Turkey has long been a holiday favourite among sun-starved Brits. More than 60 million travellers landed in 2024, cementing Turkey’s status as one of the world’s most in-demand hotspots. Whether it’s bazaar-hopping and aimless wandering through Istanbul’s storied streets, admiring breathtaking desert views above Cappadocia in a hot air balloon, or sunbathing beside the pool in one of Bodrum’s world-class resorts, there’s something for everyone.
However, with inflation reaching unprecedented highs and recent political unrest, many travellers who have fallen for Turkey’s charm over the years are reconsidering their favourite holiday destination. Here, we’ll update the latest information on whether it’s safe to travel to Turkey right now following the 5.8 magnitude earthquake.
Is it safe to travel to Turkey?
A 5.8 magnitude earthquake shook some of Turkey's most popular coastal towns on the evening of Monday 2 June. The seismic activity occurred 12.6km off the coast of Marmaris and just 5.7km off of İçmeler, injuring dozens. Violent shaking was also reported throughout the Turkish province of Muğla and on the Greek island of Rhodes, although no tsunami warning was issued.
Inbound and outbound flights from Dalaman Airport are operating as normal, and the UK government is not advising against travel to the region at the time of writing.
This isn't the first notable earthquake of the 2025 summer season. A 6.2-magnitude earthquake in the Sea of Marmara on Wednesday 23 April, was felt strongly in Istanbul, rocking buildings and injuring more than 150 people.
Many parts of Turkey experience tremors and earthquakes, but the recent Istanbul earthquake was of a notable magnitude, causing the FCDO to update their travel advice.
The latest advice warns of potential aftershocks and encourages travellers to check “Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority’s (AFAD) earthquake page for the latest information about seismic activity in Turkey.”
