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Is it safe to holiday in Turkey - everything you need to know
Is it safe to holiday in Turkey - everything you need to know
Some specific warnings are in place affecting British travellers amid tensions in the Middle East
Turkish Flag on back of boat on the Bosphorus and Mosque on hillside just above
Tensions in the Middle East since the weekend have raised concerns for travellers heading to Turkey this summer. The UK Foreign Office has issued updated advice following recent missile exchanges between Iran, Israel and the United States.
There has been a considerable disruption to international travel following the US military strikes on Iran. British Airways cancelled all scheduled flights from London Heathrow to Dubai and Doha on Sunday, and Qatar temporarily closed their airspace after Iran fired missiles at a US base in Qatar.
Despite this, most of Turkey remains open to tourism. The Foreign Office currently states that the country's main holiday destinations are generally safe to visit. However, specific warnings are in place for areas near Turkey's eastern and southern borders. All travel is advised against within 10kms of the Syrian border due to ongoing conflict and an increased risk of terrorism.
In Hatay Province, roads leading to Syria may be closed without warning. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
Additionally, travel to parts of Hakkari province, close to Iraq and Iran, requires permission from local authorities.
Travellers are urged to remain alert in public areas throughout the country, and the Foreign Office also warns that terrorist attacks in Turkey are 'very likely'.
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There has also been a rise in demonstrations linked to events in Israel and the Palestinian territories.
Tourists are advised to avoid protests, especially near Israeli diplomatic buildings in Ankara and Istanbul.
But while Turkey shares a border with Iran, the main tourist regions are located far from conflict zones.
If you are a British national wanting to cross the land border from Iran into Turkey, you will need to request facilitation from the British Embassy in Ankara by contacting the FCDO before travelling to the border, indicating whether you are contacting from Iran or from the UK on behalf of a relative.
You will need to provide personal details (name, date of birth, details of travel document used to enter Turkey). This is required by the Turkish authorities.
The usual entry requirements will apply, including that British nationals can enter without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
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In summary, holidays to Turkey are still going ahead, but caution is still advised in specific regions, so it's worth keeping an eye out for all the latest updates.
You can visit the Foreign Office website here to find out more.
