drag queen performing at gran canaria gay bar

The ultimate LGBT+ guide to Gran Canaria

Guides & Tips

One of Europe’s longstanding LGBT-friendly destinations, Gran Canaria is a great place to visit if you’re looking to holiday somewhere with an openly gay culture. The island doesn’t just let people live as they want, but also celebrates diversity in sexuality, with two pride parades a year and a plethora of establishments that cater to the LGBT scene. That means regardless of what time you visit, you’re going to get a warm welcome alongside the warm weather. If you’re excited to see what this Canary Island has to offer, then read ahead for Orbzii’s guide to Gay Gran Canaria.

Las Canteras beach gran canaria

The secrets of Gran Canaria’s beaches and bays

See & Do

Considering it’s surrounded by gorgeous spots like Fuerteventura and Tenerife, it’s a real vote of confidence that most people consider Gran Canaria to have the best beaches in the Canary Islands. We at Orbzii would be hard pressed to disagree with that assessment, but even on a beach lovers paradise like Gran Canaria there are some stretches of powdery shore that are better than the rest. If you’re the sort of beach goer who likes to lounge with a bad romance novel, or even if you prefer to frolic in the sea and then slurp on a beer, then Gran Canaria has you covered. Read our guide to the best beaches in Gran Canaria to find out which one is the best for you.

Madeira

Destination

We’re not sure you’re fully prepared for the subtropical wonders of Madeira. We all know it as the garden isle, perhaps famous for its botanical garden and a dash of Madeira wine. A few of you might even be expecting a slice or two of cake. Which all sounds a little pedestrian, depending on how hard you hit the wine. Sweep all of that sleepy nonsense away and Madeira’s a little Portuguese firecracker. The surrounding waters rarely get a mention, but ask any scuba diver and they’ll tell you the seabed’s just swimming with rays, seals and colourful shoals. Quirky wrecks, snorkelling with dolphins and island hopping to even better beaches are all up for grabs too.

On land, hiking routes weave you through the mountains via the levadas. Madeira’s irrigation system hardly screams adventure, but, trust us when we say, it’s worth following these waterways. Perch (safely) on cliff edges and you’ll be among some of Europe’s rarest seabirds. Explore the shoreline and you could end up chatting to the owner of a micronation. Natural pools practically beg to be swum in. Towering skywalks with glass floors peer down on to crashing waves and Cristiano Ronaldo is practically worshipped as a god. Madeira delivers on the unexpected, and if you do one thing? Well… just try the poncha.

man walking on the hiking trail from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo in madeira

A hiker’s guide to Madeira’s best walks

See & Do

Madeira hiking tends to focus on the island’s levadas. Which are essentially ingenious irrigation channels that transport water to the many, many farms and fields carved into the island. Agri-architecture might sound a little tame, but it’s the key to routes through mountains and forests.

Coastal adventures deliver on head-spinning views, rare wildlife and challenging terrain. Endemic trees, flowers and animals await. And, best of all, the walks are all free to find and enjoy. There’s even a free guided walk through Funchal to take advantage of. You just need to bring your hiking A-game and a torch. Those mountain tunnels get pretty dark…

madeira toboggan ride in monte village

Top 12 things to do in Madeira

See & Do

At first pass it would be easy to assume the list of things to do in Madeira could contain little more than a mooch around the Botanical Garden and a sip of Madeira wine. Of course, we’d recommend you give both a go, but this cheeky little island has some quirks up its sleeve. The toboggan rides are a nice but bizarre place to start. From there it’s eccentrics, sunken treasures and a casual bit of snorkel time with some dolphins. Brace yourselves, Madeira’s a surprise-filled stay you’ll need plenty of time to appreciate.

golf course in madeira

Tee off on Madeira’s best golf courses

See & Do

Madeira hiking tends to focus on the island’s levadas. Which are essentially ingenious irrigation channels that transport water to the many, many farms and fields carved into the island. Agri-architecture might sound a little tame, but it’s the key to routes through mountains and forests.

Coastal adventures deliver on head-spinning views, rare wildlife and challenging terrain. Endemic trees, flowers and animals await. And, best of all, the walks are all free to find and enjoy. There’s even a free guided walk through Funchal to take advantage of. You just need to bring your hiking A-game and a torch. Those mountain tunnels get pretty dark…

fine dining dinner dish at madeira restaurant

Breakfast, lunch & dinner in Madeira

Food & Drink

It would be so easy to focus on restaurants in Funchal during your stay. But Madeira’s food scene casts a wider net. Naturally, we’ve combed the island to bring you the best restaurants in Madeira. And, yes, there are a few in Funchal. But we’ve handpicked a couple you’ll want to go the extra mile for. Happily, one of the further afield restaurants may swing by to pick you up in a shuttle bus. You can’t really ask for more than that, can you?

scuba diving in cave in madeira

The ultimate guide to scuba diving in Madeira

See & Do

Scuba diving in Madeira comes with a host of reefs, walls, wrecks, islands and pinnacles to explore. Clear waters, volcanic sea beds and a strong serving of eco-diversity makes this a fantastic spot for divers of all levels. There are plenty of shore dives for beginners to get their fins wet in. Looking for something a little more technical? Open water, boat dives and deep wrecks are waiting to be explored. Depending on the site, currents tend to be low to moderate, meaning you can enjoy a spot of relaxed holiday diving and focus on the sights, rather than the technicals.