It’s a strange and almost surreal experience—to stand by and watch the world order realign itself in real time.
The Russo-Ukrainian War grinds on, Gaza remains a flashpoint, and a series of recent attacks across the Middle East—particularly in Iran—have sent new shockwaves through an already fragile region.
*TRIPP stands for “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity”
Add to that the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, the emergence of the so-called Trump Corridor project in Armenia, and Europe’s accelerated security realignments, and it’s clear that the tectonic plates of geopolitics are shifting beneath our feet.
In the midst of all this, one can’t help but ask: will traveling to Turkey in 2026 still be safe?
Table of Contents
Is Turkey Safe to Visit in 2026? (Short Answer)
Yes. The vast majority of Turkey—including Istanbul, Cappadocia, the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts—is perfectly safe to visit in 2026.
Quick Takeaways
Turkey is the 6th most visited country in the world.
Daily life in tourist zones remains peaceful.
Avoid southeastern border provinces near Syria, Iraq, and Iran.
Expect visible but non-intrusive security in city centers.
The Turkish lira is at record lows, making travel very affordable.
Local hospitality is warm, and infrastructure is robust.
Istanbul Safety: Calm Amid the Chaos
Istanbul is not just Turkey’s heart—it’s its soul. And that soul is vibrant in 2026. Despite the national-level political pressures, Istanbul is abuzz with travelers, students, artists, and business professionals.
Public transport is running smoothly.
Tourist areas like Sultanahmet, Taksim, and Kadiköy on the Asian side of the city are active and welcoming.
Protests are rare and tightly controlled by local authorities.
Hotels, restaurants, and museums are operating at full capacity.
Security presence has increased slightly, but it adds a feeling of safety rather than tension. The arrest of Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has sparked conversations but not street-level disruption. Travelers report feeling safe walking alone, day or night.
Geopolitical Realities in 2026
2026 is a year of transformation for Turkey’s neighborhood, and some key developments matter for travelers:
Aftermath of the Gaza War & Iran Attacks
Turkey remains vocally supportive of Palestine, but has not been involved militarily. After a series of Israeli strikes on Iranian infrastructure earlier this year, Turkish airspace and borders were unaffected. However, travelers are advised to avoid political demonstrations.
Post-Assad Syria
With the fall of the Assad regime in late 2025, northern Syria is in flux. While this affects border security operations, it has no impact on daily life or safety in central or western Turkey.
Armenia and the Trump Corridor
The creation of a controversial trade corridor between Azerbaijan and Turkey through Armenian-adjacent lands has spurred diplomatic protests. However, this remains a political matter and has not translated into instability within Turkey.
Cyprus Election Results
The recent presidential elections in Northern Cyprus have renewed calls for reunification talks. Tensions remain mild, and this has no bearing on mainland Turkey travel safety.
European Union Security Discussions
Turkey’s potential inclusion in a new EU security pact has reignited debates within Europe—particularly with Greece voicing opposition. While politically significant, these developments do not influence the security landscape for visitors.
Domestic Developments in 2026
Turkey’s internal dynamics are as eventful as ever. Here’s what’s shaping the narrative this year:
Selahattin Demirtaş to be Released: The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) recently rejected Turkey’s appeal against its earlier ruling that found Demirtaş’s long detention violated his rights and was politically motivated. This means the ECHR’s decision — calling for his immediate release — is now final and binding. His lawyers have applied for release within Turkey, while prominent political figures, including MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli, have publicly stated that freeing him could be “beneficial for Turkey.”
Imamoglu and Altaylı Still Detained: Istanbul’s Former Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and journalist Fatih Altaylı remain in custody, stoking criticism over Turkey’s judiciary. Protests have been limited and peaceful, largely organized in local squares and quickly dispersed.
Together, these two cases — one of a top opposition political figure (İmamoğlu) and one of a prominent journalist (Altaylı) — are widely seen as emblematic of Turkey’s current political-legal climate: a crackdown on perceived opposition or dissent, heavy use of the judiciary in politically sensitive contexts, and expanding constraints on electoral competition and media freedom.
Earthquake Recovery & Infrastructure Resilience
The devastating earthquakes of 2023 and 2025 left scars on Turkey’s southeast. However:
Major tourist areas were unaffected.
National recovery programs have rebuilt key infrastructure.
Hotels and airports operate normally.
Seismic retrofitting has expanded significantly across urban areas.
Travelers are encouraged to avoid heavily impacted towns in the southeast unless on humanitarian missions.
Tourism Trends, Visitor Statistics & Currency Advantage
In 2025, Turkey welcomed over 59 million international visitors. This number is projected to grow in 2026.
Istanbul remains the most visited city in the world.
Tourism contributes nearly 12% of GDP.
Hotel occupancy in spring 2026 hit 82%, a post-pandemic high.
The lira’s weakness gives travelers exceptional value: five-star experiences at three-star prices.
What Travelers Should Know
Essentials for 2026:
Register with your embassy upon arrival.
Carry a physical copy of your passport and visa.
Avoid political gatherings or protests.
Consider comprehensive travel insurance.
Use official taxis or ride-share apps.
Download emergency contact apps if available.
Conclusion: Should You Travel to Turkey in 2026?
Turkey in 2026 is layered—politically complex but stunningly accessible. Its cities buzz, its landscapes soothe, and its people greet you with smiles and hot tea.
So is it safe? If you’re heading to the historical core of Istanbul, the sun-drenched beaches of Antalya, or the valleys of Cappadocia—absolutely.
And in these times of global uncertainty, one thing remains true:
“Worrying about the risk of travel feels like worrying about being struck by lightning.”
Come explore. You might find more safety and warmth here than you’d expect.
Correction: Turkey is still the 6th most visited country in 2022 and 2021
Source: https://travelness.com/most-visited-countries-in-the-world
About the russian invasion of Ukraine: unfortunately it’s the opposite, prices are already going up and there is a lack of accommodations because of so many russians leaving their country and relocating to Turkey
Not anymore. Many Russians have left turkey si ce you posted your comment (your comment is 2 years old)
anyone have travelled to Turkey recently? Please comment here.
I have travelled to Turkey in Sep2023, and will not go back. Staff at istanbul airport are not helpful at all, they make no effort to help travellers. Taxi drivers are very dishonest and can be very agressive.
People ate not friendly, they don’t smile. They depend in tourism and yet dont make efforts to welcome tourists.
I found people in Antalya yo be more honest than in Istanbul.
I did and I will not go back u til they improve their attitude and safety for Female travellers.
Important Safety Warning for Female Travelers and Mothers with Children at IST Airport in Turkey
I recently had a harrowing experience at Istanbul Airport (IST) that I want to share as a warning, particularly for women, students, and mothers traveling alone. Here is my story:
After flying from Hanover, Germany, we had a layover at Atatürk Airport in Istanbul. My daughter fell ill with a fever, and we had to take her to the hospital. We ended up staying one night at the hospital and another night at a hotel. When my daughter felt better, I contacted the airport to retrieve our luggage. After completing the necessary procedures and collecting the luggage, I needed to return to our hotel.
I hailed a taxi that was waiting for passengers outside the airport. Using Google Translate, I gave the driver the hotel address since we couldn’t communicate in English. Once inside the taxi, with my daughter on my lap, I noticed the driver had a camera and kept turning it towards me. When I asked him about it, he claimed that Turkish police require taxi drivers to have cameras.
Suddenly, the driver stopped in an isolated area resembling a parking garage or loading dock. Alarmed, I questioned him, and he replied that he needed to drop off some goods. Fearing for our safety, I made an international call to my partner in Germany, explaining our location and situation, and asked him to call the police. I also threatened the driver, saying that the police were on their way. The driver, who appeared very threatening, started shouting but eventually agreed to drive us to the hotel.
Ladies and girls, please take the following precautions when traveling alone:
Get the driver’s information: Note the taxi’s number, driver’s name, and any other identifying details.
Stay connected: Keep your phone charged and stay in contact with someone who knows your whereabouts.
Use official transportation: Whenever possible, use official airport transportation services or pre-booked rides.
By sharing my experience, I hope to help others avoid similar situations. Stay safe and vigilant.
Best Luck
S.A
Thank you very much for sharing.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I had a very bad experience in Istanbul in Sep 2023, with a private Transfer the hotel sent me. I will never go back again alone. The driver asked me to get off on y e highway and take another taxi, that was because I was coughing so bad. There was a very strong cigarette smell in the (supposedly) VIP van , and the driver didn’t like it when I asked the employee who helped me get to the meeting point, to ask him not to smoke. I refused to get off and didnt respond to him.
When we arrived at the city centre he asked me to get off and said the road was closed. He refused to drive me to the hotel. He started shouting at me. Luckily I had an eSim (electronic sim that I activated upon arrival to make calls) and managed to get hold of the hotel (I was lucky as there was only one staff at the hotel), there was argument between the driver and the hotel employee. The driver parked the van and got my suitcase out and I followed him when he statued walking and talking in the phone. We were in a busy area so I wasn’t sacred for my safety but i was very shaken. I asked people for help, the first time it was 3 middle age men sitting at a cafe, they told me this is normal with Taxis when I told them he refused to drop me off at the hotel, the 2nd person was a store owner, he tries to help, went to talk to the driver but the Hotel employee had just arrived. I will never forget this experience . I am in my laye 50’s and this is the worst travel experience I had travelling. I am also Muslim and wear a scarf (hijab). This can happen to anyone.
I am always surprised when women post on facebook groups that it’s very safe for solo female travellers.
May I ask when this happened? I heard of other stories about female being raped, one woman said she had to jump ouf of the car to save herself and her daughter.
One can never be safe. Unfortunately whether we like it or not, women ate more at risk than men.
Thank u so much for sharing because I also have a daughter and she is still very young.. Our intention is to relocate to Turkey this year.. Keep well
Thank you for your comment. Please let us know if you have any questions about living in Turkey.