With Europe gearing up for Pride celebrations starting this month, Rail Europe has shared some useful tips on where to go and the connections to take.
Paris Pride Parade 29 June
Marche des Fiertés, the Parisian Pride festival, is one of the oldest Pride celebrations in Europe, dating back to 1977. Winding through some of city’s most iconic streets marchers and visitors will enjoy iconic landmarks such as Place de la République and Place de la Bastille celebrating the occasion.
For LGBTQIA+ events all year long, especially during Pride, this vibrant neighbourhood of Le Marais is highly recommended. Connect to Paris from London on the Eurostar in under 2h30.
Madrid Pride Parade 6 July
Madrid Pride, also known as MADO, is set to transform the city’s streets with poetry, puppetry, dancing and more. Travelling along the iconic Paseo del Prado and through one of Madrid’s most famous calles, marchers will enjoy a series of concerts and drag shows on the six mega stages. Most activities take place in the vibrant neighborhood of Chueca, where the atmosphere is loud and proud, welcoming more than 2 million people each year. Connect to Madrid from Barcelona in 2h30.
Rome Pride Parade 15 June
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Rome Pride. Participants will have the opportunity to take in iconic sites including the Colosseum and the Roman Forum during the march. This year’s official after-party is the Rock in Roma event, featuring dozens of artists. The celebrations include everything from street parties to water park events and gatherings at popular clubs. Connect to Rome from Milan in just over 3hrs.
Berlin Pride Parade 27 June
From welcoming around 450 attendees in its first year to now expecting around half a million participants, Berlin Pride is no doubt one of the biggest celebrations in Europe. Meandering past iconic landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate and Victory Column, parade goers will enjoy quite the city tour. Apart from the street concerts, performances and after-parties, visitors can also enjoy Euphoria, a 25,000 sqm space dedicated to Pride events and celebrations. The OBB night train connects Zurich to Berlin in about 8h30.
Amsterdam Pride Parade 27 July
The 27th Amsterdam Pride Canal Parade will take place in the afternoon and feature 80 decorated floats travelling down the city’s canals. This family-friendly event extends beyond the canals, with smaller events taking place in different neighborhoods. This year, around half a million people are expected to celebrate Pride in Amsterdam, making it one of the biggest events of the year. Connect to Amsterdam from Paris on the Eurostar in just 4hrs.
Milan Pride Parade 29 June
While Rome may be the capital of Italy, Milan proudly holds the title of the capital of gay culture in the country. This distinction explains why Milan Pride is not only the largest in Italy, but also one of the most significant in all of Europe. Participants can expect numerous events, including drag shows, DJs, concerts, exhibitions and workshops covering everything from civil rights and LGBTQIA+ history to mental health and more. The parade itself takes off from Milan’s Central Station and concludes at the Arco Della Pace, where festivities continue through the night. Connect to Milan from Venice in 2h30.
London Pride Parade 29 June
The first official UK Gay Pride Rally took place in 1972 with just 200 participants. Today, London Pride attracts around 1.5 million people, making it one of the largest Pride events in the world. The parade route typically starts at Hyde Park Corner and winds its way through Piccadilly, Haymarket, Trafalgar Square and finally to Whitehall Place. This year, the British Museum will be presenting “Desire, Love, Identity: Exploring LGBTQ Histories” with free tours from 1 June to 29 June. Connect to London from Brussels in just over 2hrs.
Other Pride parades include the Helsinki Gay Pride Parade on 29 June; and the Antwerpen Pride and Gay Pride Prague Parades both on 10 August.
