Turkey Travel Guide 2025: Essential Safety Tips and Advisories for Tourists Visiting Popular Destinations

If you're planning to travel to Turkey in 2025, it's essential to understand the current travel advisories and safety situation. As of April 30, 2025, the U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Turkey, recommending travelers "Exercise Increased Caution" due to terrorism and arbitrary detentions.

The primary concerns highlighted in this advisory include potential terrorist attacks, which could target tourist locations with little or no warning. Travelers should be particularly cautious in transportation hubs, markets, malls, government buildings, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, and parks.

Recent developments include public demonstrations following the arrest of Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu in March 2025, with protests occurring in major cities including Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. As recently as April 25, 2025, travel experts have confirmed that while these protests continue sporadically, tourists can safely travel around Istanbul and Turkey as long as they remain mindful of these demonstrations.

There are specific regions that carry higher risk. The U.S. Department of State explicitly advises against travel to Sirnak province, Hakkari province, and any area within six miles (ten kilometers) of the Syrian border due to terrorism concerns. Additional areas to avoid include Tunceli, Bingöl, and Muş, which are known for higher levels of terrorist activity.

For those still planning to visit, Turkey remains one of the world's most popular destinations, ranking as the fourth most visited country globally with 57.2 million tourists in 2023. Istanbul alone attracted 20.2 million international visitors that year.

Safety precautions for travelers include avoiding travel alone at night, dressing modestly to blend in with locals, staying away from political gatherings, carrying your passport and a copy of your visa at all times, and remaining vigilant in crowded tourist areas.

Road conditions vary throughout the country, with highways in western, southwestern, and coastal regions generally well-maintained. However, driving after dark requires extra caution, especially in rural areas where you might encounter unmarked roads or livestock.

While the terrorism incidents that previously impacted tourism have largely subsided, with no major events reported in the past few years, it's still important to follow local news and embassy updates during your visit. The Turkish government continues to prioritize tourist safety, particularly in popular areas, which has contributed to the country's tourism recovery.

Overall, with proper precautions and awareness of the current situation, travel to most tourist destinations in Turkey can be undertaken safely in 2025.