6. Ortakoy Mosque

Ortakoy Mosque is one of the most beautiful mosques in the city with an elegant architecture. It has an impression of standing on the water. It is also one of the most important symbols and top instagrammable places in Istanbul.

The mosque is situated by the Bosphorus shore along Ortakoy square and has many instagrammable spots around such as Bosphorus bridge at the background.

7. The Suleymaniye Mosque

The Suleymaniye Mosque is one of the most spectacular mosques in Istanbul. It was built for the honor of the magnificent Kanuni Sultan Suleiman by the famous architect Sinan between the years 1550-1557.

The decoration of the mosque is outstanding with colored tiles, stained glass windows and antique columns. And it dominates the ancient city skyline and standing on the highest hill on the region.

8. Karakoy/ Umbrella Street

Probably the most lovely street in Karakoy is the famous Umbrella Street or Şemsiyeli Sokak -as Turkish people call it- where everyone is taking pictures. Its original name is Hoca Tahsin Street but people call it the Umbrella Street because of the famous colorful umbrellas hanging from an upper net making it look like a lovely colorful street from one of Disney movies.

NOTE: If you need a photographer during your visit in istanbul, here is my photo shooting tour below. 

• Instagram Istanbul PhotoShooting Tour

Fener (the Vatican of the Greeks)

• Tours in Jewish Neighborhood Balat

The neighborhood of Balat, which is adjacent to Fener, also fascinates visitors like Fener with its colorful cafes and restaurants, antique and vintage shops, traces of Jewish heritage, various synagogues and churches. Balat has been home to Greek-speaking Jews since the Byzantines. However, in the 15th century, the Sephardics who were exiled from Spain settled in Balat.




The Balat area also very rich with Byzantine heritage. Being an old Jewish quarter, it has always been a poorer one than Fener. There is a big number of Jewish population in Balat, so that you may find many synagogues and Jewish establishments, as well as some churches and mosques.



Fener has been a Greek district since the 16th century and the wealthy Greeks who lived there also came to important positions in the Ottoman period. The Greeks continued to live in Fener until the mid-20th century. Afterwards has been more resident by the poor immigrants from eastern Turkey.

Did you know that Fener is the “Vatican of the Greek Orthodoxy”? 

Fener houses, the Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Bulgarian Church of St. Stephen, which is one of few prefabricated cast iron churches in the world. The Fener Greek Patriarchate is still mother-church for Greek Orthodox Christianity worldwide.

Things to Do & See

Balat (an old Jewish quarter)

Fener and around

Fener center and the cafes area

The area between Yildirim street and Vodina street, close to the shores, is the most lively area of Fener. The authentic and colorful cafes and restaurants, left and right, welcome visitors who come to explore Fener and take a break after taking lots of photos. You can see the famous colorful gates when you climb the further uphill slope of the Camci Cesmesi street. 

• Join my Balat Tour in Jewish Neighborhood

The Fener Greek Patriarchate & the St. George Church

The Fener Greek Patriarchate and the Patriarchal St. George Church are located in Fener on the banks of the Golden Horn and share the same courtyard. The Patriarchate is still mother-church for Greek Orthodox Christianity worldwide. St. George Church has many valuable objects and the 5th century throne is the most prominent one. 

Fener Greek High School for Boys (Red Castle – Red School)

When you look at Fener from a distance, you surely will catch this building on first sight that stands out with its red silhouette and magnificent architecture, which most people say should be a church. In fact, this is the Fener Greek High School for Boys. Also known as the Red Castle or the Red School, it is also one of the favorite photograph taking places for visitors with its gorgeous structure, which is reached by crossing a long slope, and which makes you raise your head even when you come to its door.

The building was built with red bricks and building materials brought from France in 1881. In fact, the grandeur of the building proves how rich and important this area was at the time. 

Fener Antik Mezat (Antiques Auction place)

Fener and Balat region is very famous for its antique shops and so there should be an antique auction place, right?

Located on the Vodina Street, the Fener Antik Mezat is a perfect place that attracts the attention of visitors with its auctions that start after 3 pm. in the afternoon and continue until 8 pm. in the evening. Here you can find a wide range of antiques at a reasonable price and purchase for your loved ones.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church (Iron Church, Aya Istefanos)

The Bulgarian Church (Aya Istefanos / Sveti Stefan), also known as the Iron Church, is located on the coast of the Golden Horn, close to the Fener district. The iron molds used in the structure were brought from Vienna in 1871 by ship. The church was built for the Bulgarian minority that left the Fener Greek Patriarchate. 

Church of Our Lady of the Mongols (Bloody Church)

Located in Balat, it is a blessed church in the late 13th century and is also known as the Saint Mary of the Mongols. The most important feature of the church is that it was not converted into a mosque during the Ottoman Empire and was left to the worship of the Greek Orthodox community. 

Balat and around

Balat market, vintage and antique shops area

When you go to the center of Balat, to the pretty small square where the Synagogue is, you will reach the impressive and authentic Cifit Bazaar, on the Leblebiciler Street. The Cifit name given to Jews during the Ottoman period. And the Bazaar took this name due to the Jewish tradesmen that once have been in the area. You can find variety of pretty antique and vintage shops and mirror-selling shops here. There is also the Yanbol Synagogue and the famous Agora Tavern. 

Balat Toy Museum

This is a fantastic toy museum showcases the variety of lovely toys that will make you have a journey from the past to the present and into the future. Here you’ll enjoy the great toy collections gathered from the various parts of the world, as well as specially produced toys and workshops suitable for every age group. You ‘ll definitely find a piece of yourself here.

The Balat Toy Museum welcome its guests in a 1000m² historical building and has 17.000 pieces of toys in 15 categories. You and your kids can have a great day out here and experience the old Istanbul in the historical streets of Balat. 

The museum is open every day of the week between 

10:00 and 20:00. 

The Merdivenli (Stairs) Ramp and Historical Balat Houses

The Corbaci Cesmesi ramp, also known as the Merdivenli (Stair) ramp, is a very popular place where both locals and tourists are very much interested and have lots of photos taken. When you visit Balat, we recommend you to visit this restored area within the scope of UNESCO Cultural Heritage project.

Ferruh Kethuda Mosque

Ferruh Kethuda Mosque, built by Mimar Sinan (famous Ottoman architect) in 1562, is a very small mosque compared to Sinan’s other magnificent and great works. An interesting detail is that the mihrab of the mosque is decorated with tiles brought from the famous Tekfur Palace nearby. However, another interesting feature of the mosque is that it has a sundial in the backyard. 

Ahrida Synagogue

The Ahrida Synagogue in Balat is the oldest synagogue in Istanbul with its Baroque-style structure, and named after the town of Ohrid in Macedonia. Founded in the Byzantine era, the synagogue is still open for worship. The most noteworthy part of the synagogue is the Holy Chest, which is covered with magnificent tapestries. 

Surp Hresdagabet Armenian Church

Dating back to the 16th century, the historical Hresdagabet Armenian Church, was rebuilt on a sacred spring in the 18th century. Hreshdagabet means “archangel” in Armenian. It is also called as “the Miracle Church”, due to a belief that it has a healing power for the patients attending the rite on the Day of the Saint. 

• Join my Balat Tour in Jewish Neighborhood of Balat

The Turks love to party, and while the Istanbul gay scene is under pressure, it seems local queers are merely more determined to come together at night and celebrate pride and diversity in the face of increasing adversity. Things can get crazy on a night out in Gay Istanbul, and what better way could there be to get to know the locals than in Istanbul gay bar! Just don’t forget your common sense.

Gay Bars in Istanbul

Unlike many Muslim countries, Turkey does not technically outlaw homosexuality. In fact, same-sex sexual activity was legalized in the Ottoman Empire in 1858 and homosexuality has been legal since 1923 when modern Turkey was founded. As with heterosexual sex, the age of consent is 18.

There, however, some quite vague bans in the criminal code on “offenses against public morality” which can be, and have been, interpreted to be used against the LGBT community. Additionally, homosexuals are banned from military service.

In July 2016 there was a failed attempt at a coup and since then Erdogan has spearheaded a nationwide crackdown on freedom of expression in order to maintain his power. This overall move against opposing opinions has had a huge impact on LGBT organizations and the wider community; evidence of this was seen clearly in the police violence at the Pride march in Istanbul in July 2018, which has been banned for the fourth year running. Using the security situation as an excuse, Ankara has now prohibited all LGBT activity.

At the moment LGBT people in Turkey are not protected either in the public sphere or in employment through anti-discrimination laws. This is despite the efforts of some opposition parties who have attempted to introduce bills that would allow gay and transgender people legal protection.

The Social Situation in LGBT Turkey

Although homosexuality is technically legal, life as a member of the LGBT community in Turkey can be extremely challenging. A report published by Human Rights Watch in 2008 showed how gay and transgender communities face a threat of violence and discrimination on a daily basis. It further highlighted the lack of response from the authorities and the police.

Regretfully, as religion has an increasing influence on politics and society, this situation is only getting worse. No person in authority wishes to speak out in support of the gay community.

Gay Hamams in Istanbul..

The social situation for members of the gay community is better in cosmopolitan Istanbul than in rural areas, where honor killings still occur; but whether or not people feel comfortable coming out to their family and friends completely depends on their own context and would still mean a number of risks.

Trans Rights In Turkey

Although legally speaking trans rights are further forward than in other countries in the area, as transsexuals have been permitted to change their legal gender since 1988, there is still a lot of discrimination against trans people and many incidences of violence.

This is perhaps surprising in a country where transgender women ran for parliamentary office in 2015 and when one of Turkey’s most popular singers is transsexual, but this is also a country that has color-coded identity cards, so gender roles are still very traditional.

As in many conservative countries, there is a certain element of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ in place, particularly a country that welcomes on tourism the way Turkey does. Travelers going to Turkey should feel encouraged to enjoy their time and feel confident in receiving a warm welcome. In addition, technically they have full legal protection.

There are nowhere near the levels of oppression that are experienced in many countries in the nearby Middle East, but at the same time, travel here is not going to be as open as travel in Bangkok or Berlin, for example.

Public displays of affection between heterosexual couples are frowned upon as well, so any travelers would be advised to be discrete, not just gay travelers. Interestingly, a lot of Turkish men hold hands or walk with their arms around each other’s’ shoulders; this is actually a common expression of friendship.

Places To Explore In Gay Turkey

Turkey is a huge and varied country and there are multiple areas to explore. Generally speaking, gay travelers should feel comfortable going all over the country and not let any fear limit their adventures.

For a more liberal scene, the only city that would be recommended is Istanbul. The main gay district there is around Taksim and Beyoğlu is also an extremely forward-thinking area. Even Ankara and Izmir, Turkey’s capital and most Western-leaning city respectively, don’t have anything that comes close to being described as a ‘gay scene’, so while they’re interesting places to visit, gay travelers shouldn’t expect a party.

Gay Hamams in Istanbul..

As in every country, the more rural the area, the more conservative the views held. Gay travelers in the countryside should take extra care to be discreet. However, the resorts along the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts have plenty of bars, clubs, and restaurants that will welcome anyone. Bodrum, for example, is famous for its tolerance.

Accommodation In Gay Turkey

Gay couples or single gay travelers hoping to meet people should not experience any issues if they are booked in international, upscale hotels. Luxury hotels will not be hugely pricey compared to Europe or North America (although prices are rising) so if travelers are would like a completely stress-free trip this will be the best option.

One thing it is important to be aware of in Turkey is that all visitors to hotels have to be recorded in a police-controlled database, so if you want to bring a date back at the very least you’re going to face some awkwardness, and at the very most it will be outright forbidden without checking him/her in.

Don’t Want To Explore Turkey Alone? Want To Take The Stress Out Of Travel? Get Inspired By These Epic Tour Itineraries ➡

Serviced apartments or Airbnb are also accommodation options that will save gay travelers having to run the gauntlet of a 24-hour reception. However, the doormen working in apartment blocks might notice more than people are aware of and that information could be passed on, so even these options should be located in more liberal areas.

Travelers might be tempted by the extremely low costs of some hostels but the lower the costs, the more likely it is that police will raid the accommodation.

Activities In Turkey

Turkey boasts an extraordinary wealth of history, natural wonders, and culinary discovery. Travelers can visit the ancient port city of Ephesus, let Cappadocia take their breath away or hike the Lycian way. They can chill on a beach or pack a day full of the sights in Istanbul.

Aside from these glories, gay travelers will have to go to specific areas to find anything like a gay scene. As outlined above, Istanbul or the beach resorts are the best places for gay travelers to go to if they’re looking to party all night. Turkish people love music and dancing, so really it’s no surprise that a night out in Istanbul or Bodrum is going to be pretty fabulous. As always, people should be careful when leaving clubs or bars.

As discussed, big events like Pride are now extremely rare and often take the form of protests rather than celebrations tourists could join.

There is also a range of hamams, but they are frequented by everyone because they are such a traditional Turkish experience, so gay travelers should not assume they are specifically gay focused. Given the current situation, it would probably be better just to enjoy the baths as cultural experiences unless certain otherwise.

Gay Hamams in Istanbul..

Meeting People In Gay Turkey

Getting to know people is one of the best things about traveling and that’s particularly important in a place like Turkey, where the gay scene is not always ‘in your face’.

If you are staying in Istanbul or a seaside resort like Antalya, starting a night out in a known gay-friendly bar is a good way to get chatting to locals and then plan your night from there.

Gay Hamams in Istanbul..

In the face of adversity, there’s a strong feeling of family in the Turkish gay community and it’s good to get to know more about it. Hornet is the most prevalent gay social networking app in Turkey (Grindr is banned).

Further Things To Consider In LGBT Turkey

Compared to almost everywhere else in the Middle East (Tel Aviv aside), Turkey is (still) one of the more liberal countries gay travelers can visit. There will definitely be opportunities for partying and fun, as well as seeing the glories the country has to offer.

Gay Hamams in Istanbul..

Discretion and common sense are the key pieces of advice. Clear displays of affection will be unfavorable (for gay and straight couples) and some areas might be better to avoid. Hopefully, the political climate will improve soon.