The capital of the Catalonia region in Spain and the second largest city in Spain, the vibrant and elegant Barcelona is not only one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, in the last two decades, it has become one of the few destinations most important gays on the continent. Indeed, in the Mediterranean region, Barcelona is the undisputed center of GLBT culture, with exciting neighborhoods full of gay nightlife, trendy shops, trendy boutique hotels and exceptional restaurants, plus one of the most popular gay beaches in the world. , Barcelonetta, and only 30 minutes by car or train, a charming gay community next to the beach, Sitges.
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Barcelona Gay Pride will mainly be held over three days in early July, but includes a number of events scheduled for the week leading up to the big weekend. Although generally held two weeks earlier, this year’s dates are June 28-July 9, 2016. More than 100,000 people now attend this massive celebration that includes parties and a Pride Parade. Note that Barcelona Gay Pride will take place a week after the country’s other major GLBT celebration, Madrid Gay Pride.
Barcelona Pride events start with Pride-related cultural gatherings and presentations that take place every night for about 10 days before the big weekend, from fetish sex parties to theater cabaret, photo shows, a party Post Pride lingerie store and a complete list of Pride Barcelona Women’s Events. Here’s a full schedule of Barcelona Pride parties and gatherings, with details on each day.
On Pride weekend, the festivities are centered along Moll de la Fusta, overlooking the water near the edge of the Gothic Quarter and the coastal district of La Barceloneta (the Barceloneta metro stop is the closest station, if you come by public transport). Here on Fridays and Saturdays, you will find numerous organizations and clubs presenting information at the Barcelona Pride Village in the shopping center. The main Pride Street parties are also held here, including a foam dance party on Friday night.
On Saturday July 9, there is the Barcelona Gay Pride Parade, which begins with a Pre-Pride Party at 4 pm in Plaza España, followed by the parade itself at 5 pm. The parade then moves from Plaza España along Av. Parallel and ends at the Pride Village location in Moll de la Fusta.
Note that at the nearby LGBT beach resort of Sitges, Pride by the Mediterranean Sea takes place a couple of weeks before Barcelona Pride.
Barcelona gay resources
Check out online resources on Barcelona’s gay scene, such as the Barcelona Gay Guide at Patroc.com, the GayBarcelona.com site, and the GayBarcelona4U site. Also take a look at the excellent visitor site produced by the city’s official tourism organization, Barcelona Turisme.
