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.
A sea-side
port and holiday town
located in the Southwestern region of the country,
Bodrum is one of the most popular of summer destination of Turkey for Turkish
and foreign tourists/travelers. Famous with its very liberal night life,
it is also very popular among Turkish gay
and lesbians especially during the summer period. Although there are not many gay
exclusive
venues, it is possible to run into many gay men anywhere; on the streets,
beaches, parks or
in regular bars and clubs. Most of the straight bars can be considered
"gay-friendly" in a
liberal town like Bodrum anyway.
In 2006 an international Travel Operator organized a very big
party in Bodrum, which gathered over 600 gay and lesbian
tourists in Bodrum form all around the world.
International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) held an
international meeting in Bodrum in 2008 Summer. IGLTA's
president for European countries, who traveled to Turkey for the
International Gay Travel Symposium, expressed his admiration for
Bodrum and said more gay and lesbian travelers would start
preferring Bodrum for their holidays in the future.
Visitor Comments for Gay Life Bodrum: August 2006 - You wont find any bars in the touristic
areas that cater for gays/lesbians. However most places are gay
friendly as long as you don't hold hands etc. There used to be a
bar in Barlar street opposite Avlu Bar - the street running
along the jeweler shops with the traditional restaurants playing
live Turkish music in, that was very gay friendly but haven't
been in a few years so cant say if its still the same.
October 2006 - Actually there is no obvious gay life here in Bodrum but it is a
summer meeting place of gay&lesbian people from all over
Turkey.. There is no social pressure except "typical strange
looks" but again it is better to be more cautious.. September 2007 - Unfortunately, in Turkey they don't
understand yet that gay people are just normal and innocent
people too. That's why gays try to hide themselves, in
general...But in Bodrum, it's quite different. It's very
open-minded in this little city...And there are a lot of
Englishmen who have bought homes and pubs there, and there a lot
of tourists from England, Germany, Holland etc...So I think you
can enjoy this place, no problem... The real estate in this city
is very expansive now, because there is a spirit similar to
Ibiza and Saint-Tropez, and it became a city for rich people,
even jet-set people. Many Turkish stars and businessmen own
houses there. And I've heard that even Elton John ( who is gay
too), bought a villa in Bodrum.
April 2008 Bodrum where l live
is very open and its the St Tropez of Turkey for the Rich Turks
in Summer! They all flock here to play! Stars of Stage and
Singers etc! Also lots of Gays come here and there are a few
here at the moment some French and Brits and some Turks. All
normal Bars are mixed and there are two big discos Halikarnas,
and Catamaran which floats and they get a gay crowd at times.
There is a Gay Beach but l have never been. lt is a Man's world
here and you get look's and smiles from all even the so called
straight one's as they say!
September 2008 -I visited Bodrum
in Sep 2008. I was not aware of anyone else who was gay. There
was no mention anywhere of any gay bars anywhere. Perhaps it
would help if they published a leaflet with info of such
locations. I took a walk along the Bar strip along the harbour
and found 2 bars/Cafes that had a gay flag in the inside: - Cafe
S Bar and Dinç Bar and Restaurant. And that was my experience.
There is mention of Aralik bar on the Internet but I have not
been able to find it. HELP US
IMPROVE !
Have you been to Bodrum before ? Do you want to share your observations
about gay-life there ?
Send your feedbacks and comments about gay life in
Fethiye
Visitor Feedbacks
"Aviva and Aralik Bar
are not there anymore, Kedi bar in Meyhaneler Sokagi is where
you can se some gay people. Kedi bar is a live music club
(mainly rock music)" (08/10/2008)
Gay Friendly Bodrum Bars and Clubs
and Other Popular None-Gay Night Clubs: CLUB
HALIKARNAS Halikarnas is not a gay club. It is an open-air
discothèque and one of the most senior and popular of night-clubs in
Bodrum and maybe all over Turkey. Consequently it is also the
most favorite club for local and foreign gay men visiting
Bodrum. On their website
they describe themselves briefly as below:
"Halikarnas first opened in 1979 and quickly became the
forerunner of Bodrum and Turkey 's nightlife. With its
spectacular location, world class entertainment, shows,
luxurious atmosphere and first-class service, Halikarnas is not
only unique, but one of the most beautiful clubs in the world.
At Halikarnas, customer satisfaction, quality of service and
best value for money has always been its mission. "
For more information and update activities visit their own
website: www.halikarnas.com.tr
Visitor Feedbacks:
*Halikarnas is the biggest, trendiest and most
stylish club in Bodrum, if not the whole Aegean. The disco seems
a joke, it's very expensive (admission price includes first
drink) but the setting, the laser show and the no-expense-spared
floorshow makes it for some people attractive. You can't miss it
as it has the loudest music system in town. Many people around
complaining. Open 2200-0400.
On any given night of the week something is happening at
'HALIKARNAS', be it a 'foam Party', Ladies Night' or 'Night of
the Dance'. Entry fee is between 20 and 30 Million TL. The
advertised FREE BEER NIGHT sounds a bit funny.
(April 7, 2005)
RESTAURANTS & CAFE SHOPS
Gay or Gay-Friendly Restaurants
and Cafe Shops in Bodrum:
There is not any considerable information we obtained so far
which is worth listing under this category.
Gay Friendly Cinemas in Bodrum:
There is no considerable information we obtained so far
which is worth listing under this category.
Send your feedbacks or report a new place
SAUNA AND BATHS
Gay Friendly Sauna or
Bath Houses in Bodrum:
There are no apparent gay baths and saunas in Bodrum.
Please note that 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 reasons.
Actually, it is possible to meet interested people in such
places anytime in Turkey. Other Recommended Sauna or Bath
Houses in Bodrum: There are not many of them in Bodrum but a visit to a historical
Turkish bath is at the top of the must-do list for gay tourists
visiting Turkey. The following ones are recommended (none-gay)
baths in Bodrum in order not to miss this exotic experience.
BODRUM
HAMAMI
Address: Cevat Sakir Cad. Fabrika Sokak, No: 42 Bodrum.
Web:
http://www.bodrumhamami.com.tr Bodrum Hamami is one of the popular Turkish baths in town, a
stone-made building located in the town center (opposite of the
Bodrum Bus terminal. It has separate women and men section open at the same time (some Turkish baths are open for
men and women in different days or hours in turn)
RAYOLA TURKISH
BATH
Yakakoy, Bodrum
Web:
http://www.rayolaturkishbath.com Although this one is catering to tourists intentionally,
still a good sample of Turkish bath in the region, located in
Yakakoy village some 6 kilometers from Bodrum center. It can be
a good excuse for a nice daily trip from Bodrum to Yakakoy to
discover the surrounding of the town as well.
Gay Cruising Areas in Bodrum: In general, the cruising areas - especially parks and secluded
beaches are where gay men should be more selective with the
people they happen to meet. It is always possible to come across to some
bad guys who want to trap the gay men in suchlike 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 Bodrum are these:
Breakwater and Harbor
The breakwater behind the Bodrum Castle and the harbor wall is
very cruisy, sometimes until morning light in mid summer. If you
cruise at night, do not carry your valuables with you, just in
case.
Barlar
Caddesi
Officially named Cumhuriyet Caddesi, but better known as Barlar
Caddesi (the street of bars/clubs) is the street where all major
bars, clubs of Bodrum are located next to each other. The street
itself turns into an open air club, piled up with people walking
from one club/bar to another. It gets cruisy late in the evening
and around midnight.
Visitor Feedbacks:
Bar street is a long stretch of bars and night clubs which
starts from the back of the castle and along the sea front where
the small town beach is located. Here you can get free drinks
offers like buy 1 and get 1 free, its a noisy part of town which
carries on until the early hours of the morning so take it easy
with the drinking (January 2006)
Belediye
Park
The central park near the town hall around the square. It is
possible to run into gay men occasionally in the evenings.
Gay Beaches in Bodrum:
There are not very obvious gay beaches in Bodrum, but some
people calls the secluded part at the far end of of Gumbet beach
opposite from the windmills. This part of the beach is a rocky
and less sandy. It is possible to see some hustlers in this part
and it may be better not to have a lot of money on you, because
it is a desolate place far from the city.
Gumbet beach, Bodrum
Other recommended beaches in Bodrum:
There is something for everyone!
if you want to just lie down and relax on the sun lounger
Turgutreis, Torba, Gundogan and Bitez is for you. If you are
into water sports, crowded and loud fun beaches then stay in
Gumbet. If you like private beach loud music and big cushions to
lie down Orange Club in Gumbet is the place to go, which turns
into a beach club at night.
One is certainly spoilt for choice for beaches around the Bodrum
peninsula, which are all easily reached by dolmus, which run
from the main bus station in Bodrum town and are very cheap.
Gumbet is the nearest beach
area of Bodrum, about 2 km away and easily accessible from
Bodrum's city center by very frequent public busses/hotel
shuttles. This is the place where you can see many gay-man
around, most of them staying in neighborhood Gumbet and Bodrum hotels.
Bitez beach is just over the hill from Gumbet and can be
reached quickest by taxi. Its village is 2 Km inland from its
sea front. Bitez is a quieter beach than Gumbet but hosts cafes
and restaurants. The water is shallow and the area is very
sheltered, therefore very popular for windsurfing and other
water sports.
Ortakent village is in the center of the Bodrum
peninsular. However its beach lies 3 km south of the village
which can be reached by dolmuş. The beach provides a long
stretch of sand with water sports facilities, numerous
restaurants and hotels. The water there is nice for swimming as
the bottom drops off quickly.
Tugut Reis is recognized as a town rather than a village.
It is the second largest settlement on the peninsula. Turgut
Reis has a very good sandy beach but it is not sheltered so
water sports are not available here. It hosts a weekly bazaar on
Saturdays.
Gumusluk is a peaceful village and is one of the oldest
settlements on the peninsula, definitely worth visiting.
Gümüşlük retains its charm as building work is restricted in an
attempt to protect the ancient site of Myndos which lies mainly
beneath the village. Part of Myndos lies underwater and can be
seen by snorkelers.
Also here is a small island called Rabbit Island (Tavsan
Adasi) which
can be reached by wading through the water. Locals raise rabbits
on the island and later sell them in markets elsewhere. The
sandy beach to the west of the village is good for sunbathers
and there are some very good restaurants in the village that
specialize in fish.
Bagla offers one of the best opportunities to escape the
bustle of many of the more conveniently located beaches in the
immediate Bodrum area. The beach house is one of the best sea
side restaurants offering delightful simple Turkish cuisine.
This combined with the fresh water spring situated a short walk
above the beach makes Bağla an ideal choice for those wanting a
bit more privacy.
Torba is situated in a protected bay in the gulf of
Gulluk on the extreme north coast of the Bodrum peninsula.
Numerous jetties are supplied for sunbathers and plenty of
restaurants are scattered along the sea shore.
Send your feedback or report a new place
GAY GROUPS AND
ORGANIZATIONS
Gay Groups and Gay lesbian
Organizations in Bodrum:
There is no considerable information we obtained so far
which is worth listing under this category.
Turkish gay
travel agency is organizing daily city tours, budget and tailor made
package tours, boat cruises, hotel reservations in Bodrum and all around
Turkey.
DAILY TOURS IN BODRUM: Gay Friendly Bodrum Daily Tours: There
are many daily tours and activities you can join while you are
in Bodrum such as daily Ephesus and Pamukkale tours, daily boat
trips, village tours, diving, fishing, jeep safari tours, horse
riding, Turkish night shows etc. Please
click here for
details
BOAT CRUISES IN BODRUM: Bodrum is also
a base for boat trips called "blue cruises" There are reasonably
priced weekly gay-friendly cruises to Gokova bay everyday
Saturday:
Bodrum-Gokova-Bodrum Cruise
; and to neighborhood Greek Islands every Sunday:
Bodrum Greek Islands Cruise
in mid summer, which you can book from our agency.
GAY OR LESBIAN
FRIENDLY HOTELS IN BODRUM
There are no gay-exclusive hotels in Bodrum, but there a
number are officially gay and lesbian friendly hotels, which are normally
straight hotels whose owners also welcome gay clients in their hotels as
well apparently. These hotels and other
recommended hotels are listed below
Make your hotel reservation by leading gay
and lesbian travel agency of Turkey.
Gay Friendly &
Recommended Bodrum Hotels
BODRUM
HARMONY - GF Location: Center. Single:25-34
Euro, Double:
25-34 Euro Officially gay and lesbian friendly hotel at the very
center of Bodrum is highly recommended for budget travelers,
The staff and
administration is very gay friendly and ready to help you.
EL VINO HOTEL & SUITES 4* (+)
- GF Location:
Center. Single:Please ask,
Double: 78-118 Euro Officially Gay Friendly. Very
special deluxe boutique accommodation in downtown Bodrum.
The hotel has all tastefully decorated 10 standard 10 suite
rooms. Early reservation is highly recommended.
