Top LGBTQI+ activities in the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands have a long history of love with the LGBTQI+ community. From naturist beaches to festivals where all love is celebrated, your trip to the archipelago will certainly be full of fun and excitement.

Keep on reading to find out which are the best LGBTQI+ activities in the Canaries and discover the top tips to plan the perfect vacation to the islands:

• LGBTQI+ beaches
• Nightlife and parties
• The best festivals and events

Beautiful double rainbow in the south of Gran Canaria

Visit some of the most historically famous LGBTQI+ beaches

Everyone knows it, the Canary Islands are all about beaches! But did you know that some of these coves are historically famous hubs for the queer community?

Although all the beaches on the islands are welcoming to everyone, here are some of the favorite ones among LGBTQI+ visitors.

Maspalomas Dunes: the LGBTQI+ hub of Gran Canaria

This incredibly beautiful beach is one of the longest and most visited ones in Gran Canaria. Located in the southern part of the island, it is famous for its dunes and breathtaking sunsets. If you walk along the beach and pass the area where the dunes start, you will enter a naturist area.

Along the beach, there are also several kiosks where you can stop for a drink. It is precisely around kiosk 7 where the LGBTQI+ community usually meets to have fun and enjoy the sun and the sea.

La Tejita beach in Tenerife

La Tejita Beach is located in the town of El Médano, in the south of Tenerife. It is a naturally beautiful cove with golden sand and clear waters. Besides, it is one of the most famous naturist beaches on the island.

This beach has been a popular LGBTQI+ spot for decades, since the community started going there to have a good time and celebrate freely.

Tip: are you into water sports? Then take the opportunity to visit the nearby beach of El Médano and rent a board or take some surfing or kitesurfing lessons.

Corralejo Dunes: LGBTQI+ fun in Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura is all about wild nature and relaxation. That is why it is a popular destination among many people, including couples, who want to enjoy the sun and the crystal blue waters. This is also applies for visitors of the LGBTQI+ community.

One of the top naturist beaches on the island is in the north. The Corralejo Dunes with its 26 km² are a paradise for nature lovers. If you want to feel a queer vibe, pack your towel and sunscreen and head to the area known as kilometer 22!

Tip: why visit 1 island in your holidays when you can visit 2? Take a 30-minute ferry trip from Corralejo to Lanzarote and discover the island of the 1,000 volcanoes!

Live the exciting nightlife of the islands

With so many beautiful landscapes, beaches and cultural events to go to, we have no doubt that your holiday in the Canaries will be full of excitement and activities. But after visiting the natural highlights and enjoying the sea by day, the night awaits!

These are some of the best LGBTQI+ spots in the main islands to have a drink or dance all night long.

Yumbo Centrum in Gran Canaria

In 1982, the first and only LGBTQI+ shopping center in the world opened in Gran Canaria. Yes, that's right! Yumbo Centrum is located in Playa del Inglés, in the south of the island. During the day, there is a wide array of shops and restaurants. But at night, all the colors come out and it becomes one of the most famous nightlife spots on the island.

The mall features more than 200 shops and commercial premises, many of them dedicated to the LGBTQI+ community. There are also several bars and pubs with Drag Queen shows, as well as a very popular nightclub that opens daily.

The amazing LGBTQI+ nightlife of Tenerife

Tenerife's nightlife scene is concentrated around the tourist attractions of the island. One of the main LGBTQI+ spots for clubbing and going out at night is Playa de Las Américas in the south. The area has many bars and clubs made by and for the community. If you want to see one of the most entertaining Drag shows, Babylon Disco Gay Pub is the place to go.

For a more relaxed vibe, we suggest that you head to El Puerto de La Cruz in the north. This area was very popular in the 1990s and is still a meeting point for those who are looking for a relaxed and queer holiday.

The local vibe of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

The capital city of Gran Canaria is a great option if you want to enjoy a more local but equally fun environment. There are plenty of bars and clubs, but we especially recommend the area close to Santa Catalina and Las Canteras.

The Lolita Pluma Terrace and the Instinto Pub are a meeting point for the LGBTQI+ community. If you are into latin music, there are plenty of clubs around for you to dance all night long.

The famous area of Playa del Inglés in the south of Gran Canaria

Share your love in one of the many festivals of the archipelago

The Canarian culture is famous for its parties and celebrations. Besides, the warm weather in the archipelago makes it possible to have outdoor events all year round.

Though there are fun and diverse concerts and festivals every month, here are some of our favorites:

Maspalomas Pride in Gran Canaria

You probably know all about the Madrid Pride. But Gran Canaria opens the Pride Season in May with an event that gathers hundreds of thousands of people from all across Europe and other international destinations.

The Maspalomas Pride is an unmissable event with over 10 days of the craziest and most fun activities like parades, concerts, or beach and boat parties. The 2024 Pride will be celebrated from the 2nd to the 12th of May. So pack your bags and get ready!

Tip: if you are visiting the island in November, you can't miss the magical Winter Pride!

Drag Queen contest in Gran Canaria

Each year, the carnival is one of the most awaited celebrations in the archipelago. In fact, the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival is considered one of the best ones in the world. But it is in the neighboring island of Gran Canaria where one of the most important LGBTQI+ galas takes place.

The Drag Queen Contest of Las Palmas Carnival is a spectacular event like nothing you’ve ever seen. More than 10 drag queens prepare incredible 3-minute musical acts, costumes and pirouettes included, to compete for the first prize. The tickets to see the event live in Santa Catalina Park run out fast, but you can also watch the gala on TV.

Tip: after experiencing the amazing Drag Queen Gala in the carnival of Las Palmas, take a fast ferry from Gran Canaria to Tenerife and see 2 carnivals in 1 trip!

The LGBTQI+ Isla Bonita Fest in La Palma

Every summer, the island of La Palma celebrates love in the Isla Bonita Festival. This event gathers thousands of people yearly and has “Diverse Love” as its slogan. The coastal town of El Puerto de Tazacorte hosts many concerts in one unforgettable day.

The info for the 2024 edition of the festival hasn't been published yet, but it will surely bring internationally acclaimed artists like every past year.

Flag in the Maspalomas Pride in Gran Canaria

Where to book ferry tickets to the Canary Islands online?

Start planning the best queer holidays in the Canaries now! Find all the available routes on our Map of ferries and book your ferry tickets with no hidden fees on Ferryhopper.