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What’s inside this issue
My story of arriving in Lisbon during street festivals + Pride
Where the queer scene actually lives
Three mini escapes to swap cobbles for coast
The Lisbon Mini Guide (free download at the end)
A quick, gorgeous poll to let me know what you really think
My Favourite Finds
The history behind Lisbon’s trams. Truly fascinating
Straight ally installs a message of love on a billboard
Lessons from the inspiring Marsha P. Johnson. The trailblazer behind Stonewall
Lesbian ‘herstory’ archives showcased in New York
Main Feature
Lisbon in Full Queer Colour
I landed in Lisbon one June, thinking it’d be a chilled weekend catching up with friends. Turns out, my timing was spot-on but completely by accident.
The city was in full swing for Santo António week, which basically means entire neighbourhoods spill into the streets with grills, music, and makeshift dancefloors.
Everywhere smelled of sardines, beer was being poured like water, and random strangers were singing on the street…
As if that wasn’t enough, Pride fell on the same weekend. So I went from smoky street parties in Alfama to rainbow-drenched parades by day and queer clubs by night.
It was chaotic, sweaty, and brilliant — one of those trips where you forget your plans and just let the city carry you along (I’ll spare you the video footage)
That’s the Lisbon I know: unpolished but warm, with a queer scene that’s both obvious (Principe Real, Bairro Alto) and quietly woven into everyday life. You don’t need to second-guess where you’ll feel welcome.
Why Lisbon works
It’s genuinely inclusive — holding hands here doesn’t feel like a big deal.
Nature is right on the doorstep: Sintra, Cascais, Arrábida.
It works year-round. Spring and autumn are my favourites, summer is buzzy but sweaty, winter is quieter but still mild.
Mini escapes worth doing
Sintra: all misty forests, tiled palaces, and views from Cabo da Roca (the westernmost tip of Europe).
Cascais coastal walk: a chilled 2-hour trail hopping between lighthouses and beach cafés.
Arrábida Natural Park: turquoise coves and grilled fish in Setúbal.
It isn’t about squeezing every sight into a schedule.
It’s about nights that get out of hand, mornings where coffee saves you, and afternoons spent on the coast when you need to clear your head.
It’s where you plan nothing and end up with everything — strangers, sardines, Pride parades, cliff walks, and hangovers cured by sea air.
When I was working as a flight attendant, I flew there on the regular.
The city has this knack for pulling you in cobbled hills, endless viewpoints, and a queer scene that feels open and welcoming. But what really makes it sing is how close the coast and countryside are.
You don’t have to choose between city buzz and nature escapes here, you get both.
So, as promised, I’ve made you a little mini guide that you can download for FREE to kickstart your planning.
Download the mini guide and keep it handy for your next trip.
And if you want me to build you a personalised version, something that fits how you travel, reply to this email and let’s chat.
A brief interlude … Want to know where it all started?
Check out my upcoming interview with Erick from Gay Black Diaspora podcast
Your opinion please… (if you don’t mind)
This Lisbon Mini Guide is just a teaser. If I expand it into a full destination guide, what would you want most?
Outro
That’s a wrap on this week’s issue. If you’ve ever tried to DIY a trip and ended up overwhelmed by tabs, or second-guessing what’s actually safe, that’s exactly what I help with.
Like this issue? Forward it to a travel-loving friend. Or better yet, let me help plan your next one.
I’m Steve, your LGBTQ+ adventure curator. If you’re tired of rainbow-washed travel tips, rigid group tours, or just wondering where to go, you’re in the right place.