Is Turkey safe? The essential security advice you must know

Turkey places great importance on tourism. It has a huge variety of attractions, both natural and urban. As such, the country makes sure to be as safe as possible to avoid damaging Turkey tourism. 

However, it is advisable to take into account certain safety tips during your stay in the country. Is Turkey safe? Find out here.

Is Turkey safe?

Yes, Turkey is safe to travel. To ensure their safety, in addition to strictly following the indications of local authorities, tourists must adhere to the established tourist routes.

Keeping an eye on the surroundings, avoiding protests and getting away from the crowds are other tips to keep in mind in this destination. Istanbul and Ankara are two of the most important cities in the country and have huge security measures, so you shouldn't experience much trouble.

Another tip is to remember to always carry a copy of your important documentation and be very careful with your money and credit/debit cards.

You can travel to coastal areas with complete peace of mind because they are cultural pivotal centers and tourist areas. In any case, keep your belongings guarded and remember to agree to the prices of taxis, excursions or other services before they begin. 

One of the things that will surprise you is how modern the country and its people are. So in this sense and as it happens in any Islamic country, you will have to follow the codes marked in the Islamic zones and in its monuments and mosques. Carrying a shawl in your purse to cover your head if you are a woman and socks if you are a man will be enough to be safe from being rebuked for not complying with the sacred codes of Islamic monuments.

To wrap up, you should bear in mind that, like in other countries of Asia, traffic is characterized by chaos. It is advisable to be careful when crossing or driving, if you rent a vehicle to travel around the city.

There is seismic risk in the area, so it is advisable to follow different protocols and remain calm if there is an earthquake.

Areas to avoid: is Turkey a safe country?

Even though it’s safe to travel to Turkey, there are certain areas that tourists should avoid due to ongoing conflict.

They are:

• The Turkey-Syria border. Tourists are advised to stay at least 10 km away from the border.
• Diyarbakir City (and the province)
• Tunceli Province
• Hakkari Province
• Sirnak Province
• Kilis City And Province
• Hatay Province
• Mount Ararat
• The neighborhood Cincin in the city of Ankara

Common scams: is Turkey safe to travel?

To make sure you travel to Turkey safely, there are certain common scams you should be aware of:

• If you see a shoe cleaner dropping their brushes, you can assume it’s a scam. They’re waiting for you to give their things back and then offer a shoe cleaning in return. However, contrary to what you may believe, it won’t be free: they will always ask for money at the end.
• Taxi scams are common in every tourist city in the world. They may take you on a scenic route so your trip will take longer (and for it to become more expensive than it needs to be). Always try to settle on the price beforehand and make sure the meter is running.
• If you receive food or drinks that you didn’t ask for, chances are they won’t be free. Ask about them to avoid an unpleasant surprise when the check comes.
• Always haggle: prices are usually higher for tourists. Another option would be to ask a local to order for you.
• If possible, always pay the exact amount on your bill. Turkish people are not fond of giving clients their change back.
• If you’re lost and wandering around, be wary of who offers help. It’s likely they will try to take you into certain shops to spend your money.
• Pickpocketing is a common issue, as in most crowded places.

Is Turkey safe for traveling alone?

Yes! Turkey is a common destination for solo travelers. The locals are hospitable and the cities are always busy. Stay away from Turkey’s areas to avoid and you will surely have an amazing holiday alone.

Is it safe to travel to Turkey as a woman?

Yes, it’s safe to travel to Turkey for women. However, women should always have a scarf in their bag. It’s mandatory when entering mosques, which are some of Turkey’s main tourist attractions, and which should be featured in every Istanbul itinerary. You can also use it in the biggest cities in Turkey, but you won’t have to: it’s a country of contrasts between wearing Islamic-type clothes and being up to date with western fashion.

Is it safe to travel to Turkey with children?

Absolutely. It’s a common travel destination for families. Just teach them to stay with the group at all times to avoid them getting into a dangerous neighborhood, that’s it!