LGBTour Blog

Welcome to the LGBTour Amsterdam blog! A cozy corner of the internet where we talk about queer life, travel, and all the colorful stories that make Amsterdam such a special place. 🌈 If you’re curious about LGBTQ+ culture here, planning a visit, or just love learning about cities through real people’s experiences, you’re in the right spot.

Think of this blog as a mix between a travel journal, a local friend’s recommendations, and a celebration of queer history and community. We share the spots we love, the moments that shaped us, the nights out that became stories, and the small, hidden places that make this city feel like home. Some posts are practical, some are personal, and some are just for fun, but all of them come from the heart.

Amsterdam has a long, layered LGBTQ+ story, and we want to help you explore it in a way that feels warm, welcoming, and deeply human. No tourist-trap energy, no stiff guidebook voice, just honest insights and a whole lot of pride.

Whether you're planning your first trip, returning because the city grabbed your heart, or simply browsing for inspiration, we hope these posts make you feel connected, excited, and maybe even a little more at home in your own skin.

So grab a drink, settle in, and enjoy the stories. We're really glad you're here. 💖

Two gay men walking in Amsterdam hand in hand.

Gay Must-Knows Before Your Trip to Amsterdam

Planning a trip to Amsterdam? You’re heading to one of the world’s most open and vibrant LGBTQ+ cities. From historic canals to lively nightlife, the city mixes culture, history, and fun with Dutch straightforwardness. I’ve explored the streets, bars, and local hotspots. Here’s my personal guide to the must-knows for gay travelers before you arrive.

Sanne Pols

Dec 185 min read

A queer activist on Dam Square during a gay demonstration in Amsterdam

Amsterdam LGBT Friendly: Seen Through Queer Eyes

This article explores what it truly means for Amsterdam to be LGBT friendly. From its queer history and everyday life to the ongoing activism that preserves safe spaces like Saarein, it looks at both the celebrations and challenges of the city’s LGBTQ+ community. Readers will discover the layers of culture, resistance, and belonging that make Amsterdam unique.

Sanne Pols

Dec 189 min read

A busy night in Amsterdam's most famous gay street Reguliersdwarsstraat.

Gay Amsterdam Area: Is There Really ONE?

Is there really one Amsterdam gay district? From historic queer landmarks and iconic nightlife streets to gentrification, rising rents, and evolving community spaces, this article explores how Amsterdam’s LGBTQ+ life is shaped by far more than a single neighborhood.

Sanne Pols

Dec 187 min read

The gay cruising part of Zandvoort Beach

Gay Cruising Amsterdam: Guide to Cruising Spots & Culture in the City of Freedom

Amsterdam’s reputation as one of Europe’s most liberal and LGBTQ-friendly cities extends beyond nightlife and the Canal Pride. It’s also known for its cruising culture . From dedicated clubs and saunas to parks, lakesides and beaches where men meet, Amsterdam offers a range of spaces where gay men and lately a more queer crowd socialize, flirt and connect. This guide walks you through the key cruising spots, the local culture, safety tips, and how to enjoy these spaces respec

Sanne Pols

Dec 176 min read

Striptopia event in Amsterdam, two pole dancers performing in front of a queer cheering crowd.

Hold on to Your Harnesses: Here Are Amsterdam’s Hottest Queer Events

Whether you’re just visiting Amsterdam, a lucky queer local, or living elsewhere in the Netherlands and love coming to the city for the parties, I’ve got great news for you! In this article, you’ll find all the craziest, hottest, and queerest parties Amsterdam has to offer. So tighten up your harness, fierce up that sweet mug of yours, and let’s get cooking. If you wish to navigate directly to a specific events, here are the queer happenings mentioned in this article: Stript

Sanne Pols

Dec 177 min read

The store of Stephen & Penelope, two queer entrepreneurs in Amsterdam

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is: Amsterdam’s Queer-Owned Businesses

Amsterdam’s queer scene thrives in the businesses run by LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. From tattoo studios and craft shops to fetish fashion and queer gaming hubs, this guide highlights the city’s must-visit queer-owned spaces where creativity, connection, and community flourish every day.

Sanne Pols

Oct 15 min read

Inside of Café Saarein, the most iconic lesbian bar in Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s FLINTA / Lesbian Bars: Where Queer Women* Gather

Amsterdam’s lesbian and queer-women-friendly bars are vital to the city’s nightlife. Places to flirt, dance, and connect without compromise. From historic brown cafés and activist hubs to playful cocktail bars and women-centered dance floors, this guide spotlights the best lesbian+ venues where community and joy shine as brightly as the disco ball.

Sanne Pols

Oct 15 min read

Inside of Café 't Mandje, the oldest gay bar in Amsterdam

Cozy & Queer: Amsterdam’s Best Gay Bars for Afternoons and Evenings

Amsterdam’s queer bars are more than just places to grab a drink — they’re living rooms of community, history, and connection. From century-old cafés and feminist institutions to new creative hubs and women-focused spaces, this guide highlights the city’s most laid-back LGBTQ+ bars where you can linger over cocktails, share stories, and feel at home without the pressure of an all-night party.

Sanne Pols

Oct 110 min read

Gay clubs amsterdam, image of club NYX in the gay street

The 4 best Amsterdam gay clubs: your guide to my city’s queer nightlife

Amsterdam’s queer nightlife is a playground of endless possibilities. From cozy bars and cruisy hideouts to glitter-drenched dance floors that keep the city moving until sunrise, this guide rounds up the best queer clubs where you can party, connect, and celebrate until the night won’t let go.

Sanne Pols

Oct 17 min read

gay bars Amsterdam (one night in gay street)

Sweat, Glitter & Beats: Amsterdam’s Gay Bars for Dancing and Partying

Amsterdam’s queer nightlife is more than music and drinks. It’s history, freedom, and community. From glittery pop bars on Reguliersdwarsstraat to leather beats in the Red Light District and disco classics that never die, here’s your guide to the city’s must-visit gay party bars where queer Amsterdam comes alive after dark.

Sanne Pols

Oct 16 min read