Turkey is a country located in the Middle East with a population of 85.04 million people.
The country is considered safe if you stay in tourist areas and avoid certain cities such as those that are near the Syrian border.
Kidnappings and attacks by terrorist groups who are active in these regions pose a major continued threat.
Turkey has become known as the Mafia state.
Crime is dominated by individuals, but there are also foreign criminals who operate in teams or gangs in the country as well.
They mainly operate across the border and through Turkey, smuggling drugs, immigrants, weapons, and human trafficking.
There are terrorist groups that plot possible attacks with little to no warning, targeting local tourist areas.
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10 Safest Cities in Turkey
1. Izmir
Izmir is one of the largest and safest cities in Turkey.
The city is famous for its archeological sites, which include the Roman Agora of Smyrna, the Velvet Castle, and the hilltop Kadifekale, which is now a museum and made open to the public.
Izmir has a current population of 3,056,000 residents and covers an area of 11 891 km².
Crime in Izmir has increased moderately over the past three years.
Crimes like home and car robbery, assault, etc are considered low to very low in the city.
Crime rates are low but visitors should still practice reasonable caution and remain vigilant of criminals.
Crime may still occur, such as pickpocketers and theft, which is still a high risk.
2. Bursa
Bursa is one of the most important historical cities in the country, located in northwest Turkey.
Bursa is known for having beautiful mountainous landscapes and monumental buildings.
The city covers an area of 11 043 km² and has a current population of 2,055,000 residents.
Crime in Bursa has increased moderately over the past three years.
Crimes ranging from being mugged, robbed, or assaulted to theft are considered low in the city.
Nevertheless, you should always use your travel senses and stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
Most types of crime are low, including property crimes such as theft and vandalism.
Other types of crime such as car theft, assault, and corruption are all considered to be very low in Bursa.
Furthermore, it is safe to walk around during the day and night.
The most common crimes are insults and threats.
3. Adana
Adana is a city situated on the Seyhan river in southern Turkey.
The city is known for its cuisine and beautiful views of the city.
It covers an area of 1 945 km² and has a current population of 1,814,000 residents.
Crime in Adana has increased quite dramatically over the past three years.
Crimes such as robbery and assault are considered moderate in the city.
Terrorists are prone to violence and are known to attack local tourist destinations.
Visitors and locals are advised to practice reasonable caution because crimes such as car robbery, theft, and sexual assault may still occur.
Other more prominent types of crime include drug-related crime.
And, although it is not safe to walk around at night, Adana is still one of the safer cities in Turkey.
4. Istanbul
Istanbul is one of the largest cities in Turkey and is the only city to straddle the continents of Europe and Asia.
Popular for its architectural wonders in and around the city, Istanbul covers an area of 5 343 km² and has a current population of 15,460,000 residents.
There have been a few reports of crime against tourists such as pickpocketing, assault, scams, and theft.
Overall, crimes including robbery, corruption, assault, etc. in the city have increased moderately over the past three years.
Apart from crime against tourists, the city is relatively safe, provided that you stay out of dangerous areas.
5. Antalya
Antalya is a resort city as well as a Mediterranean seaport located on the southwest coast of Turkey.
Popular for its stunning nature, such as the beaches, historical buildings and so much more, the city covers an area of 1 417 km² and has a current population of 2 619 832 residents.
Antalya has a considerably low crime rate; crimes such as sexual assault, domestic violence, and theft have been reported though.
It is safe to walk around at night and during the day.
Terrorist attacks are at high risk in the city due to political instability.
It is important to stay up to date with the political situation in the city before traveling.
The city scores are low on most types of property crime and dangerous crime and high on white-collar crime.
6. Fethiye
Fethiye is another port city in the southwest of the turquoise coast of Turkey.
The city is known for its blue waters and pine forests.
It covers an area of 3 059 km² and has a current population of 107,504 residents.
Environmental hazards may occur which should be taken into consideration, such as forest fires, heat waves, etc.
Crime has fallen in recent years in the city and extra security has been applied since it is a major tourist area, but that doesn’t mean crime still won’t happen.
The crime rate is low overall.
7. Dalaman
Dalaman is a district and town situated on the southwestern coast of Turkey.
From breathtaking beaches to historical spots and cuisine, the central town is a remarkable place.
The town covers an area of 616 km² and has a current population of 23 147 residents.
Theft, pickpocketing, and violent crimes mostly occur in tourist hotspots, restaurants, public transportation places, and shops.
Dalaman is secured by military airports and crime has fallen in recent years.
Overall, you should be fairly safe as there is no serious crime in this city.
However, always practice reasonable care when traveling alone.
8. Eskisehir
Eskisehir is a city located in northwestern Turkey on the banks of the Porsuk River.
The city features many archeological buildings, parks, and stunning views and is known for its great atmosphere.
The city covers an area of 2 678 km² and has a current population of 819,000 residents.
Crimes in Eskisehir, including robbery, assault, corruption, etc are considered low to very low.
The safety of tourists and visitors walking alone during the night and day is very high.
It’s important to still remain cautious when traveling anywhere.
9. Bodrum
Bodrum is a vibrant town situated on the Bodrum Peninsula extending from the south coast of Turkey into the Aegean sea.
The city is famous for its medieval castles and phenomenal beaches.
Bodrum covers an area of 650 km² and has a current population of 32 801 residents.
There is an extremely low chance of you being a victim of terrorism in Bodrum since it is one of the safest places in Turkey.
Although it is considered safe, it is important to watch out for pickpocketers, who are still a high risk.
Natural disasters like earthquakes may also occur.
10. Ankara
Ankara is a city located in the central part of Anatolia, the western part of Turkey.
It is the capital of Turkey.
The city is popular for its state opera, ballet, and performing arts.
It covers an area of 24 521 km² and has a current population of 5,310,000 residents.
Crime in Ankara has increased dramatically over the past three years.
Although petty crimes such as robbery, assault, vandalism, etc are considered low in the city, crimes like corruption are at high risk.
Safety while walking alone at night and during the day is considered to be moderate.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to Turkey
- Don’t be a target. Carrying a bright tourist backpack might not be the smartest idea when traveling to any foreign country. It immediately screams tourists, especially if you’re alone, and makes you a target for pickpocketers and scammers who are likely to take their chances with you. For your safety, it’ll be best to choose a neutral-colored backpack so that you blend in more.
- Dress modestly. While Turkey is mostly dominated by men, it is important for women to dress appropriately, since they easily become a target for sexual assault, including rape and abduction.
- Don’t push your limit with alcohol. Alcohol significantly lowers your ability to be aware of your surroundings and of danger.
- Don’t carry valuables with you. In Turkey, you are required to carry your passport or residence permit with you at all times, so make sure it is secured and not visible when carrying it. That being said, something that is not extremely necessary to have is better to leave it in your hotel room.
Turkey Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Turkey Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: HIGH
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: HIGH
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most dangerous city to visit in Turkey?
Kilis is considered to be the most dangerous city in Turkey.
irstly, because it is near the border of Syria, which is in an ongoing Civil war with increasing violence.
Secondly, accidental fires have been caused by Syria as well as rockets that have been fired across the border.
When is the best time to travel to Turkey?
The best time to travel to Turkey is between April, May, September, and October.
This is when the weather is mild and you will be able to explore the cities, outdoor wonders, and attractions without being bothered by extreme heat or large tourist crowds.
Very good information 👌 I love it ,thanks so much ❤
Very helpful information.
Many thanks.
Terrorist threat is not higher than European countries.
Even the most unsafe city in Turkey is much safer than the safest city in the US.
In Turkey The biggest problem for foreigners is communication.
Most Americans can not speak any language other than their own right?
Likewise, most Turks cannot speak other languages other than Turkish.
Not true, in tourist resorts most Turks understand English
This country is bad. because its too hot and bad air
A lot of Turks speak English enough to communicate well ,a little to help for most. And they are helpful
Compare to frankophone countries in EU, Turkey is mich higher in quality of service, food offered and overall comfort. And, surrounding is much cleaner, no running rats in daylight, no garbage like in “EU best tourist destination “, no nasty street boys. It is a pleasure to observe friendly street cats doing their formidable work .Green, clean, safe- so tourists should appreciate this!
Thank you 😍 for this helpful information about Turkey.
Great work! ✌️.
Very interesting and helpful
Thanks for the useful information, I am planning to visit Turkey soon so this has helped me greatly.
Love visiting Turkey, most of people we have .etc are friendly and helpful. The streets are clean. It is worth attempting to learn at least please and thank you.
I had the most amazing experience exploring one of the safest cities in Turkey! The hospitality and warmth of the locals in these cities truly made my trip unforgettable.
Having visited a couple of the safest cities in Turkey, I can vouch for the sense of security one feels while exploring. It’s a testament to the welcoming atmosphere and efficient safety measures in place.