Here are the top 10 friendliest cities in the world for queer & trans travelers

Calling all queer and trans travelers!

The FTM prosthetics experts at Emisil recently conducted a study to find the top 10 friendliest cities in the world for queer and trans travelers.

Their team examined data on marriage equality, safety, queer nightlife, and more. The study also used the Global Trans Index for 2023, which accounts for such factors as gender recognition, laws against discrimination, and low rates of hate crimes. Some of the cities on the list might surprise you, as may some of the more famous LGBTQ+ bucket list travel destinations that didn’t make the cut.

Keep scrolling to find out more about the world's top 10 queer- and trans-friendly cities!

10. Paris, France

The City of Lights takes tenth place on the list of top 10 queer- and trans-friendly travel destinations in the world with an 8.57 score.

Paris has over 30 queer clubs and bars and comes in fourth with a Global Trans Index score of 223. France's romantic capital didn't place higher because it had the worst safety index of any city on the list at less than half of the safest city's score.

RELATED | 30 of the sexiest men from romantic Paris

9. Tokyo, Japan

Marriage equality might not be the law of the land in Japan, but its capital city takes ninth place with a score of 8.67. Tokyo boasts over 40 queer nightlife spaces and ranks very high in safety.

RELATED | Cool Tokyo design hotspots for LGBTQ+ travelers

8. Toronto, Canada

Toronto comes in eighth place with a score of 8.77 and compensates for a relative lack of queer bars because it scores high in the Global Trans Index, losing only to the most queer- and trans-friendly city in the world.

RELATED | Elska shows you the men of Toronto up close and very personal

7. Reykjavik, Iceland

Taking seventh place on the list of the world’s most queer and trans-friendly cities is Reykjavik with a score of 8.80. Iceland's capital city is also the country's largest with a population of just under 125,000. The queer nightlife spots might be smaller in number, but Reykjavik is very safe and affirming for queer and trans travelers.

RELATED | Discovering Iceland – a land of fire, ice, and queer pride

6. Barcelona, Spain

The city that serves as the home to many architectural masterpieces from visionary designer Antoni Gaudi takes sixth place with a score of 8.83. Barcelona ranks very high in the Global Trans Index, has over 30 queer bars and clubs, and is home to the Barcelona Circuit Festival and Barcelona Gay Pride.

RELATED | Seeing Barcelona through Gaudi's eyes

5. Taipei, Taiwan

Taiwan's capital city of Taipei comes in fifth in the ranking with a score of 8.84. Taipei takes top honors for safety amongst all other cities on the list and offers 30 queer nightlife spots.

RELATED | Taiwan's traffic is a 'living hell'

4. Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Amsterdam holds fourth place with a score of 9.18. The Netherlands was the first country on this list to legalize same-sex marriage in 2001 and gender recognition legislation was first passed in 2014. Amsterdam also has a high safety index and over 20 queer bars and clubs can be found on Google Maps in the city.

RELATED | How this Pride tour to Amsterdam changed my life

3. New York City, USA

New York City is ranked the third most queer- and trans-friendly city in the world with a score of 9.19. The city has the third lowest safety ranking on the list, but also the most queer bars and clubs. And besides, it's the Big Apple, with its history of Stonewall, Marsha P. Johnson, drag, and more.

RELATED | Empire State of Pride: your ultimate gay guide to NYC

2. Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen takes second place with a score of 9.22. The Danish city has a higher safety index than the list’s leader, but has a much small queer nightlife scene. Still, the city is known for its affirmation atmosphere with annual and continuing events like Draghouse Copenhagen Presents and Copenhagen Winter Pride.

RELATED | Danish restaurant famed for reindeer brain custard to reinvent itself

1. Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon takes the top honors as the most queer- and trans-friendly city in the world with a score of 9.26. The city won because of its high safety and generally positive attitude toward the LGBTQ+ community, but also because it has the highest Global Trans Index of any country on the list.

RELATED | 25+ gorgeous pics of queer Lisbon with out travelers Michael and Matt