
Brussels
Belgium
Brussels may be the EU’s buttoned-up capital by day, but after dark it swaps politics for parties. Around Rue du Marché au Charbon, gay bars spill onto cobbled streets, from cozy cafés to cruisey basements. Add Belgian beer, drag flair, and a Pride that punches above its weight—Brussels surprises.
40 km from Antwerp
Brussels guide
Rotterdam
Netherlands
Rotterdam was completely destroyed during World War II. So there are hardly any historic buildings left. So the city is very different from Amsterdam. It has many modern buildings and bridges. The gay scene is quite small.
80 km from Antwerp
Rotterdam guide
Amsterdam
Netherlands
Amsterdam is a beautiful historic city. The historic canals and canal houses are a must visit. Amsterdam has many world famous museums, the Red Light district and much more. The gay night-life is quite extensive for a small city as it is.
130 km from Antwerp
Amsterdam guide
Düsseldorf
Germany
Düsseldorf might be better known for art and Altbier, but it has a gay scene that punches above its weight. Bars and clubs cluster around the Old Town, mixing Rhineland charm with late-night chaos. Pride here, dubbed Christopher Street Day, turns the city into a rainbow carnival on the Rhine.
170 km from Antwerp
Düsseldorf guide
photo pixabay/TBCologne
Germany
Cologne is one of Germany’s gay capitals, where cathedral spires share the skyline with rainbow flags. The Old Town buzzes with bars and clubs that rarely close before sunrise, while Carnival season makes drag practically compulsory. Cologne Pride is one of Europe’s biggest.
180 km from Antwerp
Cologne guide
Paris
France
Paris is a great city for a city trip and a must see if you have never been. The city has so many beautiful old buildings, some of the most famous museums of the world and is just great to walk around.
The gay night life is concentrated in the area Le Marais, in the 3rd and 4th arrondisement. Here you find many gay bars, clubs and saunas.
300 km from Antwerp
Paris guide
London
UK
London’s gay scene is as sprawling as its Tube map, Soho for cocktails and cruising crowds, Vauxhall for late-night clubs, and East London for hipster drag and glitter. Pride marches through the West End each summer, but the city’s LGBTQ+ life thrives year-round. In London, the rainbow never really switches off.
320 km from Antwerp
London guide
Brighton
UK
Brighton is Britain’s unapologetic seaside queen - equal parts pebble beach, political edge, and rainbow sparkle. Just an hour from London, it’s famous for its Pride, Kemptown’s buzzing gay bars, and drag that can outshine the pier lights. Rain or shine, Brighton proves camp doesn’t need perfect weather to flourish.
320 km from Antwerp
Brighton guide