Love and Pride in Puglia – Italy’s Gay Summer Paradise

Italy’s LGBTQ+ community choose Puglia

The Puglia region of Italy is widely recognised, nationally and internationally, as Italy’s top gay summer destination for LGBTQ+ travelers. Long, hot summers, soft white sand, the Salento sun and sleepy white-walled hilltop towns all draw visitors to the heel of Italy’s boot. Not to mention our fantastic regional food.

Puglia has always been a land of passage and a gateway to other cultures. That’s why we celebrate diversity.

#WeAreInPuglia where everyone is welcome.

A 2021 poll of Italy’s LGBTQ+ community carried out by queer travel portal Gayly Planet voted Puglia Italy’s top LGBTQ+ friendly region to visit on summer vacation.

Puglia’s Gallipoli was named Italy’s best gay summer destination for LGBTQ+ travelers, beating Tuscany’s Torre del Lago and Noto in Sicily to the top spot.

In the vote for Italy’s favorite gay beach, Punta della Suina nearby Gallipoli (and which also came top in our Best of Puglia 2020 survey) took first place, pushing Torre del Lago’s Lecciona and Rome’s Capocotta beaches into second and third places.

Puglia has two of Italy’s top 5 favorite gay beaches - Campomarino’s D’Ayala beach, our favorite, came in 5th place in the Gayly Planet poll.

How the world see Puglia as a destination for LGBTQ+ visitors

International Travel and Lifestyle Magazines aimed at the LGBTQ+ market are effusive when it comes to Puglia.

“Thanks to its inclusive and unequaled welcome, Puglia has established itself over time as one of the best Italian gay destinations… Whether you're looking for clothing optional, white sand, remote serenity, or packed with eye-candy, discover your paradise.”

Quiiky Magazine, The Top 10 Gay Beaches in Puglia

“White-walled hilltop towns, long hot summers, fantastic beaches, and one of Europe’s top summer destinations for #LGBTQ+ travelers. It can only be Italy’s Puglia Region.”

Vacationer Magazine, Ultimate LGBTQ+ Guide for Italy’s Puglia Region

“Heralded as one of Italy’s best destinations for queer travelers, #Puglia is a favorite beach destination with a unique history, architectural style, and community of its own.”

Quiiky Magazine, Exploring Puglia, Italy’s Beachfront Gay Paradise

“Puglia, A Capital of LGBT Culture in Italy (And Great Beaches!).”

Quiiky Magazine, A Quick History of LGBT Culture in Italy

Gay travel bloggers and influencers are equally enthusiastic about our region.

“Our gaydar went absolutely crazy on the beaches in Puglia. Everywhere we looked, these metrosexual studs were posing and just looking absolutely ripped…Italian men sure know how to take care of themselves!”

Nomadic Boys , Gay Puglia

“Puglia is a classic favorite gay Italian destination”.

wolfyy.com, Puglia Gay Travel

“Puglia is also one of the most gay-friendly areas in Southern Italy and within it is the town of Gallipoli. Gallipoli is another small charming gay beach town, but unlike Sitges or Fire Island, it is not known for the party boy wild nightlife scene and more for its beauty and come-as-you-are atmosphere”.

Two Bad Tourists list of The Top 15 Most Gay Friendly Cities to Visit on Your Next Gaycation (Puglia’s Gallipoli is raked no. 4).

The Nomadic Boys - perhaps one of the best known gay travel influencers - rate Puglia as Europe’s 5th top gay destination for LGBTQ+ travelers after Sitges, Mykonos, Tel Aviv and Gran Canaria.

“Oh Italia… where it is virtually impossible to tell the gay men from the straight. Our gaydars have never been as confused as when we first hit the beaches of Puglia. Italian men (gay and straight) take good care of their bodies and have a lot of pride in what they wear. And we love them for it! Puglia is a stunning region of Italy, which has grown more and more popular with LGBTQ travellers.”

The stand out home of Italy’s top LGBTQ+ seaside destinations - ENIT, the Italian National Tourist Board

Italian National Tourist Board write:

“Puglia, the ‘Heel of Italy’ is rightly considered one of the most gay-friendly Italian regions. The natural beauty of the beaches of Salento and the city of Gallipoli, surrounded by the sea, creates the perfect atmosphere for a vibrant LGBTQ+ community.

Adding:

“Puglia and Sicily are the regions that stand out today as the home of Italy’s top LGBTQ+ seaside destinations.”

Quali sono i posti più amati dai turisti LGBTQ e perché?

Gli eventi LGBTQ, come le parate “Pride” e i festival, incoraggiano così tante persone a viaggiare in Europa e all'interno. In Puglia di solito abbiamo tre eventi di questo tipo: Bari Pride, Taranto Pride e quello per cui la Puglia è più conosciuta, Salento/Puglia Pride. Quanto più conosciuti e di alto profilo diventano questi eventi, tanto più è probabile che attirino turisti, insieme ai vantaggi economici del loro potere di spesa.

The Big Gay Podcast from Puglia è un blog di viaggio inclusivo tutto sulla vita e la cultura in Puglia creato da Scott Maxwell che si è trasferito in Puglia dopo 20 anni vissuti a Londra e lavorando come avvocato presso uno studio legale internazionale. Il contenuto è realizzato con l'ausilio di collaboratori pugliese. Seguiteli su Twitter - The Puglia Guys e su Instagram.