Safety in Turkey in 2024

It is one of my favourite country ! I love Istanbul. The vibe, peoples, the food is incredible . I really enjoyed Turkish baths and the dessert too ( Turkish delights ) . If you are wondering if it is safe to travel to Turkey ? I never felt unsafe . But like my other recommendations in my other articles : don’t do anything silly, not going late at night by yourself, not showing signs of wealth and beware of too friendly strangers .

Turkey is one country well known for its fascinating historical sites, abundance of cultural heritage, rich history, great people, Turkish food and architecture. These are the things that have made it a go to holiday destination point for several decades. Istanbul, the capital city of Turkey is a vibrant and incredible city straddling two continents.

However with lots of scary news in the recent past, many people are questioning how safe it is to travel to Turkey. For instance, I have been asked this same question with several people in the past decade. Last week, a lady who had booked her trip through one of the most reliable trusted travel experts also asked me the same question, is it safe to travel to Turkey? This is despite the excitement she had about the trip.

I will be explaining if it is safe to travel to Turkey and what important consideration one has to take to ensure his or her safety while in the country.

Going to Istanbul in October ? Check my full guide HERE

PLAN OF THE ARTICLE :

• Is Turkey Safe for Travelers? Crime Rate in Turkey
• How safe is Antalya?
• What Is The Impact Of Hamas-Israel Conflict On Turkey?
• Areas to Avoid When Visiting Turkey
• Is Turkey Safe To Travel For Solo Travelers?
• How Safe Is Traveling To Turkey For The Female Travelers?
• What Is The Travel Advisory By The Foreign Office?
• So, Is It Safe To Travel To Turkey Right Now?

Is Turkey Safe for Travelers? Crime Rate in Turkey

Crime is a great concern for many people who are planning to tour Turkey. In fact, the level of crime in the country is most likely a great deterrent to the average tourist that other abstractors such as the tumultuous politics in the country. When you consider experience of previous travelers and online blogs, Turkey does have a bad reputation for crime. However, the crime rates are not as high as most people depict it. Violent crime rate is Turkey is quite low. According to recent research finding by World Bank, the homicide crime rate stands at 4 incidents for every 100,000 people. This is quite low for a country that is densely populated.

However, Turkey does have huge problems with organized crime especially due to the loose criminal networks in the Syrian border and the mafia style organizations. However, most of these groups are never interested in tourists.

It is always a great idea to be concerned about your safety before you travel to Turkey. According to statistics by Numbeo survey data, Turkey has a score of 41.62 out of 100 on crime index. Most respondents are always concerned about petty crime like petty theft, verbal harassment, bribery and corruption.

How safe is Antalya?

Antalya is a top travel destination for many tourists thanks to its gorgeous beaches that are full of Roman and Greek remnants. Antalya is known for experiencing frequent wildfires that in most cases start from Kemer forest. However, this region is majorly considered to be a safe place for tourists since the fires are today well managed.

No issues in this city of Turkey , just practice the basic safety precaution like everywhere in the world

I have been travelling for a long time , and below is my recommendations for a safe trip :

– Check recommendations from your embassy 

– Then never walk alone, in dark streets

– Don’t stay late at night in remote places

– Don’t talk to stranger or don’t accept anything from strangers

– Don’t show any signs of wealth or expensive valuable items 

What Is The Impact Of Hamas-Israel Conflict On Turkey?

Turkey has not been impacted directly by the Hamas-Israel conflict. However, there have been protests outside the diplomatic missions in Ankara, Istanbul and other cities. When visiting Turkey, ensure you avoid demonstrations at all costs. In fact, it is advisable that you relocate from an area that experiences any form of demonstration.

Areas to Avoid When Visiting Turkey

Not all areas in Turkey are safe to visit. This is a normal occurrence in most countries all over the world. When visiting Turkey, there are area you need to avoid especially where geopolitical is quite strife. Majority of the areas in Turkey that experiences political unrest situation are in the southeast. Ensure you also avoid all the areas that are along the Syrian border since unrest do spill over at times.

It is also important that you avoid traveling or exercise lots of caution when you travel to provinces in the southeast as they are known to experience unrest more often.

Some of these provinces include:

• ✔️ Kilis
• ✔️ Hakkari
• ✔️ Siirt
• ✔️ Sirnak

You also need to avoid traveling to areas known to be experiencing devastated earthquakes such as:

• ✔️ Diyarbakir
• ✔️ Elazig
• ✔️ Hatay

However, it is possible to travel to Mount Ararat when you have a Turkish government appointed local guide due to the ever intense border situation with Armenia.

Is Turkey Safe To Travel For Solo Travelers?

Turkey is a country with a relatively low crime rate and lots of opportunities making it a safe destination for solo travelers. However, when you are traveling alone, there are a number of things you need to keep in mind to ensure you are safe during your entire stay in Turkey.

Here are some of the most essential ones:

It is important that you are always aware of your surrounding and always trust your instincts. Whenever you feel uncomfortable or unsafe in any situation, it is advisable that you move.

1. Never walk alone at night or in areas that are poorly lit. If it is a must that you have to walk alone, try walk in areas that are well lit and busy streets.
2. Exercise lots of caution whenever you are using public transportation especially at night. Do not use empty trains or buses. If possible, travel with other people.
3. Never flash your personal belongings in public or leave them unguarded in the hotel room. Ensure you keep your passport and money secure whenever you are not using them.
4. Inform someone where you are going to before you head out. With this, someone will know where to check you in case you do not return.
5. You need to be informed on the latest travel advisories and local news before and during your trip. Ensure you are aware of the current situation in the areas you will be visiting.
6. Ensure you familiarize yourself with the local laws and customs in Turkey. Respect the local culture such as dressing modestly in conservative areas and adhering to any specific guidelines and restrictions.
7. Never fail to register with your consulate or embassy before you travel to Turkey. This will help the consulate to offer any kind of assistance in case of unforeseen situation or emergencies.

With the above safety precautions, you can always guarantee yourself safety and enjoyable trip whenever you are visiting Turkey alone.

How Safe Is Traveling To Turkey For The Female Travelers?

Is it safe for female travelers to visit Turkey? This is one common question that most females do ask. I can boldly say that it is safe for females to visit Turkey. Turkey has a low incidence of crime towards female travelers and lots of strict laws have been put in place to help curb crime against females. However, despite your gender, it is advisable to take precaution whenever you are traveling to any destination. Turkey is not different from any other city across the globe.

What Is The Travel Advisory By The Foreign Office?

Of course check your embassy and advices from your government first

The foreign Office advises against traveling to areas that are within 10 km of the border areas together with traveling to Sirnak province and Hakkari province. In the rest of the country, the Foreign office recommends that you always stay vigilant with yourself and your properties.

The war between Hamas and Israel has led to increased tension in the country and there are civil unrest across different cities in Turkey. The Foreign Office states there are demonstrations outside diplomatic missions that are connected to the conflict in major cities especially in Istanbul and Ankara. Hence, visitors should avoid taking part in political demonstrations and move out from the area where demonstration develops.

The UK foreign office also advises visitors to avoid accepting drinks and food offers that people they do not know as they may be spiked. Visitors should also be wary of people who offer to take them to restaurant or clubs or to help you change currency or give them your credit cards. There have been cases of rape and sexual assaults in different regions and are very common during the busy summer in the coast regions. Most of these cases involve someone the victim had met earlier in the day.

According to Foreign Office, majority of the terrorist attacks take place in the southeastern Turkey, streets of Istanbul and Ankara. The office also states that terrorist groups can target places foreigners visit such as places of worship, shopping malls, public areas, and major events.

Visitors need to stay alert, keep off high risky areas and follow latest news on local media to know of the current situation in the country.

So, Is It Safe To Travel To Turkey Right Now?

Actually your safety in Turkey is determined by where you will be visiting. However, most of the tourist destinations in Turkey are safe and friendly to the tourist. There are lots of concerns on how safe Turkey is due to its proximity to the continuing conflict in Israel. There are also areas that have been experiencing forest fires especially in the summer with the UK foreign Office also labeling terrorist threat to be quite high. However, I cannot advise against touring the country. All you need is to know what things to do, where to visit and how to keep yourself safe.

Disease and vaccinations are not different from Europe or western countries

Don’t forget to take a travel Insurance before booking your flight

Check your embassy recommendations and advises regarding this year and month of travel

Conclusion

Although Turkey has been experiencing lots of security challenges in the recent years, it still remains a country with great history, cultural richness and popular tourist destination sites. It is advisable that you always approach your trip to Turkey with awareness and be informed about the current situation together with heeding to travel advisories.

There are several regions in Turkey that are still welcoming tourists and providing them with unforgettable and safe experiences. However, your decision to visit Turkey should be based on you and the desire to explore the nation that acts as a bridge between continents.

WHO AM I ?

Hello !

I am Eric, a French Australian citizen based between Australia, Asia and Bali and I love to travel and experience the world. I generally like outdoor activities, wellness, great food and venues , party and real local adventures ! I am a Yoga practitioner and fitness lover

I created this blog because I love to travel and I want to share my experiences with others. I’ve been traveling since I was a child, and I’ve been to over 50 countries. I’ve seen some amazing things and met some amazing people, and I want to help others experience the same things.

I believe that travel is one of the best ways to learn about the world and about yourself. When you travel, you’re forced to step outside of your comfort zone and experience new things. You learn about different cultures, different religions, and different ways of life. You also learn about yourself, your strengths, and your weaknesses.

Travel can also be a great way to make new friends. When you’re traveling, you’re surrounded by people from all over the world, and you’re all in the same boat. You’re all there to explore and experience new things, and that can create a bond between people.

Let’s connect together !

I hope that my travel blog will inspire others to travel and to see the world. I also hope that it will help people to learn about different cultures and to become more open-minded.