Istanbul turkey gay
Gay Istanbul · Metropolis Guide
Istanbul, the mega sprawling city which connects Europe and Asia, is one of the world’s most vibrant and exciting urban destinations. It is a true melting pot of cultures, traditions and history. Brimming with tourist attractions, religious and historical treasures, great shopping, meal and hamams, as well as a vibrant nightlife and gay scene, the city makes for a great destination.
Istanbul is the worlds fifth-most popular tourist destinations, welcoming upwards of 12 million foreign visitors each year. The city's historic centre is a UNESCO earth 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 tradition 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
Gay Istanbul &#; the leading 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 queer nightlife scene and is relatively tolerant, it’
Gay life in Turkey has taken a tumble over the past decade but it wasn't always fond this. Gay local, Saf from Ankara tells about his experiences growing up as an openly male lover man in Turkey.
“There was a time when Turkey was way more linear and Western-facing. It had a high level of freedom of speech and Istanbul even had one of the biggest Self-acceptance Marches in the world”.
So said our buddy Saf, an openly gay born-and-bred local from Ankara. In fact, there was a time when Turkey was a gay haven – at least it still is for LGBTQ people in the Middle East and in the Arab world which are dwelling to some of the most dangerous places in the world for queer people.
We fell in like with Turkey when Sertab Erener won Eurovision in with the banger of a track “Everyway That I Am”, which became a staple in every gay club around the world. Sadly, Turkey withdrew from the Eurovision Lyric Contest 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 same-sex attracted 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 attractive great for relaxation as successfully. Some of the most trendy gay saunas are Davutpasa Iskelesi Hammam, Tahiri Galatasaray Hamam, and Cagaloglu Hamam.
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