Naples, or Napoli as it’s locally known, is famous for many things, but sadly, an active trans community isn’t one of them.
That doesn’t mean the scene is entirely dead.
You’ll see glimpses of it during pride month but meeting trans men and women on regular days can be challenging.
So after hours of research, I’ve compiled a list of the best ways to potentially meet trans people in Napoli.
But before we dive into that, let me briefly explain how I’ve gathered the information for this guide.
Methodology for Finding Trans Friendly Spaces in Naples
Visiting every city we write about obviously isn’t possible. So how do we ensure our readers get reliable and up-to-date information?
Here’s some insight into our approach:
- Google Reviews – Before recommending any venue, we first browse through its reviews on Google Maps. This gives us an idea about the atmosphere and general clientele you’ll find there.
- Online Forums – Google usually only recommends the most popular spots. To find places that are more lowkey, we browse through forums like Reddit to gather info directly from other people’s experiences.
- Dating Apps – Our crew members sign up on dating sites and change their location to the city we’re discussing. This helps us connect with the local transgender community and learn more about their experiences.
These are just some of the things we do to create these guides for you.
Of course, there’s a lot more going behind the scenes, to make sure that you’re getting reliable and up-to-date information.
List of TG Friendly Venues in Naples
With over 3 million residents, Napoli is the third most populous city in Italy.
Despite its size, you might find it challenging to meet transgender people. The focus here tends to be more on LGB, with less representation for T.
Nonetheless, I’ve compiled a list of places where you can try your luck.
1. Bars and Clubs
Meeting transgender people in bars and clubs here can be hit-or-miss.
Most venues focus on gay men, but you can potentially meet transgender individuals on certain nights, especially in venues near Piazza Bellini, the main LGBT+ hub.
Here are some places you can try visiting.
Bar Fiorillo S.a.s. at Via Santa Maria di Costantinopoli
Whether you will meet trans people here or not depends on your luck. But many LGBT+ people do drop by here to start their night with some drinks.
Reviews of Other People about Bar Fiorillo S.a.s.
“Great place in the middle of Piazza Bellini. The prices are ridiculous, the service is wonderful and in the end we even got a free snack – just because the owners are damn nice people! Come here and you won’t regret it!”
Superfly at Via Cisterna dell’Olio
Pretty small but fun bar with a more diverse crowd. You can meet some TG folks here and the general clientele is also LGBT-centered.
They play some nice music so it’s easy to connect with everyone while dancing.
Reviews of Other People about Superfly
Eamonn Connolly on Google Maps:
“Super place. Laid back and slightly off the beaten track. The music is really cool but not oppressive. Staff are chill but actually very friendly. Highly recommended.”
Depot Napoli at Via della Veterinaria
Now this place isn’t for everyone because it’s a queer cruising bar. The usual clientele is gay men but if you’re lucky you might bump into some transgender people too.
Reviews of Other People about Depot Napoli
“Good place to have fun and play around. Good facilities incl. douche, clean toilets and playroom. The staff and the crowd were friendly. I felt safe on my way in and out.”
2. Transgender Friendly Dating Sites
You probably know this by now, but there aren’t a whole lot of places to meet trans people in Napoli.
The community is kinda low-key outside of the pride month, so you can try online dating sites, but again, it depends on chance.
I tried signing up on OkCupid and didn’t see too many matches for the area. There were some profiles, but I never got a response from them.
You could try your luck as well, who knows, things may turn out differently.
3. Community Centers and Organizations
Unfortunately, there are no LGBT+ community centers in Napoli. The only organization that I could find is Arcigay.
They don’t seem to have an office here either, but you can contact them on their Instagram page to inquire about any potential events.
Another organization is Napoli Pride which of course, hosts the yearly Pride Festival in June.
So if you’re in the city around that time then don’t miss the festival. As you can see, the LGBT+ community truly comes alive during the event…
4. Other LGBT+ Spaces
Naples may not have as many LGBT+ nightclubs and bars but there are numerous other inclusive venues you can go to.
One of your options is Caffè Letterario Intra Moenia at Piazza Bellini.
It’s a popular gathering spot for LGBT+ folks. They organize nice live music events and meet & greets with book authors.
You’ll also find many young queer people around the area near Orientale University.
Even if you don’t meet transgender people there, you’ll at least find some cool people who may have trans friends.
What It’s Like to Be Transgender in Naples
Naples is a decent city for transgender people. While transphobia isn’t common, the trans community here tends to be a bit lowkey.
Most activities are centered around gay bars where you might meet transgender individuals.
The historic center, especially Bellini Square, Giusso, and Domenico Maggiore, is the LGBT+ hub, with many clubs and pubs offering gay-friendly nights.
If these areas don’t cut it for you then consider exploring nearby places like Sorrento, Ischia, Positano, Amalfi, and especially Capri, a renowned LGBTQ+ destination known for its luxurious and tourist-heavy atmosphere.
Alternatively, larger cities like Bologna and Milan are always excellent options to connect with the trans community.
Wrapping Up: Enjoy Meeting Trans in Naples
The trans scene in Naples might not be as lively as in other cities, but if it makes you feel better, the food here will never disappoint you!
But on a more serious note, it’s still possible to connect with the trans community. You just need to keep trying and stay patient.
If night spots don’t work out, hop on to online dating sites or look for community events.
I’ve also mentioned many LGBT+ friendly areas in this guide that you can stroll around.
So keep trying – I’m confident that one way or another, you’ll find your way in.