From the cosmopolitan glamour of Berlin to the old-world charm of Heidelberg, Germany is a country with a magical allure for every kind of visitor. Be captivated by the gothic spires and mesmerizing art of Frankfurt. Delight in Munich, the site of the world-famous Oktoberfest, with its panorama of baroque structures. Explore Hamburg, where fascinating history and modern pleasures await in a picturesque seaport. And in Bavaria, just south of Munich, you’ll be enchanted by mad King Ludwig’s castle, the masterpiece of Romanesque architecture on which Sleeping Beauty’s castle is based.
In recent decades, a sophisticated and intricate gay subculture has popped up throughout Germany which helped to institute the recent Life Partnership Law. In major cities like Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and Cologne, and even in many smaller towns, you can find a profusion of established gay organizations and businesses serving the LGBT community. The big cities regularly publish tourist guides with gay specific travel information.
In Munich, the large gay and lesbian population has a good deal of influence in the city. In fact, you can even find prominent gay events and groups during Oktoberfest. The gay tavern and club selection in Munich is greater than any other German city, ranging from glamorous bars to small pubs. You can find a lively crowd at Munich’s gay taverns and restaurants any night of the week. If you’re there in August, try to stop by at the city’s Gay Pride Festival.
The Schoneberg district is Berlin’s largest and most established gay area, home to a poignant memorial to the homosexual victims of Nazism. An annual Gay Pride Festival takes place here as well. Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain are sections of Berlin that are also largely gay, the latter made up of many young people and students. |
