Madrid, the Spanish capital, is renowned for its rich history and vibrant culture and is one of the most welcoming cities for LGBT travelers worldwide. Whether visiting for the annual pride parade or any time of the year, you can always count on finding inclusive accommodation in this metropolis. In this blog post, we’ll explore the best LGBT-friendly hotels in Madrid. From luxurious amenities to prime locations near iconic landmarks, these hotels offer an atmosphere that embraces diversity where everyone is celebrated year-round.
The Madrid Pride festivities are regarded as some of the best in the world. Wherever you’re from and whoever you love, Madrid loves you.
I hand-picked the hotels based on whether they were created for the LGBT community, their location in the gay area, or their proximity to the main Pride events in Madrid. I’ve also included information about Madrid’s LGBT neighborhood and the city’s history as an LGBT-friendly place. Dive in to discover your next home away from home in the heart of Spain’s most inclusive city!
A Madrid LGBT-friendly Guide: What You Need to Know
What Makes Madrid a Top Destination for LGBTQIA+ Travelers?
Madrid is widely regarded as a top destination for LGBT travelers because of its history of supporting LGBTQIA+ rights. As such, several events celebrate diversity in the Spanish capital every year.
The city hosts its annual pride, Orgullo, between late June and early July. The Orgullo started in the late 1970s and has grown to be one of the largest LGBT pride events in Europe. The festivities attract millions yearly, featuring concerts and a parade stretching through major streets, including Paseo del Prado, part of Madrid’s UNESCO area. Madrid also hosts other popular LGBT events throughout the year. For example, the MadBear festival in December caters to the bear community with parties and cultural activities.
Spain legalized same-sex marriage in 2005, which bolstered Madrid’s reputation as an LGBT-friendly city. Chueca, an area in central Madrid, is known for its bustling gay nightlife. This neighborhood has played a crucial role in the city’s LGBT culture since it became a popular meeting spot for the community in the late 20th century.
Historically, the city’s acceptance of the LGBT community dates back to the post-Franco era in the mid-70s, with the birth of the Movida Madrileña. This countercultural movement, which included artists like renowned filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar and the beloved band Mecano, celebrated the end of a dictatorship with music and movies with a hedonistic flair. During this time, Spain transitioned to democracy and adopted more progressive social policies. And as a result, Madrid started championing self-expression and diversity more than ever.
Today, Madrid continues to be a welcoming place for everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
What Is Madrid’s LGBT Area?
Chueca is the epicenter of LGBT culture and one of the best areas to stay in Madrid. This neighborhood became popular among the LGBTQIA+ community in the late 20th century and is now a vibrant area filled with bars, clubs, and shops that cater to this community. Chueca is also home to several events throughout the year, such as film festivals and art exhibitions focused on LGBT themes.
Chueca is in central Madrid and stands out for its gay and LGBT-friendly nightlife. In this area, you can find several bars and clubs dedicated to a particular niche of the LGBT community. For example, there are many bear bars in Chueca where you can “hibernate” while listening to Spanish pop songs and hits. You can also find gay or exclusively lesbian clubs in Chueca. The many balconies in the neighborhood proudly display the LGBTQIA+, bisexual, trans, and lesbian flags, among others.
Being one of the liveliest LGBT neighborhoods in the world, there are plenty of gay hotels in Chueca, Madrid. Below is a list of the best gay-friendly hotels in Madrid, most of which are in Chueca. I’ve also included accommodations listed as “travel proud” in Booking.com, a certification that requires hotels to pass a free Proud Hospitality training.
Travel Proud is our way of making travel more inclusive for LGBTQ+ travelers… Being Proud Certified is about taking that extra step to make sure everyone gets a warm welcome.
Top 11 LGBT-Friendly Accommodations in Madrid
1. Axel Madrid
The Axel is an adults-only, gay hotel in the center of Madrid. This hetero-friendly accommodation is only a 15-minute walk away from Chueca and hosts several queer and LGBTQIA+ events. So, staying in the Axel Madrid, you’ll have access to parties with live DJ sets, game nights, karaoke, and bingo nights hosted by local drag queens, to name a few.
The 4-star hotel features a rooftop bar with an outdoor swimming pool and stunning views of Madrid’s skyline. However, the cave-inspired club on its ground floor is the real star. This space, Bala Perdida Club, opens every weekend and welcomes DJ sets and live music. Bala Perdida is also famous for being the set to several music videos, including a few by celebrity drag queens.
The Axel Madrid mixes modern decor with campy accents. For example, the rooms feature striking, one-word neon signs that invite you to pose or kiss. You can also find Spanish fans and mannequin parts placed in different areas. These details give the hotel a more playful feel than regular, business-focused chain accommodations.
2. Room Mate Óscar
The Room Mate Óscar is right in the heart of Chueca, in front of the Pedro Zerolo Square, where the opening ceremony of each year’s Pride takes place. It is also one of the best hotels in the gay area of Madrid.
This hotel also has a rooftop bar with a pool that is popular among tourists and Madrid residents. The bar, Terraza de Óscar (“Oscar’s Terrace”), serves tapas, cocktails, and snacks. However, the beautiful 360º views of Spain’s capital seal the deal and make it a must-visit place, especially during spring and summer. So, please book a table at the bar in advance if you want to watch the sunset from this LGBT-friendly rooftop.
According to its official website, the boutique hotel is “in a building with rationalist style reminiscent of the Bauhaus movement.” It serves a delicious buffet-style breakfast and has a few meeting rooms for those who have to work during Pride, even if it’s just for a bit. Yet, the best part about staying here is that you’ll be within walking distance of Madrid’s LGBTQIA+ clubs, bars, shops, and restaurants.
3. Bastardo Hostel
The Bastardo Hostel offers shared and private rooms in Madrid’s central area, and it stands out for its excellent bar and restaurant.
The restaurant Limbo specializes in grilled dishes, including chicken and burgers. On sunny days, you can enjoy them inside or on the terrace. Meanwhile, the bar focuses on craft beers and hosts events like book signings and concerts.
Likewise, you’ll quickly make new friends at the bar. The hotel also has a guests-only terrace with beautiful views of its surroundings that promote socializing.
Bastardo Hostel has a cool industrial design, with constantly changing murals by local artists. This LGBT-friendly hostel in Madrid has a more alternative vibe that will allow you to discover a different side of the city. Plus, you’ll be within a 10-minute’ walk of the gay bars and clubs in Chueca.
4. Petit Palace Chueca
The Petit Palace, a charming 3-star hotel, is nestled near the iconic Gran Vía avenue. Housed in a beautifully restored XIX-century mansion, it’s a stone’s throw from Madrid’s vibrant theater district and bustling shopping scene.
The Petit Palace Chueca houses a café and restaurant. The reception is next to the café, so you can enjoy a delicious breakfast or drink while checking in. Its decor is laidback but stylish, and several rooms have balconies overlooking the busy central streets of Madrid.
This inclusive, travel-proud hotel is also pet-friendly, so feel free to bring along your dog. Rainbow-themed pet outfits are not required but encouraged for Pride (at least, by me).
5. Hostal La Zona
Hostal La Zona is an LGBT-friendly hotel also located in Madrid’s queer district. To be exact, La Zona is near Plaza de Chueca, which welcomes several Orgullo events yearly. The iconic High Heel Race, where competitors run in 5-inch (15 cm) stilettos through Pelayo Street, is among the nearby Pride activities. You won’t have to run (especially not in heels) to find a nice spot for the event.
This understated accommodation is among the more budget-friendly hotels in the gay area of Madrid. But, with its prime location, Hostal La Zona gets booked fast, so you’ll need to make a reservation months in advance, especially if it’s for Pride season.
6. Hostal Goyal Pizarro
Hostal Goyal Pizarro is also in Chueca and offers gay-friendly rooms and units with simple decoration in an Art Nouveau building.
This accommodation is an excellent choice for solo LGBT travelers visiting Madrid. It features a lounge with a tv where you can meet other queer visitors in a relaxed atmosphere. Hostal Goyal Pizarro is also near several LGBTQIA+-owned businesses, including shops and cafés. So, not only will you feel welcome, but you’ll also be able to support the local queer community.
7. JC Rooms Chueca
The JC Rooms Chueca is an excellent budget, LGBT Friendly hotel in Madrid.
As its name suggests, this 3-star hotel is in Madrid’s gay neighborhood and has very good reviews and ratings. The small rooms feature photos from different destinations worldwide and the basics needed for a comfortable stay. So, don’t expect luxury in the JC Rooms Chueca, but an excellent location, right in the heart of the gay neighborhood, is perfect for a Pride trip to Madrid.
This hotel also has a Spanish tavern that serves a delicious breakfast.
8. URSO Hotel & Spa, a Small Luxury Hotel of the World
On the other end of the spectrum, the URSO Hotel & Spa is the perfect luxury accommodation for a posh pride experience in Madrid.
This elegant accommodation, nestled in a meticulously restored palace, is a mere stone’s throw from the Alonso Martínez metro station and a leisurely 10-minute stroll from Chueca. Inside, a world of relaxation awaits with a spa featuring a hammam, massages, and gym services. The Urso Hotel also boasts an indoor pool, perfect for a relaxing stay in the heart of Madrid.
The hotel’s restaurant’s name is Media Ración, and it serves elevated versions of classic Madrid staples.
9. Room Mate Macarena
Located on the Gran Vía, the Room Mate Macarena, from the same hotel “family” as the previously mentioned Room Mate Oscar, is not just another hotel. It’s a warm and welcoming space, proudly embracing the LGBT community, making it a perfect choice for your stay in Madrid.
This 3-star, travel-proud hotel has a rooftop with an outdoor pool and some of the best views of the Spanish capital. Its decoration is inspired by Art Deco architecture, fitting perfectly with several of the Gran Vía buildings.
Likewise, the buffet breakfast will give you the energy you need before heading towards the Madrid Pride parade. Yet, you won’t have to walk too far since the Room Mate Macarena is near Paseo del Prado, the avenue that hosts the parade. This gorgeous street is also home to the Prado Museum, one of the most renowned art institutions in the world.
10. Hotel Infantas by MIJ
Another central accommodation to make the list is Hotel Infantas, which was named after its location on the street of the same name. This charming, cheap LGBT-friendly hotel in Madrid is in a XIX century building near Gran Vía, Chueca, and the most popular gay, queer, and LGBTQIA+ venues in the city. You will also remain near must-see attractions like the Puerta del Sol square.
11. Dear Hotel Madrid
Finally, the Dear Hotel rounds up this list of hotels staying in Madrid during the LGBT Pride event. This 4-star boutique hotel is inclusive and welcoming to all gender identities and sexual orientations and is also in Gran Vía, in the heart of Madrid. Inside, you will find a restaurant and a rooftop with a small pool and stunning views of one of the city’s most recognizable streets. Plus, its soundproof rooms ensure you can still rest while staying in the center of the action and near all the Orgullo activities.