• GoQueer
  • Posts
  • Our favorite Mediterranean City 🇪🇸

Our favorite Mediterranean City 🇪🇸

Plus: new laws targeting Grindr and other Gay apps may affect your travel

January 19, 2025

In partnership with

Hey there! Anthony & Andy here. Thanks for being part of the GoQueer community 😁 We took a short ~self care~ break but we’re back and ready to go for 2025 🥳🥳🥳

We're here to help you discover amazing destinations, find the best local spots, share insider knowledge and travel inspiration — and score great travel deals that won't break the bank.

And if you have any questions about specific destinations — or anything else — you can always just reply to this email and we’ll point you in the right direction.

Let's jump in! This week:

This Sunny Spanish City Is Calling Your Name…

Barcelona—one of the world’s great cities—is also one of the world’s great queer-friendly cities, and a perfect place to plan for your summer vacation. With year-round perfect weather, a thriving arts scene, and a legendary nightlife that doesn't get started until after midnight, Barcelona offers queer travelers an intoxicating mix of culture, cuisine, and Mediterranean charm.

And there's no better time to visit than June, when Pride Barcelona (June 22-29 this year) transforms the city into one massive celebration.

The Gay Scene 🏳️‍🌈: The heart of gay Barcelona is the L’Eixample (pronounced luh-sham-pla) district, affectionately nicknamed "Gayxample” (gay-sham-pla). It stands as one of Europe's most vibrant LGBTQ+ neighborhoods. Here you'll find a majority of the city’s gay bars, clubs, and bathhouses.

Don't miss Arena Classic for its legendary drag shows, or Moeem for a more relaxed cocktail vibe. Sky Bar at the top of the Axel Hotel, with its stunning rooftop views, is perfect for starting your evening. But remember, nothing in Barcelona really gets going until after 11 PM.

Things to see and do 😎:

  • Barcelona is known for its stunningly unique “modernismo” architecture, most notably the works of hometown boy Antonio Gaudi (his Park Güell is pictured above). His still-being-built Sagrada Familia church is not to be missed—it is unlike any other church—or building—in the entire world. 🙏🏽

  • Did someone say Tapas? This Spanish eating style is marked by lots of small dishes to share, and in Barcelona, seafood tapas are a specialty. 🍤

  • Hit the beach at Mar Bella, Barcelona's gay beach where clothing is optional and the atmosphere is always festive. Or take a day trip to nearby Sitges, Spain's premier gay beach town.

  • Visit the Picasso Museum in the Gothic Quarter, then explore the narrow medieval streets of central Barcelona. Don’t forget grab a sandy or more tapas at La Boqueria market just off La Rambla.

Where to stay: Barcelona is home to not one but TWO adults-only, queer hotels: The Axel Hotel and the TWO Hotel by Axel. (To be fair they advertise as “hetero-friendly” 😂) Rooms there will cost between €150-200/night. Each room comes with a “do not disturb” and a “please disturb” door hanger. 👀

How to get there: Roundtrip flights to Barcelona typically range from $550-700 from New York, $650-850 from Atlanta, and $600-800 from Los Angeles during low season (November-March), with prices increasing by $200-400 during peak summer months. PRO TIP: fares can drop significantly during airline sales, especially on TAP Portugal, ITA Airways, and LEVEL airlines, which frequently offer deals in the $400-500 range from these cities, see keep an eye out! You can also find extended stopovers in Portugal at no added cost, so… what are you waiting for???

New Laws restricting Grindr, Sniffies and More Could Impact Your Travel Plans…

Several conservative U.S. states — 19 in total — have recently implemented new regulations affecting popular LGBTQ+ social and dating apps.

Here's what travelers should know:

  • States have already enacted laws that apply to adult websites like Pornhub and Gay dating/hookup apps

  • Emboldened by Donald Trump’s re-election, they’re starting to be enforced more

  • Some apps like Grindr and Sniffies may have limited functionality or require additional verification steps in certain states

  • The biggest concerns relate to age-verification systems and a user's right to privacy

  • You should consider downloading and setting up any needed apps before your trip, as new sign-ups may face restrictions in some locations

  • Alternative apps like Scruff or Tinder may be available in areas where other services are restricted

  • Check the specific rules for your destination state, as requirements vary by location

For their part, Sniffies says they’re implementing new updates in 2025 to make cruising safer.

Frankly… we’re more worried about some of these: 10 awkward moments that can happen while you're cruising 😬

This cannabis startup pioneered “rapid onset” gummies

Most people prefer to smoke cannabis but that isn’t an option if you’re at work or in public.

That’s why we were so excited when we found out about Mood’s new Rapid Onset THC Gummies. They can take effect in as little as 5 minutes without the need for a lighter, lingering smells or any coughing.

Nobody will ever know you’re enjoying some THC.

We recommend you try them out because they offer a 100% money-back guarantee. And for a limited time, you can receive 20% off with code FIRST20.

Some *~Interesting~* Reads

News you may have missed on traveling, queers, and traveling queers 🗞️

Could you pay $10,000 for a pet emergency?

Unexpected vet bills can be a financial burden, with some procedures costing $10,000+. Without coverage, you’d have to cover these expenses out of pocket.

Pet insurance companies can offer up to 90% reimbursement for covered claims, providing peace of mind and protection against expensive medical bills.

Don’t let unexpected vet bills stress you out. Protect your pet and your finances with top-rated pet insurance.

Q&A Time — this week we want to know:

Are you planning on attending any Pride events in 2025? Tell us which ones in the comments!

Are you planning on attending any Pride events in 2025?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

This Week’s *~Best Deals~*

We’re always on the hunt for top-tier experiences that welcome all and won’t break the bank—here are this week’s faves ✨ 

Please share your thoughts on this edition.

Be brutal. We can take it. 😉

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.