Turkey wildfires: is it safe to travel or should I cancel my holiday?

Times

2 days ago

Wildfires continue to blaze in western Turkey, in a week that saw more than 250 fires break out across the country. Though many are now under control, fire crews have been struggling to contain the outbreak due to 75mph winds, and some areas have been evacuated. Places beyond this — including key tourist destinations such as Istanbul, Dalaman and Antalya — are not affected and remain safe to visit.
One person has been held on suspicion of allegedly starting a fire with petrol in Buca, a district of Izmir Province. At least 46 people have received hospital treatment due to the fires, according to reports, but no fatalities have been reported at this time. Thousands of people have been evacuated.
On June 30, President Erdogan said: 'We are intervening in the fires with our fleet of 27 planes, 105 helicopters, 14 UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles], nearly 6,000 water tenders, our first response vehicles, and 25,000 forest heroes.'
He also urged residents to 'exercise the utmost care' in protecting Izmir's green spaces following the fires, adding: 'I extend my heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery to all citizens affected and harmed by the fires. Almost all forest fires are, unfortunately, caused by human activity.'
Here's what you need to know if you're planning on travelling to Turkey.
Wildfires have been reported in Kahramanmaraş, Bursa, Sakarya, Bilecik, Gaziantep, Bolu and Manisa this week. According to the country's emergency management authority, AFAD, more than 50,000 people have been evacuated, including over 42,000 in Izmir.At least 46 people have been taken to hospital due to problems caused by the smoke and fires, while more than 60 houses have been destroyed or severely damaged.
Izmir Adnan Menderes airport was temporarily closed on Sunday June 29 and a number of flights were grounded or cancelled. Services have now resumed, but travellers should keep an eye on the evolving situation and check for updates.
Süleyman Elban, the governor of the province, advised residents to exercise extreme caution in the next few days and said both low humidity and high temperatures would aggravate the risk of more fires.
The UK Foreign Office has not updated its travel advice following the fires. However, travellers should check with their operator before travelling to any of the affected regions.
Turkey has not been militarily affected by the recent conflict in the Middle East. However, relations between Israel and Turkey have severely declined since the fighting between Israel and Hamas broke out, and in 2024 Turkey halted trade with Israel.
'Events in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories have led to heightened tensions in the region and in locations across Turkey,' the Foreign Office said. There have been protests outside diplomatic missions in Istanbul, Ankara and other major cities. You should avoid all demonstrations and leave the area if one develops.
Turkey has spoken out against the Israel-Hamas conflict from the start. President Erdogan said at a congress of his AK Party that 'we call for restraint from all parties', adding that both sides 'must refrain from aggressive acts'. He also said that Turkey would do whatever it could to ease tensions and stop the violence. In September 2024, the president condemned Israel's attacks against Lebanon amid intensified fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. During the fighting between Israel and Iran in June 2025, he called for a permanent ceasefire between the two nations.
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The Foreign Office is advising against all travel to areas within 10km of the border with Syria. In the rest of the country, it's a case of staying vigilant.
The Israel-Hamas war has led to heightened tensions in the region and demonstrations in cities across Turkey. The Foreign Office said demonstrations had been reported outside diplomatic missions connected to the conflict in major cities, particularly Israeli diplomatic missions in Ankara and Istanbul, and that visitors should avoid all demonstrations and leave the area if one develops. Local transport routes may also be disrupted.If you want to cross into Turkey via its land border with Iran, you must seek assistance from the British Embassy in Ankara ahead of time. You will need to provide personal details such as your name, date of birth, and details of the travel document used to enter Turkey — all of these are required by the Turkish authorities.
In the Hakkari province, you must get permission from the local governor's office to visit areas near the border with Iraq and Iran. If you're visiting with a travel agent or tour group, you should confirm with them whether you need an individual permit.
Mount Ararat is a special military zone — you'll need permission to visit from the Dogubayazit government office and you'll have to pay a fee.
The Foreign Office considers the threat of terrorism to be 'very likely' in Turkey, with most previous attacks taking place in the southeast, Ankara and Istanbul. As with any destination, it pays to stay vigilant and follow the latest travel advice from the Foreign Office, as well as those issued by authorities on the ground.
Across Turkey more generally, robberies and thefts are common, particularly pickpocketing in busy tourist areas.
Travellers are also advised to avoid any offers of food and drink, in case they are spiked, and to be wary if someone offers to take you to a club or restaurant or to help you change currency.
Counterfeit alcohol has become an issue in Ankara and Istanbul, and travellers are advised to buy alcohol only from licensed liquor stores, bars and hotels. Homemade alcoholic drinks should be avoided, and you should check seals on bottles are intact and look for poor print quality or incorrect spelling on labels.
Some sexual assaults and rapes have also been reported, and have mostly taken place during the busy summer period in coastal regions. In many cases, they involved someone the victim had met earlier on the day of the attack.
Most terrorist attacks in the country have occurred in southeast Turkey, Ankara and Istanbul, and the Foreign Office says that it is possible that terrorists may target places visited by foreigners, such as public buildings, places of worship, airports and major public events. The most recent attack was in October 2024, killing five people and injuring 22 others.
British citizens can to travel to Turkey for business or a holiday without a visa for up to 90 days out of any 180-day period. If you are planning to stay in the country for longer, you'll need either a visa or residence permit.
Turkey requires you to have at least 150 days validity on your passport after the day you arrive in the country. You'll also need a full blank page for the entry and exit stamps.
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