Historical trauma from the HIV/AIDS crisis has had a lasting effect on gay spaces.
A new study has ranked London as the world’s top destination for gay cruising. The findings also highlight a divide in queer spaces. That divide stretches back decades.
The British capital scored an impressive 29 out of 40 points, beating out major international cities.
The ranking, published in September 2025, evaluated cities across four key categories: gay saunas, cruising clubs, gay bars, and public parks. Each category was scored on a scale of 1 to 10, with adjustments made for population size to ensure fair global comparisons.
Why London Leads the Pack
London’s victory stems from its exceptional variety of meeting opportunities in public parks, earning a perfect 10 out of 10 score in this category. The city also impressed with strong sauna offerings (8/10) and a solid gay bar scene (7/10). This combination is why many travelers now see London top gay cruising destination worldwide.
Berlin came in second place with 26 points, largely thanks to its world-famous cruising and fetish clubs that earned it a perfect score in that category. Paris rounded out the top three with 25 points, standing out for its gay saunas and bathhouses.
Bathhouse History in the U.S.
New York leads the U.S. cruising spots at 15 points. San Francisco, Chicago, Miami, and Los Angeles also made the list, but according to Erobella, some cities in Europe rate better—and the gap reflects historical differences in how Europe and North America responded to the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 1980s.
The U.S. rates low when it comes to bathhouses -and that was by design. Fear-driven and “moralistic” policies drove the closure of most bathhouses in the two gayest cities in the U.S.—New York and San Francisco—which also happened to be hotspots for the epidemic. The bathhouse battle of 1984 tells the tale.
Instead of shuttering bathhouses, leftist and socialist governments in Europe repurposed saunas into education and prevention centers.
As Erobella noted, “While the European sauna and cruising culture survived the crisis and evolved, the American cruising scene has never fully recovered.” This historical trauma continues to shape queer spaces today.
The Top 5
- 🇬🇧 London – 29/40: “The British capital stands out above all for its abundance of cruising opportunities in public parks (10/10 points) and its strong offering of saunas and gay bars.”
- 🇩🇪 Berlin – 26/40: “Right behind is Berlin, renowned for its legendary fetish club scene, which is considered world-leading.”
- 🇫🇷 Paris 25/40: “In third place comes Paris, boosted by its high density of gay saunas (10/10 points) and clubs.”
- 🇪🇸 Madrid – 22/40: “Madrid also scores well for its sauna scene, though it lacks cruising parks.”
- 🇪🇸 Barcelona – 18/40: “Barcelona earns 18 points, benefiting mainly from its vibrant club scene.”
New York and SF came in at numbers six and nine, respectively. You can explore the full list here.
What This Means for LGBTQ+ Travel and Community
These rankings show more than hookup hotspots. They spotlight where queer people can find community and belonging. Cities with diverse cruising options give LGBTQ+ travelers many ways to connect. Some seek casual encounters. Others discover deeper bonds that grow in these spaces.
For many gay men from small towns or conservative areas, cities like London or Berlin mean freedom. They offer a sense of community that may not exist back home. Cruising venues have long been informal community centers. They are places to share resources, support each other, and build networks.
You can explore more about queer destinations at fagabond.com/city.
About The Author
Anthony Cifone is the co-founder of GoQueer, a fast-growing LGBTQ+ travel newsletter and media brand dedicated to helping the queer community get the most out of their travels. From insider tips to the latest travel news to the popular Hot 10 Deals list published every Sunday, GoQueer curates everything travelers need to plan unforgettable trips to the most welcoming and vibrant places on the planet.
Through GoQueer, Anthony and his team reach tens of thousands of subscribers and followers every week,
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