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Capital of Catalonia, Spain's second-largest city draws commerce and tourism not only from around Europe, but the entire world.

When you arrive in Barcelona, you're not just in Spain, but at the heart of the autonomous community of Catalonia. Centuries of history, with connections to many different parts of the Mediterranean, have bestowed a unique culture to this region. Though now part of Spain, the Catalan people retain their distinct language and sense of nationality. Catalan and Castilian Spanish are both used, so visitors are as welcome with bienvenidos as with benvinguts. French, English and other European languages are commonly understood, particularly in the gay community.

Remains of the old city walls date back to Roman times, and Barcelona has one of the largest extant medieval sections in Europe. Barri Gòtic (the Gothic Quarter) is just to the east of where the throngs congregatie in Plaça Catalunya day and night, or roam the length of La Rambla. This whole area is full of bars, clubs and restaurants, ranging from chain sandwich shop fare to haute cuisine; plus an abundance of shops and vendors' stands. To the west of here, the Raval district was a neighborhood of varied immigrants. Though gentrified now, it remains culturally mixed, with interesting restaurants and stores. Newer areas of Barcelona, dating from the 19th century, feature broad tree-lined boulevards and architecture that astounds with exuberance and sophistication equal to any great city of the world.

L'Eixample (the Gayxample/Gaixample village), has most of the city's gay bars, hotels, restaurants and shops, located between the Plaça d'Espanya / Barcelona Sants areas, and the neighborhoods of Plaça Catalunya / La Rambla / Barri Gòtic. If arriving by Metro, walk the few blocks north from Urgell, west from Universitat or southwest from Passeig de Gràcia or Catalunya stations.

For the gay beach at Platja de la Mar Bella see directions under "Getting Around" below. In summer the Chiringuito Be Gay beach cafe here rents chairs and umbrellas, and they serve breakfast, all-day tapas, salads, sandwiches or full meals, plus shakes, cocktails beer and wine. The party continues all night during Nit de Sant Joan festivities, when people all along the Spanish coast stay out on the beaches all night around summer solstice time. There's also a clothing-optional section here. Another beach, Platja de Sant Sebastià, just beyond the Barceloneta quarter, also has a mixed, clothing-optional beach at the southern tip, beyond where Passeig Marítim ends, with restaurants and cafes along the nearby streets, and chiringuitos on the sand.

Sitges is a short train ride to the south, about 30 minutes from Barcelona Sants station, a gay destination in it's own right, with plenty of beaches, dozens of gay bars, cafes, discos and saunas, and various special party and Pride events. Ibiza, the Balearic island just off the coast from here, is another gay destination of Mediterranean beaches and gay night spots, just four hours away by ferry.

Annual gay events in Barcelona include Barcelona Pride at the end of June, United Bear (Pride) and the Fire/ Mostra LGBT film festival in July, the August Circuit Festival party week, and the Barcelona International LGBT Film Festival in October; along with New Year's Eve party celebrations around the city, plus spring and summertime circuit parties from the Matinée group.

 

Getting Here

Barcelona Airport has Aerobús transport from Terminals 1 and 2 going direct to Placa Espanya or Placa de Catalunya, and an L9 Sud connection to the Metro system. There are also RENFE R2 trains every half hour at the end of a passage from Terminal 2, and with access by shuttle bus from Terminal 1. Trains depart from Terminal 1 to Barcelona Sants station every half hour; a 20 minute trip. From there you can transfer to trains for Sitges, hail a taxi behind the station, or connect to the TMB Metro system. See the airport ground transpotation page. Trains at Sants leave for Madrid, Valencia, and north into France, with connections throughout Europe. As the RENFE website is vast and confusing, try the Barcelona Tourist Guide covering options, schedules and ticket prices, in English

If you come on Ryanair you'll likely land at Girona, north of Barcelona. Bus service is frequent from here to Barcelona Nord Bus Station, (Metro station Arc de Triomf). Landing at Reus, the other Ryanair airport, can be a hassle. There are buses to Tarragona for a train to Barcelona, or direct buses - but with a tight schedule you could get stuck overnight. Other cities are connected to Barcelona by the modern intercity buses/ coaches that arrive at/ depart from the Barcelona Nord Bus Station. Alsa and Avanza are among the largest companies.

The Barcelona port receives cruise ship arrivals from the Americas, and has cruise connections to points all around the Mediterranean, and points north as far away as Scandinavia.

 

Getting Around

The Gaixample (in Eixample district) is quite compact so you can easily walk to, and between, any of the bars, sex clubs, dance clubs, shops, restaurants and bathhouses there. Plaça Catalunya, La Rambla, Barri Gòtic, and sights like the Gaudi Casa Batlló or the Museu Picasso are an easy stroll away. The Metro will get you most anywhere else. Single fare tickets are 2.20 euros, or buy a discount card for two to five days use. Use ticket machines if the booth is closed. The English-language TMB public transport site is easy to use.

For Platja de Mar Bella (beach) take the L4 line to Poble Nou station and grab a taxi, or hike 20 minutes to the water; or from Plaça Catalunya/Portal de l'Àngel, Plaça Universitat or Plaça d'Espanya, take bus number H16 (service every 7-9 minutes) to the Passeig Calvell-Rambla del Poblenou stop, then walk to the shore through the park. Look to the north for the Chiringuito Be Gay crowd.

For Platja de Sant Sebastia take the Metro L4 train to Barceloneta station, then hop a cab, walk, or take bus 39 or the number 64 three stops down Passeig de Joan de Borbó. The 64 also runs through the Gaixample, down Muntener towards the beach, and back by way of Aribau. The clothing-optional section is at the southern end of the one kilometer-long stretch of sand.

Yego has bikes and e-scooters for rent from street locations all over the city, accessible through their smartphone app. Other micro-mobility options include: Acciona, Bird, eCooltra, GoMeep, JetScoot, and Lynx, (with Eixample storefront and delivery services).

Car-sharing services include Ubeeqo and Virtuo. Among the many booking services with price comparisons for local and international car rental companies, find AutoEurope, EasyCar, HappyCar, and Kayak. For car rental companies with airport offices, see Aeropuerto Barcelona El Prat.

Street signs, addresses and menus in Barcelona, and across Catalonia (and on Google maps), have been changing to the local language, but most businesses also use Castillian Spanish online. It can be confusing, but not for long: Carrer/calle, avinguda/avenida, platja/playa, or Sant Joan/San Juan are not so different. Familiarity with French or Italian helps with parlar/hablar, sortida/salida, nit/noche, bon dia/buenos dias, or si us plau/por favor. But gos boig (perro loco) and tancat Dilluns (cerrado Lunes) might throw you (if Crazy Dog weiners are Closed Mondays). Many restaurants provide English language menus, but where's the fun in that? Airport and train station signs are usually in all three languages.

 

Media & Resources

For local news and updates on local gay social life look for Revista Gay Barcelona "men's lifestyle magazine."

Gaybarcelona4u.com has online listings too, in English. GuiaGayBarcelona is a Spanish-language guide with an English-language section.

Local newspapers in English include the Metropolitan, and the local edition of Time Out.

Spain in English website covers national and regional news, along with sports and cultural events and lifestyle listings.

Barcelona-tourist-guide.com and Barcelonaturisme.com provide online general-public tourist guides for the city.

Casal Lambda the Catalan LGBT activist group with a community center near Francia station, produces the FestiGaiLesbiá in October, and Mostra Fire!!, the annual early June LGBTQ film festival.

See the Pride Barcelona English language pages about events in late June/ early July.

The United Bears Barcelona group, until recently with monthly events, appears innactive as of July 2018.

Our maps & listings tab has locations and web links for these and other businesses.

 

Lodging

Absolut Centro Hostal (Casanova 72; 34-64-955-0238), with two comfortable "El Quadrat d'Or" hostal locations at each end of the gay district; convenience and affordability, near bars, shopping, restaurants and the sights; one, two, three, or four-person rooms, each with bathroom, free WiFi, and charming/ helpful management.

Axel Hotel Barcelona (Aribau 33; 34-93-323-2570) premium "hetero friendly" gay hotel, beautiful rooms, in-house gym, rooftop pool and bar, restaurant and lounge, perfect location between La Rambla and gay district. Not the least expensive option in town, they sometimes have special online rates. See Two below.

All rooms at the well-situated Barcelona City Centre Hostal (Balmes 60; 34-934-879-762) are soundproofed, with private bathrooms, and free satellite TV. Also rooms in their fourth-floor walk-up at Barcelona City Ramblas (La Rambla 133; 34-934-879-762) at budget prices. 

Barcelona Rooms (Comte D'Urgell 63; 34-629-159-759), a dozen brightly colored rooms in midtown, two floors, four shared bathrooms, fully equipped kitchen.

Eos Guest House (Gran Via 575; 34-934-518-772) gay and lesbian guesthouse at gay central, ten rooms, internet connection, buffet breakfast until 1pm. Inexpensive prices so they fill quickly -- book well ahead.

Enjoy Barcelona, a gay-friendly booking service, has over 250 comfortable short-stay apartments for rent in neighborhoods all around the city.

Fashion House (Bruc 13; 34-637-904-044), inexpensive but elegant 12-room B&B, five with bath, all with with balcony, veranda or terrace and WiFi; common living room fireplace, garden terrace hammocks, shaded tables and chairs.

Hostal Baires (Avinyo 37; 34-933-197-774), Bario Gotica, between La Rambla and the wharf, just 15 minutes walk to the beach.

Hotel California (Rauric 14; 34-933-081-164), Bario Gotica near La Rambla, 31 single rooms from 49 euros, breakfast included; satellite TV, phone, full bath, and AC.

Hotel Regencia Colon (Sagristan 13-17; 34-933-189-858), Bario Gotica off Cathedral Square, 50 non-smoking rooms, doubles and triples, wide flat-screen TVs, marble baths, breakfast buffets.

Hotel SOHO (Gran via de les Corts Catalanes 543-545; 34-935-529-610), gay-friendly hotel, restaurant, city views, terrace pool, in-room massage, breakfast buffet; "LGBT Route" section on their website.

Two Hotel Barcelona (Calabria 90-92; 34-935-392-313), second gay/straight-friendly Axel hotel in the Gayxample, 87 fully soundproofed rooms, satellite TV, WiFi, rooftop pool/deck and Jacuzzi, two bars, massage services.

See more hotels and guesthouses, plus some restaurant suggestions and some of the city's major museums and galleries at our map & listings pages.

 

Bars and clubs
The gay district in l'Eixample, known as Gaixample, has many bars and restaurants within short distances of one another between Plaça de Catalunya and the Urgell Metro station. Streets here are filled with people, mostly men, late into the night. A handful of bars are scattered to the south and east of this center, across other neighborhoods from Sant Antoni and Raval/ Cuitat Vella to Poplenou.

Prefer to smoke weed but don't want the hassle of buying it on the street? Many of the private cannabis clubs allow foreigners to join - just be 18 with ID and local address - see the CannabisBCN overview and MarijuanaBarcelona listings.

Aire (Ipotació, 233), energetic young throng, mostly women in groups and guy friends, retro music favorites, Latin hits, first Thursday Stupendas messages and female strip-tease.

Ambarito (Consell de Cent, 193), small gay/mixed neighhood copas bar, bravas and snacks.

El Berro (Diputació 180), small restaurant with wine and cocktail lounge; tapas and combination plates, hot and cold sandwiches.

Believe Club (Balmes 56), LGBT/mixed drag cabaret nightclub shows, resident DJs, ongoing events include Festa Allioli Olé.

Blunit (Muntaner 24), small late-night LGBT Gaudí-inspired cocktails/copas and music bar.

Botànic Bar Cafe (Muntaner 64), small gay neighborhood cocktail bar, men/women mix, special theme party nights.

El Cangrejo (Villarroel 86), fresh energy, men, women, old and young -- everyone linked and in constant motion. Mostly Iberian crowd with a zesty dash of Latinos.

Culture Club (Muntaner 7), gay/mixed bar/cocktail lounge and restaurant on two levels; Mediterranean/ International cuisine, pinchos/tapas snacks, good wines.

La Chapelle (Muntaner 67), narrow bar, conversations, quiet tables, wall of icons.

dDivine (Balmes 24), daily lunch/ dinner restaurant and cabaret showbar; jazz, gospel, flamenco, live music & DJs.

DMen's (Calle Consell de Cent 257), gay music and cocktails weekend bar/lounge with drag shows, by Moeem Barcelona & Grupo Arena at former Atame location.

La Federica (Salvà 3, Paral·lel), stylish neighborhood gay bar, copas, cocktails, tapas, art exhibits, theme events, friendly crew.

Moeem (Muntaner 11), small bar/cocktail lounge playing good music 6pm to 3am, DJs, cheap drinks; young, mostly male crowd.

The Moon (Muntaner 6), small LGBT music/ cocktail/ copas and tapas bar; sexy shirtless male staff.

Museum (Sepulveda 178), Louis XV Baroque style decor, Old Masters' male paintings, early evening cafe and video bar until 3am, mixed crowd.

Mykonos (Casanova, 75), gay music bar, mostly older guys, bears, drag shows.

People Lounge (Villarroel 71), gentlemen-only attractive lounge, Broadway show tunes, jazz and blues, gracious hosts, cute bartenders, overstuffed sofas, WiFi. Gays Abroad: English-speaking social club every Thursday at 10pm.

Plata (Consell de Cent, 233), corner bar open to night air, exudes stylish comfort, table and couch seating, warm decor, soft lighting, giant video displays. Urbane clientele see and are seen by all who walk by.

Priscilla Cafe (Muntaner 73), daily 5pm-3am pub beer, wine, gin specialty cocktails, espresso coffees, pizzas, sandwiches and desserts; music, patio, garden; shows, bear nights.

Punto BCN (Muntaner 63), well-established gay Barcelona fixture. Opens early at 6pm, Happy Tea Wednesdays; broad cross-section of local men mix with tourists.

Sky Bar (Aribau 33), terrace bar at Axel Hotel, lounge, pool and Jacuzzi, city vistas, open-public evenings.

Versailles Bar (Pasaje Valeri Serra, 3), gay and mainstream mixed Eixample bar/lounge, posh décor, sexy fashion and burlesque shows.

Woofy - special bears' nights around town at venues such as Believe (Balmes, 56), and Priscilla Cafe (Muntaner, 73)

Zelig (Carme, 116, Raval), gay/mixed cafe/bar, pasta, bravas and snacks, beer, copas and cocktails, terrace tables on Plaça del Pedró.

CLOSED: Dacksy (Consell de Cent 247), international guys; Dietrich Bar (Consell de Cent 255), mostly men, drag shows; La Sue (Villarroel 60), lesbian tapas bar/restaurant; Mary Boone Bar (Valencia 194), gay-friendly lounge; Re-Bar (Consell de Cent 247), music bar; drag, buff staff in underwear.

 

Bars and clubs for men

Bacon Bear Bar (Casanova 64), bear bar, one of the friendliest in town. No-attitude pub ambience, music that won't drown out a conversation. Snack Thursdays, back room for special (bear) hugs.

Berlin Dark (Passatge Prunera 18) sex club, naked men, military briefs, leather thongs, sports gear dress code nights; no cologue or club fashions. Friendly, conversational bar, play areas, wrestling nights, fetish events, piss parties, naked and underwear events, slave/master sessions. Wednesdays include women, heterosexual men, bisexuasl, and trans, gangbangs and bukkake.

Black Hole (Sepúlveda 81), leather/ sport/ skin/ rubber/ uniform/ bears fetish cruise bar for members (buy at the door), with cages, private cabins, cinema lounge, showers, and wrestling area.

Boys Bar (Diputació 174), small gay music/cocktail bar in the Eixample; DJs, theme nights, Salsa, Bachata, merengue dancing; Le Privilege cruise club, nude male strippers, Grindr parties, live sex shows, darkroom cabins, glory holes.

EME Club at Believe Club (Balmes, 56), men's and bears' clubbing/dance nights; theme party events include Brüt and Zooo.

Hunk Werstling members-only fight nights, lycra, wrestling singlet, cockrings, speedo or nude! Non-public address communicated by email, a few days before each event.

Maduras (Consell de Cent 245 B), older guys and friends men's bar, bocadillos sandwiches, buffet spreads, drag shows, special event theme parties.

New Chaps (Diagonal 365), leather-friendly men's sex bar open daily from 9pm, mature but frisky, downstairs darkroom, hot porno, naked/underwear nights; bears, all men welcome.

Night Bar (Diputació 161), men's cruise and cocktail bar, dark room, cabins; stripper shows, drag cabaret.

Odarko at Stella Club (Arlaban 7), men's leather and fetish dress code nights, dancing, cruising, dark/play room.

Open Mind (Aragon 130), dress-code-only leather, rubber, uniform, fetish/SM membership club. Naked nights, designated spaces for SM, bondage, fisting, and water sports, cabins and glory holes. See website agenda.

CLOSED: La Base (Casanova 201), men's cruise bar, naked and underwear nights; jail, sling, fetish play.

 

Dance clubs
Big dance clubs in Barcelona do elaborate weekend "sessions" with constantly changing concepts, technologies old and new, top DJs, talented performers, erotic displays, and extravagant costumes. All vie with one another to provide most exciting nights, all night and well into the daylight hours. Special parties pop up regularly, especially during Pride and the August Circuit Festival -- see our events listings and flyers around the bars, or check local websites for details.

The Arena group of late night dance venues includes Arena Madre (Balmes 32) with huge crowd of young gay, alternative, and mixed genders for weekend extravaganza dances; male strippers, foam parties and comedy shows.

Other nearby clubs are more mixed: Arena Classic (Diputacio 233), Friday/Saturday slightly older crowds with music to match; and Arena Dandy (Gran Via 593) weekend dance events that attract more of a straight crowd.

Black Room at Club City Hall (Rambla de Catalunya 2-4), YGF Sunday gay dance parties at the center, resident DJs and go-go dancers. SaturGays gay house parties, spectacular shows, singers, acrobats, go-go dancers, resident and international DJs.

Circuit is an almost two week international gay and lesbian dance party extravaganza of more than 20 day and night events in August. This past year included: Chill On The Beach, Mega Woof, Beyond, WE Party, Matinée, Rapido, Forever, Arena, The Week, Brutus, Pervert, Papa, LaLeche and Sodoma

EME Club at Believe Club (Balmes, 56), Friday night men's events.

La Ká at Sala Plataforma (Nou de la rambla 145; Poble-Sec), monthly queer dance party, mixed open to all, mostly male crowd, kinky go-gos.

Metro Disco (Sepulveda 185), open every night, Sunday/Monday drag cabaret, Tuesday/Friday/Saturday male strippers. House, Spanish, and 80s music plays on two floors, different atmospheres in each of four bars on weekends; darkroom frolics. Gladiators gay disco party, for men only, every Thursday. 

New Pervert Club at The One (Poble Espanyol, Francesc Ferrer i Guardia, 13, Poble Sec), men-only Saturday night midnight to 6am dance party by Matinée Group, international guest DJs; Beefbox, Circuit Festival, Devotion, WE parties, Leather & Bear Ball.

Sala Tango/ Arena VIP (Diputació 94) - CLOSING DEC 2020 - has hosted queer party nights: Caramba!; (I don't give a) FAG Party; Fag&Resistance/Fear; Mordisko; Stupenda, women's nights; and TOM, men's electro-house parties, with sex shows, showerboys, naked gogos, and darkroom.

CLOSED: Cabaret Berlin (Bailén 22), gay dances, music/theater/performance/circus, cabaret and multimedia shows.

 

Shops and services

Addicted (Consell de Cent 218), men's fashion underwear, shirts, shorts, jeans, accessories.

Antinous (Casanova, 72) gay bookstore and cafe, large selection of gay literature, photo books, poetry, movies, calendars, comics, erotica and more.

Blue Star Sex Shop (Numància 69), adult video DVDs, toys, lubes, magazines, cabins and peeps.

Boxer (Diputació 167) retail leather and fetish clothing store, accessories, sex toys, rubber gear, and even sex furniture. Online sales, also rental apartments to sleep 2-6 people, budget to luxury prices.

Boyberry (Calabria 96), not a typical sex shop. X-rated DVDs, largest gay-themed video library in Spain, rent or purchase. 14 cabins, darkroom/maze, LCD-screen movies, glory holes. All-day pass, under-27 half-price, under-22 free; in/out privileges. No-limit internet access computers and WiFi. Inexpensive beer/refreshments lounge. Free bar passes, guides, maps, and magazines; friendly staff, bike racks, lockers.

BCN Finest (L'Hospital 46), men's casual and sports wear, underwear, jackets; accessories.

Complices (Cervantes 4), LGBT bookstore, fiction, essays, biographies, poetry, comics, photo books, theater, DVDs, and more.

Erotic Palace (Sants 225), Plaça de Sants sex shop and men's cruise area; video cabins, dark room, g-holes.

Erotixx (Av. de Roma 153), gay/straight sex shop, upstairs gay cruise maze, g-hole, video booth peeps; mostly older guys.

ES Collection (Conseil de Cent 263), gay men's boutique, chic underwear swim and sports fashions.

Fisic (Bruc 24) is a local gay-favorite gym with personal trainers, yoga and dance studio.

M69 (Muntaner 69), brand name men's fashions, casual, urban wear, shirts, jeans, underwear, bags, accessories.

Ritual (Muntaner 58), men's casual and sports wear; shirts, pants, Ts, tank tops.

Sestienda (Rauric 11), sex shop, porn DVDs, magazines, fetish items, toys and accessories.

Zeus (Riera Alta 20), cruise cabins, glory holes, porn DVDs, magazines, fetish items, toys and accessories.

 

Saunas etc.

Grupo Pases has four saunas in Barcelona and others in Valencia and Seville. See our listings for locations and web links. Well maintained facillities, amenities such as swimming pools, dry saunas, steambaths, Jacuzzis, darkrooms, labyrinths, cruising areas, and private rooms. All locations offer snacks; some have bars and cafes.

The preeminent Pases location, Sauna Barcelona (Tuset 1), "el bombon del Grupo Pases," is the best, and most modern, with massage, aromatherapy, chocolate bath, light treatment, and follicle massage; huge Jacuzzi, private cabins (some with hot tubs), and more -- a place to vacation from your vacation!

Other Pases Barcelona sauna locations: Casanova (Casanova 57); Condal (Espolsasacs 1); and Thermas (Diputació 46).

Sauna Bruc (Bruc, 65), long-time local favorite spa/sauna since 1980, mix of young to old, bears and regular guys, special rates.

Sauna Cool&Fresc (Calàbria 59), four-level men's sauna and steam, Jacuzzi, work-out area, bar, non-stop weekend hours, ages 18-25 everyday discounts. Formerly Sauna Galilea.

For more gay destinations in Spain see our guides to Alicante, Benidorm, Bilbao, Gran Canaria, Grenada, Ibiza, Madrid, Seville, Sitges and Valencia.