Zürafa Street
The main brothel complex of Istanbul was located in the Karaköy area near the Galata Köprüsü (Galata Bridge). The red-light zone was centered around Zürafa Street and nearby Kadem Street, where about 10–15 mini brothels operated and more than 200 prostitutes were said to work in the area.
The red-light streets were located just off Kemeralti Cd., roughly 200 meters after crossing the Galata Bridge if you were coming from Eminönü. It was also the first tram stop after the bridge. From Kemeralti Cd., the hooker streets were on both sides.
Zürafa Street was the larger of the two prostitution areas. It was located on the right-hand side about 100 meters up the hill from the main road. Kadem Sokak was nearby; you would turn right to Leblebici Saban Sok., and Kadem Sok. was the first street on the left.
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Entering the brothel area
When entering a Red-light district in Turkey, visitors were usually required to show identification. In the brothel streets of Zürafa and Kadem, security guards at the entrance sometimes asked visitors to show ID. Foreigners were often told there was an entrance fee, but many locals reported that this was not official and sometimes just a way for guards to make extra money.
Visitors who refused to pay were sometimes eventually allowed inside after a short argument. Backpacks were usually not allowed inside the brothel buildings.
Zurafa Street Sex Guide for Pricing
The brothel system in this area operated with short visits rather than escort-style arrangements. Prices were relatively low compared to escorts or nightlife prostitution elsewhere in the city.
Typical prices in the final years when the brothels were active were around US$20 to US$30 for a short session.
Because the brothels were licensed, the process was usually quick and structured. Clients entered one of the houses, chose a woman and paid for a brief visit.
For global comparisons see Prostitution Prices.
Closure of the red-light district
The historic brothel district around Zürafa and Kadem Streets operated for decades and became widely known as the traditional red-light district of Istanbul. Hundreds of visitors came through the area every day.
During the COVID-19 period the brothel zone was closed and the historic prostitution district effectively disappeared. This marked the end of what many people considered a 200-year-old red-light district.
Today most prostitution connected to tourism in Istanbul happens outside the old brothel system and usually involves escorts or private arrangements rather than visits to brothel streets.
Modern prostitution areas
Although Zürafa Street was historically the main brothel area, modern discussions about prostitution in Istanbul usually focus on other areas.
The nightlife district around Taksim Square is commonly mentioned by tourists searching for escorts. The nearby neighborhood of Tarlabaşı was historically associated with transgender street prostitution, while parts of Aksaray have sometimes been linked to street workers and cheap motels.
For a broader overview see Istanbul Red-light District and Istanbul Shemale Guide
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