Which Regions of Turkey Are the Most Comfortable and Safe?

One of the safest regions to live in Turkey is the Antalya region. Crime is low, and police can be seen on almost every street, so getting around the city is quite safe even after dark. Antalya also has a pleasant climate, a clean sea and coastline, excellent infrastructure, rapidly developing healthcare and lower seismic activity than the Aegean coast and the Marmara region, which makes it one of the best options for those who want to buy property in Turkey. The numbers confirm its popularity: in 2025, Antalya Province welcomed a record 17.12 million tourists. We explain how to choose a city for your goals and budget in our article on where it is best to buy property in Turkey.

Incidentally, a study by the German portal Tourexpi found that Antalya is one of the safest options for holidays and living with children and teenagers. The main thing is to be attentive and careful and always mind road safety.

We would also like to point out that, according to surveys in Turkey itself, Turks consider Çeşme and Mersin to be among the safest and most comfortable places. Their earthquake hazard differs: Mersin is in a medium-hazard zone, while Çeşme, like the whole of İzmir Province, is in a high-hazard zone. However, Çeşme is less suitable for children than Antalya because of its very strong winds. On the other hand, young people and fans of active holidays will feel at home here: surfers have long favored this coast.

From an environmental point of view, the most interesting places to buy property and live in Turkey are Marmaris, Belek and fast-growing Alanya, with a beautiful, clear sea, fresh, clean air and nature that seems untouched by man.

Contents:

• Regions compared
• How to check a building's earthquake safety
• Safety in everyday life
• Which region will not suit whom
• Frequently asked questions

Regions compared

Prices are from Endeksa, converted at the Central Bank of Turkey exchange rate on October 6, 2026: €1 = TRY 55.19. Earthquake hazard is given by province; for a specific address, it is checked on the AFAD interactive map.

How to check a building's earthquake safety

Earthquakes are possible anywhere in Turkey, so how a specific building was constructed matters more than the region:

• Year of construction. Since 2001, construction supervision has been mandatory in Turkey, and since 2019 new seismic building codes have applied. Buildings constructed to these standards are considered more reliable.
• Occupancy permit (iskan). It confirms that the building was accepted as built to the approved design.
• DASK insurance. It is compulsory for all homes, costs TRY 500–3,000 a year, and a sale cannot be registered without it.

"Since the 2023 earthquake, buyers have been asking about seismic safety more often. We show them the building documents: the year the permit was issued, the design that meets the codes and the DASK policy. This answers most questions before the viewing," says a sales manager at Yekta Homes.

Safety in everyday life

Overall, Turkey is a fairly safe country. In all major tourist cities, you can walk around at any time of day or night without risk to your health or life. Violent crime is very rare, perhaps even rarer than in many European cities. What you really need to watch out for is the theft of small items, money and passports, especially in crowded and busy places. And of course, don't forget basic safety rules: don't accept gifts from strangers, don't go to strangers' homes, and so on. According to Numbeo, Turkey's safety index was 58.67 out of 100 in September 2026.

Keep in mind that even large cities have areas that are best avoided. Similarly, the situation in southeastern Turkey has long been special: an armed conflict over Kurdish autonomy went on there for a long time, and instability persisted, so it is better not to visit these regions unnecessarily. In 2025, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) announced its dissolution and disarmament, but the UK Foreign Office and several other governments still advise against travel within 10 km of the Syrian border. This does not affect resort regions: Alanya is more than 400 km from the Syrian border.

Turkey has fairly strict laws, and crimes against the person are punished very severely. To repeat, large cities have many police patrols, and you can almost always find an officer in a blue uniform within a few minutes; if you call the police, help usually arrives within 5 minutes on average. All emergency services in Turkey work through the single number 112. As for those buying property in Turkey, apartment complexes usually have fenced grounds, cameras and 24-hour security, so theft is very rare. However, in densely built areas, ground-floor residents are still advised to fit window grilles.

Which region will not suit whom

• Çeşme, for families with small children. It is windy for much of the year, which makes the seaside uncomfortable for children.
• İzmir and Muğla, for those worried about earthquakes. The seismic hazard there is higher; if you still choose these areas, it is best to buy a building constructed to the 2019 codes.
• Central Antalya and tourist areas in high season, for those seeking a quiet life. In summer they are crowded and noisy; residential areas of Alanya are calmer.

All these features are clear in advance, and there is a suitable region for every goal.

Frequently asked questions

Which region of Turkey is the safest to live in?

Antalya and Alanya are among the calmest: low crime, medium earthquake hazard and well-developed infrastructure.

Where in Turkey are earthquakes least likely?

No region is completely safe. On the coast, Antalya and Mersin have a medium hazard, while İzmir and Muğla provinces have a high one. The AFAD map gives an exact assessment for an address.

Is it safe to travel to southeastern Turkey?

This does not concern the resorts. But several governments advise against travel within 10 km of the Syrian border.

What is the emergency number in Turkey?

The single number 112 for the police, ambulance and fire service.