Rome Gay and Lesbian Vacations
Your gay Rome vacation
Travelers may be surprised to find Rome as relatively closeted as it is -- especially compared to the rather out scene way north in Milan. Sure, cute gladiators in skirts may hang out to get their photo taken in front of the Coliseum, and naked male imagery seems to adorn every fountain, but some of Rome’s gay bars take a detective to find. The scene is much more open than it was in the recent past -- mainly after the city hosted World Pride in 2000 and Europride in 2011.
Featured Hotels
LGBT-welcoming Rome hotels
The Inn at the Roman Forum Hotel Rome Small Luxury Hotels
iQ Hotel Roma
Worldhotel Ripa Rome
The Westin Excelsior, Rome
Leon's Place Hotel Rome
St George Hotel Rome
Flights
| Departure | Arrival | Travel dates | Round-trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | Rome | Tue, Feb 12 - Mon, Feb 18 | $617 |
| Chicago | Rome | Tue, Feb 26 - Tue, Mar 12 | $717 |
| Boston | Rome | Thu, Feb 7 - Mon, Feb 18 | $711 |
| Newark | Rome | Tue, Jan 22 - Wed, Jan 30 | $617 |
| Los Angeles | Rome | Fri, Feb 8 - Sun, Feb 24 | $748 |
| San Francisco | Rome | Thu, Jan 31 - Mon, Feb 18 | $831 |
| Washington DC | Rome | Thu, Feb 14 - Wed, Feb 20 | $648 |
| Miami | Rome | Thu, Feb 14 - Wed, Mar 13 | $821 |
| London | Rome | Wed, Jan 23 - Sat, Feb 2 | $189 |
| Paris | Rome | Sat, Feb 16 - Wed, Mar 6 | $139 |
| Denver | Rome | Mon, Mar 4 - Mon, Mar 11 | $939 |
| Seattle | Rome | Tue, Feb 5 - Tue, Feb 26 | $831 |
Why book on Orbitz?
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Miss Richfield 1981 says it best in this video—not all travel sites are created equal. When you book on Orbitz, your travel dollars work harder. Here’s why:
- We’re the ONLY leading travel agency with a perfect Corporate Equality Index Score from the Human Rights Campaign, with two GLAAD Media awards to boot.
- We’re the ONLY leading travel site with filters for hotel reviews by other LGBT travelers.
- We feature the top gay-friendly accommodations, including Best in Stay hotels and gay resorts.
- We’re proud sponsors of many LGBT charities and events, year after year.
Rome highlights
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Roman landmarks
Rome is justifiably one of the great cities in the world to visit, with a legendary list of must-dos: strolling the Piazza della Repubblica, tossing coins into the Trevi Fountain, gazing up at the spooky rotunda of the Pantheon, thigh-busting on the steep Spanish Steps, jaw-dropping at the opulence of St. Peter’s Basilica, and walking in the footsteps of giants at the ruins of the Forum.
Mediterranean cool
Rome has a distinct Mediterranean vibe that makes it feel a little slower and disconnected from the rest of modern Europe (despite the colossal traffic and honking Vespas everywhere). Maybe it’s simply the inescapable history around every corner.
The LGBT scene
Flock to the winding, medieval streets of the trendy Trastevere neighborhood near the city center for a bounty of LGBT establishments. Another area, officially designated as The Gay Street, is another gay area in the center of the city on Via San Giovanni in Laterano, east of the Colosseum. Rome’s gay pride celebration takes place in June, a great month for visiting the city. The leather event Catacombs happens in early December, and the Bears Empire occurs every January.
Insider tips for Rome gay travel
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Watch out for August
Romans abandon the city in August, when it’s choked with tourists, the hot weather is insufferable and many restaurants and hotels as well as some gay bars close up shop.
Expect to buy a membership to get into gay bars and clubs
Although it’s changing, a lot of LGBT establishments are private clubs that require you to join the Italian gay organization called ArciGay (or ArciLesbica).
Pack for warm weather
A Roman summer can easily hover in the 90s, and even in winter, temps are in the mild 50s.