Gay Travel

 Although most of the world is now perfectly tolerant of gay and lesbian travelers, staying in a gay hostel on your trip can be an advantage.

Hostels are famed for their sociable atmosphere and friendly staff, so a gay hostel is an ideal opportunity to meet like-minded people, score some free travel advice and get to know the best gay areas...

1. Gay Hostel Puerta del Sol, Madrid

Our top rated gay hostel, this cheap stay in Puerta del Sol Square couldn't be more central (or easier to find!). Very clean and well-equipped with free Internet and TVs in every room, prices start at just €20 pppn, including breakfast and homemade buns...

This friendly hostel also has great advice for gay travelers in Madrid and can offer free entry to some of the most popular gay discos in the city.

Customer rating: 84.8%

Check availability at Gay Hostel Puerta del Sol Madrid

2. El Misti Hostel, Rio de Janeiro

Cosmopolitan Rio has a large gay and lesbian community and a hedonistic club scene that attracts millions of visitors each year. Just three blocks from Copacabana beach, this gay hostel in Rio de Janeiro is right in the heart of the action.

This hostel's open-door policy attracts a diverse crowd that makes for a vibrant atmosphere. They even offer a free pick up from the airport or bus station to help you get straight down to partying hard!

Customer rating: 82.9%

Check availability at El Misti Hostel

3. Gay Pizarro Hostel, Madrid

Slightly off the beaten track and with a great location in the Chueca neighborhood, which is world-famous for its gay and lesbian nightclubs, it's easy to see why this smart Madrid gay hostel has impressed its guests.

The welcoming staff provide information on (and sometimes discounts for) all the top events and clubs in the district, helping travelers to get their bearings and make the most of their stay in the city.

It may not be a party hostel, but it offers clean, comfortable rooms at a great price - perfect for a laid-back tour of this famous city.

Customer rating: 82.7%

Check availability at Gay Pizarro Hostel

Heading to Madrid? Check our our gay scene guide to Madrid.

4. Elements Hostel, San Francisco

Located in the colorful Mission district, Elements Hostel is an affordable place to head home to after a night out of San Francisco's notorious gay scene.

With both dorms and private rooms available, this gay hostel in San Francisco also has a restaurant and rooftop bar with great views over the city.

Customer rating: 69.1%

Check availability at Elements Hostel

Heading to San Francisco? Check our our gay travel guide to San Francisco.

5. London Hostel Gay House, London

One of just a handful of hostels catering exclusively for gay travelers in London, London Hostel Gay House has provided a friendly, comfortable place to stay since 1984.

Newly remodelled in 2003, this gay hostel in London has a lounge area and kitchen that offer an informal, friendly base for exploring the city, as well as a good place for making new friends.

Customer rating: This hostel is new to HostelBookers and has yet to receive a rating.

Check availability at London Hostel Gay House