Amsterdam Gay and Lesbian Vacations
Your gay Amsterdam vacation
Amsterdam's reputation for debauchery is juxtaposed against a genteel atmosphere, with quaint canals lined with historic buildings, shady trees and grandmothers pushing baby strollers past open-air cafes. Even if Amsterdam didn't have its gay infrastructure and liberal vibe, it would still be worth visiting for its scenic layout alone.
Featured Hotels
LGBT-welcoming Amsterdam hotels
Marriott Hotel Amsterdam
Albus Hotel Amsterdam City Centre
Hampshire Hotel - Lancaster Amsterdam
Hotel Pulitzer, Amsterdam
De Roode Leeuw Hotel Amsterdam
Best in Stay
LGBT Best in Stay Amsterdam hotels
Grand Hotel Amrath Amsterdam
Park Hotel Amsterdam
Hotel The Exchange Amsterdam
Swissotel Amsterdam
NH Carlton Hotel Amsterdam
Okura Hotel Amsterdam
Flights
| Departure | Arrival | Travel dates | Round-trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | Amsterdam | Wed, Feb 6 - Tue, Mar 5 | $730 |
| New York | Amsterdam | Tue, Feb 19 - Tue, Feb 26 | $636 |
| London | Amsterdam | Wed, Jan 16 - Wed, Jan 23 | $170 |
| Newark | Amsterdam | Sat, Feb 23 - Thu, Feb 28 | $790 |
| Minneapolis | Amsterdam | Mon, Jan 28 - Thu, Feb 7 | $908 |
| Los Angeles | Amsterdam | Fri, Feb 8 - Sun, Feb 24 | $764 |
| Chicago | Amsterdam | Tue, Jan 29 - Tue, Feb 5 | $736 |
| Seattle | Amsterdam | Tue, Feb 5 - Tue, Feb 26 | $850 |
| Washington DC | Amsterdam | Tue, Feb 12 - Thu, Feb 28 | $702 |
| San Francisco | Amsterdam | Wed, Feb 6 - Wed, Mar 6 | $850 |
| Orlando | Amsterdam | Wed, Feb 13 - Tue, Feb 26 | $948 |
| Toronto | Amsterdam | Mon, Feb 11 - Mon, Feb 18 | $851 |
Why book on Orbitz?
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Amsterdam highlights
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Historic LGBT Amsterdam
Amsterdam is home to the world's first monument to LGBT people lost in the Holocaust. More than 1,200 bridges spanning 160 canals are illuminated at night by tiny lights that make it feel like you have landed in a, well, fairy city.
The scene
The gay scene is dispersed around town, but four areas are especially gay-popular: the trendy Reguliersdwarsstraat district, the neighborhood bars of the Kerkstraat area, the older crowd along the Amstel River and the adjacent Halvemaansteeg; and last but not least, the leather-friendly Warmoesstraat region in the heart of the red-light district.
The sights
Beyond the joints and gents, Amsterdam has great sites like the Rijksmuseum with its Dutch Masters paintings, the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House, and outdoor shopping at the Waterlooplein flea market and the Albert Cuyp street market.
LGBT Events
Don't forget to visit during the national holiday the gays have claimed as their own: the boisterous Queen's Day celebrations on April 30, as well as Pride in August, complete with a flamboyant canal parade. Late October brings Amsterdam Leather Pride, one of Europe's biggest events of its kind.
Insider tips for Amsterdam gay travel
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Cruise the canals
They may look cheesy, but the glass-roofed tourist canal boats are a great way to orient yourself through mazelike Amsterdam and receive a history lesson.Go on foot or pedal
You'll be doing a lot of walking in Amsterdam, so bring comfortable shoes. Just watch out for the city's half-million bicycles, or better yet, ride one yourself. Rentals are about $10 a day, but lock your bike up well because thefts are common.
Book early
Hotel rooms in this rather small city can book up during the high season months of July and August, as well as for gay event weekends.