Gay and lesbian life in Spain has come a long way in the twenty years or so since Franco's death. There are strong lobbying movements for same-sex marriages and for same-sex couples to have equal rights; these movements are given greater strength by the suppport of some autonomous governments. The age of consent is 16 - the same as for heterosexual couples.

There are thriving gay communities in most of Spain's main cities, notably of course, Madrid and Barcelona. For gay resorts Sitges is unbeatable, and, as in Cádiz, carnaval is a wonderfully hedonistic time to visit. Ibiza and Torremolinos are two other popular holiday destinations.