Middle East
Is Turkey safe?
L2Exercise increased caution
Is Turkey safe?
Mostly safe with normal care. Real risks are scams in Istanbul's tourist zones, traffic, earthquakes and occasional protests; avoid areas near the Syrian border.
Key facts
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2026-06-08.
- Homicide rate: 3.2 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths: 6.7 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 112 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112.
- Solo women: Generally fine alone, but expect stares and some verbal harassment; dress more modestly outside resorts and big-city centres.
Risks, scams and laws
Main risks
- Pickpockets on crowded trams, ferries and in bazaars
- Aggressive driving; pedestrians rarely get right of way
- Earthquakes: check a building's age before renting long-term
- Protests and police crackdowns in big cities
Common scams
- Friendly stranger invites you to a bar; the bill runs to thousands
- Shoeshiner drops his brush, then demands money for a 'thank-you' shine
- Taxis with meters off, long routes, or swapped banknotes
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.
Safety by place 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 Turkey safe for tourists?
Mostly safe with normal care. Real risks are scams in Istanbul's tourist zones, traffic, earthquakes and occasional protests; avoid areas near the Syrian border.
Is Turkey safe for solo female travelers?
Generally fine alone, but expect stares and some verbal harassment; dress more modestly outside resorts and big-city centres.
What is the emergency number in Turkey?
Police 112 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112.
Safety by place
Sources
- World Bank: intentional homicides
- US State Department travel advisory
- Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs: visa information
- Go Türkiye: Digital Nomads
- Presidency of Migration Management
- Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK)
- TCDD Taşımacılık
- World Bank open data
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.