Istanbul

Is Istanbul safe?

Yes, for most visitors, with two caveats that few other cities on our list share. The first is human: Istanbul has a set of polished scams aimed at tourists, and the bar scam in particular can cost a lot of money. The second is geological. The city sits close to one of the world's most dangerous faults, and Turkish scientists have warned for decades that a large earthquake under the Sea of Marmara is a question of when, not if.

Street violence is not the main concern. Turkey's homicide rateHomicide rateThe number of people killed on purpose each year for every 100,000 residents. It is the most comparable crime figure between countries.More in the glossary was 3.2 per 100,000 in 2023, higher than Rome but below the US average, and attacks on tourists are rare. We score Istanbul 69.

Scams to recognise

The UK Foreign Office says street robbery and pickpocketing are common in the main tourist areas. In practice that means the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar, the T1 tram through Sultanahmet and Eminönü, and Istiklal Avenue in the evening. The scams are more distinctive:

• The bar scam. A friendly local or "fellow tourist" suggests a drink. In the bar, women join you and order. The bill is hundreds or thousands of euros and large staff take you to a cash machine. It mostly targets men travelling alone or in pairs around Taksim and Sultanahmet.
• The shoe-shine trick. A shoe-shiner walking ahead drops his brush. You pick it up, he insists on cleaning your shoes as thanks, then demands a large fee.
• Taxis. Long detours, a broken meter, or a quick swap of a 200 lira note for a 20 when you pay. The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary says to use registered taxis, note the plate and make sure the meter is on.
• Counterfeit money. The FCDO reports that banks may refuse $50 and $100 notes because of counterfeits. Change money at a bank, not with a street dealer.
• Carpet and leather shops. A guide who offers a free tour of a mosque often ends it in a relative's shop.

Terrorism and protests

Istanbul has had several attacks in the past decade. In November 2022, a bomb on Istiklal Avenue killed six people. In April 2026, three gunmen opened fire near the building that houses the Israeli consulate, injuring two police officers, according to the FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary. Security is visible at major sites, and the risk to any single visitor is low.

Protests are more likely to affect your trip. The FCDO notes regular demonstrations in Istanbul and other cities that may become violent. Police often close Taksim Square and parts of Beyoğlu, use tear gas and shut metro stations. If you see crowds or riot police forming, leave the area and check the news before heading back.

Nights out and drinks

Beyoğlu, Karaköy, Kadıköy on the Asian side and Beşiktaş are lively until late and feel safe on the main streets. Tarlabaşı, just off Taksim, and the Laleli and Aksaray districts near the old city are rougher late at night. The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary warns about accepting food or drinks from strangers and about illegally produced spirits containing methanol, which has killed people in Turkey. Drink in licensed places and avoid cheap spirits of unknown origin.

Residents are more wary than visitors tend to be. In the European Commission's 2023 survey of city residents, which covered Istanbul alongside EU cities, 44% said they feel safe walking alone at night in the city and 60% in their own neighbourhood. That is close to Athens and well below Barcelona (68%), and 40% strongly disagreed, more than in any other city in Eurostat's data.

Traffic and air

Istanbul's traffic is famously slow, which helps on safety. TÜİK figures show 289 road deaths in 2025, about 1.8 per 100,000 people, though 47,717 people were injured, more than in any other Turkish province. The risk for pedestrians is drivers who do not stop at crossings and motorcycle couriers on pavements. The Marmaray, metro, trams and ferries are safer and faster than taxis for most trips.

Air pollution is above WHO guidelines and worst in winter. Most locals drink bottled or filtered water. Private hospitals in Istanbul are modern and widely used by foreign patients, so access to emergency care is good.

The earthquake question

The 1999 İzmit earthquake east of the city killed about 17,000 people, and the 2023 earthquakes in southeastern Turkey killed more than 50,000. Istanbul's own fault segment under the Sea of Marmara has not ruptured in a major quake for centuries, and a magnitude 6.2 tremor there in April 2025 sent residents into the streets and was felt strongly across the city. Much of Istanbul's housing was built before modern codes. For a visitor:

• Choose a newer or recently retrofitted hotel. Large international hotels are a safer bet than old converted buildings.
• Look up the nearest earthquake assembly area (toplanma alanı) through the AFAD government app.
• In shaking, drop, cover and hold on. Do not use stairs or lifts until it stops.

Where to stay

Sultanahmet puts you next to the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque and is safe at night, though carpet-shop touts are persistent. Karaköy, Galata and Cihangir are central and lively. Beşiktaş, Nişantaşı and Kadıköy are calmer neighbourhoods with good transport. Avoid booking in Tarlabaşı, and be cautious around Taksim during political anniversaries. Compare Dubai and Barcelona for other short-break cities.

How we scored it

Natural hazards (45) is Istanbul's weakest factor and one of the lowest on our list, because of the earthquake risk. Theft and scams (62) reflects the bar and taxi scams. Traffic (82) is better than many visitors expect. Violent crime (78) includes a deduction for terrorism. Walking at night (60) follows the EU's 2023 survey of residents, which we use for every European city.