Is Antalya Worth Visiting Alone? An Honest Guide

Antalya is one of the most popular cities in Turkey for tourists to visit, but is Antalya worth visiting or is your time best spent somewhere else?

Most people who visit Turkey visit Istanbul and Cappadocia and don’t explore the rest of the country. That’s a shame because Turkey has so much to offer.

If you only have a short time in Turkey and want to add a third city to your itinerary, I think Antalya is the perfect choice.

It’s very different from Istanbul and Cappadocia and gives you a taste of the beaches and water Turkey is famous for. Antalya also has a rich archeological and history you can learn about.

I also think Antalya is a great place to start if you’re doing a trip up the west coast of Turkey like I did in 2022.

So, no whether you’re only in Turkey for a short period of time or a month or two, the answer to the question is Antalya worth visiting is yes.

top tip

Make sure you have travel insurance before arriving in Antalya.

Antalya, Turkey

Why Antalya is Worth Visiting

Okay. I’ve told you the answer to the question is Antalya worth visiting is yes, but now I should defend that answer.

Antalya is the biggest and most popular destination on the west coast of Turkey. This means you not only have access to some of the most beautiful beaches in Turkey, but it is also very friendly to tourists.

There is excellent tourist infrastructure, great public transportation, museums, and a major airport. Many tourist cities near the beaches don’t have airport access, and you need to land in Antalya and take a bus to them.

Antalya is Beautiful

Antalya is also just one of the most stunningly beautiful cities in Turkey. The old town is breathtaking, and the cities has multiple levels to it, which means the photography is unbeatable.

The main road outside the old city (near the tram station) is elevated from the old city. You walk along it for a few minutes and then get the famous view of the beach and ocean from above.

You know. The famous photos that make people add Antalya to their bucket list.

Antalya, Turkey

There is a Variety of Things to Do

One of my favourite things about Antalya is that there is something for everybody. There is the water and beaches, archeology sites, waterfalls, shopping, one of the most beautiful old towns in Turkey, nightlife, and a modern city to explore.

No matter what your interests are, there is something for you.

I’m not a beach girly. In fact, I hate the water and the beach, and I spent four days in Antalya exploring everything else it had to offer and wasn’t bored for a second.

I’m a museum girly and loved the Antalya Archeology Museum. It was one of the best museums I went to in Turkey. I highly recommend you take a half day and visit it!

Another of my favourite things to do in Antalya is visiting Duden Falls. I visited in October, and there wasn’t a ton of water flowing through the falls. They were still fantastic, and I can only imagine how much better they are when there is more water running through them.

top tip

Install an esim on your phone to easily access the internet while exploring Antalya.

Top Things to do in Antalya

It’s Easy to Navigate

One of the best parts of Antalya is that it is super easy to navigate. Not only is there a major airport in the city, but there is also a comprehensive tram network. Plus it’s a very walkable city.

The only time I used public transportation was from the airport, to the bus station, and to Duden Falls. The rest of the time I was easily able to walk wherever I wanted to go.

I didn’t go to the cable car. You’d have to either go on a tour or take public transportation if you wanted to experience it. It isn’t walkable from the Old Town.

Antalya, Turkey

Why You May Not Want to Visit Antalya

I’ve argued so far that the answer to the question is Antalya worth visiting is yes, but Antalya may not be the right fit for everybody.

There’s a lot to love about Antalya. It’s one of the best cities in Turkey for tourists for a reason.

That being said, Antalya wasn’t my favourite city in Turkey. It was about middle of the road for me. Granted, I visited some of the best places in Turkey like Ephesus, so it’s pretty much impossible to be at the top of my list.

The only downfall to Antalya in my eyes is just how touristy it is. Especially in the Old Town. Old Town are always super touristy, but the Old Town in Antalya is next level.

Don’t get my wrong. The Old Town in Antalya is stunning. It’s absolutely gorgeous, but it just loses a little bit of it’s charm when you’re walking around and seeing burger joints and pubs rather than Turkish restaurants that you’d typically see in other Old Towns in Turkey.

It definitely felt more like it was curated for the foreign tourist rather than other Old Towns that felt like they were made for Turkish tourists and foreign tourists.

I hope that makes sense.

Now, just because it’s a little more focused on foreign tourists doesn’t mean Antalya isn’t worth visiting.

I think the pros of Antalya widely outweigh the cons of Antalya.

I really recommend you spend some time outside the Old Town wandering through the modern city to get a better idea of what Antalya is really like.

You should also take the time to find a good place to eat that has good reviews and no mention of being scammed in the reviews.

Read my full article on safety in Antalya to learn about food scams in the city

Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Days Should I Spend in Antalya?

I recommend 3-4 days in Antalya. That gives you enough time to see all the major tourist attractions without being rushed.

Where Should I Stay?

I recommend staying in the Old Town. You’ll pay a little bit more than staying in the modern part of the city, but it’s more convenient and walkable to stay in the Old Town.

Is Antalya Expensive?

It’s hard to say whether or not Antalya is expensive because what expensive means to me may be affordable to you and vice versa.

That being said, Antalya is the most affordable city when comparing Istanbul, Cappadocia, and Antalya. It isn’t the cheapest city I visited during my month in Turkey.

I paid about $35USD/night for a hotel right in the heart of the Old City. You can find cheaper hotels and more expensive hotels, but, overall, I would say compared to a lot of places in the world, Antalya is very affordable.

In fact, I found Turkey to be more affordable than Southeast Asia.

The thing that is going to be more expensive in Antalya is the food. I found Antalya had some of the highest prices for food in Turkey. Antalya and Bodrum. Probably because they’re tourist resort towns right on the water.

How to Get from the Airport to the Old Town

Luckily, Antalya has a tram line directly at the airport. You have to leave the airport building and walk a little bit to the left past a parking lot, but it’s super easy to find.

You’ll take the Antray Tram line all the way to the Old Town. The tram doesn’t go into the Old Town, but it gets you very close. Within walking distance of the Old Town.

If you don’t want to bother with the tram, you can pre-book an airport shuttle to drop you off at your hotel. It’s super affordable and convenient.

The airport shuttle is honestly what I’d recommend to my friends and family who were visiting Turkey for the first time and/or weren’t confident navigating from the tram station to their hotel.

The convenience of being dropped off right at your hotel door is hard to beat. Plus you know exactly what you’re going to pay and don’t have to worry about being scammed by a taxi driver.

Plus the shuttle is super affordable and won’t break the bank.

Antalya, Turkey

The Importance of Internet Safety

One of the most overlooked travel safety tips is the need to be internet safe. You rely on public wifi as a traveller, and that puts you at a high risk of having your personal online information stolen.

Even if you have an esim on your phone, you still rely on public wifi at your hotel (you’d burn through your data otherwise).

Trust me when I tell you that you don’t want to have your online information stolen. Especially your banking information. You don’t want to deal with the headache of calling your bank and having your card cancelled while you’re abroad trying to enjoy a holiday.

The only way you can be internet safe when you travel is by installing a VPN on your devices.

A VPN essentially puts an invisible forcefield around your devices that makes it impossible for prying eyes to access your online information. It makes using public wifi just as safe as using your home wifi where you’re the only person who knows the password.

It’s the simplest safety measure you can take in preparation for your trip to Antalya.

NordVPN

My Favourite VPN

I’ve used a lot of different VPNs over my many years of travel. I hated most of them. VPNs are notorious for slowing down your internet speed, and with most VPNs you really feel a difference in speed.

I used to turn off my VPN and put my online information at risk just because the VPN I was using was so slow I couldn’t handle it.

That all changed when I discovered NordVPN. I’ve been using it since 2018 have no thoughts of ever changing.

It consistently ranks as the fastest VPN on the market, and you really feel a difference in speed compared to other VPNs. I’ve honestly never noticed a slow down in my internet with NordVPN, and my internet is just as fast as if I were using it unprotected.

You’re able to protect up to six devices with a single NordVPN account, so you don’t have to worry about having different accounts to protect your phone versus your laptop versus a tablet.

A two-year NordVPN subscription costs less per month than a single Starbuck’s latte, so you don’t have to break the bank to stay internet safe.

I always say that if you can afford to travel, you can afford to protect yourself with a VPN and stay safe when travelling.

top Pick
NordVPN

NordVPN

Get the fastest VPN on the market and stay safe while travelling.

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped answer the question is Antalya worth visiting. In my opinion, it is 100% worth visiting Antalya.

It’s the gateway to the stunning west coast beaches Turkey is famous for. Even if you only have a short time in Turkey, it’s worth adding Antalya to your itinerary.

Chances are it’ll be much different from the cities you’re already planning on visiting. It’ll gives you a different taste of Turkey and a different experience from the other most popular tourist cities.

Even though Antalya is very much a tourist city, it’s still worth visiting. Plus the tourist infrastructure makes it the perfect city for new travellers or solo travellers.

I don’t know anybody who has visited Antalya and didn’t have a good time. I hope you enjoy it if you choose to add it to your Turkey itinerary!

What I Wish I Knew Before Backpacking Turkey Alone

I spent a month backpacking Turkey in 2022 and LOVED it. Turkey quickly became one of my favourite countries, and I already started planning my next trip there before I even left.

Even though my solo trip to Turkey was amazing, there are still a few things I wish I knew before backpacking Turkey. Things that would have made my trip go a little bit smoother or save me time or money.

So if you’re planning a trip to Turkey (which I’m assuming you are since you’re reading this article), I hope the information in this post helps you avoid making the same mistakes I made on my first trip to Turkey.

Just because there are things I wish I knew before backpacking Turkey doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go to Turkey!

It’s hard to describe just how beautiful and friendly Turkey is. It’s the type of the place you have to see to believe. Especially places like Ephesus and Antalya.

Turkey truly is one of the most underrated countries in the world and doesn’t get as much love as it deserves.

Anyways, you’re not here to listen to me gush about Turkey. You’re here to learn how to prepare better for your trip to Turkey!

So, here are all the things I wish I knew before backpacking Turkey. Hopefully they’re of some help to you!

Tips for planning your first solo trip

Library of Celsius, Ephesus, Turkey

Intercity Buses are Always Late

I relied on intercity buses to get between cities while backpacking Turkey. I quickly learned that even though they normally leave on time, they don’t seem to get to their destination on time.

I never had an intercity bus arrive at the destination anywhere near the time it was supposed to.

The most on time bus I was on was an hour late. The latest was 5 hours. It was painful. What was supposed to be a 5 hour bus ride turned into a 10 hour bus ride. People were not pleased at all.

I’m not entirely sure why the intercity buses would arrive at their destination later than scheduled. There didn’t seem to be any unscheduled stops or super long stops at bus stations along the way.

It’s not really a big deal that the buses run late as long as you’re aware of it an plan for it. Here are a few tips:

  • Take the first bus of the day if you’re on a long bus ride. This will ensure you have a better chance of arriving in your next city while it’s still daylight.
  • Don’t plan anything for right when you’re scheduled to arrive in your next city. Allow at least two to three hours of leeway before you have any plans.
  • Make sure you bring water, snacks, and entertainment for the bus. I have Libby and rent audiobooks from my library!
  • Most buses has a two by one seating arrangement. If you can get a single seat, your bus journey will be so much more comfortable.

I found the buses in Turkey to be quite comfortable. They have big, cozy seats, and you don’t feel squished.

They’re also extremely affordable and in my opinion the best way to travel around Turkey. That is, of course, you’re only in Turkey for a few days and travelling long distances. Then flying is probably the way to go.

top tip

Install an esim on your phone, so you can scroll the internet or watch YouTube during your bus rides.

Turkish People are Super Friendly, but it Could Also be a Scam

Turkish people are super friendly. Hotel workers, shop owners, restaurant servers. Everybody I met in Turkey was just the nicest.

However, there is a bit of a downside to that as well.

With the Turkish people being so nice, it may lure you into a false sense of confidence that everybody is super nice and friendly and just wants to say hi.

That’s true for most people, but there are a few people who have decided to use how friendly Turkish people are and turn it into a scam.

Luckily, it’s super easy to figure out who is likely scamming you and who is just being friendly and helpful.

If someone offers to tour you around their favourite parts of the city, that’s likely a scam. They’ll end up taking you to a carpet shop and try to pressure you into purchasing an expensive carpet.

The people who do this (in my experience) are often older men who seem very friendly and helpful. When someone tried doing this to me in Selçuk, he saw me walking from the bus stop to my hotel. He asked where I was staying (I didn’t tell him) and tried to continue making conversation.

Later that day, I walked by him again on my way to dinner, and he once again tried to strike up a conversation with me. Giving me tips and information on the city and Ephesus. Then he invited me in to learn about how he makes carpets in a traditional way.

So, if a random person comes up to you on the street and starts making small talk, just assume they’re trying to sell you something.

The people you’d meet in normal circumstances like people at cafes or shops who are being friendly are just nice people!

It’s pretty easy to figure out who may be trying to scam you and who is just nice.

Learn more about common Turkish scams here

Antalya, Turkey

There are Lots of Places You Don’t Have to Barter

Almost every blog post I read before backpacking Turkey told me that I’d have to barter for any souvenirs I wanted.

I don’t like to barter. I avoid it at all costs and do everything in my power to avoid it. I thought based on what I was reading that I’d have to barter in Turkey.

That definitely wasn’t the case.

I had no trouble finding souvenirs that didn’t require any bartering. If you enjoy bartering, there are lots of places you can do that, but if you’re like me and hate it, there are also lots of places that you can just pay the sticker price.

Here are some of my best tips for finding places you don’t have to barter:

  • Purchase souvenirs at museum gift shops or at tourist attractions. This may sound weird because those places are normally very overpriced, but that wasn’t the case in Turkey. I found more unique souvenirs at museum gift shops than in most places in Turkey, and they didn’t break the bank.
  • Avoid souks and markets. You’re pretty much guaranteed to have to barter there.
  • Take a peak in the shop windows. If you see prices, then you likely don’t have to barter.
  • If you walk into a store or stall where you realize you have to barter and you don’t want to, just walk out. The store owner may call at you trying to get you to stay, but you’re under no obligation to stay.
  • Don’t purchase souvenirs at the airport. You won’t have to barter, but they’re significantly more expensive than outside the airport. Probably the highest markup I’ve ever seen at an airport.

The Cities are Very Walkable

Every single city I visited in Turkey was extremely walkable. This includes Istanbul. I only took public transportation twice in Istanbul. Once to get from the bus station to my hotel and to get to the Asian side of Istanbul and back to the European side.

You can get most places in Turkey with your own two feet and not have to rely on public transportation. I even walked from my hotel to Ephesus in about 30 minutes!

The only outlier to the walkability of Turkey is the bus stations. They tend to be way out of the main part of town, and you can’t walk to wherever you’re staying. I typically took a taxi rather than the bus because it was faster, more convenient, and still very affordable.

So, make sure you have your walking shoes packed when backpacking Turkey because you’ll be using them a lot.

I’m by no means complaining. I love walking and try to avoid public transit as much as possible when I travel. Turkey was a dream. It was so dreaming walking around the old streets and see all the architecture.

You always see way more by walking than when taking public transportation.

top tip

Make sure you have travel insurance before your trip to Turkey

Cash Always Preferred

I took out enough cash for my entire trip backpacking Turkey before I left Canada, so the love of cash over cards in Turkey wasn’t an issue for me.

I did, however, see lots of tourists scrambling to find an ATM machine or bank because the merchant they were purchasing from didn’t accept credit cards.

Many stores and restaurants in major cities like Istanbul and Antalya accept credit cards. It is less common in smaller cities and in souks or markets.

I highly recommend you always have cash on you when travelling in Turkey. You don’t want to be in a situation where you can’t pay for your food or entrance ticket just because you don’t have cash.

I had about 14,000 Lira (approximately $525 USD) with me for my month backpacking Turkey in 2023. It was more than enough for restaurants, entry fees, grocery store snack runs, transportation, and taxis. I even ended up spending a lot of money on Turkish towels the day before I left because I had a lot of cash left over.

Note: This is just what I spent in 2023. Please don’t use it to base your information off of. Inflation is high in Turkey right now, and you may travel and spend differently than I do.

Moral of the story is bring some cash to Turkey. You’ll need it.

Istanbul

Turkish Delight is the Most Addicting Thing Ever

I never had Turkish delight before visiting Turkey. The two things I knew about it was the little boy in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was willing to betray his family for them and that Lorelei and Rory in Gilmore Girls hated them.

Two very polarizing opinions.

I had no idea what to expect when it came to Turkish delight. I was honestly a bit nervous about trying them because they seem like a love it or hate it item.

Let me be the first one to tell you that Turkish delight is incredible. You’ll become obsessed with it and want it all the time. It is so flavourful and light and just delicious. Leave room in your suitcase to bring some home!

My favourites are from Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir in Istanbul. They’re the oldest Turkish delight makers in the country, and you can’t beat the flavour of them. They’re also very affordable as well.

I would try to stay away from the ones being sold by street vendors that are six packages for a couple of dollars. They tend to be lower quality and won’t give you the best impression of Turkish delight.

But even those are way better than what you’ll likely find in your home country.

Please just promise me you won’t leave Turkey without trying Turkish delight. Unless you have an allergy of course!

You can probably tell that I’m very passionate about Turkish delight and dream about them all the time seeing as I’ve dedicated a whole section to it in this article that’s supposed to be about backpacking Turkey and not how amazing Turkish delight are.

Take a food tour in Istanbul

Some Tourist Attractions are Quite Expensive

I honestly don’t quite understand the pricing at tourist attractions in Turkey.

Some of them are extremely affordable like Ephesus (they should really be charging more for it). Some entry fees are super expensive like Troy and Dolmabahce Palace are more expensive than they should be.

I suggest you bring a fair amount of cash with you on the days you visit tourist attractions that have an entry fee. You never really know what the entrance fee will be until you get there.

You may be thinking just Google the entrance fee. That seems logical, but from my experience, what is listed online isn’t always correct. The internet said the entrance fee to Troy was one price, and when I got there, it was twice the price listed online.

Gotta love inflation!

So, be prepared to be surprised about how much some tourist attractions cost. Sometimes you’ll feel like you’re getting a good deal. Sometimes you’ll feel like you’re overpaying.

It all balances out in the end, and this is likely your only time backpacking Turkey, so you may as well do what you want and not have regrets when you get home.

Try paragliding in Antalya

The Museum Pass is Istanbul is Worth it

I normally think that the museum or city passes are a bit of scam. You rarely get your money’s worth out of them.

That isn’t the case with the Istanbul museum pass. It is 100% worth the money, and I highly recommend everybody consider getting it on their trip to Turkey.

Heck the entrance fee to Topkapi Palace is about half the cost of the museum pass in one single attraction.

You have to be very careful when buying your museum pass though!

There are two different passes you can get in Istanbul. The museum pass that gets you entry to 10 different museums and Topkapi Palace. And the Istanbul pass that gives you access to something like 85 different attractions in Istanbul.

You want to purchase the museum pass not the Istanbul pass.

At the time of writing, the museum pass is 700 Lira (approximately $26 USD).

You used to be able to purchase the museum pass online and have it delivered to your hotel when you arrived in Istanbul, but that stopped during Covid.

Now you have to purchase the museum pass in person when you’re in Istanbul. Luckily, it’s very easy to purchase.

There are museum pass stalls all over Istanbul near the popular tourist attractions. Especially the attractions included in the museum pass.

I purchased mine right near Hagia Sophia. The location was surprisingly very quiet compared to the one near Galata Tower. If you’re able to, I’d recommend purchasing your museum pass there.

Your museum pass is valid for 5 days after purchase and allows you entry to the 10 locations once.

My favourite museum included in the museum pass was Great Palace Mosaics Museum. I highly recommend you take half hour out of your day to visit it!

Çanakkale, Turkey

Taxis are Very Affordable

I’m from Canada, and taxis here are very expensive. Since that’s what I’m used to, I kind of think of taxis as a luxury and not something that should be used on a regular basis.

That’s not the case in Turkey.

Taxis are very affordable in Turkey. That’s a good thing since bus stations tend to be located quite a distance out of town, and you might not want to wait an hour or so to catch a bus.

If you need to get somewhere quickly in Turkey or don’t want to wait for a bus, you can take a taxi without breaking the bank. It’s quite nice to know you can rely on taking a taxi without stressing about how much it’s going to cost you. A nice luxury indeed.

I found the taxi drivers to be very helpful and didn’t really have an issue with being scammed, which is always a bit of a concern as a solo female traveller.

The only time I got mildly scammed was my ride to the Istanbul airport, but that was only for a couple of dollars. Not a big deal in the whole big scheme of things.

Just make sure the taxi driver turns on the meter and that the meter actually starts counting upwards.

Turkey is More Affordable than I Thought it Would be

All the blogs I read in preparation for backpacking Turkey told me that Turkey was affordable. I took that with a grain of salt because they were written before Covid, and I knew Turkey was dealing with a major inflation problem.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Turkey was a lot more affordable than I thought it would be. Even when I was in Istanbul and ate in a touristy area where the prices are always way higher, the prices were still very reasonable.

In a lot of cases, I found Turkey more affordable than some Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia and even Cambodia.

It is definitely a country you want to visit if you’re on a budget and love history. Even if you’re not on a budget, it’s always nice to have your money stretch a little more than you thought it would.

I found that if I took information from a 2019 budget guide, I could often expect to pay about 50% more for food. That was in 2022 at least. Prices have probably increased a bit since then as well.

Even though the prices have increased a fair amount in the past couple of years, it’s still very affordable in Turkey compared to other nearby countries and especially Europe.

top tip

Leaving a 10% to 15% tip at restaurants in Turkey is customary.

You Need Your Passport for More than You’d Think

In most countries you need your passport to check into hotels and into flights, and that’s pretty much it. China’s a big exception to this rule, but, in general, you don’t really need your passport all that often when you travel.

Turkey is also an exception to this rule. I found myself pulling out my passport way more than I normally have to when I travel.

You need your passport to book bus and train tickets and sometimes even to purchase entrance tickets to tourist attractions.

The most strange thing is that oftentimes my passport number was the login for the wifi. This meant I had to wait quite a while before I could access the internet in my room (that wasn’t an issue since I had an esim) and that I ended up memorizing my passport number. That is not something I ever thought would happen.

Be sure to carry your passport on you when backpacking Turkey. You never know when you might need it.

Antalya, Turkey

The Importance of Internet Safety

One of the most important travel safety tips that most people ignore or don’t know about. You rely on public wifi when you travel. Even if you have an esim (highly recommend!), you’ll still be using public wifi at your hotel at a minimum.

Public wifi puts you at risk of having your personal online information and data stolen. Even if it has a password on it, everybody else who knows the password is able to access the internet. Anybody who wants to and knows how can access your online data.

Trust me when I tell you that you don’t want to deal with cancelling your bank cards while abroad because someone stole your banking information. It’s a headache I don’t wish on anybody.

The only way to keep your online information safe when using public wifi is by installing a VPN on your devices.

It essentially puts a forcefield around your devices that makes it impossible for prying eyes to access your online information.

A VPN makes using public wifi networks just as safe as using your home wifi where you’re the only person who knows the password.

Its’ the easiest and quickest safety precaution you can take when travelling!

NordVPN

My Favourite VPN

I’ve used a lot of different VPNs over my many years of travel. VPNs are notorious for slowing down your devices and making the internet painfully slow. A lot of the time I would turn off my VPN and put my information at risk just because the VPN was slowing down the internet so much.

All that changed when I started using NordVPN. It’s the quickest VPN on the market. I’ve never noticed any internet slowdown and forget I’m using a VPN most of the time. It just feels like I’m scrolling the internet like normal.

Not only is it the fastest and most reliable VPN out there, but it’s also super affordable. You can install NordVPN on up to six devices on a single subscription, so you can protect all your devices for one price.

The price per month of a two-year subscription is less than a single Starbuck’s latte!

I always say that if you can afford to travel, you can afford to protect your online information with a VPN.

top Pick
NordVPN

NordVPN

Get the fastest and most reliable VPN on the market!

My Favourite Things I Did While in Turkey

once in a lifetime

Visit Ephesus (one of the highlights of my life)

skip the line

Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Tickets

adventure

Try White Water Rafting in Antalya

relaxation

Take an Island Boat Tour in Bodrum

history buff

Guided Gallipoli Tour in Çanakkale

history buff

Blue Mosque Guided Tour

Conclusion

I really hope this article helped you decide whether backpacking Turkey is right for you or not. I love Turkey and really want to encourage more people to visit it.

It’s one of the most beautiful and historically rich countries on the planet!

Turkey is also extremely safe and a great place to start exploring as a solo traveller. It’s easy to get around, affordable, and full of bucket list experiences.

I know a lot of people just visit Istanbul and Cappadocia, but I encourage you to spend more time in Turkey and explore some of the less popular tourist areas. You won’t regret it!

Is Istanbul Safe for Solo Travellers?!

Istanbul is quickly becoming a more and more popular tourist destination. Many people wonder is Istanbul safe? And is Istanbul safe for solo female travellers?

I’ve spent quite a bit of time in Istanbul and travelling around Turkey as a solo female traveller.

I can honestly say that I never felt unsafe in Istanbul. In fact, I felt more safe in Istanbul that I have in many other cities. And definitely more safe at night than in Paris.

But is Istanbul safe just because I found it safe? I’m an experienced white solo female traveller, so travelling alone is objectively easier and safer for me than for some other groups of people.

I’m going to take your through my experience travelling alone in Istanbul and give you some safety tips, so you can decide if Istanbul is safe for you or not.

Istanbul

Is Istanbul Safe?

Just in case you skimmed the intro to this post (I really can’t blame you), I was to reiterate that Istanbul, in my opinion, is very safe. It’s a huge metropolis and most people are just trying to get on with their day and make a living.

Most of the time when I told people I was going to Turkey alone for an extended period of time, people were horrified. The first question they always asked was related to safety in some way or another.

I think there is some prejudice from people about the part of the world Turkey is in. Most people will never see Turkey or a country with a majority Muslim population. People are scared of what they don’t know, and, let’s be honest, as a Canadian, there is a lot of propaganda being fed to us about Muslim majority countries.

Turkey is a secular country by the way.

In some ways I understand why people ask is Istanbul safe. Especially when you’re travelling there alone.

That’s probably why you’re Googling whether Istanbul is safe or dangerous and reading this article.

You can sleep easy knowing that Istanbul is safe for tourists. It has a great tourism infrastructure, is very walkable, and there are always tons of other tourists around in case you need to blend in and not look alone for a minute or two for any reason.

That doesn’t mean that nothing could go wrong on your solo trip to Istanbul. Of course things could go wrong, but you really only have to worry about the normal tourist traps and scams like everywhere else in the world.

Later on in this article I’m going to give you a few safety tips and tricks to make sure you’re safe while travelling Istanbul solo. First I’m going to answer a few other top safety questions that most people ask me when I talk about travelling alone in Turkey.

Istanbul

Is Istanbul Airport Safe?

I’m always surprised by the number of people who question whether the Istanbul airport is safe. It’s such an odd question to me. It’s a huge hub airport. Of course it’s safe!

In fact, it’s one of my favourite airports in the world.

They did an incredible job designing it and making it feel like a high-end experience rather than a typical airport experience. It’s bright, open, and has tons of shopping.

If you can get into the business class lounge, I highly recommend it. Even if you can only get into the “normal” lounge, it’s still a great experience.

If your credit card doesn’t give you lounge access, consider whether or not getting a Priority Pass is worth it for you based on how often you travel.

If you’re worried about getting from the airport to your accommodation, consider hiring a private transfer. It’s not much more expensive than getting a taxi, but this way you know exactly how much you’re paying and don’t run the risk of being scammed.

The One Odd Thing About Istanbul Airport

There is one really odd thing about Istanbul airport you should be aware of though. At least it’s odd to me and not something I’ve seen anywhere else in the world.

Most international flights (especially going to Canada, the US, or Europe) require you to go through lots of additional security screening in addition to the normal airport screening.

Your passport will be scanned before you check in, but that’s only the start.

Once you get to the gate, you have to have your passport scanned normally two more times, empty your carry on bags and have them searched and tested for bomb residue, and be patted down by a security agent.

It’s definitely overkill, and people tend to get annoyed really quick because it takes a long time to get through the line.

I recommend you go to your gate as soon as it says “go to gate”. That is when the security line will be the shortest.

The downside to being at the gate right when it opens is I’ve never been in a gate area that has a bathroom in it. You can’t leave the secure area either unless you want to go through the entire additional security screening process again.

It’s a hassle and an annoyance for sure. But now that you’re aware of it, you can make sure you get to your gate early, go to the washroom before arriving at the gate, and know what to expect when you get to the gate.

I’m not a fan of the process either, but you have to go through it, so just be nice and patient with the people who are doing the additional screening.

top tip

Install an esim on your phone, so you don’t have expensive roaming charges on your phone while accessing the internet while in Instanbul.

Is it Safe to Walk in Istanbul at Night?

Yes. It is safe to walk around Istanbul at night. Even as a solo traveller.

You just need to take reasonable safety precautions. Don’t go down any dark and mysterious roads, try to stick to a main route you know, and be aware of your surroundings.

For example, if you’re walking home from your Bosphorus Dinner Cruise, know what route you’re going to take in advance and stick to the main streets. Don’t try taking any shortcuts. The good thing is the Google Maps normally takes you on main streets anyways, so it should be a problem.

You should have no problem walking around Istanbul at night and should feel safe the entire time. I never felt the need to watch my back or like I needed to walk quicker to get home.

Is Istanbul Safe from Terrorism?

No city is ever guaranteed to be safe from terrorism. But it isn’t something you need to be actively worried about terrorism, and it shouldn’t be something that stops you from visiting Istanbul.

I’m writing this in mid-2023, and there has only been one terrorism event in the past five years. Statistically, there is more than one mass shooting every day in the USA, so if you’re comfortable and confident being in the US, then Istanbul won’t be an issue for you.

You don’t normally consider terrorism attacks when planning a trip to, say, Italy or the UK, and it doesn’t need to be a consideration when planning a trip to Istanbul either.

Istanbul

Is Istanbul Safe for Solo Female Travellers?

Yes. Absolutely. 100%.

Istanbul is a very safe city, and being a woman doesn’t make it any less safe. Everybody in Istanbul is incredibly kind and helpful. It’s an extremely safe city, and a very easy city to travel around.

I actually think it’s a great city to visit if you’re new to travelling alone. Most attractions are within walking distance to one another, the city is super safe, the food is delicious, and it’s a great place to build up your solo travel confidence.

top tip

Be sure to have travel health insurance before arriving in Istanbul!

Istanbul Safety Tips

Now that I’ve hopefully answered most of the questions you have about safety in Istanbul for tourists, let’s move on to some of the safety tips you should know when visiting Istanbul.

Since Istanbul is such a safe city, most of these tips are generic safety tips you should use whenever you travel.

Watch Out for Pick Pockets

Pick pockets are probably the biggest thing you need to worry about while in Istanbul.

The city is busy, the streets are crowded, and there are tourists everywhere. This makes for the perfect combination for pick pockets to thrive.

Luckily, it’s super easy to not be a victim of a pick pocket.

Keep an eye on your belongings, wear your bag on the side close to the front of you not so it is slipping backwards, keep items out of your pocket, and don’t carry valuable in your hand unless you have a firm grasp on them.

It’s shocking how many times I see people carelessly whipping out their phone to take a picture or video and don’t have a tight grip on it. Definitely not the best safety practice out there.

The other thing you need to do is be aware when people bump into you. Because they will. There are a lot of bottle necks in Istanbul because there are too many people walking on narrow sidewalks or through underground passages.

Most people who bump into you are just normal people trying to make it to their destination. The odd one may be a pick pocket. Follow basic safety rules, keep your head on a swivel, and look aware.

Those simple steps will make you a far less likely target for a pick pocket. They want someone who is mindless and not aware of their surroundings. Look confident, and you shouldn’t have an issue.

Beware of the Trams

This probably sounds like a really weird thing to bring up in an article asking the question is Istanbul safe but hear me out.

As I mentioned, the sidewalks in Istanbul are very narrow, and there are a lot of people using them. This means you’ll often spill out onto the street. At a minimum just when you want to pass someone.

On some of the main streets that people walk, there aren’t cars. Only trams allowed. These streets often see the most people walking on the streets and not the sidewalk. Makes sense since there are no cars.

That’s all fine and good until a tram comes along.

The trams will ring their bell to let you know they’re coming, and then it’s up to you to get out of their way. The hard part sometimes is finding a place on the sidewalk to go.

Sometimes it’s difficult to hear the tram’s bell because it’s so loud.

The moral of the story is that you need to be really aware of your surroundings and be prepared to get off the street at any given moment.

Even after reading this, you probably think this is a weird tip, but you’ll understand better when you’re in Istanbul.

Be Internet Safe

One of the most important safety precautions you can take as a traveller is being internet safe. Unfortunately, not enough people know the risks of being online while abroad (or even out and about in their own city), so it’s not something most people think about.

You rely on public wifi when you travel. Even if you have an esim and are using data while out exploring Istanbul, you’ll still be relying on public wifi at your hotel and the airport.

Public wifi networks aren’t secure. Pretty much anybody can get into them. Even if they have a password associated with them. This means that your personal online information and data is at risk of being stolen.

Trust me when I say you do not want to have to deal with canceling bank cards while you’re abroad because prying eyes stolen your bank information while you were using a public wifi network.

The only way to keep your private online information safe and secure while you travel is by install a VPN on your devices.

A VPN essentially puts an invisible forcefield around your devices that makes it impossible for prying eyes to access your information. It makes using public wifi networks just as safe as using your home wifi network where you’re the only person who knows the password.

Installing a VPN is truly one of the easiest things you can do to protect yourself while you’re abroad.

I always say that if you can afford to travel, you can afford to protect your online information.

Nord VPN

My Favourite VPN

VPNs are notorious for slowing down your internet speed. I’ve used tons of different VPN providers over my many years of travel, and I’m embarrassed to admit that I often turned my VPN off and put my information at risk just because the VPN I was using slowed my internet down so much.

That all changed when I started using NordVPN.

It’s the fastest VPN on the market, and you can really tell the difference between it and other VPNs. I’ve never noticed a difference in my internet speed when using NordVPN.

Another great feature of VPNs is the ability to cloak your location. You can set your location to any country in the world, and the internet thinks you’re actually in that country.

This gives you access to that country’s Netflix, sporting events, and can sometimes save you lots of money when searching for flights.

The very best part is that VPNs are affordable and won’t break the bank. The cost per month for a two-year NordVPN subscription is less than a single latte at Starbuck’s.

It’s an extremely small price to pay for the peace of mind you get knowing that all your personal online information and data is safe from prying eyes.

Seriously. We have so much of our personal information online nowadays that it’s too much of a risk to use public wifi without a VPN.

top Pick
NordVPN

NordVPN

Protect your online information while travelling with the world’s fastest VPN!

Get the Best Price

Know Local Scams

Just like any city, there are a few scams you should know about in Istanbul. Most of them are pretty standard scams, but there is one you may not know about.

The Taxi Scam

The most common scam is the taxi scam. This happens in a couple of ways.

Often the taxi driver insists on not starting the meter and agreeing on a price before you leave. You never get a good price when this happens. If a driver starts doing this, just say no and walk away. There are plenty of drivers in Istanbul that won’t do this.

The next two scams are harder to get away from because you’re already in the car when they happen.

The first is the scenic drive. This happens in nearly every city in the world. The taxi driver gets a tourist in their car, and they start taking the longest way possible to increase their fare. You don’t really know the proper way to go as a tourist, and you may not ever realize you’ve been scammed if this happens to you.

The second is the most common taxi scam in Istanbul. Especially when going to or from the airport. That’s the toll fee scam.

Taxi drivers will say they went through tolls, and you have to pay for them. That’s fair enough, but they always tell you the toll costs way more than it actually did. The first time this happened to me, the taxi driver said the toll fee was 50 Lira (about $2 USD). I Googled it, and the toll was actually only 8 Lira (about $0.30 USD).

It isn’t a huge amount of money you’re being scammed out of, and it’s often better just to pay it rather than argue about it.

The way to avoid these scams is by using Uber. You’ll still get a taxi when using Uber, but using the app gives you the rider the safety of knowing what the price should be and not getting scammed. And if you think you have been scammed, you can deal with Uber not the taxi driver.

The Carpet Scam

This is the scam you’re probably not aware of. It’s very common in most countries that are famous for selling carpets, and it’s something you should be aware of.

This happens where a nice older man starts chatting with you and then offers to show you around the city or to his favourite tourist spot. Then as you’re walking to wherever he’s going to show you, he stops at a relative’s carpet shop and wants to show you around.

You’re greeted kindly, given a cup of Turkish tea, and shown around the store.

Then you’re trapped.

They go on trying to sell you the carpets including shipping them back home for you. You’re probably not in the market for a carpet, but they keep pushing, and you can’t leave.

When you do eventually leave, they get really angry with you. But don’t give in, you don’t have to purchase anything from them. If they ask you to pay for the tea, don’t. Just leave.

It may sound like a silly scam. Why would anybody take a stranger up on their offer to tour them around? The person doing the offering is always very nice and chatty, and you always don’t want to be rude and just walk away.

But that’s exactly what you should do. Walk away. Never go with the stranger. That’s just unsafe no matter where in the world you are.

Now I don’t want you to get the idea that all carpet sellers are scammers.

Most aren’t.

If you want to purchase a carpet while you’re in Istanbul, do some research online ahead of time and find a reputable store with good reviews.

Istanbul

The Shoe Shining Scam

Ah. This is a classic. It happens in many countries around the world.

Someone comes up to you and just starts shining your shoes without asking or saying anything.

If this happens to you, pull your shoe away while they’re bending down. Don’t let me make contact with your shoe. Say no and walk away.

If they make contact with your shoe, you’re going to have to pay them way more money than you should.

It’s an unfortunate scam, but it’s an oldie and a goodie and happens all over the world.

The Child Begger

The final scam I’m going to tell you about makes me seem a bit mean. And that is the child beggar scam.

This is where a small child begs on the street for money. In most cases, the child and their family is indeed poor, but you shouldn’t give any money to a child begger.

It just encourages the parents to continue to keep their kid out of school or other child activities, so they can make money for the family. It’s not fair to the child.

Just like the shoe shine scam, this scam happens all over the world. It’s hard to say no to a begging child, but it’s in their best interest. If they stop making money, hopefully their parent will stop making them go out and beg.

Be Aware of Tour Groups

This is another one where it’s going to sounds weird to you before arriving in Istanbul. Tour groups in Istanbul are wild. I’ve never seen so many tour groups anywhere else I’ve travelled.

They’re everywhere, they’re huge, and they’ll run you over. They have mob mentality, and they just keep walking without being aware of their surroundings.

The group leaders stop wherever they want with no regard for other people. I had a tour leader stop right at the exit of a ticket booth where there was only a single door to get out. Blocked the entire door and wouldn’t leave. I had to push my way out.

The tour leader will stop right where you’re standing if that’s where they want to stop, and they don’t make their tour group stand off to the side to make room for other people to get through.

It’s very chaotic at big tourist attractions like Topkapi Palace.

I know this information isn’t really an Istanbul safety tip, but it’s important information to know. It helps you know what to expect and stay calm when you’re being overrun by the tour groups.

And in places like Basilica Cistern it actually is a very important safety tip to know. It’s extremely crowded in the Basilica because of all the tour groups. There is pushing and lots of crowds.

There are even a few places where there aren’t guard rails. I saw a small child almost fall into the water because their adult wasn’t watching them closely enough.

So, please be prepared to navigate your way through tour groups and be extra careful when touring the Basilica Cistern, which is 100% a tourist attraction that is worth doing while in Istanbul!

Istanbul

Tap Water is Safe to Drink

A lot of people just assume that tap water in Istanbul isn’t safe to drink, but it is. Tap water isn’t safe to drink in every city in Turkey, but major cities like Istanbul have safe tap water.

That doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll want to drink it though. I tend to stick to bottled water while in Istanbul. It’s very affordable, and you normally get a couple bottles per day from your hotel for free.

So, if you’re in a pinch, feel free to drink the tap water, but bottled water will taste better.

You also don’t have to worry about brushing your teeth. I know a lot of people like to use bottled water to brush their teeth when the tap water isn’t safe to drink, but you don’t have to worry about that when you’re in Istanbul. Brush away!

My Favourite Things to do in Istanbul

Top pick

Istanbul Food Tour (seriously, the food is amazing!)

unique experience

Turkish Dance Show Tickets

skip the line

Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Tickets with Guide

once in a lifetime

Private Turkish Bath Experience

transportation

Istanbul Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour

history buff

Blue Mosque Guided Tour

Conclusion

I really hope this article helped answer the question is Istanbul safe?

For me and everybody else I know who has gone to Istanbul, the answer is YES! Istanbul is a very safe city even for solo female travellers.

Turkey as a whole is a very safe country, and it’s one of my favourite countries in the world. It’s such a special place, and if you get the chance to visit, I highly recommend you do.

You won’t regret it!

Is Antalya Safe for Solo Female Travellers?

I spent four wonderful days in Antalya, Turkey in 2022, and the number one questions friends and family had for me was is Antalya safe?

In some respects I understand why people kept asking me is Antalya, Turkey safe? Fear of the “Middle East” runs deep in North America, and Turkey isn’t a common destination for Canadians.

Yet at least. I do see it becoming a more popular tourist destination for Canadians and Americans in the next decade.

Turkey seems very different from life in Canada, and there is an unfortunate amount of propaganda about Turkey and that region of the world being unsafe.

That being said, I want to give you my honest opinion as to whether Antalya is safe for solo female travellers.

The answer to the question is Antalya safe is an easy one for me to give. It’s yes. Absolutely.

Antalya is safe for solo female travellers.

It is very touristy and has a great tourism infrastructure set up. The city relies on tourism dollars quite a bit and has made the city very tourist friendly and very easy to navigate.

Of course, just because Antalya is safe in general that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways that Antalya can be unsafe.

There are a few things you need to know before visiting Antalya alone to make your trip as safe as possible.

But as long as you pay attention to your surroundings and use common sense, Antalya is safe and an amazing destination.

Seriously, I spent almost a month in Turkey, and Antalya is one of my favourite cities I visited in Turkey. It has an amazing vibe and is just as stunning in real life as it is in picture.

Overcome your fear of travelling alone

Is Antalya Safe for Solo Female Travellers?

Just in case you skimmed or ignored the start of this post (I don’t blame you), I just want to reiterate that Antalya is safe for solo female travellers.

Antalya is one of the safest cities in Turkey and is a tourist hot spot. There is great tourism infrastructure, and, for the most part, locals look out for the tourists.

If it is your first time in Turkey or you’re a bit nervous about visiting Turkey alone, Antalya is the perfect place to start.

It is full of history, beautiful architecture, world class beaches, and mouthwatering food.

Antalya Safety Tips

Even though Antalya is a very safe city to visit, there are a few things you need to be aware of before visiting Antalya.

Being aware of these few things will help ensure you’re extra safe in Antalya and don’t run into any problems.

Antalya, Turkey

Taxi Scams are Common

Like many countries around the world, there are lots of taxi scams in Antalya. Most of the time, these scams centre around the driver not starting the meter.

When you get into a taxi, insist that the meter is turned on if your driver doesn’t start it immediately. They may resist but keep insisting.

If they still don’t turn it on, threaten to get out of the car, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly they turn the meter on.

Taxis are super affordable in Turkey so please don’t be tricked into paying an extremely high taxi fare.

Antalya also has an extensive public transportation system that includes an above-ground and below-ground metro system.

Honestly, Antalya was the only city in Turkey where I didn’t use a taxi at all.

It is very easy to get around Antalya just using their public transportation system. Including getting to and from the airport and bus terminal.

The ticket purchasing system for the metro in Antalya was quite confusing, so I recommend just tapping your credit card in and out. That’s what I did, and it worked like a charm.

Beware of Price Switching at Restaurants

This was the most frustrating scam in Antalya (and Bodrum).

This scam doesn’t change the answer to the question is Antalya safe, but it sure is something you need to be aware of.

Sadly, a number of restaurants in the old city (aka tourist hub) will advertise one price on the menu outside the restaurant, and then you’ll pay a whole different price when you get the bill. It is never much more, but it can add up over the course of your trip.

Plus it’s just a plain rip off and not a nice thing to do to tourists. Just raise your prices if you want to charge more.

It’s hard to know what restaurants will or won’t do this because you don’t know until you get your bill.

The best advice I can give you is to look up reviews of a restaurant you’re considering eating at on Google before you commit to eating there. If they have any surprise charges or incorrect bill charges, there will most certainly be reviews that include that information.

I had good luck with not having my bill overcharged in Antalya because I read reviews online.

The only time I had an issue was when I was in Bodrum and spontaneously chose a restaurant without reading reviews first. I guess I should have taken my own advice!

And if you do get a bill that you don’t believe is correct, bring it up to the waiter and ask for an explanation. You likely won’t get your bill changed, but at least you tried.

Or if you’re like me and hate confrontation, just pay the extra amount. It sucks, but you learned your lesson and hopefully won’t have that happen to you again in the future.

Antalya, Turkey

Internet Safety is Essential

Internet safety is one of the most overlooked safety precautions when travelling. People simply don’t think about it, and that is a big mistake.

When you travel, you rely on public wifi. This includes wifi at your hotel, the airport, and anywhere else you connect to wifi like a restaurant.

While public wifi networks are super convenient, they also put you at serious risk of having your online information and data stolen.

Just think how awful it would be to have your banking information stolen while you’re trying to enjoy a nice holiday in Turkey but now you have to deal with canceling your bank cards. What a headache.

The only way you can keep your devices safe when using public wifi networks is by installing a VPN on your devices.

A VPN essentially puts an invisible forcefield around your devices that makes it impossible for prying eyes to access your private online information.

It makes using public wifi networks as safe as using your home wifi network where you’re the only person who knows the password.

Installing a VPN is one of the easiest ways you can protect yourself while travelling.

My Favourite VPN

I’ve used a lot of different VPNs during my years of travelling, and, honestly, most of them are awful. Most VPNs are notorious for slowing down your internet speed and making your devices almost unusable.

A lot of the times I would turn off my VPN and put myself at risk of having my data stolen just because my VPN was so slow. And one time my banking information was stolen, and it was very much a headache.

All my frustrations with VPNs ended when I discovered NordVPN.

It is the fastest VPN on the market, and I’ve never noticed a slow down of my internet speed when using it. I’ve been using NordVPN since 2018 and have absolutely no intention of ever changing to a different VPN provider.

You can install your NordVPN subscription on up to six devices, so you can protect all your devices with one account. It is super convenient and easy to use with just a few clicks.

The best part is that NordVPN is super affordable.

You can purchase a two-year subscription, and it’ll cost you less per month than a single Starbuck’s latte.

That’s a small price to pay for the peace of mind that comes with using a VPN.

My philosophy is that if you can afford to travel, you can afford to protect your online information with a VPN.

Don’t Forget to Get an Esim!

Esims absolutely changed the way I travelled. You purchase an Esim online or through an app and download it straight to your phone.

Once you have an esim on your phone, you can use the data from it and access the internet wherever you are! There’s no need to remove your home sim card or purchase a physical sim card in Turkey.

You keep your phone number, so you can text your friends and family easily. After your trip to Turkey, you delete the esim with just a few clicks, and you can start using your normal data again or buy an esim for your next location.

My favourite esim company is Airalo. They have the most competitive rates, are the most reliable, and have coverage for the most countries.

Keep an Eye on Your Belongings at the Beach

I know you want to have a nice time at the beach, but as a solo traveller, you have to be really careful about leaving your belongings unattended at the beach.

For obvious reasons.

While 99% of people at the beach are honest and won’t bother your stuff, there is always that one person who would if they are given the opportunity.

So just use common sense.

Leave your expensive or important belongings at home. Only carry a little bit of cash on you, and don’t take anything to the beach you’ll be upset if you lose.

Have Your Passport on You but Keep it Stored Safely

This is another one of my tips that doesn’t really change the answer to the question is Antalya safe for solo female travellers?

However, I highly, highly recommend you carry your passport on you whenever you go out in Turkey.

You’ll need it if you purchase a bus ticket and sometimes when visiting a tourist sight.

There is also the possibility that you’ll be stopped by a police officer and be asked to prove you’re a tourist. They have every reason to stop you and ask for your passport, and it happens more often than you think. Especially when exiting public transportation.

I know a lot of people don’t like carrying their passport because they’re worried it will be stolen, and that’s a headache you don’t want to deal with.

I recommend you put it on the inside zipper pocket that is in basically every purse and most backpacks. Keep it as close to your body as possible, and it will make it nearly impossibly of pick pockets to get at if you’re pick pocketed.

Antalya, Turkey

Stick to Bottled Water

One way to have a terrible time in Antalya is by drinking the tap water.

Antalya is very warm- especially in the summer. You’ll find yourself reaching for water more than you probably do at home.

Please make sure you’re always drinking bottled water and avoiding tap water.

You should make sure you’re always drinking bottled water when you’re at restaurants as well.

You do not want to upset your stomach just because you didn’t want to pay for bottled water.

I know it isn’t the most environmentally friendly thing in the world but sometimes you just have to drink the bottled water for your health.

Things nobody tells you about travelling alone

Don’t be Drunk in Public

One of the biggest ways the answer to the question is Antalya safe can turn from yes to no is if you’re drunk in public.

Alcohol is totally legal in Turkey, and a lot of people (tourists and locals alike) drink. Beer is cheap and is super refreshing on a hot day.

The one thing you don’t want to do is overindulge and end up being drunk in public.

Not only is that incredibly unsafe- especially for a solo female traveller-, but it can get you into a lot of trouble as well if you’re stopped by the police.

Drink responsibly, and you’ll have no issue.

Please also use common sense when drinking in public. Don’t get into cars with strangers. Don’t accept a drink if it isn’t given to you directly by the bartender. And please don’t leave your drink unattended.

We love a girl who parties safely.

Talking About Politics is a Big No No

You may read up on Turkish politics before your trip and form opinions about it. Right or wrong, there is a polarizing political figure in power at the time I’m writing this.

No matter what your opinion is, keep it to yourself while on your solo trip to Antalya. Nobody wants to hear it.

For one, you’re a foreigner who has based their opinion off (likely) foreign journalists writing about it, and you have no first-hand knowledge of the issues.

Secondly, saying the wrong thing could likely offend the person you’re talking to, and they probably don’t want to be talking about it in the first place.

So, if you’re chatting with any locals, I suggest keeping the topics on the lighter side. Especially if it is your first time meeting them.

Antalya, Turkey

Activities in Antalya You May be Interested in

adventure

Whitewater Rafting Trip

once in a lifetime

Submarine Tour

relaxation

Traditional Turkish Bath Experience

adventure

Paragliding Experience and Beach Visit

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you answer the question is Antalya safe for solo female travellers.

Overwhelmingly, the answer to this question in my opinion is yes!

Antalya is a stunning city, and I highly recommend you visit it. The beaches and water are gorgeous, the food is delicious (as long as you avoid “hidden” charges on your bill), and there is no end to the historical and cultural aspects to the city.

It is truly one of those special cities that has a little bit for everybody.