Is Bursa safe?
A safe, orderly city for solo travelers. Watch pickpockets in bazaars and busy trams, plus slippery roads and earthquakes.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2026-06-08.
- Homicide rate in Turkey: 3.2 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Turkey: 6.7 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 112 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112.
Safety in Bursa at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Low violent crime. Pickpocketing in Ulu Cami and Kapalı Çarşı crowds; overcharging by some taxis and street sellers. |
| At night | Central Bursa and Nilüfer are fine at night. Old bazaar streets empty after dark; use a taxi if you stay out late. |
| Solo women | Comfortable in the center, with some staring. A conservative city: dress modestly in old town mosques and avoid empty alleys late. |
| Other risks | Earthquake region on the North Anatolian fault; check building age; Winter fog and ice on Uludağ road; Busy traffic and few pedestrian crossings |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Taxis skip the meter for tourists near the bus station
- Sellers add 'extra' costs for samples of Turkish delight
Take care
- Icy roads around Uludağ in winter; chains may be required
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Insulting Atatürk, the Turkish nation or the president is a crime.
- Taking antiquities, old coins or even stones from ancient sites can mean arrest.
- Don't photograph military zones; flying drones requires registration.
How Bursa compares in Turkey
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Kaş | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Istanbul | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Antalya | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Cappadocia | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bodrum | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Fethiye | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Alanya | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Izmir | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Ölüdeniz | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Marmaris | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Pamukkale | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Ankara | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kuşadası | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Side | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Çeşme | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kemer | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kalkan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Dalyan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Trabzon | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bursa | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Belek | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Didim | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Selçuk | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Gaziantep | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
Quick answers
Is Bursa safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable in the center, with some staring. A conservative city: dress modestly in old town mosques and avoid empty alleys late.
Is Bursa safe at night?
Central Bursa and Nilüfer are fine at night. Old bazaar streets empty after dark; use a taxi if you stay out late.
What is the crime rate in Bursa?
Low violent crime. Pickpocketing in Ulu Cami and Kapalı Çarşı crowds; overcharging by some taxis and street sellers. Nationally, Turkey records 3.2 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Bursa?
Police 112 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112.
More about Bursa
Going to Bursa solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Burulaş (Bursa Metropolitan transit)
- Bursa and Cumalıkızık (UNESCO)
- Go Türkiye
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.