The Türkiye Guide

Is Turkey Safe? A Practical Guide for Travellers (2026)

· 7 min read Practical
Is Turkey Safe? A Practical Guide for Travellers (2026)

Contents

  1. The General Picture
  2. Petty Theft and Tourist Scams
  3. ATMs and Cash
  4. Earthquake Risk
  5. Regional Areas to Avoid
  6. Political Demonstrations
  7. LGBTQ+ Travellers
  8. Women Travelling Solo
  9. Health Recommendations
  10. Medication Rules
  11. Summary

Turkey receives tens of millions of international visitors each year, and the overwhelming majority experience no safety issues beyond the kind found in any large tourist destination. Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus, the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, Ankara and most of eastern Turkey are safe for tourists. That said, there are specific risks worth understanding before you travel.

The General Picture

Turkey is a functioning democracy with developed tourist infrastructure and reliable emergency services. The risks for travellers are primarily petty crime in a small number of high-traffic tourist areas, a handful of regional areas the UK Foreign Office and US State Department advise against visiting, and the general challenges of navigating an unfamiliar country with a language barrier.

Serious crime targeting tourists is uncommon. Violent crime affecting foreign visitors is rare. The concerns that do exist are specific and manageable with basic preparation.

Petty Theft and Tourist Scams

Istanbul’s most visited areas — Sultanahmet, the Grand Bazaar, Taksim Square and İstiklal Avenue — have higher rates of petty theft and tourist-targeting scams than other parts of Turkey.

Common scams in Istanbul:

  • The shoe-shine drop: A shoeshine man “accidentally” drops a brush near you. When you pick it up and return it, he insists on shining your shoes as a thank you, then charges a large amount. If you don’t need your shoes shined, ignore the drop.
  • The carpet or tea invitation: A friendly man invites you for tea at his friend’s carpet shop, or starts a conversation and suggests a nearby restaurant or bar. The end point is usually an aggressive sales pitch, an inflated bill or both. A simple “no thank you” is sufficient.
  • Fake taxi meters: Some unlicensed taxis in Istanbul charge inflated fares or run altered meters. Use the BiTaksi app (Turkey’s equivalent of Uber) to book taxis with metered fares and driver ID visible in advance. This removes almost all taxi scam risk.
  • Currency exchange scams: Unauthorised exchange offices give poor rates and sometimes use sleight of hand to shortchange you. Use only authorised exchange bureaus (döviz bürosu), which display their rates publicly, or withdraw from ATMs. Never exchange money with someone approaching you on the street.

Outside Istanbul, scam density drops sharply. Tourists in Cappadocia, Antalya, Bodrum and the Aegean coast rarely encounter the street scams common in Sultanahmet.

ATMs and Cash

ATMs across Turkey are generally safe to use. Skimming is not a significant reported problem in major tourist areas. Use machines attached to bank branches rather than standalone street ATMs where possible. Inform your bank before travelling that you’ll be using cards in Turkey to avoid blocks.

Earthquake Risk

Turkey is seismically active. The country sits on several tectonic plate boundaries, and major earthquakes are a historical pattern, not an aberrant risk.

The February 2023 earthquake sequence centred on Kahramanmaraş caused catastrophic damage across southeastern Turkey and northern Syria, with over 50,000 deaths and widespread destruction of buildings in Gaziantep, Hatay, Adıyaman and surrounding provinces. Rebuilding is ongoing as of 2026.

Istanbul has been identified by seismologists as overdue for a major earthquake on the North Anatolian Fault. This is a long-term geological risk, not a reason to avoid Istanbul in the near term, but it is worth knowing that older or unreinforced buildings carry more risk than modern construction.

Practically speaking: know the emergency number (112), stay away from unreinforced masonry buildings in an earthquake, and follow Turkish emergency services guidance. This applies as general advice in any seismically active country.

Regional Areas to Avoid

The UK Foreign Office and US State Department both advise against travel to specific areas near Turkey’s southeastern borders:

  • The Syrian border zone: The provinces of Hatay, Kilis, Gaziantep (near the border), Şanlıurfa, Mardin, Şırnak and Hakkari all have elevated risk assessments because of proximity to the Syrian civil war’s aftermath and sporadic cross-border incidents. Advice varies by specific district — check current government guidance before planning any trip to these provinces.
  • Areas near the Iraqi border: The Hakkari and Şırnak provinces near the Iraq border have ongoing security concerns related to PKK activity and Turkish military operations.

The vast majority of Turkey — including Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, Cappadocia, Trabzon, Antalya and Bodrum — is not subject to any elevated advisory.

Mardin is listed in some government advisories as requiring heightened awareness, though the city centre itself is calm and receives significant tourist traffic. Check current advisories and exercise judgement.

Political Demonstrations

Political demonstrations occur in Istanbul and Ankara. Avoid any gathering that is becoming heated; what starts peacefully can change quickly, and foreigners can be caught up in crowd control actions without any intent. The US State Department specifically notes that demonstrations can occur near the US Consulate in Istanbul. This applies to areas around Taksim Square and major public spaces.

LGBTQ+ Travellers

Same-sex relationships are legal in Turkey and are not criminalised. However, the social and political environment for LGBTQ+ people has become more restrictive in recent years.

Istanbul Pride has been banned by authorities since 2015 and attempted marches have been dispersed by police. Public displays of affection between same-sex couples draw more negative attention in Turkey than in many Western European countries, particularly outside major cities.

For travellers: Istanbul, Izmir and coastal resort towns are significantly more tolerant than eastern and central Anatolia. Exercise the same discretion in public that local LGBTQ+ people do. Staying in reputable hotels, travelling as you would in any conservative-leaning country, and being aware of the local context will minimise risk.

Women Travelling Solo

Solo women travelling to Turkey’s major tourist destinations — Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus, the Aegean coast — generally do so without significant problems. Turkish hospitality culture means strangers frequently help travellers, and tourist areas are well-staffed with people accustomed to international visitors.

Harassment (catcalling, persistent unwanted attention) can occur in some areas, particularly in areas with heavy nightlife or very tourist-heavy streets in Istanbul. Having a firm response and moving on is usually sufficient.

In more conservative towns — particularly in eastern Anatolia — dressing modestly (shoulders and knees covered) reduces unwanted attention and is respectful of local norms. In beach resorts, the same standards that apply across the Mediterranean apply here.

The Turkish emergency number is 112 (general), 155 (police). The US Embassy and UK Consulate in Istanbul both offer emergency consular assistance.

Health Recommendations

Vaccinations: Hepatitis A and B vaccination is recommended by most travel health advisors for Turkey. Typhoid and rabies vaccinations may be advised depending on itinerary (rural areas, contact with animals). Check with a travel health clinic before departure.

Tap water: Not safe to drink in most areas. Bottled water is cheap and widely available. Ice in tourist restaurants is typically made from filtered water but asking is reasonable.

Medical facilities: Istanbul and Ankara have world-class private hospitals that are accustomed to treating international patients. Emergency care in provincial cities is adequate. Rural areas have limited facilities. Private travel insurance is strongly recommended.

Medication Rules

Turkey has strict controls on some medications that are freely available in other countries. Codeine, some sleep medications and certain anxiety medications require a Turkish prescription or advance approval to import. If you take prescription medication, carry the original prescription and a letter from your doctor stating the medical need. Check Turkish customs regulations for your specific medication before departure.

Summary

Turkey is safe for the vast majority of tourist itineraries. The main practical risks are petty scams in Istanbul tourist areas (addressed by using BiTaksi and official exchange bureaus), a handful of southeastern border provinces to avoid, and the usual safety practices that apply in any large-city tourism environment. Check current government advisories from your home country before travel and within a week of departure, as situations can change.