Is istanbul gay friendly

Generally speaking LGBT rights in Istanbul are fairly well-established and it is a very gay-friendly city, although most of the gay life happens indoors or at night. Find the best gay bars and clubs, gay-friendly hotels, saunas, and massage spas in Istanbul! Check reviews, photos, and more info on Unlike many majority-Muslim nations, homosexuality is legal in Turkey, and despite political hate speech, tolerance is often the norm in urban areas like Istanbul.

Still, Turkey scores low on the LGBTQ+ acceptance meter compared to the rest of Europe. In , ILGA-Europe ranked Turkey 48 out of 49 countries regarding LGBTQ+ equality. Homosexuality has been legal in Turkey since and, broadly speaking, Istanbul is safe, friendly, and welcoming for gay travellers. That said, Turkey has been getting increasingly conservative since the failed coup against Erdoğan, which has seen gay venues close and a heavier focus on traditional Muslim values across all.

Istanbul is generally tolerant of LGBTQ people, at least compared to elsewhere in Turkey. [1]. This is somehow a hard question to answer regarding the gay friendly Istanbul, but we can clearly state that Istanbul is one of the most gay-friendly cities in its league. Before trying to establish a fact, we should stand on the characteristics and the culture of the Turkish society. Turkey hosts 80 million people and the majority of the beliefs in Islam.

Ninety-nine percent of Turkish people call themselves Muslim, even that they are not radicals, or they do not practice regularly. However, we still can't say that the public has a negative opinion regarding gays, as most of the people are negligent. Like Turkey, Istanbul has contrasts inside and also the attitude towards gays could also get affected by this heterogeneity. Moreover, the percentage of the lesbians is also considerably high in Istanbul.

The transgender people can feel comfortable while they are discovering the beauties of the Istanbul. The people in tourist spots will have no problem with the behaviors or dresses of others in general, but it is always better not to be provocative, as there also are some neighborhoods in town where Islam is visible on the streets and you are not able to witness a woman without a scarf. On another hand, you may witness gay couples kissing each other on the street in Kadikoy or Besiktas.

So, getting used to the culture is challenging, but having a general understanding is always better. If you do a little research before coming to Istanbul, you will clearly see that there are so many gays, they are free to declare their sexual identities unlike some other Muslim countries, and they take part in organizations to raise public awareness.

In modern neighborhoods like Kadikoy, Karakoy, Besiktas or Taksim there are a lot of gay clubs that you can hang out. They are mostly open after midnight and are quite busy on weekends. Not only the gay bars and clubs, but gays are always a part of the nightlife as they do not have the need to hide. The hotels in touristy districts are known to be gay-friendly and there is no problem for a gay couple to ask a double-bedded room, it will be better to let them know about your preference before arrival as most of the rooms has twin beds in the hotels in Istanbul.

A quick lookup will help you to locate your hotel, as there are many recommended ones, especially in the old city.

turkey lgbt travel

A visit to Istanbul will be fun for sure, and there is nothing to worry about the approach of the people in Turkey. However, if you would like to make the most of gay Istanbul, we recommend you to get a professional tour guide or a local to show you around. In this way, you will be able to discover the hidden gems too.

By understanding the cultural nuances and exploring the vibrant neighborhoods, you can enjoy a fulfilling and enjoyable experience in Istanbul. Is Istanbul Vegetarian Friendly? Whatsapp Contact Call Booking Tracking. Tips for travellers. Gay Friendly Istanbul Neighborhoods and Nightlife On another hand, you may witness gay couples kissing each other on the street in Kadikoy or Besiktas. Final Tips for a Memorable Visit A quick lookup will help you to locate your hotel, as there are many recommended ones, especially in the old city.

I Understand and Accept.