Is Turkey Safe for Tourists? What Official Travel Advice Says

In short: the UK government (FCDO) advises against travel only to the area within 10 km of the Syrian border, far from the holiday coast; it has no advice against travel to Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya, Fethiye, Bodrum or the rest of the resorts. As anywhere, take normal care: watch your bag in busy places, buy your own drinks, follow beach flags and carry your passport.

Last checked: 10 November 2026, against UK FCDO travel advice (updated 27 October 2026) and German Foreign Office advice. Travel advice can change quickly, so always check the official pages before you go.

Where official advice says not to go

• The Syrian border zone: the FCDO advises against all travel within 10 km of the Turkey–Syria border. None of the usual holiday areas are near it.
• Everywhere else: there is no FCDO advice against travel. Germany’s Foreign Office also has no travel warning for Turkey as a whole.
• Insurance: travelling against official advice can make your travel insurance invalid.

Terrorism

The FCDO warns of a threat of terrorism in Turkey, as it does for many countries. Most past attacks were in the southeast, Ankara and Istanbul. Stay alert in crowded places, follow the news and the instructions of local authorities, and avoid demonstrations, which can turn violent.

Everyday crime: what to watch for

• Pickpockets: common in Istanbul’s busiest tourist areas. Keep your bag closed and your phone out of back pockets.
• Friendly strangers: be wary of people who offer to change money or invite you to a bar or nightclub. See our Istanbul tips for the common tricks.
• Drinks: buy your own drinks and keep them in sight. Avoid cheap, unlabelled alcohol: the FCDO warns about deaths from methanol in fake alcohol.

Emergency number: 112

Call 112 for police, ambulance and fire, including wildfires. In the resorts, you can also report a problem to your hotel, the police or the gendarmerie (Jandarma), and to your country’s consulate.

Nature: sea, heat, fires and earthquakes

• The sea: people drown every year in the sea and in pools. Follow the beach flags (red means no swimming), watch out for currents and rocks, don’t dive into water you don’t know, and keep an eye on children even where there is a lifeguard. Water shoes help with sea urchins.
• Heat: summer heat can be extreme. Rest in the shade at midday and drink plenty of water. See our Fethiye tips.
• Wildfires: common in summer. Never light fires or drop cigarettes in forests; it can mean a fine or prison. Leave immediately if the authorities tell you to.
• Earthquakes: much of Turkey, including Istanbul, is in an earthquake zone. Follow the guidance of AFAD, the Turkish disaster agency, if one happens.

Laws that can surprise visitors

• Carry your passport: photo ID is required and police checks happen, especially in Istanbul.
• Photos: don’t photograph military or official sites, and ask before you photograph people.
• Respect for the state: insulting the Turkish nation, the flag, the president or Atatürk is a crime, including online.
• Drugs: penalties are very severe, even for small amounts, and CBD and medical cannabis are not allowed without a Turkish prescription.
• Antiquities: buying or taking old coins, stones or fossils out of Turkey is illegal. Leave stones from ruins where they are.
• Smoking: not allowed indoors in public places or on public transport.
• Mosques and Ramadan: dress modestly at mosques, and be discreet about eating or drinking in public during the day in Ramadan.
• LGBT+ travellers: same-sex relationships are legal but not recognised, and public displays of affection can draw attention in conservative areas.

Health and insurance

• Insurance is essential: the UK GHIC and the European EHIC are not valid in Turkey, so take travel insurance that covers medical treatment and repatriation.
• Medicines: Turkish pharmacies don’t accept foreign prescriptions, and some common medicines are controlled. Bring what you need, in the original packaging.
• Drinking water: most visitors and many locals drink bottled water.

On the road

• Road accidents are common. Take extra care if you drive, especially at night.
• Helmets are required on motorbikes and scooters, and drink-driving is punished with fines and losing your licence.
• Use metered or pre-booked taxis, or taxi apps.

Women and solo travellers

The FCDO notes that most reported sexual assaults happened in coastal resorts in high season, often by someone the victim had just met. Use common sense, choose reputable tour and spa providers, keep personal details to yourself, and report any incident to your hotel, the police or Jandarma and your consulate.

Right now

Antalya, 9–20 November 2026: because of the COP31 climate conference, expect extra security and some road closures around Antalya and Belek (German Foreign Office).

Sources we checked (10 November 2026): UK FCDO: Turkey travel advice · FCDO: warnings and insurance · FCDO: safety and security · FCDO: regional risks · FCDO: health · Auswärtiges Amt: Türkei (German)

Is Turkey safe? Questions

Header photo: Çalış promenade, by a Fethiye local, used with permission