Munich

The center of Munich's queer scene is the Glockenbachviertel, southwest of the old town around Müllerstraße and Hans-Sachs-Straße. Locals simply call it the queer neighborhood, and a lot happens here during the day too: in cafés, small shops and along the Isar river. If you wander the streets without a plan, you'll stumble into your first bar almost by accident.

Right next door is the Gärtnerplatzviertel. The leafy square is ringed by bars and restaurants that are a good fit for winding down the day. Distances are short, so you can easily cover both neighborhoods on foot in one evening.

Regular spots where the evening often begins include Bar New York, Prosecco and Paradiso. The Deutsche Eiche is a cult address, a hotel with a restaurant, bar and sauna under one roof. For dancing, head to NY.Club, where Fridays lean toward pop and Saturdays toward house.

For the leather and fetish scene, the Ochsengarten and the leather club MLC are the best-known places, plus a few more around the main station. Since most venues are close together, it's easy to go from bar to bar without needing a taxi.

Between May and September the city shows its best side, with long evenings by the Isar and in the English Garden. The biggest highlight comes at the end of June: Christopher Street Day, Munich's Pride, with the big PolitParade and the three-day PrideMeile street festival on Ludwigstraße between Odeonsplatz and the Siegestor.

If you want to experience Oktoberfest on the Theresienwiese, plan for late September to early October, but expect packed trains and expensive hotels. In winter it gets quieter and a lot colder, but accommodation is often cheaper.

Flights from London take about an hour and three quarters, and from New York about eight hours. Munich Airport lies northeast of the city and is connected to the center by the S1 and S8 suburban trains in about 40 minutes. The main station is well linked to the long-distance rail network.

Once there, the U-Bahn, trams and buses get you everywhere, and the Glockenbachviertel is easy to reach via the Fraunhoferstraße and Sendlinger Tor stations. Nobody needs a car in the city center, and parking is scarce and expensive anyway. UK and US citizens need no visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period under the Schengen rules, though passports are now registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (EES); check the current entry requirements before you travel.

In Germany, same-sex partnerships are legally protected, same-sex marriage has been possible since 2017, and discrimination based on sexual orientation is prohibited by law. Munich is considered safe and well kept, and holding hands is an everyday sight in the Glockenbachviertel.

As in any big city, stay alert around the station and in the late-night party areas. Even so, it's a relaxed place to travel. The city is expensive, though, so accommodation and nights out take a noticeable bite out of your budget.