Is İzmir safe to visit right now? (November 2026)

Travel advisories for Turkey

What the advice says

• The US State Department advisory is Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution, dated June 9, 2026; this is a country-level rating for Turkey, not specific to İzmir.
• The UK FCDO advisory, last updated October 27, 2026, is also issued at the country level and notes a high threat of terrorist attack in Turkey, with most incidents occurring in southeast Turkey, Ankara, and Istanbul; it cites a September 2025 attack on a police station in İzmir in which three officers were killed and three people were injured.
• The FCDO notes that regular demonstrations and protests are occurring in Istanbul and other Turkish cities, some of which have turned violent with police using tear gas and water cannons; travelers should avoid all demonstrations and leave the area if one develops.
• The FCDO warns of street robbery and pickpocketing in major tourist areas, advises against accepting 50 or 100 US dollar bills due to counterfeiting concerns, and cautions that strangers offering food, drink, or help changing money could be involved in drink or food spiking.
• The advisory also flags cases of serious illness and death from methanol poisoning linked to counterfeit or illegally produced alcohol in Turkey, noting that methanol cannot be detected by taste or smell and that urgent medical attention should be sought if poisoning is suspected.
• Among 4.27 million British travelers to Turkey in 2025, 29 cases of sexual assault, including rape, were reported to British consular staff, mostly in coastal resort areas during tourist season; the FCDO advises extra vigilance around hotel and excursion staff and recommends using reputable service providers. Solo travelers, including those going out after dark, should take similar precautions and avoid leaving drinks unattended.
• For taxis, the FCDO recommends using registered, metered taxis or app-based and pre-booked services rather than accepting lifts from unofficial drivers. In an emergency, the text states that police can be reached by calling 112.