The results are in for the world’s most sexually liberated cities in 2025, and a surprising UK city has made the top 10. 

Global research by escort consultancy group Erobella analysed cities around the world and ranked them based on the number of gay bars they have, the frequency of LGBTQ+ events there, access to contraception, transgender rights, the legality of sex work, and laws protecting against homophobic and transphobic behaviour. 

This year, eight European cities have made the top 10 most sexually liberated cities, whilst only one US city has made the list. This marks a clear shift from last year’s rankings, when seven US cities dominated the top 20 (New York, Los Angeles and Chicago have all dropped out of the rankings this year). 

The change in results could be a reflection of “the politicisation of sex” in the US following the re-election of President Donald Trump and a resurgence of conservative values, which has impacted sexual health and reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ legal protections and sex work legislation.

Amsterdam, which is known for its Red Light District, unsurprisingly claimed the top spot.  The capital city of the Netherlands was praised for its “comprehensive legal protections, abundant sexual health resources, and vibrant LGBTQIA+ scene”. 

Sex work was legalised in the city in 2000, with the Dutch government aiming to give sex workers “more autonomy over their profession, reduce criminal activity, and improve their labour conditions”, as per Humanity In Action. The city is widely considered to be “the birthplace of LGBTQ+ rights” after homosexuality was decriminalised in 1811. 

Coming in at number two is this year’s only US city on the list, San Francisco. The city is home to one of the first gay neighbourhoods in the US, The Castro, while San Francisco Pride has continued to stand strong in the face of DEI rollbacks in the US. 

Cologne, Germany; Vancouver, Canada; Lisbon, Portugal; and Berlin, Germany, claim the top three, four, five and six spots, respectively. 

Meanwhile, the UK has thrown a curveball in the form of Manchester, a city in northwest England, which sits at number 7. The city has a thriving LGBTQ+ scene, particularly in the Gay Village near Canal Street, which hosts over 30 gay bars and clubs, as per Wanderlog. 

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Hamburg, Germany; Vienna, Austria; and Barcelona, Spain round off the top 10 most sexually liberated cities.