Photo: Cappadocia · Arian Zwegers from Brussels, Belgium · CC BY 2.0
🇹🇷 CautionIs Turkey Safe for First-Time Travelers?
Safety Scores / Turkey
Travel verdict: Exercise Caution. The scores and risks below say why.
Safety Scores
Key Risks
- Terrorism risk in southeastern regions near Syrian border
- Istanbul tourist scams; overcharging and fake guides
- High earthquake risk; major fault lines cross the country
Regional Safety
Istanbul (Sultanahmet, Beyoğlu, Bosphorus), Aegean Coast (Izmir, Bodrum, Ephesus), Mediterranean Coast (Antalya, Alanya, Fethiye), Cappadocia, Ankara city centre
Eastern Anatolia (Diyarbakır, Van): generally stable but require awareness; occasionally restricted protest zones in Istanbul
Border zones with Syria (Hatay province near border), border areas with Iraq (Şırnak, Hakkari), areas with active PKK conflict advisories
Avoid southeastern border regions; stay in tourist areas
Good private hospitals in Istanbul; travel insurance advised
Turkish Lira currency; agree on prices before services
Emergency: 112
Latest for Turkey
Updates for Turkey will appear here as they are published. Every update cites official sources, so you can plan on it.