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Original poster

Sunbathing Turkey

46 replies

jadelou85 · 13/04/2019 12:07

hi everyone, what's the situation with going topless in turkey? We've been there before but don't remember how big a deal it was/wasn't, it was back in 2005 so a while ago. Travel site advice is all a bit vague so does anyone go regularly and know what's what?

OP posts:
TheCaddy · 13/04/2019 18:51

Can’t say I’ve ever seen anyone topless.

SooticaTheWitchesCat · 15/04/2019 13:21

It's not really acceptable on the beach and only in the hotel if you can find a quiet spot and be very discreet.
Turkey is a Muslim country so it is rather frowned upon I'm afraid.
If you do do it be prepared for comments and looks. I can understand enough Turkish to know what people say and it's not nice.

stucknoue · 15/04/2019 13:25

No, even swimwear is stared at on public (town) beaches and some are even segregated for men and women. In resorts western swimwear is fine but only lying next to the pool, on the beach and swimming.

TapasForTwo · 15/04/2019 15:14

Is topless sunbathing less popular these days?

I have been on several Mediterranean holidays over the last few years and very rarely see topless sunbathers. Maybe it is the type of resort we go to - low key, not too busy?

Hecateh · 15/04/2019 15:49

I've seen people sunbathing topless in OluDeniz and Hisaronu Turkey. Only by the pool and being very careful to cover up whenever they sit up or start moving around

SooticaTheWitchesCat · 16/04/2019 13:08

I've not seen many people topless over the few years either Tapas, I was wondering the same.

Original poster
jadelou85 · 18/04/2019 12:47

Thanks for the advice everyone. I’m still not sure really so maybe I’ll just see how things are when we get there...it’s not that big a deal, just nice to avoid the dreaded strap marks. Sounds like it might depend on which resort as well.

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SooticaTheWitchesCat · 23/04/2019 13:17

Which resort are you going to?

Original poster
jadelou85 · 23/04/2019 19:38

Hi, we're going to Bodrum.

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SooticaTheWitchesCat · 24/04/2019 13:06

I love Bodrum, I used to live there :)

Original poster
jadelou85 · 26/04/2019 16:38

What would your advice be? Are all resorts the same or is it more / less common depending where you go? I think I'm clutching at straws by this stage actually but no harm in asking !

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motheroftwoboys · 26/04/2019 17:36

It is a while since we have been (going next summer) but although I prefer to sunbathe topless I didn't feel it was appropriate in Turkey somehow.

LesLavandes · 26/04/2019 17:37

It's a no no

Ellabella989 · 26/04/2019 17:39

When I was there I saw women topless by the hotel pool but they put their top back on whenever they sat up. Topless sunbathing doesn’t seem as common anymore but women wearing thong bikini bottoms seem to be popular now

Original poster
jadelou85 · 26/04/2019 17:42

Are you going to Bodrum too?

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Original poster
jadelou85 · 26/04/2019 18:14

loads of conflicting advice but which resorts - ellabella & leslavandes?

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SooticaTheWitchesCat · 29/04/2019 12:53

I have never really seen topless sunbathers on the beach anywhere around the Bodrum Peninsula Jade, sometimes I have seen around the pool but the there were Turkish people making comments about them.

To be honest I wouldn't recommend it anywhere and certainly not if you aren't lying down and be prepared to be looked at by the Turks if you do choose to do it.

I have been going to Bodrum for many years and lived out there for a few years and I would actually say it is even more frowned upon by Turkish people now than it would have been years ago.

SooticaTheWitchesCat · 29/04/2019 12:53

Are you staying in the town or one of the resorts?

Original poster
jadelou85 · 02/05/2019 13:31

It's an aparthotel type setup just outside / on the edge of the town...I've thought about asking them directly if there's a policy on it but (a) it sounds weird and (b) I'm too embarrassed. It's all a bit frustrating really, it shouldn't be that big a deal.

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TapasForTwo · 04/05/2019 20:05

I'm assuming that it is to eliminate strap marks?

Why not wear a bikini with a bandeau top if being topless is a no-no? Problem solved (unless you are planning on wearing a backless dress)

Original poster
jadelou85 · 07/05/2019 11:03

Yeah, it’s looking that way i.e. tactical choice of tops. I’ve already dug out the strapless numbers and the back isn’t a massive problem. I mean I’m assuming no one will have a heart attack if I unfasten my top to lay face down! Just for the record, I’m not a screaming exhibitionist by the way, it’s purely vanity! I hate the patchwork effect you get from wearing different tops all week and honestly I’ve just got the whole thing bugging me now, the thought of faffing around, tops on and off to go in the pool and what have you. I’m probably blowing it out of proportion really. We’ll justl have to book to go away again when we get back, it’s the only solution !

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SooticaTheWitchesCat · 07/05/2019 13:37

I spend my days moving straps about so I don't get marks!
And I always undo my top when I lay on my front. It works well enough. You could always take some fake tan to fill in any white bits if you do get them too :)

SooticaTheWitchesCat · 07/05/2019 13:39

It's about time they invented a bikini that you could tan through isn't it? :)

ourkidmolly · 07/05/2019 13:56

It's a massive no. You will be stared at by locals and staff. Turkey has become so conservative in the last five years, it's actually put me off visiting. More and more women wearing the hijab. And it's free choice, it's societal coercion.

Original poster
jadelou85 · 07/05/2019 16:06

Yeah I’m getting it...I’ll still take the chance if anyone else is doing it but I’m not going to be the only one, that wouldn’t feel right. I still think you can do it without being disrespectful, find a quiet spot, and just make a bit more effort - put your top on to go in the pool or to the bar etc. It is really surprising / disappointing for such a popular destination to be honest or is it just me?

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