Unfortunately, gay cruising places are not as busy as
they used to be since the widespread use of the internet
and cell phones, especially after Gay Dating
Applications were launched. As in other big cities
around the world, cruising areas, especially isolated
parks, are where people should be a little cautious with
the people they come across. It’s important to take
precautions to ensure your safety. We recommend that you
do not carry your valuable things on you when you go to
outdoor cruising places, just in case.
Please
also read our main page for general safety warnings
Taksim
Park
Gezi Park, situated near Taksim Square, is a well-known
spot. The area closer to the sea is more likely to attract 'cruising,'
particularly after dark. It gets busier on Sunday afternoons and Saturday
evenings. However, we advise caution for foreign visitors and newcomers
unfamiliar with the local gay culture.
Taksim Square
People sitting on the fences around the monument at the
very center of the square might be gay or bi-curious guys interested in meeting
gay men, but remember it is also a gathering place for some tourist hustlers and
rent-boys.
Istiklal
Avenue
Istiklal Avenue, a bustling pedestrian street stretching
approximately 2 kilometers, begins at Taksim Square, gently winds through the
Galatasaray district, and culminates at Tunel. This lively street serves as a
vital link between Taksim Square and numerous gay venues tucked away in the
surrounding backstreets. As you stroll along Istiklal, keeping your ‘gaydar’
alert, you’re likely to encounter gay, bisexual, and bi-curious individuals.
However, it’s essential to note that this isn’t a cruising spot by design.
Aksaray Muratpasa Park
Muratpasa Park
is a cruising and gathering spot for bears and mature gay men. Unlike other
cruising parks this is a busy park with straight people with many cafe
houses in the vicinity, but straight acting gay man are also always
around, usually sitting on benches around the pool.
Fatih
Saraçhane Park
Saraçhane Park lies in close proximity to Aksaray,
adjacent to the administrative building of Istanbul Municipality. Interestingly,
there are several parks on both sides of the street. The cruising activity
primarily centers
around the parks
near the remnants of the Roman church known as Polyeuktos. If you’re arriving from
Taksim, alight at the Sarachane bus stop (located under the street), just before
reaching Aksaray, and ascend the steps. Notably, its popularity has waned since
2016 due to the removal of benches by the municipality and increased lighting in
the vicinity. Additionally, the advent of mobile apps has led to a general
decline in cruising spots.
Sarayburnu
Sarayburnu
is coastal area behind Topkapi Palace with respect to
Sultanahmet. It is a waterfront by the coastal road, covered with big rocks and
concrete waterfront. There is no visible gay scene here also. There are single
people or groups of guys drinking and young ghetto boys swimming and lying on
the rocks in summer time. Some local gay men hang out here frequently in summer
season.
If your hotel is in Sultanahmet, you can try this place for a couple of hours in
early evenings, at least to get a little sun tan. Do not stay after dark. No
one will be around in winter season.
Kadikoy Parks
Kadikoy is the major residential & nighlife district on the Asian
side of Istanbul. The coastal area, the parks near
Kadikoy >
Besiktas Iskelesi (the older ferry pier in Kadikoy) and the rocky waterfront
near the
breakwater are
historically well-known gay cruising areas in the evening, even though they are
no longer as busy. You can get to
Kadikoy from Eminonu, Karakoy and Kabatas piers by ferryboats, with a
journey lasting about 20-30 minutes. Unless you are especially into outdoor cruising,
this is not the place worth spending time for tourists who visit the city for a
few days.
Check out our
Online LGBT Map for exact locations of gay cruising
spots in Istanbul
Nowadays,
Hornet is the most popular dating app among the
LGBTQ+ community in Turkey, especially since Grindr
was banned for not filtering pornographic content.
Today, almost every Turkish gay man, along with many
transgender individuals and bisexual men can be
found on Hornet. Other alternatives include
Taimi,
Planet Romeo and Tinder. As expected,
Growlr and
Scruff are the preferred apps for the Turkish
'bear' community.
As with anywhere else in the world, it is wise
to be cautious when meeting people through these
apps. You may also encounter many rent boys on these
gay dating platforms.
Click here to recommend
or to remove apps.
Unfortunately, Istanbul no longer has
any gay or adult-oriented cinemas. Previously, there
were about a dozen erotic movie theaters frequented by
gay men, but these were all closed down successively in
the mid-2010s. This decline was primarily driven by the
rise of the internet and smartphones, which led owners
to either shut down or convert these spaces into
mainstream movie theaters.
Around Taksim Square, several venues serve as
meeting spots for gay men during the daytime and
early evenings. Many gay men visit these places
before heading to bars and clubs, and some come here
to connect with others. It’s important to note that
the managers and staff at these venues may not be
particularly LGBTQ-friendly. Additionally, you might
encounter rent boys and well-known hustlers from the
Taksim district in and around these locations, so
exercise caution when meeting new people. Below,
we’ve listed the most popular meeting points from
recent years.
EspressoLab - Taksim (terrace floor)
Simit Sarayı
- Taksim Square (upper floor)
Istiklal Shopping Mall
(cafe & restaurant floor)
Burger King - Taksim
We have a web page dedicated to the
saunas and bathhouses in Istanbul that Turkish and
foreign gay men frequent for cruising. Even though they
are not officially labeled as gay venues by their
owners, saunas and bathhouses are the safest spaces for
gay cruising in Istanbul.
Click here
for an up-to-date list of gay-friendly saunas and
bathhouses.
Are you a gay man visiting Istanbul for the first time?
Are you a stranger to the gay world of this mysterious
mega-city? You surely need somebody to lead you the way
during your first few days.
Are you a gay man visiting Istanbul for the first time?
Are you a stranger to the gay world of this mysterious
mega-city? You surely need somebody to lead you the way
during your first few days.
A private gay guide will accompany your first nights in Istanbul
Read More
