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LGBT travel

LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other) people often have special concerns or interests when travelling. This page lists three things: events and activities of special interest to, or targeted towards, LGBT travellers; destinations where being out as LGBT is acceptable; and destinations where it might be dangerous to travel if one's transgender status or nonheterosexual orientation is known.

Understand
"Openness may not completely disarm prejudice, but it’s a good place to start."

- Jason Collins

On Wikivoyage, "LGBT" is used as a consistent, all-inclusive term. Some individuals and groups add other letters to explicitly include other groups ("Q" for "queer" and "questioning", "I" for "intersex", "A" for "asexual", etc.), but this quickly becomes unwieldy. "Gay" is often understood to refer to homosexual men, but it is sometimes used as an umbrella term, such as in "gay pride parades" or "gay culture", to include all parts of the LGBT community.

Some other languages use terminology borrowed from English with slightly different interpretation. Many cultures have domestic concepts for sexual minorities.

Many major Western cities have vibrant, world-famous gay districts that are major tourist attractions, and often worth visiting even if you are not gay.

See

 * [[Image:ac.homomonument.jpg|thumb|right|One of the three triangles of the Homomonument in Amsterdam, showing part of the inscription]]
 * [[Image:ac.homomonument.jpg|thumb|right|One of the three triangles of the Homomonument in Amsterdam, showing part of the inscription]]
 * [[Image:ac.homomonument.jpg|thumb|right|One of the three triangles of the Homomonument in Amsterdam, showing part of the inscription]]

Do
Cities of all sizes hold gay pride parades (or simply pride parades), festivals, and events. Many of these are held in June to commemorate the Stonewall riots of June 28, 1969, one of the main events that led to the fight for LGBT rights in the U.S. There is an up to date calendar of gay pride events all over the world.

Africa

 * Johannesburg held the first Pride events on the African continent on 13 October 1990; Cape Town has also held Pride events sporadically since 1993. South Africa's post-apartheid 1996 Constitution provides for equality and freedom from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, the only country on the continent to do so, but the original sense of Pride as political protest has not been lost. (Africa, Arabia and the Caribbean are among the worst regions on Earth for criminalising LGBT minorities. South Africa, while not free of de facto discrimination, officially seeks to make a clean break with its apartheid-era past.)

Asia

 * The Manila Pride March is held annually every Dec in Manila.

Australia

 * The Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is held annually (Feb/Mar) in Sydney. (The Sydney Mardi Gras does not necessarily take place on Shrove Tuesday or the days leading up to it, as traditional Mardi Gras do.)

Europe

 * Amsterdam Gay Pride Canal Parade Held annually at the first Saturday of August in Amsterdam. The 2009 parade gathered 560,000 people.
 * Brighton and Hove Pride Winter Pride in March and a Summer Festival Week at the end of July: probably the UK's best and most entertaining Pride festival
 * Madrid Pride Week Europe's largest pride celebration attracting more than 1.5 million people. First week of July.
 * Paris Gay Pride Held every summer in the French capital with over 700,000 participants in 2007.
 * Swedish Gay Camp A camp for gay and bisexual men held every summer in Sweden, open to international participants. Swedish and English speaking.
 * Swansea Pride Parade. A large parade and festival in Wales. Annually, last Saturday in April.
 * Swansea Pride Parade. A large parade and festival in Wales. Annually, last Saturday in April.

North America

 * PrideFest held each June At Henry Maier Festival Park in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, right on the lakefront. There are permanent restrooms, multiple stages, and even a chairlift over the entire festivalǃ
 * Toronto Pride Week held annually (late June) in Toronto: one of the largest pride festivals in the world, attracting over one million people every year.
 * The San Francisco Celebration and Parade held annually in June in San Francisco.
 * Divers/Cité is an annual LGBT multidisciplinary arts and music festival taking place each summer in the heart of Montréal.
 * The White Party is held annually (November) in Miami as an HIV/AIDS fundraiser.
 * Puerto Rico Pride, the annual gay pride event held in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
 * Carnival Week held annually in Provincetown each August.
 * Southern Decadence is a six-day annual LGBT event in New Orleans which concludes with a parade through the French Quarter on the Sunday before Labor Day.
 * Gay Days, an annual gathering in Orlando, Florida, with the primary focus visiting Walt Disney World the first weekend in June, but has since grown to events all over Orlando.
 * Bear Week Provincetown: one of the largest gatherings of bears and their admirers in North America. Held in mid-July each summer in Provincetown.

South America

 * Rio Gay Pride, held annually in Rio de Janeiro in early October on Copacabana beach. Around one million people.
 * The LGBT Pride Parade in São Paulo held annually in early June, is the world's largest gay event. The 2017 parade gathered about 3 million people.

Buy
In the largest cities, there is often one neighbourhood which was traditionally a "gay ghetto" or "gay village" with many small, independent businesses operated by LGBT proprietors or serving a primarily LGBT clientèle. Some (such as Castro Street in San Francisco) were nationally famous in their heyday.

In many cities, there was an alternative local weekly or monthly newspaper which served as a printed index of all of the other LGBT offerings in the "ghetto", "village" or community. There were specialised book stores with books and media from gay authors; there were women's book stores which specialised in feminist texts from small, independent niche publishing houses which espoused the cause of women and sexual minorities. There was gay apparel, there was gay pornography, there were all manner of unusual items which might not have been readily available anywhere else. There were places to eat which were owned by LGBT proprietors, gay bars (which were the primary meeting places of yesteryear when there were few other LGBT options) and bed and breakfasts which were owned and operated by LGBT couples or were welcoming to LGBT travelers.

The big-city LGBT commercial districts were most known for their nightlife – the endless bars, the hilarious drag shows – but were also the home of many non-commercial community organisations ranging from LGBT discussion groups to gay sports teams, swim clubs, choirs or other activities which brought members of the community together under one or more common interests.

In the 21st century, a bit of this gay local colour is beginning to fade. As the level of discrimination declines, the need to concentrate the community in one big-city neighbourhood is gradually vanishing. Neighbourhoods which were once LGBT enclaves are being gentrified; the original residents who made the community what it was are being increasingly priced out of the market and into nondescript, mainstream suburbs. Pride parades which were once small but daring expressions of political dissent have become huge, commercialised events; they're larger than ever, but the original message has been lost in a demographic marketing gold rush in which big corporate sponsors brand and monetise the parades to sell more beer or other consumer commodities. The small alternative local newspapers, periodicals and alternative book stores are declining just as dramatically and rapidly as all other print media; many publications have abandoned their print editions to go Internet-only. People who used to meet at LGBT bars (or at the gay saunas and bathhouses which were infamous as hotbeds of sexual activity) are now increasingly instead meeting online.

Nonetheless, an LGBT neighbourhood or "village" still exists quite openly in most large metropolitan areas with colourful independent local businesses and community organisations which are out, loud and proud. It's worth checking local listings before you go to see what's on offer.

LGBT laws
[[File:World homosexuality laws.svg|thumb||| State acceptance of homosexuality

Homosexuality legal:

Same-sex marriage

Marriage recognized, not performed

Civil unions

Unregistered cohabitation

Residency rights for spouses

Same-sex unions not recognized

Restrictions on freedom of expression

Homosexuality illegal:

Unenforced penalty

Imprisonment

Up to life in prison

Death penalty

Rings indicate local or case-by-case application. ]] In some parts of the world LGBT visitors are welcome, but this is not true of most African, Caribbean, Pacific Island and Middle Eastern countries where it would be a bad idea, and in some cases dangerous, to express who you are completely. In some countries (particularly where LGBT expression or activity is legally restricted), police do little or nothing to investigate brutal anti-gay violence. Sometimes, they are part of the problem.

Most East Asian countries do not have any laws against homosexuality, though with the notable exception of Taiwan, there are also no anti-discrimination laws on the basis of sexual orientation. Acceptance of homosexuality tends not to be as good as in Western countries, and homosexual relationships are generally not given legal recognition. Nevertheless, given that the violent crime rate in East Asia is generally low, you are unlikely to get anything more than stares and whispers, and unprovoked anti-homosexual violence is almost unheard of.

Issues may also present themselves for transgender and gender non-conforming voyagers: in countries with strict sex segregation, the sex listed on your ID and your appearance conflicting may turn into a major problem. In some countries cross-dressing is illegal. Toilets and communal showers may cause some problems, or at least confusion, even in countries that generally accept LGBT expression.

Even where LGBT rights are recognised, there is no guarantee of ready acceptance from locals. Even in the United States and Western Europe where, for the most part, homosexuality is legal, gay-bashing sometimes occurs, though general intolerance of anti-gay acts is – slowly – increasing. While being transgender or gender non-conforming is illegal in fewer countries, transgender and gender non-conforming people can face considerable risks of victimization and violence, especially when the non-conformity is apparent.

ILGA (International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association) has more specific information and news about LGBT rights around the world. Global Affairs Canada has an in-depth information page for Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and two-spirit Canadians abroad, which may be relevant also for other nationalities.

Air travel and borders
Identity documents can be awkward for transgender voyagers, as some national customs or immigration checkpoints blindly assume the traveller's birth sex, gender presentation and stated gender on passports or travel documents will all conveniently match. Voyagers planning sex reassignment surgery abroad must ensure they're carrying valid documents for the return trip. The willingness of governments to issue passports with gender not stated (X) or documents updated to match a desired name and gender varies. Willingness of foreign governments to honour these documents is just as widely variable.

Searches at security checkpoints have also become far more intrusive in the post-September 11, 2001 era. Transgender and gender non-conforming people should be aware of increased risk of being searched, which can often be at best humiliating and uncomfortable, and at worst traumatic.

There is also the possibility that specific literature, pornography, adult novelty toys or other items will be blocked by customs when entering countries whose governments discriminate against LGBT persons.

Hotels and accommodation
Laws prohibiting private businesses from discriminating against gay (and, less often, transgender) patrons exist in a few of the jurisdictions where same-sex activity is lawful. Couples have successfully sued innkeepers who refused to let one bed/double occupancy rooms in the United Kingdom. Similar protections exist in much of western Europe, Australia, New Zealand and some liberal states and cities in the USA.

Conversely, a few destinations may have hotels which market specifically to the gay community or bed and breakfast hosts who are same-sex couples themselves.

Public toilets
The legality of using public toilets of one's gender identity differs greatly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. In some places gender-neutral toilets are common, which makes the issue go away. In more liberal states of the United States, such as California and New York, transgender persons are free to use public toilets of their choice by simply declaring their gender identity. In some other areas like Singapore and Thailand, transgender people may only use public toilets of their choice after undergoing sex reassignment surgery. Some areas, including most Middle Eastern Muslim countries, do not permit transgender people to change their legal gender at all, and thus in theory require all individuals to use public toilets of their legal birth sex – though a transgender woman in skirt with a male birth certificate may not be well received in the male toilet and vice versa. In practice, if your appearance conforms with the chosen toilet, few places will check your ID – or birth certificate.

Same-sex marriage
Legally-binding same-sex marriages, first solemnised in Amsterdam in 2001, are now performed in many countries around the world including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, the United States and Uruguay as well as parts of Mexico (CA, CH, CDMX, Sonora, QR), and the Netherlands (except Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten). Some other countries perform or recognize unions similar to marriage between two same-sex persons, the name and form of which varies considerably around the world.

British citizens may have access to marriage in a limited number of British consulates abroad in nations which neither object to nor offer same-sex marriage locally.

Very few countries in the modern era grant captains of ships flying their flag in international waters the right to officiate marriage. Weddings aboard ships at sea were briefly offered by the Bermuda-flagged Carnival line (Cunard, Princess and P&O) vessels; as of 2018, their legal status has been oscillating as the Bermudan government continues to legislate against same-sex marriage and court decisions strike down those laws.

The willingness of individual churches and temples to solemnise same-sex marriage varies. One option is a non-religious wedding, such as a civil wedding (at a city hall or court house) or a secular humanist officiant who may conduct a wedding in the venue of your choice. The Metropolitan Community Church was founded to reach out to the LGBT community, the Unitarian/Universalist churches and the Society of Friends (Quakers) are usually supportive and a few other groups (such as an Affirming United group within the United Church of Canada) embrace equality. Some of these groups have marched in local Pride events. In some religious communities same sex marriage is an area of dispute; e.g. in Finland the Lutheran church has not decided officially on the matter (there is not a big enough majority either way) and some priests do wed same-sex couples despite some bishops thinking they do not have the right to do so.

As laws vary, marriages (and less-than-marriage civil partnerships) from foreign jurisdictions may not be recognized as valid in your home country, and indeed, a married same-sex couple may not be recognized as such in some countries. Residence or citizenship requirements for marriage (and divorce) also vary between nations. If your own country believes your relationship does not legally exist and the country in which you married only hears divorce cases for its own people, a separation may involve a lot of legal trouble. Likewise, having your partner as next of kin or guardian of your children may be legally complicated or not recognised in some countries.

Any of this information may change rapidly due to referenda, changes in local laws or court cases making their way through multiple appeals. In some jurisdictions, same-sex couples have gained, lost, then regained the right to marry – sometimes causing a rush to registry offices as the situation may change on each appeal hearing, ending at a national supreme court.

If your plans are elaborate or may be difficult to change, be sure to consult the relevant authorities well before your wedding date.

LGBT-friendly destinations
The following cities are considered LGBT-friendly destinations. Many host public gay events, have gay venues, and/or have active LGBT organizations. They're also considered to be hassle-free for gay travelers who are not seeking out specifically queer events/activities:

Africa
There are few good choices on this continent; many African governments continue to hunt homosexuals as criminals, and extreme homophobia continues to be very widespread among the general population. As a notable exception, South Africa has sought to break with this history by constitutionally prohibiting discrimination as part of a larger effort to sever ties to the country's apartheid-era past.

Cape Verde

 * São Vicente

South Africa

 * Cape Town – Easily the most liberal and gay-friendly city in South Africa, and considered the "gay capital" of Africa. Gay nightlife centres around the Greenpoint district and holds the Mother City Queer Project (MCQP) every December.

Bhutan
There are no laws against homosexuality in Bhutan, and violence against gays and lesbians is rare. Transgender people are accepted in urban areas, though will elicit stares in rural areas. Thimphu is the most LGBTQ-friendly place in the country.

China
There are no laws against homosexuality in China, and people are generally tolerant towards gays and lesbians with unprovoked violence being extremely rare. That said, homosexuality is not as well-accepted as in Western Europe, and openly displaying your sexual orientation is still likely to draw stares and whispers. Although there is censorship of homosexual-themed (or featured) media by the government, gay dramas are popular among young Chinese women. Shanghai Pride began in 2009 without a parade, due to fears that the government would not allow it. Same-sex marriage is not recognized by the government.

 * Shanghai – China's most LGBT-friendly city, and home to the first-ever Pride Festival in mainland China. Lucca 390 in Changning District is Shanghai's most popular gay bar, though it is also rather upscale and pricey. There is also a small concentration of gay bars and nightclubs located in the French Concession.
 * Beijing – Not quite as progressive as Shanghai, but nevertheless still safe for LGBT people. China's capital is now home of several gay bars and nightclubs, the most popular one being Destination Club in Sanlitun, though in general, the LGBT scene tends to be more discreet and subdued than in Shanghai.
 * Chengdu – One of the more LGBT-friendly inland cities in China, it is particularly known for being the heart of China's lesbian community, with several well-known lesbian bars such as Moonflower and Queen Bee.

Hong Kong
There are no laws against homosexuality in Hong Kong although same-sex marriage is not officially recognised. In this conservative society sexuality is still generally not discussed in public. For youngsters it's quite different; there are some hip gay clubs that could well be in London, New York or Madrid that cater to locals and tourists, and the city held its first Gay Pride Parade in 2008. Anti-homosexual violence is virtually unheard of, and gay and lesbian couples should generally not run into any major issues.

Israel

 * Tel Aviv Israel's gay capital. An extremely lively and liberal city, with dozens of gay venues, parties and activities. Many locals are completely blasé regarding sexual diversity.

Japan
There are no laws against homosexuality in Japan, though same-sex relationships are also not recognised by the Japanese government. Acceptance of homosexuality among the Japanese public tends to be somewhat lower than in Western countries. That being said, given Japan's low violent crime rate, homosexuals are extremely unlikely to encounter unprovoked violent attacks.

 * Tokyo – Shinjuku ni-chome is the largest gay district in the nation
 * Osaka – Doyama-cho is Osaka's gay district
 * Sapporo – Home to a few gay establishments and hosts its own annual Pride Parade. It has the largest gay community in northern Japan
 * Fukuoka – Kyushu's largest city and most gay-friendly city, you'll find many of its gay venues in the Sumiyoshi ward
 * Nagoya – Sakae yon-chome in the Joshidai area is home to Nagoya's gay venues

Nepal
Nepal was the first nation in South Asia to decriminalize homosexuality. In 2011, the nation's tourism industry focused heavily on attracting gay tourism, trying to entice them with gay marriages on Mount Everest. The government is making moves to ensure that the police will enforce laws protecting homosexuals (and not discriminate themselves). Gay travellers in Nepal should still remain conservative; although the government is making changes, local attitudes about homosexuality remain negative and some resent being seen as a "gay travel" destination.

Philippines

 * Manila – Known as the gay capital of Asia. Most gay-friendly or LGBT-friendly destinations are found in the city and are owned by LGBT people themselves.
 * Cebu City – There are active LGBT organizations and gay-friendly restaurants and cafes in Cebu.
 * Cagayan de Oro

Singapore
Male homosexuality was legalised in January 2023, when the colonial-era law criminalising it was repealed, while female homosexuality has always been legal. However, same-sex marriage is not recognised by the government. Acceptance of homosexuality among the general public is mixed, with younger Western-educated people generally being more tolerant of homosexuality than their elders. Openly displaying your sexual orientation in public is likely to draw stares and whispers, though unprovoked violent attacks are almost unheard of. Gay bars are mostly concentrated in the Chinatown area.

South Korea
South Korea does not have any laws against homosexuality, though there is also no legislation that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Same-sex relationships are not recognised by the South Korean government. Attitudes among the South Korean public tend to be negative, and Evangelical Christians in particular will likely strongly disapprove of it. That being said, your chance of encountering anti-homosexual violence is close to none.

Taiwan
As far as East Asian countries go, Taiwan is considered to be one of the most gay-friendly areas. Taiwan does not have any laws against homosexuality, and became the first Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage in 2019. Anti-homosexual violence is extremely rare, and younger Taiwanese tend to be more accepting of homosexuality.

 * Taipei – an annual gay parade event known as Taiwan Pride is held there between September and November

Thailand
Thailand is a long-established popular destination for LGBT tourism, and there are no laws against homosexuality in Thailand. Same-sex marriage legislation will soon be legalized after Thai legislature passed a bill to legalize it.
 * Bangkok – Known for its gay tolerance, and its gay festivals.
 * Chiang Mai – The heart of northern Thailand, much more relaxed than the capital, and held its first gay pride parade in 2019.
 * Pattaya – Many homosexual clubs and bars.
 * Phuket – Popular in the transgender community for medical tourism as skilled practitioners offer sex reassignment surgery at a reasonable cost.

Vietnam
No laws against homosexuality have ever existed in Vietnam.
 * Hanoi – Hosted Vietnam's first gay pride parade in 2012.
 * Ho Chi Minh City – Has the largest and most visible LGBT community in Vietnam.

Europe
Likely the most relaxed about gay and lesbian travel and people should have few problems. Germany, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Belgium, Britain, France, Spain and Portugal are likely the most accepting. Tolerance declines markedly as one goes further east. In Russia the spurious and ill-defined act of "advocating homosexuality" has been forbidden since 2022; this may include expressing your orientation in public.

Ibiza, Gran Canaria, Sitges (all in Spain) and Mykonos (Greece) are the hottest gay holiday destinations that Europe has to offer.

Austria

 * Vienna

Belgium

 * Antwerp
 * Brussels

Czech Republic

 * Prague
 * Brno – Gibon and Philadelphia clubs.

Denmark

 * Copenhagen

Finland
Like elsewhere LGBT acceptance has risen quickly. A former chairwoman of an LGBT rights association has been president, Tom of Finland art is sold in flagship fashion shops, marriage law is gender neutral (since 2017) and explicitly gender neutral toilets are becoming common in some cities. Official Finland and a majority of the population have a very supportive or at least relaxed attitude on LGBT issues, though this does not mean acceptance everywhere.
 * Helsinki (the capital) is the most LGBT-lively place in Finland. You can safely be openly gay, lesbian, bi or trans. The tourist office has info for LGBT folks. Both of the LGBT nightclubs in Helsinki are located just around one corner at Mannerheimintie and Lönnrotinkatu streets.
 * Pori is a nice mid-sized town. Pride, music culture and the Yyteri Beach with sand dunes can all be found here.

France

 * Lyon
 * Montpellier
 * Nîmes
 * Paris – Over 300 different gay and lesbian venues, concentrated around Le Marais, in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements.
 * Provence – Southern France brings gay travellers a new experience in travelling with the French gay and lesbian community in Provence sharing their love and knowledge of the country.

Germany

 * Berlin – Berlin has a pretty widespread gay community, mostly in Schöneberg, but gay couples can be seen pretty much anywhere. The only places where caution should taken are Lichtenberg and Neukölln: historically not very tolerant groups live there; however, Neukölln is nowadays the new hip part of the city. Near Kufürstendamm there are a lot of gay bars.
 * Hamburg – The gay heart of the city is called St. Georg with the famous "Lange Reihe" as the gay street in Hamburg. Also the "Pulverfass" has many gay or gay-friendly locations, e.g. bars, shops, restaurants and clubs. For a more sexual connotation visit the local red light district "Reeperbahn" and its many junctions, in particular the "Talstraße" which is the other clearly "gay-labelled" street in Hamburg with gay cinemas, bars and clubs.

Greece

 * Athens
 * Mykonos
 * Lesvos

Hungary

 * Budapest – Thermal bath and spa capital of Central Europe with a lively gay scene.

Ireland

 * Dublin

Iceland

 * Reykjavik (pop 200,000) holds a pride parade in early August, see Reykjavik.

Italy

 * Bologna – Widely recognised as the 'gay capital' of Italy.
 * Milan — a safe haven for LGBT travellers, and a global centre of fashion, design, art and other creative disciplines
 * Rome

Netherlands

 * Amsterdam is known as the gay capital of Europe, although these days many other destinations are at least as gay friendly. Still, many clubs have special gay nights every week. An area known as Reguliersdwarsstraat, though quite modest in size, is full of cafés where gay people are more common than heterosexuals. Every summer there is the Gay Pride Parade, taking place in the canals in the city centre.

Norway

 * Oslo

Poland

 * Warsaw

Portugal

 * Lisbon

Spain

 * Barcelona
 * Ibiza
 * Gran Canaria
 * Madrid Has a famous gay quarter named "Chueca" with many bars, restaurants, clubs, discos and gay-catered business, although gay life is not restricted to that area. Madrid Pride Week is also famous worldwide and held the first week of July.
 * Palma de Mallorca
 * Sitges
 * Torremolinos

Sweden

 * Stockholm, see LGBT Stockholm
 * Göteborg
 * Malmö

Switzerland

 * Bern
 * Lausanne
 * Zürich

Turkey

 * Istanbul had a considerable gay life and tons of gay bars and clubs mainly around Taksim and Beyoglu districts. A big gay & lesbian parade (Pride Istanbul) ran from 2007 to 2014. The situation has deteriorated as a result of widespread crackdowns on free speech, journalism and dissent after a failed 2016 coup attempt. Public protest has been silenced; the Ankara governor’s office imposed a ban on all LGBTI cultural events in 2017. Open threats of violence from ultra-nationalist groups also pose a risk.

United Kingdom
The Big 3 are widely known as Brighton, London and Manchester. Same-sex marriage is legal throughout the United Kingdom and British law prohibits discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.

 * Birmingham — Has a large and vibrant gay scene and gay village in the Hurst Street/China Town district of the city.
 * Brighton – The highest percentage of gay people in Europe, with a lot of style, creativity, and great nightlife.
 * Cardiff — the most LGBTQ city in Wales.
 * Edinburgh – One of the most tolerant cities in Europe. The second highest major city gay population outside London, after Manchester.
 * Hebden Bridge — a small town in West Yorkshire, has the highest proportion of lesbians in the UK.
 * Leeds — The largest city in the North of England with a vibrant gay village centred around Lower Briggate and Leeds Bridge including cabarets, bars, clubs, shops and saunas.
 * London — The second highest percentage of gay people in UK after Brighton, but given the massive size of the city, it's really second to none. Hundreds of clubs with different types of people and nationalities are waiting for you. The Soho area in particular is one of the world's most famous and vibrant gay districts. See LGBT London
 * Manchester – One of the gay party capitals with a huge amount of gay nightlife. The largest major city gay population outside London. Reportedly largest gay village in Europe.
 * Sheffield — Hosts numerous gay bars & clubs spread throughout the city centre.
 * Swansea — large pride parade. Liberal attitude towards LGBTQ life-style.

North America
North America is a mixed bag when it comes to LGBT rights. While Canada and the more liberal parts of the United States are among the most LGBT-friendly destinations in the world, many of the Caribbean island nations can be hotbeds of homophobia.

Canada
Few countries are more tolerant and gay-friendly than Canada, both in legislation and attitude, including legal same-sex marriage. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation has been illegal since 1996, while discrimination of transgender people has been illegal since 2017. That said, not everyone has followed suit, particularly in rural and remote areas.
 * Toronto — see LGBT Toronto
 * Montreal — North American city with a European flavour, very tolerant and multicultural. The large Gay Village is a place where everybody goes out to have a good time. There is an annual Pride parade in August.
 * Vancouver — third largest gay community on the west coast. The Davie Village in the West End is the centre of the gay community. The annual Pride Parade takes place on the first weekend in August.
 * Ottawa — One of the five largest Canadian metropolitan areas, yet Ottawa-Hull historically had a small-town mentality compared to its larger neighbour Montréal (200km away), primarily as a result of its civil service heritage. No clearly-defined "gay ghetto", but there is an annual Capital Pride march (mid-August), various bars and an easily-recognisable cluster of gay-owned businesses in the "Old Ottawa South" section of Bank Street.
 * Edmonton — A gay-friendly city with its own Pride Festival.
 * St. John's — has a small gay population but is one of the most tolerant cities in Canada and a great place to vacation; also holds gay pride events during the peak tourist times.
 * Moncton — Moncton features New Brunswick's largest LGBT Pride Parade and Festival every summer. Downtown Moncton has one nightclub specifically for the LGBT community and the downtown area is incredibly tolerant and accepting of the LGBT community.
 * Halifax — the gay-friendly capital of Nova Scotia and largest city in Atlantic Canada has many gay-friendly and gay-themed events throughout the year such as OUTeast Film Festival, Guerilla GayFare and Halifax Pride Parade. Halifax Pride is active in the community and hosts many events throughout the year.

Costa Rica

 * San José (Costa Rica) This is the country's capital and where most of the population in Costa Rica lives. This place is filled with bars and discos for gay people.
 * Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica's favorite gay vacation spot for locals and tourists. One of the nicest beaches on the Pacific Ocean, declared a National Park for its amazing beauty. Many gay-owned, friendly hotels and commerce. Great nightlife.

Mexico
A largely Catholic country, Mexico is getting more gay-friendly all the time. Medium-sized and big cities as well as coastal resorts are usually very tolerant, most with clubs and bars that cater to the LGBT community.

 * Mexico City – This huge city offers a vast array of gay bars and clubs, from stylish and slick to unassuming and friendly, in the elegant Zona Rosa and other neighborhoods. The city hosts the annual Pride Week events in June. Mexico City was the first city in Latin America to legalize same-sex marriage. See LGBT Mexico City.

 * Acapulco – Apart from the natural beauty of the Quebrada divers, this party place has hectic night clubs, strip joints and friendly bars. Most of your fellow travellers are Mexican.

 * Puerto Vallarta – Commonly considered one of the most gay-friendly destinations in Mexico. The area known as the South Side or Zona Romántica in the southern part of the old city is the epicentre of gay nightlife and the popular gay beach, which consists largely of the Blue and Green chair restaurant/bar areas with their many palapas along Playa Los Muertos beach.

 * Merida – Travelers who want more culture than beach should check out Merida, which gaytravel.com calls "the ultimate gay city destination in Mexico" due to its colonial charm, proximity to Maya sites and its easy walkability.

Puerto Rico

 * San Juan – the 500-year-old island capital of Puerto Rico and “Gay Capital of the Caribbean”. San Juan is a definitively Latin American city and Spanish is predominant throughout the island. Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory with border-free access from the mainland and direct air links to Canada and Europe. With gay guest houses, restaurants, beaches and nightlife in the Condado and Santurce areas, San Juan offers the Caribbean's best gay scene.

United States
By and large the USA is tolerant-to-accepting of LGBT travellers, especially in the larger cities, college towns, the Northeast, the West Coast and Hawaii. However, due to strong evangelical influences in some areas, as a whole, the USA is not as gay-friendly as Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand or Canada. Acceptance of homosexuality varies greatly from region to region, and in areas where tourists are most likely to visit, acceptance is at least as good as in Western Europe. On the other hand, locals may not be as accepting of homosexuality in some more rural areas away from the tourist trail, where the majority of people continue to be deeply religious. Same-sex marriage has been legal nationwide since June 26, 2015 as a result of a Supreme Court decision. Laws preventing businesses from discriminating against LGBT people are however absent in states where acceptance is low.

Major destinations include:

US West

 * Palm Springs – a small desert resort two hours east of Los Angeles, it has among the highest proportion of Gays and Lesbians in its population of any American city – also home to the annual White Party at Easter.
 * San Diego-Hillcrest – near downtown, Hillcrest is a vibrant community with the same no-attitude, relaxed atmosphere that defines San Diego
 * San Francisco – largely seen as the "gay mecca" of the USA; the Castro is one of the world's most famous gay neighborhoods.
 * Seattle – with a large and well-integrated gay population, welcomes LGBT vacationers who like the perks of the great outdoors during the day and great restaurants and nightlife in the evening. Capital Hill neighborhood, west of downtown/Belltown, is known for being the LGBQT neighborhood of Seattle and the center of many LGBQT events and venues. Otherwise there is widespread acceptance throughout the city.
 * West Hollywood – in the heart of the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
 * Portland - widespread acceptance throughout the city.

US Northeast

 * Boston – the South End is the largest gay neighborhood, within reach of touristy attractions in the Back Bay and on the waterfront. Annual pride parade in June is the city's second largest festival after the Fourth of July.
 * Fire Island Pines and Cherry Grove – Two of the seventeen villages located on the Fire Island National Seashore ( from New York City) that are predominantly gay
 * Philadelphia – the "City of Brotherly Love" and the first destination in the world to create and air a television commercial specifically geared towards LGBT tourism, with a slogan "Get your history straight and your nightlife gay." Many gay bars and other businesses can be found in Washington Square West.
 * New Hope, Pennsylvania – just outside Philadelphia; popular weekend getaway with a decidedly gay focus
 * New York City – Greenwich Village is the birthplace of the American gay rights movement; Chelsea is a centre of gay social life.
 * Northampton, Massachusetts – a lesbian mecca in Western Massachusetts, known for its art scene and surrounded by farms and mountains.
 * Ocean Grove, New Jersey – known as God's Square Mile, the Methodist resort is now a vacation resort and home to a diverse group of people.
 * Ogunquit, Maine on the Atlantic seacoast with cute bed & breakfasts
 * Provincetown – at the tip of Cape Cod, "P-Town" has long been famous as a queer getaway; now that same-sex marriage is legal, it's a popular place to tie the knot
 * Rehoboth Beach – a small beach town on the Delaware coast with a large and active LGBT community
 * Washington, D.C. – Dupont Circle and nearby Logan Circle are gay central in a very gay-friendly town, where you can subvert the national political culture, dancing the night away with gay Republican politicians and their staffers!

US Midwest

 * Chicago – has an annual Pride Parade in the Boystown neighbourhood, which includes some of the city's best clubs and bars. Nearby Andersonville is a centre of Chicago's lesbian community.
 * Saugatuck, Michigan – small resort town with lots of LGBT friendly B&Bs, galleries, restaurants and shops next to Lake Michigan and popular with weekending Chicagoans
 * Minneapolis – Hosts the Twin Cities Pride festival every summer, and has many gay bars.
 * Pine City – small resort town hosts East Central Minnesota Pride every June, and has a quaint downtown shopping district.
 * Columbus - Capital of Ohio, most LGBT friendly city in Ohio with an annual pride festival.

US South

 * Asheville – a city in western North Carolina with significant feminist and lesbian/gay communities.
 * Atlanta – with lots of gay venues, this metropolis has grown rapidly by attracting people from across the South, gays included.
 * Austin – very accepting, liberal city in Texas with lots of gay venues in the downtown area
 * Ft. Lauderdale – a "Gay HotSpot" in South Florida. The area has a large gay population, gay districts, and tons of gay bars, shops, and restaurants, especially in the City of Wilton Manors.
 * Galveston – a small island city just outside of Houston Texas that has some "Gay Only" hotels and some beaches that are generally queer only
 * Key West – the southernmost point of the US is also a famously liberal vacation spot with many options for LGBT travelers
 * Miami Beach – a glitzy and very queer-friendly beach resort that is also home to the annual White Party
 * New Orleans – With a very queer ambiance and a long history of gay life, this French Creole/African/American city hosts Southern Decadence every Labor Day Weekend and has many gay bars in the historic French Quarter. There is even a gay krewe at Mardi Gras
 * Virginia has several cities that welcome LGBT travellers, including Alexandria, Arlington and Richmond.

Oceania
Australia and New Zealand are among the world's most LGBT-friendly destinations, with acceptance of LGBT people on par with Western Europe. On the other hand, most other countries in the region are strongly-conservative Christian moral societies, and thus tend to strongly disapprove of homosexuality.

Australia
Australia is a very safe destination for LGBT people. The majority of Australians are accepting of homosexuality, and acceptance is almost universal among the younger generation. Same-sex marriage was legalised on 12 December 2017 following the results of a nationwide postal ballot. Australian law also prohibits discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.

 * Alice Springs – it's suggested that Alice Springs has the most LGBT people per capita in Australia – so it's truly a friendly place. The area has several queer friendly accommodation establishments and is also home to the Alice is Wonderland festival – held just after the Sydney Mardi Gras.
 * Byron Bay – a small but popular city in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales that's earned the title for being the state's "rainbow region".
 * Sydney – host of the country's largest tourist event, the annual Sydney Mardi Gras, which attracts millions of queer-friendly visitors to the city every year. The majority of gay bars are located along Oxford Street in the CBD and in Newtown.
 * Melbourne – a cultural hub of fantastic museums, art exhibits, and restaurants. The gay community is mostly centred in the suburbs of South Yarra and Prahran, which unsurprisingly is home to most of the gay nightclubs. Gay pubs, on the other hand, are largely concentrated in the areas of St Kilda and Fitzroy.
 * Brisbane – while not as well-known as Sydney and Melbourne, Brisbane is also a gay-friendly city, with much of the LGBT community being concentrated in the suburbs of Fortitude Valley, New Farm, and Teneriffe.
 * Perth – although there is no dedicated gay district, Perth is in general a gay-friendly city, with several gay nightclubs and bars located in the main nightlife area of Northbridge. The suburbs of Maylands and Bayswater are also known for their large number of LGBT residents.
 * Cairns – one of the best spots to see the Great Barrier Reef from, using one of the many gay-friendly local operators.
 * Adelaide – although there is no gay district, by and large the general population is accepting of homosexuality, and the vast majority of bars and nightclubs are gay-friendly.
 * Nimbin – in a similar boat to Byron Bay.

New Zealand
New Zealand is a gay-friendly destination, with same-sex marriage having been legalised since 19 August 2013. Discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation has been illegal since 1993.
 * Auckland – the city comes alive around 1AM, full of incredible restaurants, pubs with live music, and great dancing places in 'K Road'.
 * Vinegar Hill – a camping ground in the Manawatu that hosts a large gay and lesbian camp over Christmas/New Year.

Argentina

 * Buenos Aires – The Argentine capital is one of the most popular gay travel destinations in South America. The city passed same-sex civil union legislation in 2002 and the country legalized same-sex marriage in 2010.

Brazil

 * Rio de Janeiro – Latin America's main gay destination, it was chosen as the sexiest gay destination in 2010 by TripOut Gay Travel Awards. In 2009 it was elected as the best lesbigay global destination. There is a famous gay beach. Acceptance of gay behaviour dates back to the 18th century. During colonial times the first gay ball of the Americas took place in Rio in 1757. Despite all this, many people in Rio are not tolerant of all aspects of LGBT behaviour outside the traditional venues of Ipanema and parts of Copacabana; same-sex displays of affection are likely to attract mocking whistles.
 * São Paulo – Home to the largest LGBT pride festival in the world, with some 3 million participants annually.

Chile

 * Santiago – Santiago is by far Chile's least conservative city, the only one where the 'Gay parade' and similar events are held. But beware that gay people in Chile should keep a low profile: same-sex couples kissing in the street or holding hands (especially men) are going to attract stares, and, though homophobic physical attacks are somewhat unusual, there has been some unprovoked violence against gay couples.

Ecuador
Same-sex marriage was legalized in 2019 and the country's two largest cities, Quito and Guayaquil, both have gay bars and clubs though you will find more nightlife in the former. Prostitution is legal and regulated for both heterosexuals and homosexuals. As the country is deeply Catholic, many still dislike LGBT individuals though harassment is very rare and many individuals incorporate native religious beliefs leading to a surprisingly tolerant culture. Significantly, public signs of affection of any significance between individuals of any gender or sexual orientation are generally frowned upon. The culture is very private, where there is acceptance but the subject is not directly talked about. Other safety concerns, especially knowing what taxis are 'safe', are more pressing. Keep your relationships quiet, but not restricted - this applies equally to heterosexual couples given the culture. Wedding bands are widely accepted, and are one way to demonstrate your relationship implicitly.
 * Quito – Old Town is full of shops, restaurants and nightlife in the world's most intact colonial city. Outside of old town, other destinations for gay nightlife exist though be sure to ask about the safety of various neighborhoods as information online often doesn't keep up with changes (the tourist district is no longer a great destination due to high crime). Beyond explicitly LGBT attractions, Quito is the world's highest capital city at over 9,300 feet. Altitude sickness can be a problem during the first couple days so keep that in mind if planning to stay. Right outside the city are some of the most amazing natural attractions for nature lovers, including Mindo Cloud Forest and multiple active volcanoes, Cotopaxi being the most famous as the world's highest active volcano, that you can climb. Many tours can be found including those designed for LGBT individuals.
 * Guayaquil - Whereas Quito is located in the highlands, Guayaquil is located on the Pacific Coast. Resorts can be found here, including ones that are LGBT friendly. There are many attractions in the city, though not as extensive or steeped in history as Quito. This is the primary location from which travelers will depart for the Galapagos Islands. Be aware that crime is higher here, and organized crime is a serious issue. Nearby Esmeraldas, though beautiful, is even more dangerous with the power of organized crime being extremely high.

Uruguay
Uruguay is the most LGBT-friendly country in South America. Uruguay has an especially liberal, inclusive and receptive culture. It was the first country to legalize same-sex marriage in the region and the only country in the Americas to legalize same-sex marriage entirely through legislation (2013), rather than through court decisions. Harassment is rare, even outside of the capital. Allowed to adopt, protected by anti-discrimination laws, LGBT inclusion throughout the military, legal protections for intersexual individuals, and the legal recognition of transgender rights (passed unanimously) all demonstrate that LGBT travelers will find Uruguay one of the safest places in the Americas.
 * Montevideo – The Uruguayan capital had a sexual diversity monument installed in 2005. The city is home to a sizable number of gay bars and harassment is nearly non-existent. The city has unofficially come to be known as the most 'Gay Friendly City in the World'. One of the world's largest gay pride parades and celebrations takes place on the final Friday of September (spring in the Southern Hemisphere).

Somewhat safe destinations
Countries listed in this section have laws against homosexuality, though the said laws are not enforced in practice.

India
While homosexual acts were decriminalized by a 2018 supreme court ruling after years of litigation, discrimination continues to exist in many rural villages.

 * Much gay activity was underground and focused on public cruising, but conventional scenes are quickly developing in cities such as Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai.
 * On June 29, 2008, four Indian cities (Delhi, Bangalore, Pondicherry, and Kolkata) saw coordinated pride events, and on 16 August 2008 the gay community in Mumbai held its first ever formal parade.
 * Engaging in public displays of affection for both the straight and the gay and lesbian community is met with strong rejection. If you are a gay/lesbian couple in the open as in many areas, laws do not tend to have such a positive effect.
 * Even though India claims to be anti-homosexuality in political and religious aspects, public demonstrations of affection like holding hands or soft kissing are not penalized and are a very common practice between same sex members all over the country (it would be worse if they see you kissing or holding hands with someone of the opposite sex).

Indonesia
While homosexual acts are not illegal (except in the province of Aceh), many still hold homophobic attitudes, as most Indonesians are religious Muslims. However, there are gay scenes in Jakarta and Bali.

Criminalization
The following countries have criminal laws against sexual acts between consenting adults of the same sex. Some countries impose life imprisonment or the death penalty for homosexual acts (as indicated in parentheses below).

This list covers just criminalisation of sexual activity; some nations prohibit or criminalise conduct such as cross-dressing (the distinction between transgender and homosexual is lost on a few less-accepting jurisdictions), serving alcohol to gays (as a tactic to shut down LGBT bars) or speaking out on gay and lesbian issues. Gay saunas in some locations are raided under laws intended to shut down houses of prostitution.

Africa
Homosexual acts illegal: Algeria, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Mauritania (death penalty), Morocco, Nigeria (death penalty), Senegal, Somalia (death penalty), Sudan (death penalty), South Sudan (life imprisonment), Togo, Tunisia, Uganda (life imprisonment, death penalty for "aggravated" cases).

Male only: Kenya, Sierra Leone (life imprisonment), Eswatini (Swaziland), Tanzania (except Zanzibar, where lesbian behaviors are also punishable) (life imprisonment), Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Nigeria and Uganda have enacted laws that make it a criminal offence for one to know that someone is homosexual and not report it to the police. A similar law is proposed for Kenya in 2023.

Asia
Homosexual acts illegal: Afghanistan (death penalty), Bangladesh, Brunei (death by stoning), Malaysia (punishable from 2 to 20 years imprisonment or caning), Sri Lanka.

Homosexual acts illegal, but law is generally not enforced: Pakistan (fine or 2–10 years of imprisonment for sexual orientation; vigilante action, including lynching, may cause death in some parts), Myanmar (punishable from 2 years to life imprisonment).

Male only: Maldives, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.

Homosexual acts illegal (for Muslims only) in one province of Indonesia: Aceh.

In Marawi City, Philippines there's a local ordinance forbidding cross-dressing and overtly feminine behaviour among men (bayut) enforced by the local religious police (but not the Philippine National Police) and the Philippines generally has a long history of tolerance and sympathy for queer folk.

Central and South America
Homosexual acts illegal: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Male homosexual acts ("buggery") illegal: Guyana (life imprisonment), Jamaica, Grenada, Saint Lucia.

Middle East
Homosexual acts illegal: Iran (death penalty), Iraq (executions ordered by non-state sharia courts and militias), Kuwait, Qatar (death penalty), Saudi Arabia (death penalty, can also be punishable with prison, fines or whipping), Syria, United Arab Emirates (death penalty), Yemen (death penalty).

Male only: Gaza Strip.

In Oman homosexual acts are illegal, but is practiced and talked about with discretion. The larger cities will be more liberal on this issue than the rural regions, but for the LGBT traveler, play it safe and treat homosexuality the same as you would in Saudi Arabia or other Middle Eastern nations.

Oceania
Homosexual acts illegal: Samoa, Solomon Islands

Male only: Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Tuvalu

Homophobia
The following destinations pose some problems to LGBT travellers (see also the "Stay safe" section of region and cities articles).

It is common in some countries for men and women to walk hand-in-hand with a same-sex friend without this meaning any sexual interest (ditto on hugging etc.). You might be tempted to do the same with your partner, but the difference may be difficult to hide.

 * Cayman Islands – in 2008, two men kissing caused one to be detained by an off-duty police officer for "a public offence". It turns out there is no law against homosexuality in CI – a British Overseas Territory – but homophobia there is endemic.
 * Homophobia and discrimination are growing in much of the former Soviet Union, sometimes with tacit government support:
 * While homosexual acts are not illegal in Russia, advocacy for LGBT rights is a criminal offence that carries a prison term with it. Discrimination is widespread and protests have been met with violence; the 2014 occupation of Crimea has extended these problems to that region. Arrests and multiple state-sanctioned murders have been reported in the Muslim-majority region of Chechnya.
 * While homosexual acts are legal in Azerbaijan, discrimination against gays and lesbians is widespread.
 * While homosexual acts are legal in Belarus, gays and lesbians may be subjected to harsh discrimination from the locals and from the authorities.
 * Kyrgyzstan police subject gay and bisexual men to “physical, sexual, and psychological violence; arbitrary detention; and extortion under the threat of violence,” according to a January 2014 Human Rights Watch allegation, and that country's legislature is attempting to ban les/bi/gay advocacy and target foreign-backed NGOs in the same manner as Russia.
 * While a court decision in Trinidad and Tobago decriminalised homosexual activity in 2018, this case is being appealed and gays may remain targets for violence or discrimination.
 * There have been reports of mass arrests in Indonesia in 2017. While homosexual acts are only illegal in part of the country (Aceh), police have been using other laws (such as laws targeting pornography) to attack gay saunas with the tacit support of local political leaders.

title: LGBT travel


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Gayasan National Park

Gaya Mountain National Park (가야산) is in South Gyeongsang, South Korea. It is home to two of the famed 100 most beautiful mountains in South Korea and a popular weekend hiking destination.

History
Mt. Gaya is named after the Indian town of Gaya, where the Buddha achieved enlightenment. "Gaya" is Sanskrit for "cow", and indeed, the locals say that the peaks resemble a cow's head. This is one of the most remote parts of Korea and it survived Korea's wars largely unscathed.

Landscape
The landscape is primarily mountainous, but includes plains filled with reeds, flowers and much variety over the four seasons. It is home to eight mountains: Gaijisan, Goheonsan, Cheonhwangsan, Jaeyaksan, Ganwolsan, Sinbulsan, Yeongchuksan and Unmunsan.

Climate
The area is humid in summer, with highs over 30 °C. In winter snow can fall on the mountain tops, although heavy hiking spikes are rarely needed. The national park is accessible all year.

By bus
The nearest town of importance is Daegu (60 km), easily reachable from most Korean town by KTX bullet train or bus. There are buses (1 hour) from Daegu's Seobu (west) Bus Terminal to Haeinsa every 20 minutes (₩6400).

There are also 3 connections per day from Daejeon Express Bus Terminal (₩13500) by way of Hamyang, and Geochang.

There are also connections from Gochang (₩3200), which can be reached from Gimcheon, permitting travel between Jikjisa temple near Gimcheon and Haein Sa.

The national park is accessible from Ulsan by catching a bus to the Eonyang bus terminal, the swapping to a bus headed for Seongnamsa, a Buddhist temple for nuns. Many of the trails originate from the temple, which is closest to Mt Gajisan.

By car
If you have your own car, you can also park at Baegundong, which has a park information center.

Fees and permits
Entrance to the park is free, but car parking costs ₩4000-6000/day.

Get around
Once in the park, the only way to get around is to hike. The most popular route is from Haeinsa up the Hongnyudong valley to Sangwangbong Peak and back again.

Do

 * Climb Sangwangbong Peak (1430m), about two hours from Haeinsa. The first 90 minutes is a gentle rise, but the last 30 minutes are more challenging.
 * Climb Chulbulbong Peak (1433m)

Lodging
There are some small hotels and yeogwan near both Haeinsa and Baegundong.

Camping
Camping is allowed at designated campsites near Haeinsa and Baegundong for ₩3,000-6,000 per tent.

Stay safe
As with all hiking expeditions, make sure you take enough water and a first aid kit, especially as you are climbing mountains! Also take a hat and sunscreen, especially in summer when the temperatures can get quite high. Make sure you let someone know where you're going. As hiking is a national sport, you will see many Koreans hiking the trails, including the speedy grandmas (who will probably be faster than you).

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Gayasan National Park


text:
Gaza Strip

The Gaza Strip (Arabic غزة, Ghazzah, Hebrew עזה Azza) is a Palestinian territory in the Middle East. The capital and largest city is Gaza. Portions of this page may be out of date because the situation on the ground changes quickly.

Understand
Positioned between Israel and Egypt, Gaza Strip contains several towns and cities that have grown together. The capital and largest city is Gaza, with Khan Yunis and Rafah being the second and third largest. Several smaller villages are nestled between these cities. It does have reasonably modern infrastructure and architecture despite its troubles, but a UN report as early as 1952 stated that the Strip was too small to support its population of 300,000, and now there are well over 1.7 million inhabitants. On 7 October 2023, the Israel-Hamas War broke out, and thousands of people have been killed.

Most inhabitants are descendants of Palestinian refugees who fled or were expelled from their homes in Israel during or after the 1948 war and were not allowed to return to their homes and villages. As they were not Egyptian citizens they were not allowed into Egypt, either.

History
Gaza has been around for a while: the earliest known reference is an inscription in the Temple of Amun at Karnak, Egypt, dated 1500 BC, which states that the town of Gaza is 'flourishing'. And for a long time it did: a staging post on trade routes connecting Asia and Persia with Arabia, Egypt and Africa, even the name means "treasure" in Arabic. Alexander the Great laid siege to the town in 332 BC, executing 10,000 defenders after being held off for two months. Later, the town was held by the Romans, the Crusaders, the Mamluks, the Ottomans and briefly even by the French in 1799, when Napoleon Bonaparte set up camp on his way to defeat in Egypt. The Turks took it back, then lost it to the British in World War I. The Egyptian army grabbed it during the 1948 war that led to Israel's independence, opening camps for Palestinian refugees who fled and were expelled from their homes by Israeli forces — and the current situation began when Israel occupied the Strip in 1967.

Spurred by the violence of the 1987–1993 Intifada ("Uprising"), Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization signed a "Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements" in 1993, under which the Palestinian Authority (PA) was created to govern the Gaza Strip and the West Bank for a transitional period "not exceeding five years" as a step towards full independence. Parts of the territories were indeed handed over to the PA between 1994 and 1999, but the peace plans were derailed by the second intifada that broke out in September 2000, unleashing another spiral of violence.

Israel unilaterally disengaged from Gaza in 2005, evacuating Jewish settlements and withdrawing its troops from the territory. It did however retain control of the airspace and the coastline in addition to the fact the entire region is circled by a large armed security fence. The Islamist Hamas won elections in 2006 and violently kicked out or killed the remnants of the Palestinian Authority in 2007. Under Hamas rule, there have been repeated incidents of missile launches from Gaza into Israel and Israeli targeted assassinations of terrorists in Gaza, bombings, and incursions or invasions of Gaza. Israel has also heavily restricted the movement of trade, aid, and people between Gaza and Israel in response to attacks on border crossing points and the Hamas government's non-recognition of Israel. Relations between Hamas and the Egyptian government have also been tense at times, with the Egyptian government sometimes blaming Hamas for attacks on Egyptian security forces and civilians in the Sinai but also condemning Israeli actions against Gaza. From December 2008 to January 2009, Israel launched a massive coordinated air, naval, and land offensive against the Hamas government and allied militant organizations. Hostilities resumed in 2012, but a short-lived ceasefire was restored with the help of Egyptian mediation.

In 2024, Israel is at war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. It's very unlikely that you will be able to get into Gaza unless you are an accredited journalist, or UN or charity worker, and you will have performed in-depth risk assessments. Do not rely on a travel guide for your risk assessment. Civilian infrastructure has been hit very hard, and your presence in the strip will divert resources from the needy.

Geography

The Gaza Strip is a narrow, 40-km long slice of land between the Mediterranean to the west and the Negev desert to the east. Egypt lies to the south, the north and east border Israel. The urban sprawl of Gaza City, mostly stretching along and around the 3-km long Omar al-Mukhtar Street, covers much of the north. The other main towns of Khan Yunis and Rafah are near the southern border, with most of the rest covered with agricultural land.

A bit of terminology disentanglement: Gaza Strip refers to the entire 40km by 6km patch of territory. The strip is slightly smaller than Barbados and slightly larger than Malta. Gaza City refers to the town itself, in the northern part of the strip, but due to huge population growth the City now sprawls into many of the surrounding villages and it's a tough task to say what is a part of the City and what isn't. Both city and strip are pretty much interchangeably referred to as Gaza and this guide will follow suit.

Climate
Temperate, mild winters, dry and warm to hot summers.

Terrain
Flat to rolling, sand and dune covered coastal plain. Cultivated land.

Highest point: Abu 'Awdah (Joz Abu 'Auda)

Get in
Getting into Gaza is both difficult and unwise. As of around 2003, all would-be visitors were required to apply in advance for Israeli permission to enter the Strip. The application is usually submitted through your embassy in Israel and, in theory takes between 5–10 days. In practice, it can take months, and if you're not either a fully accredited journalist or an aid/human rights worker, you're unlikely to get permission to enter Gaza from Israel.

It is possible to enter Gaza from Egypt through the Rafah crossing. The crossing was reopened for traffic on 1 June 2010 though some restrictions still apply and only large groups on NGO sponsored trips will be admitted. Egyptian authorities control only their side of the crossing with Hamas police operating the other side. However, Palestinians (except for men between 18 and 40) are permitted to cross into Egypt visa-free. Reports exist of Egypt authorities asking for bribes of up to US$5,000 to allow people, including Palestinians, out of Gaza.

By plane
Gaza has no functioning airport, as the former Yasser Arafat International Airport has been shut down since 2000. The airport was badly damaged by Israeli bombing attacks, and the runway was destroyed by Israeli bulldozers on 2002. It is unlikely to reopen in the foreseeable future. The Israeli Air Force monitors Gazan airspace with radar, and regularly sends patrols of drone aircraft and fighter jets over Gaza. A surveillance balloon is also tethered at the Erez Crossing. For the time being, the closest airports are El Arish International Airport in Egypt (which has no commercial flights) and Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. The closest non-Israeli commercial airports are Jordan's Queen Alia International Airport and King Hussein International Airport, while the closest Egyptian-controlled airport with non-charter commercial service is Cairo International Airport. Taba International Airport is closer than Cairo, but only charter flights fly there.

Entry by land

The main point of entry is through the Erez crossing in the north, on the border with Israel. Getting to Erez is easiest done by taxi, it's also possible to travel by Dan BaDarom bus #20 from Ashkelon to the checkpoint.

You will need a permit from the Israeli Army, or a GPO (press) card. If you have a permit, you need coordination with the Israeli Army, specifying when you are planning to enter and leave Gaza. Journalists with a Government Press Office (GPO) card can come and go as they please. Only vehicles with prior coordination (such as a handful of UN cars) are allowed to drive in and only after a thorough search, which may take months. It's very helpful to travel with someone that's run the gauntlet before the first time via Erez.

At Erez, you have to approach the Israeli soldier in a pillbox. They may ask you to open your bags on the table, and (as at TLV) ask if you have weapons. They'll check your passports and permits for allowed entry. You then wait outside an electronic gate for your turn to be called through. You then enter the terminal, hand your passport and coordination over to another soldier to receive an Israeli exit stamp. That soldier may or may not ask you more questions, usually things like whether it's your first time in Gaza, etc.

If everything is satisfactory, take back your documents and follow the signs directing you to Gaza. After exiting the terminal, you end up in a long barren concrete tunnel. Don't bring anything too bulky as you'll have to go through a turnstile gate. Coming through the tunnel, you cross a no-man's-land. This is at least 1000m long. Palestinians are allowed in this area so you may be lucky and find a porter, trolley, wheelchair, or similar. Take it. If you take the tuk-tuk, keep your hands inside the vehicle at all times and enjoy the ride.

After the gated tunnel you will emerge near a small hut. This is a checkpoint which can be ignored on the way to Gaza (but ignored at your peril on the way back). Since 2012, the only people here will be a few taxi drivers.

Take a taxi to the Palestinian checkpoint, another 800m down the road. The going rate is ₪3 per person. You will be searched for unlawful items (make sure you are, it's the hut to the right. Also visit the hut to the left to check your Hamas credentials)

Prohibited goods include alcohol and non-halal food, banned by the Hamas government. If you fail inspection, then at best, your items will be confiscated. At worst, you will be arrested; you are unlikely to see any guns at this point. In a particularly bad situation, retreat to Israel.

Once you are through, you can take another taxi, or more likely be picked up by your local contact.

Another way in is through the Rafah Crossing in the South, on the border with Egypt. Egyptian authorities have built a wall on it, and the only way in is through a road called the Philadelphi Route. The route is controlled by Hamas, and the point of entry and exit is controlled by Egyptian Police. You will need to bring a passport with you, as the Egyptian authorities generally do not let anyone out of the Strip into Egypt, and even getting in may pose a challenge. You may also be stopped by Hamas patrols once you enter.

Exit by land
Entry, though difficult, pales in comparison to exit. After being deposited at the Hamas checkpoint near Hamsa Hamsa, go to the white caravan to your right to get your exit clearance.

Once through, take the taxi (₪3/person) to the forward checkpoint (where the wire fence begins). Then, go to the hut on the right. A man will take your passport and call ahead to tell the Israelis you're coming. Ignore this at your own peril.

Once you get your passport back, take the tuk-tuk if possible, or begin the 1 km+ walk to Israel.

When you reach the end of the tunnel, you'll see several doors. Once a handful of people have gathered, one of the doors will open (indicated by a green light on top of the door).

You will then enter a hall with a table at the centre. Open your bags at the table (there are no obvious signs to do this, but look up and there's a camera. They are checking for obvious things like large bombs)

When they've ensured you have no prohibited items in your bags, go through the turnstile when the light flashes green. You will not receive a verbal "OK", but rest assured you will be shouted at in Hebrew if you're not ok.

You will see toilet facilities to your right. Use them. Follow the arrows to Israel. You will then encounter another hall with eight doorways. Wait until one of the lights go green then enter that doorway. Leave your bags with the porter at a large security scanner. You should remove all electronics not just laptops, but things like disk drives, mobile phones, etc.) and place them in the large trays. Remove your belt, watch, etc. too.

Keep your passport and ID on you and enter a series of gates as the lights flash green. When you come to the body scanner (a MMW scanner), put your feet on the markers and place your hands over your head in an "I surrender" pose. Keep your passport in your hands. If you've passed initial screening, you will be allowed out to a hall where it appears as if your bags will emerge on a conveyor belt. There may even be empty trays circling it.

Walk straight through to the departures hall, as your bag will be selected for a hand search. On your left in a row where trays with bags will gather, and you can see the guards searching your bags. Wait patiently. If you haven't passed initial screening, you'll be directed through further scanning. There is a separate section that will reveal itself to you if the guards in the gallery above find the need for a strip search.

Once you collect your belongings, you will finally pass through Israeli entry, and get a new stamp in your passport. You're then free and in Israel. Count yourself lucky you own a western passport.

Exit from Gaza could take from 30 minutes to several hours. The checkpoint closes at 14:00, or even earlier. If you are stuck between Hamas and Israel phone your embassy for assistance, but don't try to re-enter Gaza. If you're using Erez you're probably "western", and you're safer in Israeli hands.

By boat
The port of Gaza is non-operational, and Gazan waters, seaports, and the coastline are patrolled by the Israeli Navy. If you attempt to reach the Gaza shoreline by boat, you will be stopped by Israeli naval vessels, and turned back. Only boats with prior permission are allowed in. All boats coming from Gaza are allowed to venture six nautical miles into the sea. Any vessel crossing this line is fired on. In 2010 a six-ship flotilla attempted to reach Gaza by sea, and was intercepted by Israeli warships; ten people were killed by Israeli forces and the ships never reached Gaza. It is strongly recommended not to attempt to visit Gaza in this manner.

Get around
There is no public transport in Gaza, but there are numerous service (ser-VEESS) taxis. Navigation is done by landmark, not street address. Stand on the side of the road that is in the desired direction of travel. When a driver stops indicate the destination landmark e.g., "Shifa" and the number of passengers ("wahid" for one, "it-nayn" for two.) If the driver is not headed that way, he may drive on. Travel up and down Omar al-Mukhtar St. will set you back ₪1; trips elsewhere are negotiable. Near al-Shifa hospital is a line of taxis that travel to destinations beyond Gaza city. The drivers yell out their destination and wait until their vehicle is pretty much full before they leave. It is advisable to watch your step if walking, since traffic is chaotic and sidewalks are largely non-existent.

Talk
The standard language is Arabic. Hebrew is also understood to some extent, but given the dislike towards Israelis by many Palestinians, English is a safer option.

See

Gaza is not exactly a top tourist destination and most of its attractions have taken quite a beating during the past 50 years.

 * More educational might be a UNRWA-arranged visit to one of the refugee camps that dot the strip. The UNRWA office is on al-Azhar St, near the Islamic University, call ahead to see if they can arrange a little tour. Your most probable destination is the optimistically named Beach Camp, a warren of concrete huts and open sewers housing 63,000 people, built next to a sandy beach - and you can walk there on your own, 15 minutes to the north from the intersection of Omar al-Mukhtar St. with the seafront road. UNRWA wisely recommends avoiding military clothing. The Jabaliya refugee camp is also a nearby option. Women visiting the camps should dress more conservatively than they need to in Gaza City - headscarves are certainly recommended.
 * More educational might be a UNRWA-arranged visit to one of the refugee camps that dot the strip. The UNRWA office is on al-Azhar St, near the Islamic University, call ahead to see if they can arrange a little tour. Your most probable destination is the optimistically named Beach Camp, a warren of concrete huts and open sewers housing 63,000 people, built next to a sandy beach - and you can walk there on your own, 15 minutes to the north from the intersection of Omar al-Mukhtar St. with the seafront road. UNRWA wisely recommends avoiding military clothing. The Jabaliya refugee camp is also a nearby option. Women visiting the camps should dress more conservatively than they need to in Gaza City - headscarves are certainly recommended.
 * More educational might be a UNRWA-arranged visit to one of the refugee camps that dot the strip. The UNRWA office is on al-Azhar St, near the Islamic University, call ahead to see if they can arrange a little tour. Your most probable destination is the optimistically named Beach Camp, a warren of concrete huts and open sewers housing 63,000 people, built next to a sandy beach - and you can walk there on your own, 15 minutes to the north from the intersection of Omar al-Mukhtar St. with the seafront road. UNRWA wisely recommends avoiding military clothing. The Jabaliya refugee camp is also a nearby option. Women visiting the camps should dress more conservatively than they need to in Gaza City - headscarves are certainly recommended.
 * More educational might be a UNRWA-arranged visit to one of the refugee camps that dot the strip. The UNRWA office is on al-Azhar St, near the Islamic University, call ahead to see if they can arrange a little tour. Your most probable destination is the optimistically named Beach Camp, a warren of concrete huts and open sewers housing 63,000 people, built next to a sandy beach - and you can walk there on your own, 15 minutes to the north from the intersection of Omar al-Mukhtar St. with the seafront road. UNRWA wisely recommends avoiding military clothing. The Jabaliya refugee camp is also a nearby option. Women visiting the camps should dress more conservatively than they need to in Gaza City - headscarves are certainly recommended.
 * More educational might be a UNRWA-arranged visit to one of the refugee camps that dot the strip. The UNRWA office is on al-Azhar St, near the Islamic University, call ahead to see if they can arrange a little tour. Your most probable destination is the optimistically named Beach Camp, a warren of concrete huts and open sewers housing 63,000 people, built next to a sandy beach - and you can walk there on your own, 15 minutes to the north from the intersection of Omar al-Mukhtar St. with the seafront road. UNRWA wisely recommends avoiding military clothing. The Jabaliya refugee camp is also a nearby option. Women visiting the camps should dress more conservatively than they need to in Gaza City - headscarves are certainly recommended.
 * More educational might be a UNRWA-arranged visit to one of the refugee camps that dot the strip. The UNRWA office is on al-Azhar St, near the Islamic University, call ahead to see if they can arrange a little tour. Your most probable destination is the optimistically named Beach Camp, a warren of concrete huts and open sewers housing 63,000 people, built next to a sandy beach - and you can walk there on your own, 15 minutes to the north from the intersection of Omar al-Mukhtar St. with the seafront road. UNRWA wisely recommends avoiding military clothing. The Jabaliya refugee camp is also a nearby option. Women visiting the camps should dress more conservatively than they need to in Gaza City - headscarves are certainly recommended.
 * More educational might be a UNRWA-arranged visit to one of the refugee camps that dot the strip. The UNRWA office is on al-Azhar St, near the Islamic University, call ahead to see if they can arrange a little tour. Your most probable destination is the optimistically named Beach Camp, a warren of concrete huts and open sewers housing 63,000 people, built next to a sandy beach - and you can walk there on your own, 15 minutes to the north from the intersection of Omar al-Mukhtar St. with the seafront road. UNRWA wisely recommends avoiding military clothing. The Jabaliya refugee camp is also a nearby option. Women visiting the camps should dress more conservatively than they need to in Gaza City - headscarves are certainly recommended.
 * More educational might be a UNRWA-arranged visit to one of the refugee camps that dot the strip. The UNRWA office is on al-Azhar St, near the Islamic University, call ahead to see if they can arrange a little tour. Your most probable destination is the optimistically named Beach Camp, a warren of concrete huts and open sewers housing 63,000 people, built next to a sandy beach - and you can walk there on your own, 15 minutes to the north from the intersection of Omar al-Mukhtar St. with the seafront road. UNRWA wisely recommends avoiding military clothing. The Jabaliya refugee camp is also a nearby option. Women visiting the camps should dress more conservatively than they need to in Gaza City - headscarves are certainly recommended.
 * More educational might be a UNRWA-arranged visit to one of the refugee camps that dot the strip. The UNRWA office is on al-Azhar St, near the Islamic University, call ahead to see if they can arrange a little tour. Your most probable destination is the optimistically named Beach Camp, a warren of concrete huts and open sewers housing 63,000 people, built next to a sandy beach - and you can walk there on your own, 15 minutes to the north from the intersection of Omar al-Mukhtar St. with the seafront road. UNRWA wisely recommends avoiding military clothing. The Jabaliya refugee camp is also a nearby option. Women visiting the camps should dress more conservatively than they need to in Gaza City - headscarves are certainly recommended.
 * More educational might be a UNRWA-arranged visit to one of the refugee camps that dot the strip. The UNRWA office is on al-Azhar St, near the Islamic University, call ahead to see if they can arrange a little tour. Your most probable destination is the optimistically named Beach Camp, a warren of concrete huts and open sewers housing 63,000 people, built next to a sandy beach - and you can walk there on your own, 15 minutes to the north from the intersection of Omar al-Mukhtar St. with the seafront road. UNRWA wisely recommends avoiding military clothing. The Jabaliya refugee camp is also a nearby option. Women visiting the camps should dress more conservatively than they need to in Gaza City - headscarves are certainly recommended.
 * More educational might be a UNRWA-arranged visit to one of the refugee camps that dot the strip. The UNRWA office is on al-Azhar St, near the Islamic University, call ahead to see if they can arrange a little tour. Your most probable destination is the optimistically named Beach Camp, a warren of concrete huts and open sewers housing 63,000 people, built next to a sandy beach - and you can walk there on your own, 15 minutes to the north from the intersection of Omar al-Mukhtar St. with the seafront road. UNRWA wisely recommends avoiding military clothing. The Jabaliya refugee camp is also a nearby option. Women visiting the camps should dress more conservatively than they need to in Gaza City - headscarves are certainly recommended.
 * More educational might be a UNRWA-arranged visit to one of the refugee camps that dot the strip. The UNRWA office is on al-Azhar St, near the Islamic University, call ahead to see if they can arrange a little tour. Your most probable destination is the optimistically named Beach Camp, a warren of concrete huts and open sewers housing 63,000 people, built next to a sandy beach - and you can walk there on your own, 15 minutes to the north from the intersection of Omar al-Mukhtar St. with the seafront road. UNRWA wisely recommends avoiding military clothing. The Jabaliya refugee camp is also a nearby option. Women visiting the camps should dress more conservatively than they need to in Gaza City - headscarves are certainly recommended.
 * More educational might be a UNRWA-arranged visit to one of the refugee camps that dot the strip. The UNRWA office is on al-Azhar St, near the Islamic University, call ahead to see if they can arrange a little tour. Your most probable destination is the optimistically named Beach Camp, a warren of concrete huts and open sewers housing 63,000 people, built next to a sandy beach - and you can walk there on your own, 15 minutes to the north from the intersection of Omar al-Mukhtar St. with the seafront road. UNRWA wisely recommends avoiding military clothing. The Jabaliya refugee camp is also a nearby option. Women visiting the camps should dress more conservatively than they need to in Gaza City - headscarves are certainly recommended.
 * More educational might be a UNRWA-arranged visit to one of the refugee camps that dot the strip. The UNRWA office is on al-Azhar St, near the Islamic University, call ahead to see if they can arrange a little tour. Your most probable destination is the optimistically named Beach Camp, a warren of concrete huts and open sewers housing 63,000 people, built next to a sandy beach - and you can walk there on your own, 15 minutes to the north from the intersection of Omar al-Mukhtar St. with the seafront road. UNRWA wisely recommends avoiding military clothing. The Jabaliya refugee camp is also a nearby option. Women visiting the camps should dress more conservatively than they need to in Gaza City - headscarves are certainly recommended.

Do
There's very little to do in Gaza for the average tourist. There is a beach, however the water isn't the cleanest in the area, you'd be better off on a beach further north in Israel. There are nice sunsets though over the Med, which can be seen from hotels like the Al Deira.

Buy
Despite the intense conflict and rhetoric, Gazans use the Israeli shekel (₪). But bring some boxes of cigarettes into the Strip and everyone will be your friend. However, please note the policemen at the Hamas checkpoint into Gaza are now opening all bags and disposing of any alcohol (since early 2009). Do not bring alcohol into Gaza, it could land you into serious trouble and it is always good to respect local Islamic customs.

 * Interesting sculptures / lampshades fashioned from old cigarette cartons.
 * Foustouk and simsimiya. The former is a sticky peanuty snack. The latter is its sesame cousin. An elderly man in Gaza City with a grey tweed jacket crops up on a different street corner when he has a fresh batch.
 * Interesting sculptures / lampshades fashioned from old cigarette cartons.
 * Foustouk and simsimiya. The former is a sticky peanuty snack. The latter is its sesame cousin. An elderly man in Gaza City with a grey tweed jacket crops up on a different street corner when he has a fresh batch.

Eat
Usual Arabic cheap eats are available anywhere. Head to the posh suburb of Rimal for fancier food; the restaurant in the Windmill Hotel is nice. If you wish to bring in any food, you should first check which foods are and are not acceptable under Islamic law. If you are caught with forbidden food, it may lead to trouble with the authorities or the local population. Finally, it is not unheard of to be invited over for dinner.

Drink
Due to increasingly strong Hamas influences, alcohol is no longer available. Alcohol is forbidden in their interpretation of Islam, and Hamas, as a conservative Islamic group, prohibits it. If you do manage to find some, you should not attempt to go out under the influence; you may land in a very bad situation. If you are caught with booze on your person by Hamas authorities, it will probably be confiscated, and you may be detained. Bags are given a quick search on entry to Gaza.

Sleep
There are several hotels in Gaza. However, it is also possible to stay with locals who might even invite you over for a night.

Work
Realistically, if you are not already an aid worker, journalist or diplomat, there is no work for you in Gaza. There are a number of NGOs offering internships, such as the Al-Dameer Association for Human Rights in Gaza, the Palestinian Center For Human Rights and others, but these must be arranged well before you get to Gaza.

Stay safe
The Gaza Strip is occasionally subject to Israeli military operations (which include aerial and naval bombardment as well as ground incursions) as well as armed confrontations between the Hamas authorities and Fatah factions. While Hamas has managed to curb crime levels in Gaza, some members have been known to beat journalists attempting to cover demonstrations against Hamas. In general, use common sense and avoid these kinds of situations. Consult your embassy for advice and current conditions before setting out. Unlike the West Bank travel documentation does not need to be kept at hand at all times.

Gaza's power station and its substation have been severely damaged by Israeli airstrikes and no longer function at the intended capacity. Power outages are very common since the European Commission handed over control of the fuel obtainment to the Palestinian Authority in 2009 as Hamas has so far failed to pay 20% of the fuel costs. These outages are countered by large industrial and small commercial diesel generators which combine to create a cacophony that the locals have somehow become desensitised to. Some of these generators are poorly maintained and leak carbon monoxide. Visitors should be wary of this, particularly in enclosed spaces where it has proven fatal.

Stay healthy
Tap water in Gaza is not potable and is often dangerously dirty. Some hotels may use filters, but if in doubt, just buy bottles.

Israel has blockaded the area since 2007. However, food and medical supplies are generally allowed in after inspection. Any medical requirements should be taken care of in Israel or elsewhere. Anyone visiting Gaza is well advised to have a good grounding in first aid and bring in their own first aid kits. Beware that medical evacuations to Israel can require a long wait at the border.

Diseases such as yellow fever, malaria and West Nile virus are fairly common in the Gaza Strip. Get vaccinated, wear protective clothing and use mosquito repellent.

Respect
Women should dress conservatively, especially if entering refugee camps. Conservatively within Gaza City means a top with long sleeves and absolutely nothing low cut in the front. Ideally, tops should also be long. Trousers are suitable as long as they are loose and full length, not capri pants.

Go next
Keep in mind that passage to both of these countries is restricted:
 * Israel
 * Egypt

title: Gaza Strip


text:
Gaza (disambiguation)

There's more than one place called Gaza:

Mozambique

 * Gaza province

Palestinian Territories

 * Gaza Strip — A Palestinian territory on the southwestern coast of Israel bordering Egypt to the south/west, also known as the Gaza Strip and containing Gaza City.

title: Gaza (disambiguation)


text:
Gaziantep

Gaziantep is a city in Southeastern Anatolia. Although it is a major city in Turkey (counting almost 2 million inhabitants) and known as the Turkish capital of gastronomy, it counts very few international tourists. It has a quiet atmosphere and the locals are friendly (but never pushy, including in the bazars).

Understand
Set in the western reaches of the Southeastern Anatolian plateau, Gaziantep is a surprisingly large (with a population of almost 3,500,000) and modern city.

Among the locals, the city is informally known by its old name, Antep. The honorific gazi (Turkish for "veteran"), now an official part of the name, was added in 1921 in honour of the fierce resistance of the locals against the French (who ruled neighbouring Syria between 1920 and 1946) who occupied the city for a number of months in 1921, after Ottoman Turkey and its allies lost World War I. G.Antep, which can often be seen on some signs, is a compromise between the shorter, colloquial name, and the longer, official form.

 * Turkish Tourism Ministry updated information on Gaziantep

By plane
Gaziantep Airport. 15 km from city center. You can reach the city center from the airport with the Havaş shuttle service (13 lira, departs after all incoming flights).

By bus
The bus station (otogar) of the city is quite a few kilometers out of town. It is connected to city centre by local public buses. Take a bus going to the right from the stop just outside the Otogar. A yellow bus to Sümerbank will take you to Democracy Square in the centre. You can pay by card. A taxi ride from the program to the center should cost around ~200 TL (March 2024). Buses from Mersin on the Mediterranean coast in the west take around 5 hours and cost 200TL, while the service from Urfa in the east takes 4 hours and also costs 25 TL.

By train
As of 2022, passenger services are starting to return to Gaziantep. Trains have been cancelled for the last five years due to major track works in preparation for a new commuter rail system. While the new system, Gaziray, launched in late 2022 it will still take some time until long distance trains such as the famous Toros Express from Istanbul will return. A regional service from Nizip do operate daily. The nearest town served by long distance trains is Narlı, about 30 kilometers north, which sees one daily train from Adana.

International trains from Aleppo and Mosul are cancelled and with no end in sight for the Syrian Civil War nor the turmoil in northern Iraq, they are most likely not to be reinstated in the near future.

Get around
Gaziantep has an extensive public transportation system with both buses, trams, suburban rail as well as a small bike share program. Services are operated by Gaziulaş.

By tram
There are three tram routes with the north-south running T1 being the most useful for tourists as it connects the railway station with the central districts. Notice that while the station is named Gar (Turkish for station) the tram actually stops 250 m south of the railway station.

By walking
The city center is reasonably compact and walkable. Additionally, there's the suburban commuter railway which

By taxi
Taxis are plentiful and cheap, perfect for tired feet and taxi drivers always put on the meter (apparently no negociation is possible). Besides, you will find “taxi buttons” pretty much everywhere around the city: just press it (once!) and a taxi should arrive shortly.

By train
Gaziray suburban trains run every 30 min from Başpınar in the west through city centre to Taşlıca east. Tourists are unlikely to use them.

Do
Visit the castle, explore the bazaars and don't forget the museum. There are a lot of museums in the center of city, especially some of them are close to castle. You should go Mosaic Museum (close to stadium), Medusa Museum (Glass Museum), Martyr's Museum, Dervishes Museum (Mevlevihane), Hasan Süzer Etnographia Museum.

Walk around the narrow streets of the old town: between Attatürk bd. and Eyüpoglu cd. Sit in one of the Syrian-style cafes located in adorable courtyards and enjoy a tea, a lemonade or a meal.

Gaziantep is a quiet and peaceful city, it has a lot of parks, walking around the city in the parks is very pleasant.

Buy
You can buy a lot of traditional things in Gaziantep. You should try Bakırcılar Çarşısı, a traditional bazaar in the center of the city. You can buy baklava, nargile (hooka pipe), yemeni (local leather shoes), among other things. You can also find all sorts of copper arts and crafts in the copper bazar and in the shops around the castle: jewellery, decorative keys, tea pots and all sorts of dishes.

Eat
Antep, known as the gastronomy capital of Turkey, is on the list of UNESCO Creative Cities for its cuisine, and meals there are one of the highlights of visiting the region. So enjoy yourself.

The local cuisine is heavily influenced by its southern neighbours. The city is renowned for its local, spicy variety of kebab (Antep kebabı), available in many places. Make sure you enter a place that is crowded and order ayran with your kebab. Try a lahmacun, which is minced, marinated, spiced meat with minced vegetables on an extremely thin, crunchy dough. Lahmacun can be made with garlic or onions, but the Antep variety is with garlic. Dolma and sarma, vegetables wrapped in vine leaves, are among the vegan delicacies not to be missed.

You should have already taken the cue from the groves along the highways leading to Gaziantep; this is a pistachio-growing region. Many stores offer this local product (known in Turkish as Antep fıstığı, "the nut of Antep", a naming which surpassed the older Şam fıstığı, "the nut of Damascus", used during the Ottoman period). The roasted form seasoned with salt is a lot tastier than fresh. Those flavoured with spices are perhaps even more.

Upon finishing your dinner, make sure to have a baklava made with locally-grown pistachios. Most Turks consider Gaziantep to make the best baklava in the country. Also, you can try the hot desserts with a scoop of ice cream on top.

Drink
Many of Antep's drinking establishments are basically for picking up women. However there are some nice birahanes ("beer-houses") where you can enjoy a quiet drink in peace.

A good place to have drinks (and possibly international food) is Treff Bistro, in the middle of the festival park. Make sure you ask about the prices first as it can be quite expensive (especially alcohol).

Sleep

 * Allstar Sevcan Hotel. Three stars in city centre. +90 342 220 66 86.
 * Tugcan Hotel. Five stars in the city. +90 342 220 43 23
 * Tugcan Hotel. Five stars in the city. +90 342 220 43 23

Go next
From city's otogar you will find numerous agents selling tickets to dozens of destinations including Istanbul, Konya, Van, Dogubeyazit, and Antalya to name a few. Buses leave frequently. Shop around for the best price.

Urfa, the next major city to the east, is the obvious destination if you are heading that way. Somewhere around the Euphrates River on the way, you will find that it is time to say goodbye to the 'West', and be welcomed into the world of the 'East'. Even the language of choice on the streets will change, with the Turkish words thinning out more and more towards the east, even if you are still in Turkey.

Halfeti is a picturesque riverside old town in the northeast, off the highway to Urfa, partly inundated under a dam lake on the Euphrates. Sharing a similar fate, Zeugma, the origin of the rich mosaic collection now in exhibit in Gaziantep is also nearby.

However, before taking that direction, you might want to hit up to the north first, to Kahta for a visit to the Mount Nemrut, the summit of which is adorned with huge statues dedicated to the ancient gods.

If ancient statues scattered about the countryside sound interesting, the remote site of Yesemek near İslahiye (21 km southeast of İslahiye, 100 km southwest of Gaziantep) may also be worth checking out. This was a stone quarry used by the Hittites (a Bronze Age nation that was the first to found a state in Anatolia ever) as a statuary workshop. Later, it was abandoned and hence some of the half complete statues never made to the locations that they were intended to stand at first and dot the hillside of Yesemek instead since then. Daily 08:00-17:00, free. Post-2023 earthquake status: reopened to visits.

title: Gaziantep