Istanbul turkey gay
Gay Istanbul &#; the foremost gay hotels, bars, clubs &#; more
Istanbul is quite literally where East meets West. In fact, it is the world’s only transcontinental city, with the Bosphorus Strait running through the city and dividing it into a European and an Asian side. The influences of both continents combine within Istanbul’s culture, cuisine, and the more liberal attitudes of its people—at least in comparison to its neighbors. However, Istanbul is very much its own place with a strong personality.
The former seat of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires is also a grandiose sight to behold. The million-plus city takes you back to historic Constantinople as grand mosques, ancient markets, bustling bazaars, and magnificent palaces reflect a rich and fascinating past shaped over the centuries by the Greeks, Persians, Romans, Venetians, and Ottomans. It also makes for a great jumping-off show for short trips to nearby Bursa, Troy, and the Prince’s Islands, or for deeper excursions into Turkey. Although Istanbul has a surprisingly large same-sex attracted nightlife scene and is relatively tolerant, it’
Gay life in Turkey has taken a tumble over the past decade but it wasn't always like this. Homosexual local, Saf from Ankara tells about his experiences growing up as an openly gay dude in Turkey.
“There was a time when Turkey was way more progressive and Western-facing. It had a high level of freedom of speech and Istanbul even had one of the biggest Pride Marches in the world”.
So said our buddy Saf, an openly homosexual born-and-bred local from Ankara. In reality, there was a time when Turkey was a same-sex attracted haven – at least it still is for LGBTQ people in the Middle East and in the Arab world which are home to some of the most dangerous places in the world for gay people.
We fell in love with Turkey when Sertab Erener won Eurovision in with the banger of a track “Everyway That I Am”, which became a staple in every homosexual club around the world. Sadly, Turkey withdrew from the Eurovision Song Challenge in , and hasn't participated since! The Turkey we know today went the other way – Pride events are banned each year and LGBTQ laws in Turkey are almost no
Istanbul Gay Guide
The Top Gay-Friendly Hotels & Resorts in Istanbul!
Since the gay scene of Istanbul is located around Taksim Square in Beyoglu district, the majority of the hotels in this region are actually gay-friendly. These are some gay-friendly hotels in Istanbul, as well as gay places nearby them!
The Gay Venues of Istanbul | The Gay Bars, Gay Clubs, & Gay Saunas!
Istanbul features a developed gay scene, with many male lover clubs, bars, and cruising hotspots around the city. The most popular gay venues are located in Taksim Area of Beyoglu district, where you will also find the top lgbtq+ accommodation.
Istanbul is known for its awesome gay sauna culture. Even though there is a lot of cruising going on at these places, there are cute great for relaxation as good. Some of the most well-liked gay saunas are Davutpasa Iskelesi Hammam, Tahiri Galatasaray Hamam, and Cagaloglu Hamam.
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Gay Istanbul · City Guide
Istanbul, the mega sprawling town which connects Europe and Asia, is one of the world’s most vibrant and exciting urban destinations. It is a correct melting pot of cultures, traditions and history. Brimming with tourist attractions, religious and historical treasures, great shopping, food and hamams, as well as a vibrant nightlife and gay scene, the city makes for a great destination.
Istanbul is the worlds fifth-most trendy tourist destinations, welcoming upwards of 12 million foreign visitors each year. The city's historic centre is a UNESCO world heritage site due to its cultural significance, ancient architecture and religious monuments.
Istanbul has a more liberal attitude towards LGBT+ individuals compared to many of its nearby neighbours, and as such is a mecca for gay culture and tourism in the region, and whilst not on the scale of Sydney, Vienna or Bangkok, there is a noticeable and lively gay scene in the city.
Gay Rights in Turkey
The basic legality of same-sex relations has been long established in Turkey (since ), and there is an