Denmark
Copenhagen is one of the world's most consistently liveable and LGBTQ+-welcoming cities — a compact, beautifully designed Scandinavian capital where cycling culture, open-minded values, and some of the world's best restaurants combine with a vibrant queer scene centred on the streets around Studiestræde in the Latin Quarter.
Copenhagen's LGBTQI+ scene is centred on the streets around Studiestræde and Nørreport in the Latin Quarter. Venues like Centralhjørnet (one of the world's oldest gay bars, open since 1917), Never Mind, and Oscar Bar & Café are institutions. The scene is relaxed and integrated — many venues are welcoming to all without being exclusively gay. The city's overall culture is so accepting that the community is spread throughout rather than concentrated in one area.
Copenhagen Pride (WorldPride 2021 was held here) takes place in August with a parade through the city centre and a week of events. The city has hosted WorldPride twice and is considered one of the world's great Pride destinations. The festival has a joyful, community-first character that reflects Denmark's approach to equality.
Copenhagen is a city of remarkable livability — cycling culture, new Nordic cuisine, world-class design, and a human scale that makes it easy to explore. Nyhavn's colourful canal houses, the Tivoli Gardens, and the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art are highlights. The city is compact and very bikeable; Donkey Republic and Bycyklen bike shares make cycling easy for visitors.
Summer (June–August) is ideal — long days, warm weather, and Pride in August. Spring and early autumn are pleasant. Winter is cold and dark but Copenhagen has excellent indoor culture and Christmas markets. Copenhagen is a year-round city for those who don't mind cooler temperatures.
Copenhagen Airport (CPH) is one of Scandinavia's main hubs with direct flights from across Europe and beyond. The Metro connects the airport to the city centre in 15 minutes. Copenhagen has an excellent Metro and S-Tog (suburban rail) network, and the city is famously bikeable. The LGBTQI+ quarter around Studiestræde is walkable from the central station.
Copenhagen is one of the safest cities in the world for LGBTQI+ travellers. Denmark has full marriage equality, comprehensive legal protections, and a deeply liberal social culture. Public displays of affection are completely normal throughout the city. Copenhagen's LGBTQI+ community is so well-integrated into mainstream culture that the distinction between gay and straight venues is often blurred.
Denmark is very safe for LGBTQ+ travellers — one of the most progressive countries in the world on LGBTQ+ rights. Same-sex marriage has been legal since 1989 (the first country in the world). Copenhagen is an exceptionally welcoming city.
