LGBT: Stockholm

Sweden is one of the most socially liberal countries in Europe, making Stockholm a popular destination for LGBT tourism. In a nation where 81 percent of the people are in favor of same-sex marriage, you’re not going to find any gay neighborhoods here because, as any local will tell you, the entire city is LGBT-friendly .

The nightlife scene is vibrant in Stockholm with a wide range of gay bars and clubs. Roxy is a gay-owned bar and restaurant located in the trendy SoFo district. The food is multicultural with a Spanish flair set in a cozy atmosphere. Since 2003, SoFo has been rebranded into a hip district full of bars, art galleries and media companies. If you plan on spending time in the area, consider staying in the iconic Hotel Rival. The hotel is rated highly, gay-friendly and is in fact owned by former ABBA member, Benny Andersson.

Patricia is a popular gay-friendly club that has been open for more than 20 years. Located on the Södermalm waterfront, the establishment is a moored boat that was formerly Queen Victoria’s yacht. Stockholm is also known for its lesbian bars like Moxy and Club KG. If you are in the city during the holiday season, Pink Christmas is a popular event involving the local gay bars and restaurants. The Stockholm Pride Parade is also one of the biggest LGBT events in the world. Their 2014 parade saw a record-breaking number of 600,000 people coming out to show their support.

Learn more about visiting Sweden at visitstockholm.com