Traveler-friendly countries in Europe with punk, traveler, radical scenes?

[Batsy]

Long story short, I’m getting fucking scared of the political climate in the US and I’m thinking that now is a good time for me to finally do some international travel while I keep an eye on what’s going on here and decide when to come back.

I’ve never been overseas before, and this will also be my first time traveling on-foot.

What countries out there (including the UK, etc.) have thriving DIY punk scenes, (underground) traveler communities, anarchist communities/activism, street art, and trans/queer community? It would especially be nice to visit some places where I can dress very visibly trans and not worry about getting murdered (e.g. wearing dressed and fishnets with a large beard). If a country is particularly well-suited for on-foot travelers on a tight budget, this is super helpful!

I’m fluent in English and Spanish, and can half-understand some other romance languages because of this, but don’t know any other languages.

It would be great to be able to legally earn an income in some of the countries I visit. I might be able to get English citizenship, but I still need to look into that.

Any recommendations and guidance are super helpful! Thanks y’all!

 

[canoflentilsoup]

I've heard about there being a big scene in Barcelona, but I can't speak from experience, just a punk I met who grew up there.

 

[hedgehoggey]

France is 100% the most thriving country to squat and hitchhike, but you have to be able to get around with the French language .
For English speakers: Belgium's noticeably open/welcoming squat communities, the Netherlands as well but less. Germany has a lot of squats, has a lot of forest squats requiring assistance, and has [anecdotally] the most concentrated gutterpunk scene. I have heard a lot of good things about Italy, but also that hitchhiking is difficult there. I'll throw in UK in case it helps anyone to know that they have a core hackerspace/squatting scene. Greece very currently needs help to protect their squats.

Barcelona's scene has dwindled and is pretty closed off unless you have connections. Squatting culture is drying up but there are the city-punks and parties to enjoy. Note: hitchhiking is much harder in Spain than its neighboring countries.

Since the past years the last few squats have been evicted in Poland, Czechia, Hungary. The further east you go, the easier it is to hitchhike, but the less chance you'll find the scenes you're looking for, and the less safe for trans/queer folks.
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As for anarchistic ecocommunes, they're all over. The warmer, the better. Portugal, Spain, Italy, southern France. Probably Croatia, definitely Greece.
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Countries further west and north are safest for overall societal tolerance/acceptance. It's tricky to say but easier to feel.

 

[Batsy]

France is 100% the most thriving country to squat and hitchhike, but you have to be able to get around with the French language .
For English speakers: Belgium's noticeably open/welcoming squat communities, the Netherlands as well but less. Germany has a lot of squats, has a lot of forest squats requiring assistance, and has [anecdotally] the most concentrated gutterpunk scene. I have heard a lot of good things about Italy, but also that hitchhiking is difficult there. I'll throw in UK in case it helps anyone to know that they have a core hackerspace/squatting scene. Greece very currently needs help to protect their squats.

Barcelona's scene has dwindled and is pretty closed off unless you have connections. Squatting culture is drying up but there are the city-punks and parties to enjoy. Note: hitchhiking is much harder in Spain than its neighboring countries.

Since the past years the last few squats have been evicted in Poland, Czechia, Hungary. The further east you go, the easier it is to hitchhike, but the less chance you'll find the scenes you're looking for, and the less safe for trans/queer folks.
--
As for anarchistic ecocommunes, they're all over. The warmer, the better. Portugal, Spain, Italy, southern France. Probably Croatia, definitely Greece.
--
Countries further west and north are safest for overall societal tolerance/acceptance. It's tricky to say but easier to feel.

Thank you very much! Lots of great helpful info!

How would you recommend getting involved in these kinds of scenes/communities you mentioned once I get to a country if I don’t know anyone there? Is it just a matter of showing up to punk spaces and meeting people/putting myself out there?

Also, when you said you heard that Germany has the largest concentrated community of gutterpunks, I know that this kind of terminology can be used differently from person to person. By “gutterpunk” do you just mean any homeless punk traveler (like a synonym for a crustie)? Or do you mean the other common meaning people use: punk travelers who are apolitical and intentionally arrogant/thrive on pissing everyone off (i.e. “scumfucks”). Cause I definitely vibe with the former more than the latter. Just curious if you’re making a distinction here.