drink, hang with old friends, and make some new ones.
Neighborhood: Principe Real
Rua da Palmeira 43 A, Lisbon Portugal

TR3S Lisboa

Meet the friendly staff behind one of Principe Real’s most popular bear bars.  TR3S can be cruisier than the rest and attracts masculine bears from around the world.
Neighborhood: Principe Real
Rua Ruben A. Leitão 2, Lisbon Portugal

Trumps

The most popular LGBT nightclub in Lisbon.  Tourists are very welcome.  Open Fridays, Saturday, Sunday from midnight to 6am.
Neighborhood: Principe Real
Rua da Imprensa Nacional 104 , Lisbon Portugal

Woof LX

You could have a drink at the bar, but you would miss out on all of the bears, cubs, otters, and wolves outside.  The sidewalk outside of Woof LX has become more popular than the bar itself.
Neighborhood: Principe Real
Rua da Palmeira 44A, Lisbon Portugal

Woof X

Ring the bell to enter.  This papa bear bar has a dark side … and a dark room!  Woof X is where many bearded guys go after Woof LX.
Neighborhood: Principe Real
Rua Manuel Bernardes 2B, Lisbon Portugal

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Gay Saunas, Cruising, and Sex Clubs of Lisbon

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Looking for a good a time in Lisbon?  Our Editor’s Choice for Best Sauna is Trobeta Bath (see photo above.)   But, there are many worth competitors who are open and ready for action.  Check out the full list of below.  Plus, a few of Lisbon’s gay bars also have playgrounds and backrooms.  And of course, the less adventurous can always “get a room” from our list of Lisbon’s gay-friendly hotels.

Drako Club

Private sex club for men only with a hardcore edge.  Aside from the traditional slings and dark rooms, there’s also a “pissing zone” and more.  Drako has a popular Wednesday afternoon party.  Check their website to see what’s on their calendar before you go.
Neighborhood: Near the Museu da Saude
Rua Nogueira e Sousa 11, Lisbon Portugal

Olissipo Bath

Brand new facility with a focus on the amenities: pool, sauna, relaxation rooms.  No website at the moment, but here are their hours of operation:
Mon-Thurs 12 noon – 6am , Fri, Sat, and Sun 24 hours.
Neighborhood: Principe Real
Rua Telhal 5, Lisbon Portugal

Praia 19

Legendary beach spot that is worth a day trip to the Caparica coast.  Aside from gay sex, the entire stretch of Portuguese coastline is fun and relaxing.  Post 19 is where you will find the LGBT visitors.  Start with with a drink on the deck of Casa da Praia.  Then, you can wander along the clothing-optional beach and check out the guys.  The notorious outdoor spot was the topic of a documentary short film, Beach 19.
Getting to the beach is not easy.  There are two options.
Either take bus TST 153 to Costa da Caprica.
Or, you have to take a ferry boat, then connect to either a bus (number 135 or 124,) or a charming little train (only available during the summer.)
Neighborhood: Costa da Caparica
2525 Costa da Caparica, Lisbon Portugal

SaunApolo 56

Dedicated to being LGBT-inclusive, SaunApolo 56 welcomes women, bisexual couples, and transgender men and women.  Photos of the facility and a list of services available on their website.
Neighborhood: Conde Redondo
Rua Luciano Cordeiro 56A, Lisbon Portugal

Trobeta Bath ★ Editor’s Choice 2018

Big, clean, safe, and located in the heart of Bairro Alto … Trobeta Bath is popular with tourists from across Europe as well as locals.  There’s enough traffic to almost always guarantee a nice selection of men.  They also have a team of professional masseurs … perfect for a jetlagged visitor.
Rua do Trombeta, 1C, Lisbon Portugal

Cinebolso

Take the metro outside of the “gayborhoods” and into the time warp of an authentic XXX cinema.  Buy a ticket at the box office , walk past the snack bar, and into an actual movie theater.  You’ll find straight sex on the screen, and gay sex in the aisles.  Open from noon until midnight for fans of bi-curious Portuguese men over 40.
Neighborhood: Metro Picoas
R. Actor Taborda 27B, Lisbon Portugal

⚠️ Update for 2018: Last year, unfortunately, The Cock, Virato Sauna, and Setimo Ceu all closed their doors and have been removed from the list.

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