Malta named best destination for LGBT+ travellers

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts

Get Simon Calder’s Travel email

Please enter a valid email address

Please enter a valid email address

SIGN UP

I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice

Malta has won the title of best destination for LGBT+ holidaymakers for the fourth year in a row.

The island nation topped the Europe Rainbow Index, beating 48 other countries to the number one spot.

The country scored 90 per cent in the index thanks to its LGBT+ friendly laws, policies and lifestyle acceptance.

Malta leads the pack by a sizeable margin, with the number two country, Belgium, scoring 73 per cent.

The annual index, compiled since 2009 by ILGA-Europe, ranks countries based on how their laws and policies impact on the lives of LGBT+ people.

Equality, family issues, hate speech, legal gender recognition, freedom of expression and asylum rights all contribute towards the rankings too.

“The Maltese have a reputation for kindness and excellent hospitality, and this is absolutely reflected in how they welcome all travellers to the island, including the LGBT+ market,” said Peter Vella, director UK and Ireland of Malta Tourism Authority.

“Malta holds a unique combination of traditional and historical culture with a contemporary and welcoming mindset towards LGBT+ travellers and our people continue to set an impressive example for other European countries to follow.”

Same-sex marriage is legal in Malta, and gender-neutral passports were introduced last year.

At the other end of the spectrum, Azerbaijan, which hosts the Europa League final next week, scored the lowest of the 49 countries (3 per cent).

ILGA-Europe says that a score of 0 per cent would indicate “gross violations of human rights” and “discrimination”.

The UK just makes the top 10, scoring 62 per cent per cent to land in ninth place.

Malta (90 per cent)

Belgium (73 per cent)

Luxembourg (70 per cent)

Finland (69 per cent)

Denmark (68 per cent)

Norway (68 per cent)

Portugal (66 per cent)

France (63 per cent)

UK (62 per cent)

Sweden (62 per cent)

Azerbaijan (3 per cent)

Turkey (5 per cent)

Armenia (6 per cent)

Russia (10 per cent)

Monaco (11 per cent)

San Marino (13 per cent)

Belarus (13 per cent)

Lichtenstein (14 per cent)

Moldova (14 per cent)

North Macedonia (16 per cent)