Gay & Lesbian Travellers

Gay and lesbian sex and marriage is legal in Portugal and therefore in the Madeira Archipelago. The age of consent in Portugal is 16.

On Madeira Island, gay and lesbian travellers and indeed locals are becoming more mainstream and definitely more acceptable. The “pink” community is actually much larger than it at first may seem. There are no specific gay and lesbian bars or clubs although you will find that most of the lager nightclubs and mainstream bars are very mixed and gay friendly.

Before coming to Madeira, you might want to write to the 'Opus Gay Association' (Rua da Ilha Terceira 34- 2º 1000-173 Lisboa) or contact them by phone (+ 351 21 315 13 96). Their e-mail is opusgaynorte@hotmail.com.

On the Internet you will find a few Portuguese gay and lesbian sites. The most comprehensive is www.portugalgay.pt that is available in Portuguese, English, Spanish, French and German.