Island in Canary Islands, Spain
Is Tenerife LGBTQ+ friendly?
Is Tenerife LGBTQ+ friendly?
Very welcoming; Playa de las Américas has a gay scene and Santa Cruz Carnival is famously open. Same-sex marriage is legal.
LGBTQ+ laws in Spain
Among the world's most accepting countries: Madrid Pride is huge, and Sitges, Torremolinos and Maspalomas are LGBTQ+ favourites. Villages are more traditional.
| Status | |
|---|---|
| Same-sex relationships legal | Yes |
| Same-sex marriage | Yes |
| Civil unions or partnerships | Yes |
| Legal gender change | Yes |
| Anti-discrimination law | Yes |
The scene in Tenerife
Where to go
- Playa de las Américas (Yumbo area)
- Santa Cruz
Events
- Santa Cruz Carnival (February)
- Tenerife Pride (June)
LGBTQ+ friendliness across Spain
| Place | Rating |
|---|---|
| Barcelona | 5/5 · Very welcoming |
| Madrid | 5/5 · Very welcoming |
| Valencia | 5/5 · Very welcoming |
| Mallorca | 5/5 · Very welcoming |
| Ibiza | 5/5 · Very welcoming |
| Tenerife | 5/5 · Very welcoming |
| Gran Canaria | 5/5 · Very welcoming |
| Costa del Sol | 5/5 · Very welcoming |
| Palma | 5/5 · Very welcoming |
| Las Palmas | 5/5 · Very welcoming |
| Maspalomas | 5/5 · Very welcoming |
| Sitges | 5/5 · Very welcoming |
| Seville | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Málaga | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Granada | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Lanzarote | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| San Sebastián | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Bilbao | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Alicante | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Fuerteventura | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Córdoba | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Marbella | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Menorca | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Cádiz | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Toledo | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Santiago de Compostela | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Benidorm | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Costa Blanca | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Costa Brava | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Salamanca | 4/5 · Welcoming |
Quick answers
Is Tenerife safe for LGBTQ+ travelers?
Very welcoming; Playa de las Américas has a gay scene and Santa Cruz Carnival is famously open. Same-sex marriage is legal.
Is same-sex marriage legal in Spain?
Yes.
Where are the LGBTQ+ areas in Tenerife?
Playa de las Américas (Yumbo area); Santa Cruz
More about Tenerife
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Sources
- ILGA World: legal frameworks
- BOE: Law 28/2022 (international telework visa)
- GOV.UK: Spain travel advice
- TITSA (Tenerife buses)
- Tranvía de Tenerife
- Tenerife South Airport (Aena)
- Turismo de Tenerife
Ratings combine national law with local attitudes and the scene. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.