Is Turkey safe to visit?

Turkey travel advisory levels in 2026

The US State Department lists Turkey at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution, most recently reissued on 9 June 2026, citing terrorism and arbitrary detentions. It advises against travel to the border region with Syria and Iraq because of terrorism and armed conflict. The earlier March 2026 reissue said not to travel to southeast Türkiye, and the US consulate in Adana suspended consular services.

The UK Foreign Office (page updated 27 October 2026) advises against all travel within 10 km of the Turkey-Syria border, citing fighting and a heightened terrorism risk. It does not list any other no-go areas. None of the usual tourist route, Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Antalya or the Aegean and Mediterranean resorts, is in these zones.

Terrorism is the reason both governments list, and attacks in Turkey's big cities have happened in the past. In practice that means staying alert in crowded public places and following local news, not avoiding the country. Check both pages before you travel, as advisories change.

Is Istanbul safe? The scams to know

Istanbul is a huge city that feels busy and safe in the areas visitors use, Sultanahmet, Beyoğlu, Karaköy and Kadıköy, including at night. The problems are scams and pickpockets, not violence. The ones reported again and again:

• The bar scam: a friendly stranger, usually approaching a man alone around Taksim and İstiklal Avenue, suggests a drink at a place he knows. The bill runs to hundreds of euros and large staff block the door or push you to an ATM. Turkish prosecutors have charged dozens of suspects over schemes like this in Taksim, Sultanahmet and Karaköy. Choose your own bar, and if it happens, call the police on 112.

• The shoe-shine drop: a shiner near the Galata Bridge or İstiklal drops his brush, you pick it up, he offers a free shine in thanks and then demands money. Just walk on.

• Taxi overcharging: meters not switched on, long routes, or swapped banknotes. Insist on the meter or use the BiTaksi app. For arrival, see Istanbul Airport to the city: Havaist, metro or taxi.

• Carpet shops and the Grand Bazaar: opening prices are inflated; a friendly 'guide' who walks you to his cousin's shop is not a coincidence. Bargain or leave.

Pickpockets work the trams, the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Bazaar and İstiklal. Keep your phone in a front pocket. Our where to stay in Istanbul and 3 days in Istanbul pages cover the neighbourhoods.

Cappadocia, Pamukkale and the coast

Away from Istanbul, crime against visitors is low. In Göreme (we spent 5 days there, with a day trip to the Derinkuyu underground city) the main risk is the balloon flights themselves: they are regulated and cancelled when the wind is wrong, so do not choose an operator promising to fly when others are grounded. See why Cappadocia balloons get cancelled and the Göreme guide. Hiking the valleys alone is fine in daylight; take water and a map, as trails are poorly marked.

At Pamukkale (3 days) and Selçuk for Ephesus (5 days, with day trips to Şirince and İzmir), the hazards are heat and slippery travertine. See the Pamukkale guide and Ephesus tickets.

Demonstrations, earthquakes and roads

Political demonstrations happen, mostly in Istanbul (around Taksim) and Ankara, where we spent 4 days. Police can use tear gas and make arrests, and the US advisory mentions arbitrary detention, so stay away from protests and do not post political content about Turkish officials while you are there.

Turkey sits on major fault lines. The February 2023 earthquakes devastated the southeast, and Istanbul has long been expected to face a large quake. You cannot plan around that; know your accommodation's exits and follow instructions from AFAD, the disaster agency, if something happens.

If you drive, expect fast, assertive traffic on intercity roads. Long-distance buses and domestic flights are the easier option; see Istanbul to Cappadocia: flight vs night bus.

Solo and female travelers

Turkey is a common solo destination. Women travelling alone mostly report persistent attention from shop and restaurant touts in Sultanahmet and Göreme rather than danger; a firm no and walking on works. Dress norms are relaxed in Istanbul and resort towns but more conservative in mosques and rural areas: cover shoulders and knees and bring a scarf for mosque visits. Read what is considered rude in Turkey and what to wear in Istanbul.

Same-sex relationships are legal, but public attitudes are conservative and Pride marches in Istanbul have been banned and broken up by police for years. Discretion is the common approach.

Emergency numbers, health and entry

Dial 112 for police, ambulance and fire. Istanbul's private hospitals are good and used to foreign patients; the cost is high, so travel insurance with medical cover is worth having. Tap water in big cities is treated, but most people drink bottled water.

Check whether you need a visa for Turkey before you fly, plan the season with the best time to visit Turkey, and see our 33-day Turkey route and Istanbul and Cappadocia guide.

Frequently asked questions