Barcelona may take the crown for being the most visited city in Spain but when it comes to gay pride, the vibrant city is lackluster to the Spanish hammer of Madrid. While riveting, the gay scene in Barcelona has been quite small (a handful of bars and clubs), and no one ever really turned out for the gay prides in the past, which, according to several locals, were always a joke.

This past weekend, Barcelona's gay movers and shakers finally got serious and turned out one of the best gay pride parties the city has ever seen in years. Newly dubbed Pride Barcelona, they even anointed their gay pride parade as "Officially the First" as it actually drew tens of thousands of enthusiasts.

The uber gay city was brimming with ’mos as soon as I arrived. Of course, I headed straight to Mar Bella, the nude beach of Barcelona, which, naturally, is where you can find the mother lode of local gays. The beaches are their version of our gyms, so it’s all about flaunting one’s locker-room goodies, and the hot sands were towel to towel with proud papas showing off their wares, in all their glory. The beach (not gay-specific but not straight-specific, so you'll find a mix) is the R-rated version of PG-13 gay-friendly Barcelona beach.

The streets of Eixample (Welcome to the gayborhood!) flooded with homos and their ladyfriends over the weekend as my friends and I hopped the string of favorite gay bars, and new ones like Dacksy and Museum. Final stops in the gay circuit would include Metro and the new-ish D-Boy, where two large rooms separated the circuit skins and sweat from the indie boys and fashionistas.

The parade on Sunday was just how I liked it: Lively, festive and short (it lasted about an hour) with only a handful of floats (hyping up the way gay/chic Axel hotel, Sitges Tourism, Boyberry and Manhunt.net, among others). Starting from University, the parade finally came around the Plaza de Espana, culminating in an explosion of booze, hot boys, dancers who just wouldn’t get off their floats and loud house music and stage performances (local gay performers took the stage for all sorts of entertainment while floats continued to blast their music in the thick of the crowds).

The setting of the iconic square (harboring the backdrop of the Montjuic mountain and museum and hundred-year old statues and waterfalls) undoubtedly made this year's after-parade party (packed and running until one am) one of Barcelona's best prides in history, and put the city well-deservedly back in the running for the crown. Bravo, Barcelona!

Barcelona Pride Tip: Where to bunk when it’s Pride-time in B’lona? Check out the Me Hotel. Basically, this is one of a hot chain, which is sort of Spain's version of W hotels (with, perhaps a little more swank and game) is the preferred crash-pad with 24 floors soaring into the sky for dynamic views (of city and sea). Though it's outside the gayborhood, it's a stone's throw from the gay beach, and the hotel’s YHI Spa is notorious for kink-bursting massages. Bonus: The outdoor pool is host to several gay parties. Ask what’s on! http://www.mebarcelona.com