The Best LGBT Walking Routes And Spots In Madrid

With World Pride 2017 starting soon right here in Madrid, it’s a good time to check out these LGBT walking routes. Most of the routes are located in Chueca, which is the LGBT neighborhood of Madrid. Make sure to stop into local bars, shops and restaurants, which are plentiful along each route. In celebration of World Pride, here’s some of the best LGBT walking routes in Madrid, Spain.

Plaza Vázquez de Mella

Hotel

Strolling around this plaza is fun, thanks to the many outdoor terraces where you can sit and have a drink. First, walk around the plaza and take it all in. Next, you can sit down at the Terraza de la Reina in the middle of the plaza to enjoy a colorful cocktail and some snacks. Make sure to also check out the rooftop pool at the Room Mate Óscar, a hotel located right on the corner of the plaza, with a rooftop terrace and pool.

Calle de Infantas/Calle Barbieri

Wandering Calle de Infantas, you’ll come across a number of LGBT-friendly restaurants, nightclubs, and tiny bars. A favorite is Cocina del Desierto, which is a cave-like space where you sit on the floor to enjoy Saharan-style delights. Afterwards, have a “mini” (which is actually not very mini at all, but rather a giant plastic cup filled with beer, mojito, or tinto de verano) at the famous tapas bar El Tigre.

Calle Infantas Madrid 28004

Calle de Gran Vía

One of Madrid’s biggest and most beautiful streets, Gran Vía sits on the very edge of Chueca and features a host of shops, restaurants, and theaters. A crowded, bustling street filled with vibrant activity and movement both day and night, the street is reminiscent of New York’s 5th avenue or Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. Enjoy the grandeur of some of Madrid’s most famous buildings, such as the Telefónica Building and the Metropolis Building, or veer off to one of the area’s main beautiful squares, such as Plaza de España or Plaza de Callao.

Calle de Gran Vía, Madrid 28004

Calle Hortaleza

Home to some of Madrid’s best smaller LGBT-friendly bars, don’t be surprised to see this street decorated with rainbow flags. Loaded with clubs, bars, coffee shops, boutiques, and more, this is a busy area that welcomes LGBT customers, and indeed everyone.

Plaza de Chueca

Madrid’s LGBT movement started right here in the Plaza de Chueca. In the 1970s, during the Movida Madrileña, the cultural transition that took place after General Franco died, there was a bold turn towards LGBT rights. This plaza was the epicenter for the gay rights movement then, and it still is today.

Mercado de San Antón

A visit to the LGBT-friendly Mercado de San Antón is a must when visiting Madrid. You can shop for gourmet items on the ground floor of the market, enjoy tapas and wine on the next floor, or have a cocktail on the outdoor rooftop. With a bustling LGBT-scene on the roof, you can really feel the all-inclusive vibe.