Gay & Lesbian Travelers
In Roman Catholic Croatia, gays are tolerated but not celebrated. The country legalized homosexuality in 1977, but overt homosexual behavior is frowned upon in general and may be met with hostility in rural areas. Except for a few places in Zagreb, gay clubs are almost nonexistent, though some nightclubs and discos are patronized almost exclusively by homosexuals. During the summer, many gays frequent FKK (nudist) beaches, the city of Dubrovnik, and the island of Hvar. As in many other cities worldwide, the last Saturday in June is Gay Pride Day in Zagreb.
Although many agencies offer tours and travel itineraries specifically for gay and lesbian travelers, few include Croatia on their list of destinations. The IGLTA/International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (www.iglta.org; tel. 954/630-1637) is the trade association for the gay and lesbian travel industry, and it offers an online directory of gay- and lesbian-friendly travel businesses and tour operators. For Croatia-specific tips, check out the Friendly Croatia website www.friendlycroatia.com, which includes destination guides for gays.
Gay Travel (www.gaytravel.com; tel. 858/504-7132) is an agency specializing in the LGBT community and helping them find gay-friendly destinations. Zagreb and Dubrovnik are included in the agency’s portfolio.
Out Adventures (www.out-adventures.com; tel. 866/360-1152) specializes in LGBT travel. In 2014, it included a 10-day Croatia Gay Cruise & Tour in its portfolio.
Out Traveler (www.outtraveler.com) is an LGBT travel site that posts occasional articles about Croatia.
British travelers should click on the “Travel” link at thegayuk.com for advice and gay-friendly trip ideas.
The following travel guides are available at many bookstores, or can be ordered from any online bookseller: “Spartacus International Gay Guide, 2014–2015” (Briand Bedford; www.spartacusworld.com), and the “Damron” guides (www.damron.com), with separate annual books for gay men and lesbians.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
