What We Want to Know
When we’re travelling to a new destination as a lesbian couple, there are a few things we take into consideration to figure out how lesbian friendly it is. We like to know what the LGBTQ+ laws are in that country, as well as what the social climate is. In some places the laws and the feelings of the local people don’t necessarily match. We also like to know if there are any “gaybourhoods” or areas that are especially lesbian friendly. This blog series is meant to inform other lesbian travellers about different destinations around the world, and help empower them to travel more openly when it is safe to do so. We will be sharing our experiences in each country as well as our recommendations, but as always we encourage everyone to do their own research. We can only speak to our own experiences, and everyone has a different comfort level when it comes to being out and open while travelling. The travel destinations that an LGBTQ+ person chooses, and the way in which they travel is a very personal decision, and we encourage everyone to only do what feels right to them.
Keep reading to find out how lesbian friendly Andorra is!
LGBTQ+ Laws
Andorra is a tiny country nestled between France and Spain, and while their laws pertaining to LGBTQ+ people are quite positive, they are not as progressive as their neighbours. Same sex sexual activity is legal, though the country does not have marriage equality yet. Same sex couples can, however, legally register a civil union and have been able to do so since 2014, and these registered partnerships are equal to marriage in everything other than the title. The country has prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation since 2005, and cases of discrimination and hate crimes toward the LGBTQ+ community are very low. Legalizing same sex marriage seems to be the next step, so hopefully we will see it happen in the coming years!
Social Climate
The public opinion toward LGBTQ+ people in Andorra seems to be positive, and the country actually ranked 24th on the Gay Happiness Index. An advocacy group has worked to organize events in the community, as well as continue to push for progress. That being said, there doesn’t seem to be a Pride parade or any large LGBTQ+ celebrations that happen in the country, but that is likely due to the country’s small size. There is a small resource website for gay tourism in Andorra, and we would definitely consider it to be a safe travel destination for lesbian travellers.
Gaybourhoods
Andorra is a very small country, and there is no prominent gay scene. The capital city Andorra la Vella is the biggest city, but there are no gay bars or LGBTQ+ establishments. That being said, businesses seem to be gay friendly and welcoming of our community.
Our Experience
We really enjoyed our trip to Andorra. It’s a beautiful country up in the Pyrenees Mountains, and the views were stunning! We drove through most of the country, and stayed in the capital city Andorra la Vella. We felt welcomed by the locals and very safe presenting ourselves as a lesbian couple. We booked a hotel stay in the city centre and there were no issues requesting a room with only one bed. The locals that we met were kind, and the country has many tourists from elsewhere in Europe. We felt safe holding hands and showing affection, and didn’t receive any unwanted attention or looks of disapproval from anyone. We would definitely go back to Andorra and can recommend it to other lesbian couples and lesbian travellers. If you’re looking for a European ski vacation or are travelling through France or Spain, it’s worth visiting!
Have you been to Andorra? Share your experience in the comments below!
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