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The best beaches in Puglia cater to all orientations and it can be hard to distinguish between gay and straight locals. Each suite feels like a private art gallery, with bespoke furnishings and photos of Italy’s golden age. Find out how we can handle the finer details of vacationing in style.
Photo: Anders Jilden
One could argue that Italian food is the most famous in the world.
Although the biggest celebrations are still held in Milan and Rome, every Italian region throws popular Pride gatherings. Typically, Italian cuisine is based on the Mediterranean diet, but its ingredients are explored creatively and always used in their season of production. Also not to be missed is Mergellina, a popular place for socializing, and the waterfront, perfect for a romantic stroll.
Read also, “Homosexuality and Sexuality in Antiquity: Naples, Pompeii and Capri.”
While the Catholic Church pulls back from LGBTQ+ progress, Italy maintains its allure among queer travellers with its dedication to high fashion, sublime pasta and a side helping of male eye candy.
Enjoy panoramic sea views from the infinity pool, or stroll to the bustling Corso Umberto for an evening of lively gay-friendly nightlife. This open approach is reflected in historical texts and frescoes of the time, where love between individuals of the same sex was depicted without stigma.
Today, these historical aspects are blended with a contemporary cultural offering.
Align your visit with the summer-long Gay Village festival, one of the most important events in the city’s gay calendar which sees Parco del Ninfeo and surrounding neighbourhoods become overrun with LGBT street parties, live music, performance art, film screenings and more. The nearby port town of Salerno, while not a beach town, offers some stunning places to stay in proximity to Amalfi’s best bits.
Moving inland from the coast, you’ll find steep winding roads rising into hills hosting hotels and residences with panoramic views across Positano and Amalfi.
On all other occasions, start off in any one of Rome’s highbrow cocktail bars and microbreweries, lowering the tone later on at an underground fetish party, wild gay club or good ol’ fashioned gay disco. Connected to the mainland by a 17th-century bridge and walled in by fortifications built in the Middle Ages, Puglia is precious land holding both turquoise-lapped beaches and important national history.
Public transport in the region can be lacking which is why we recommend hiring a car during your stay.
With the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west and the tranquil Lago di Massaciuccoli to the east, Torre del Lago is in a prime place for relaxation, studded with cultural offerings such as heritage museums, manicured gardens and year-round musical tributes to home-grown composer Giacomo Puccini, culminating in the annual ‘Festival Pucciniano’.
Rome and Milan are notable for their large Pride events, extensive queer nightlife, and visible public support. Explore Taormina’s ancient theatres and lively nightlife, unwind in the boutique luxury of Rome’s finest hotels, or bask in the vibrant charm of Milan’s fashion district. Keep reading for our hand-picked destinations that will make your Italian getaway unforgettable.
On a privately guided journey that reveals Italy's splendours at their most compelling, enjoy a special early entrance to the Vatican, view the artistic treasures of Florence, learn about an art restoration project and sample Italian cuisine with tastings in Tuscany and a food tour in Venice.
Photo: Samuel Ferrara
For those seeking a day of beachside relaxation, the nearby Mazzarò Beach is a must-visit.
San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel
What is less well-known is that a lot of its history and art has LGBTQ+ sides, from Julius Caesar to The White Lotus. Near Porta Saragozza is Italy’s first monument dedicated to the memory of persecuted homosexuals, a symbol of resistance and recognition.
Read also, “Bologna is the most LGBT-friendly city in Emilia-Romagna.
In fact, Italians live longer in general than most and this is largely due to a varied Mediterranean diet of fresh produce and seafood. Move slowly through the city and keep your sights upwards to best enjoy the city’s incredible sights (and look cool while doing so!), but when night comes around it’s time to let loose. A bustling port city made famous by its proximity to Mount Etna and UNESCO-listed baroque architecture, Gay Catania attracts a young and dynamic crowd who breathe life into the old town with rainbow bunting and artsy community spaces.
Spaghetti allo scoglio is an example of how the best mix of fresh ingredients, including homemade pasta, tomatoes, basil, mussels, clams and calamari, create a triumph of flavors.
Italians have also mastered the art of satisfying any sweet tooth. A short drive takes you to the lively gay beach at Marina di Torre del Lago, where summer parties and beach clubs are aplenty.