ATTENTION!
Some
of the venues on this website are listed without the
approval of their owners and they are not all
necessarily gay or gay-friendly places. We do not guarantee the accuracy
for the information provided by website visitors,
especially. Moreover, there may be some changes with the information
given here
which we have not obtained yet, although we are trying to be
as update as possible. Please note the indicated dates in
order to understand how up to date the information is. Please use the provided information accordingly,
otherwise we do not undertake responsibility for any
problems you may encounter.
Antalya is the tourism
paradise of Turkey with a very long summer and offering natural,
historical and cultural beauties. Modern and liberal life makes
everything easier for gay people too. The city is also known as
Turkish Riviera internationally. Lots of bars, nightclubs on the
seafront, restaurants and shops adorn Antalya.
In early 2007 there was an attempt to open a big gay-excusive
hotel - then called Planet Victorya-
in Kemer district of Antalya.
It was not successful probably because it was too big for the
capacity of gay tourists coming to Kemer and the
administration did not know much about the basics of gay tourism. The
outlook and the inner decoration of the chosen hotel building was
also far
from gay-taste.
Visitor feedbacks for gay life in Antalya:
"As a gay tourist looking for some fun you are best off visiting
Istanbul and maybe Antalya and Bodrum, cause these are the gay friendliest
places in the country. My visits to Antalya and Bodrum were very impressive,
not so much because of the rich history, but all the more because of their
gay friendliness. Antalya really has something to offer: there are several
gay bars and discos frequented by gay Turks. They even have a special Gay
Night every Monday night with various activities. The location can be seen
from the main boulevard and it offers a nice view for slightly surprised
gentlemen. The Alexander Bar in Antalya is worth a visit when it comes to
ambiance and young clientele. The boys are friendly and curious to know just
where youre from. There are other gay bars of course, but they are not that
easy to find, since they are generally tucked away in small alleys. Antalya
has the feel of a larger city and there are large areas with gorgeous hotels
and resorts." (11 September 2006)
HELP US IMPROVE ! Have you been to Antalya before ? Do you want to share your
observations about gay-life there ?
Send your feedbacks and comments about gay
life in Antalya
BARS AND CLUBS
Exclusive Gay Bars and Clubs in Antalya:
CLUB MY ANGEL : 23:00 05:00
Address: Hasim Iscan Mahallesi (locality) 1295. Sokak (Street) No: 41
(building no) Muratpasa (district), Antalya - Turkey.
(Located right across ETV television building, or behind
Pamukkale textile company in Muratpasa; central district of
Antalya which also covers old city Kaleici) Acording to information obtained from internet
on July 2009, Alexander club and Romeo 07 has been closed and
this new gay club has been opened by their former managers.
They organize beer party on Wednesdays, Turkish Night on Fridays
and Male belly dancer and Go-Go shows on Saturday nights. The
person who used to manage She Bar, Alexander Club and Romeo 07 is
here now. (01/07/2009)
Visitor comments about My Angel in Antalya: "We visited the
club on a few occasions on our 11 nights in Antalya during
August 2009. Very friendly staff and a good atmosphere on the
Saturday nights. This was the only gay venue that we could find
in Antalya as the other bars and clubs listed had all closed
down." (Posted by Jon from United Kingdom on 29/08/2009)
"I am the former manager of My Angel. I left this place 2 months
ago. The new managers has changed the name of the club."
(January 10 2010)
"Phoned a couple of times to get opening hours and visited
Friday night 8.1.10 Not many in when we arrived owner and a few
others only. Busted by police at midnight and we were informed
the club had been shut-down. Owner and a few others said they
would take us to another club. I ended up paying for taxi ride
for everyone, and was left holding a huge bar bill at the second
club which others said they had no money to contribute towards.
Turned out later that at least some of the guys we had been with
were prostitutes. Altogether a weird, expensive and nasty night
out." (Posted by Nick and Scott from UK on January 12 2010)
ALEXANDER CLUB
(Closed Down in 2008) ROMEO
07 (Closed
Down in 2008) Gay Friendly Antalya Bars and Clubs
and Other Popular None-Gay Night Clubs:
MARJINAL
BAR 21:00-05:00
Address: Antalya, Yat Limani (Marina)
A place recommended by a Turkish website
visitor briefly as a gay friendly club in January 2008.
Send your feedback or report a new place NORTH SHIELD PUB 21:00-05:00
Address: Kilic Aslan Mah. Park Sok. No: 14, Kaleici, Antalya.
Norht sheild has a chain of pubs
and bars in major cities of Turkey. Although it is not totally true, the one
in Antalya is listed on some internet pages as the only gay bar of Antalya.
For that reason it should be possible to see some gay men going there once
in a while. It is definitely not a homophobic place, anyway.
Send your feedback or report a new place
RESTAURANTS & CAFE SHOPS
Gay or Gay-Friendly Restaurants
and Cafe Shops in Antalya:
There is not any considerable information we obtained so far
which is worth listing under this category.
Other Recommended
Non-Gay
Restaurants and Cafe Shops in Antalya:
There is not any considerable information we obtained so far
which is worth listing under this category.
Gay Friendly Cinemas in Antalya: Almost in all porno or erotic movie cinemas, it is possible
to see gay or bisexual men, although their owners do not want to
be classified as gay-venues. Make sure that
you are approaching the right person because they are not
gay-exclusive venues and are visited by straight men as well.
There may also be pick-pockets in such places occasionally.
Attention: Below venues were reported by website visitors
and the information is not necessarily accurate.
Aspendos Sinemasi(11:00-21:00) Address: Somewhere across the Ayakkabicilar Carsisi (shoe
shops/market)
in Dogu Garaji
neighborhood (the area around the old eastern bus terminal about 1 km from
the old city center called Kaleici.
Submission Date:
04/02/2007
Kent Sinemasi (10:00-19:00)
Address :
When you walk from Muratapasa Mosque towards Kaleici (the castle) take the fist
turn on the left. The mosque is located at the square in Muratapasa
neighborhood of city center.
Submissin Date: 16/05/2008
Send your feedbacks or report a new place
SAUNA AND BATHS
Gay Friendly Sauna or
Bath Houses in Antalya:
Homosexuality is not and has never been illegal in Turkey and
individuals can not be punished by any law for homosexual
action, but any sexual action (gay/straight) is still forbidden
in public venues and can be a reason for periodical closure of
the venues by the authorities. Probably for that reason most
owners of action places such as cinemas, baths and saunas do not
like to be mentioned on gay websites or guide books even if they
want them to come to their venues for business reason.
The places listed under this category are not gay venues and do
not necessarily allow gay action inside. CUMHURIYET
HAMAMI
Address:
Sarampol Caddesi (street) Kalekapisi
(quarter) Antalya This bath house has been recommended to gay people on some
internet websites and guidebooks since many years.
It may have been re-opened but we received a message that this
bath was closed some time in 2006. According to a message
received in September 2009 this hamam (Turkish bath) has been
renovated in 2007 by the new owners who have changed its name as
Carsi Hamami, and it is more clean now and still highly
recommended to gay people.
Kalekapisi quarter houses the statue of King Attalus II of
Pergamum, who is supposed to be the founder of Antalya city.
When his statue was decided to be erected here in 2004, there
has been a big opposition by some local radical nationalists,
but their accusation was mainly based on the claim that King
Attalus was gay. This conflict had been widely covered by the
national media at those times.
AKDENIZ
HAMAMI Address: Hasan Subasi Caddesi (street) 46. Sokak (lane), Building No: 22,
Muratpasa (down town) Antalya This place was reported by a website visitor as below:
"Walk towards sea side from the street right in front of Murat Paşa
mosque (possibly Sarampol street), it is inside a small lane.
Muratpasa mosque is near the old intercity bus terminal. I
haven't been there personally, but heard from friends that it is
a quiet bath, not a gay-friendly place, but it may be possible
to see some gay men. (12/01/2009)
Visitor feedbacks:
The directions given previously are incorrect. From the statue,
head AWAY from the sea along the pedestrian street. At the first
road crossing, turn right and the baths are about 150m along the
street. (Posted by A.C. form UK on 26/07/2009)
Gay Cruising and Gay Beaches in Antalya: In general, the cruising areas - especially parks and secluded
beaches are where gay men should be more selective with the
people they meet. It is always possible to come across to some
bad guys who want to trap the gay men in such places.
Especially, be careful at night time and do not carry very
valuable things and a lot of money on you, just in case.
The most visible cruising places in Antalya are these:
*Cumhuriyet Meydani (the square at the Antalya city center)
especially in the evening around the sculpture
*Yacht marina (especially along the breakwater), amphitheatre and
its neighborhood in Kaleici.
*Karaoglan Park, especially the part closer to the sea. Watch
out hustlers and thieves especially late at night. The park is
close to the football stadium, not far from Kaleici (the old
city)
*The park opposite of Selekler Carsisi. Selekler Carsisi is a
kind of small shopping mall at the junction of Gulluk and
Konyaalti streets, where they sell jewelry, accessories, musical instruments and
similar goods in the shops. There are some cafe shops in front
of the building.
There are no gay-exclusive beaches in Antalya, but the below
mentioned ones are where you can see cruising gay men more often.
Konyaalti beach,
Konyaalti beach is the nearest public beach with
respect to the city center and old city called Kaleici on the
west side of Antalya. It is a long strand of pebbles and rough
stand backed by park, some hotels, and residential areas. It is
a pleasant walk to get to Konyaalti from city center but you can
also take the tram westward from Kalekapisi at the center of
Antalya to the end of the line near the Antalya Museum and the
Falez and Sheraton Voyager hotels, then walk downhill 10 minutes
to reach Antalya Beach Park and the eastern end of Konyaalti
Plaji. Antalya Beach Park has shade trees, snack stands,
restaurants, cafes and bars, showers and other services, as well
as beach chairs and sun umbrellas for rent.
Lara beach.
Lara is the most popular beach district near Antalya city
center, about 16 km but easily accessible by frequent public
buses and shuttle-like public taxies called "dolmush" in Turkey.
Lara Plaji (Lara Beach) east of Antalya is a long beach of
gentle waves, darkish sand, and some small pebbles. Most parts
of the beach are backed by commercial services offering beach
chairs, sun umbrellas, snacks and drinks, showers and perhaps
even some entertainment. The beach begins east of Antalya's
falez (cliffs), just past the Lower Düden Waterfall (Asagi Düden
Selalesi). East of the waterfall a point of land extends into
the Gulf of Antalya. Hotels, restaurants and other services host
visitors who swim mostly from docks and platforms.
The real sand beach starts on the east side of the point and
extends for several kilometers. The first major installation is
Lara Halk Plaji, with beach services organized by the city of
Antalya.
Adalar Beach.
This place was suggested bu a website visitor as below.
When you walk into the Karaoglan Park, and reach the
place called "balkon" (Balcony) it is right down under.This place is often visited by local gay men as well as gay tourists and
even some transgender. It is a secluded place inside the rocks.
Gay Groups and Gay lesbian
Organizations in Antalya:
Antalya Gokkusagi
Although it does not have any official identity, there is a gay
group in Antalya calling themselves Antalya Gokkusagi
(Rainbow Antalya) fighting for gay and lesbian rights in
Antalya.
Postal
Address: Gulluk PK.142. 07003. Antalya, Turkey.
Web Site (blog):
http://antalyagokkusagi.blogspot.com/ (Turkish)
Gay & lesbian Internet Sources for Antalya:
Yahoo Group For Turkish Lesbians A Yahoo Group to meet Turkish Lesbians from
all over Turkey. You can leave a message to meet Turkish
lesbians and lesbian tourists living in or visiting Antalya in
this group.
Yahoo Group for Turkish Gays A Yahoo Group to meet Turkish gay men from
all over Turkey. You can leave a message to meet Turkish gays
and gay tourists living in or visiting Antalya in this group.
Gay owned Turkish travel agency is organizing daily city tours, budget and tailor made
package tours, boat cruises, hotel reservations in Antalya and all around
Turkey.
DAILY TOURS IN ANTALYA:
Gay and lesbian friendly daily tours in
Antalya Lesbian and
gay friendly Antalya daily tours including Perge, Aspendos,
Side, Manavgat, Demre, Myra, St Nicholas, Kemer, Scuba Diving,
Jeep Safari, Paragliding, Rafting tours
BOAT CRUISES IN ANTALYA:
Gay and lesbian friendly weekly blue cruise embarking
from Antalya ANTALYA-PHASELIS-KEMER-MYRA-KEKOVA-CENEVIZ HARBOR-ANTALYA Embarking every Saturday in Summer Period
Including tax,
accommodation on gullet boats with en suite baths, breakfast,
lunch, dinner, board games and basic snorkeling equipments.
PACKAGE TOURS TO ANTALYA.
6 nights-Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Pamukkale,
Antalya, Istanbul Hotel
Transfers, Transport, Six full day tours including lunch.
4 nights accommodation in 3 * or special class hotels, rooms
with air-condition and private bath. Please contact us for Hotel
upgrades. (Note: 3 nights will be spent at luxury
air-conditioned buses)
Professional licensed tour guide, Entrance Fees to all museums.
VAT tax.
All mention Meals in the program. 1 extra breakfast
5 Nights-Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Ephesus,
Pamukkale, Antalya, Istanbul
All transportations including hotel transfers. (Flight
from Antalya to Istanbul is possible upon request)
Four full day tours including lunch
Four nights accommodation in 3 (***) hotel with breakfast&dinner
(Hotel upgrade is possible upon request)
Gallipoli tour including 1 lunch box,
Troy tour, Guide service
Details
GAY OR LESBIAN
FRIENDLY HOTELS IN ANTALYA
There are no officially gay or lesbian hotels in Antalya. Other
recommended hotels are listed below
Make your hotel reservation by leading gay
and lesbian travel agency of Turkey.
Gay Friendly &
Recommended Antalya Hotels
INTERNATIONAL ONLINE
SECURE SYSTEM
Book Your Hotels Online via International Secure
Reservation System with the Guarantee and Protection of
Istanbul Pride Travel. Pride Travel has special rates
agreements with hotels from all over Antalya. Easy to
search, hotels listed starting from the cheapest
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ABOUT
ANTALYA
The
Antalya Region, offering all the mysticism of past in our day, is now called
the "Turkish Riviera" due to its archaeological and natural beauties.
Antalya is the place where sea, sun, history and nature
constitute a perfect harmony and which also includes the most beautiful and
clearest coast along the Mediterranean. The city still preserves its
importance as a center throughout history in the south coast of the country,
in addition to its wonderful natural beauties. The mythological city which
housed the Gods and Goddesses now exhibits all its secrets and marvels to
mankind.
Antalya is located in the west of the
Mediterranean region. In ancient times it covered all Pamphylia which
means "the land of all tribes". The land really deserves the name since it
has witnessed many successive civilizations throughout history. In 1st
century BC the Pergamum king Attalus ordered his men to find the most
beautiful piece of land on earth; he wanted them to find "heaven on earth".
After a long search all over the world, they discovered this land and said "This
must be 'Heaven' " and King Attalus founded the city giving it the name "Attaleia".
From then on many nations kept their eyes on the city. When the Romans
took over the Pergamene Kingdom, Attaleia became an outstanding Roman city
which the great Roman Emperor Hadrian visited in 130 AD; an arch was built
in his honor which is now worth seeing. Then came the Byzantines, after
which the Seljuk Turks took over the city in 1207 and gave it a different
name, Adalya, and built the Yivli Minaret. The Ottomans followed the Seljuks
and finally within the Turkish Republic it became a Turkish city and an
important port. Antalya has been growing rapidly since 1960 and its
population is 1,146,109 according to the 1990 census.
The climate of the province is typical
Mediterranean: hot and dry in summers and temperate and rainy in winters.
Sunshine is guaranteed from April to October and the winters are
pleasantly mild. The humidity is a little bit high, about 64%, and the
average water temperature is 21.5 °C. Antalya is really a heavenly place
where the summer season is about 8-9 months long.
Transportation
You may reach Antalya from almost every city
of the country, and even from little towns, coach companies going to Antalya
are available.
Antalya has an international airport
which may connect you to major cities. It has modern facilities including
waiting rooms, restaurants, cafe-bar, and a shopping center.
When traveling by sea, one can use the Antalya
Venice Ferryboat line.
Antalya Aspendos Theater
Perge Hellenistic Gate
Roman columns in Side
Touristy Attractions
Antalya and its surrounding is an important
and noteworthy touristy center on the Mediterranean Coast with its perfect
climate and splendid harmony of archaeological, historical and natural
beauties, throughout the year. Daily tours to surrounding touristy areas
like Side, Alanya and Termessos are available, in addition to longer tours
to Pamukkale or Cappadocia or anywhere you would like to go. Professional
tourist guides are also available.
Sightseeing
City Walls:
The memorial Hadrian Arch and The Clock Tower are remarkable and date back
to Hellenistic era.
Kaleici:
This is the nucleus of a city which embraced many civilizations during time.
It is now restored and has became a most attractive touristy center with
its hotels, restaurants, shopping and entertainment facilities. Kaleici
retains all the original ancient Turkish archaeological characteristics. The
port's marina has been completely restored and is well worth visiting. The
restoration activities in Kaleici won the Golden Apple Prize, the Oscar of
tourism.
Antalya Museum:
A prize winning museum and one of the most notable archaeology museums, of
the world. It is also the only museum in Turkey with a children's department
exhibiting ancient monuments appealing to children.
Hadrian's Gate:
This ornamental marble arch was constructed in 2nd century BC by the Romans
in honour of the Emperor Hadrian. It is the most amazing area in the whole
ancient Pamphylia region.
Kesik Minaret
(Broken Minaret): Once a Byzantine Panaglia church, later converted into a
mosque.
Yivli Minaret:
This fluted minaret of 13th century was built by the Seljuks. Decorated with
dark blue and turquoise tiles, the minaret eventually became the symbol of
the city.
Karatay Medresesi,
Hidirilk Tower, Ahi Yusuf Mescidi, Iskele Mosque, Murat Pasa Mosque, Tekeli
Mehmet Pasa Mosque, Balibey Mosque, Musellim Mosque, Seyh Sinan Efendi
Mosque and Osman Efendi Mosque are other places to be visited.
"Han"s are Seljuk or Ottoman inns which have
architectural significance. Some worth visiting are the Evdir Han, Klrkoz
Han, Alara Han and Castle and Sarapsu (Serapsu) Han.
Ancient Cities
Termessos:
It is a Pisidyan city with remnants of an agora, theatre and an odeon. It
has a reputation of being the most magnificent necropolis on the
Mediterranean, 35 kms northwest of Antalya.
Perge:
18 kms northeast of Antalya. The ruins are spread on two hills, the theatre
on one and the acropolis on the other. According to the legend the city was
built by three heroes from Troy.
Sillyon:
34 kms from Antalya on the Alanya direction. It is situated between Aspendos
and Perge and dates back to 4th.century BC.
Aspendos:
One of the most important Pamphilian cities. It is situated on the point
where the Kopru River meets the sea. Once an important port and a commercial
centre, it has a reputation for raising the best horses on earth. The odeon,
basilica, galleria and fountains are worth seeing.
