Is Turunc Safe?

For a family holiday or as a single parent, elderly person or even a group of friends, the small, tranquil holiday resort of Turunc is very safe. It’s just a boat ride away from the bustling town of Marmaris on Turkey’s southwest coast and very near to the other popular resort of İçmeler. Turkish villages are generally very safe because people know each other. You’ve probably heard about terrorist attacks and trouble near the Syrian border and are wondering whether the perfect weather, scenery, good food and all the entertainment are worth the risk. Hopefully this will make things a little clearer for you.

Is there a terrorist threat in Turunc Turkey?

In 2016 the attempted military coup in Turkey was breaking news around the world, but the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) has now lifted all warnings about this. The terrorist attacks that did occur around this time were in the cities, well away from the touristic areas. You might be wondering whether airports are a target, but rest assured that security staff are very vigilant while always being friendly and polite.

How far is Turunc from the Syrian border?

Turunc is 700 km away from Turkey’s border with Syria (even further than travelling from John O’Groats to Land’s End), so there’s no danger of being caught up in the conflict. For British citizens, there’s a government website giving up-to-date information, so it’s a good idea to read this before travelling:

Staying safe

There isn’t much crime in Turunc and you can enjoy your holiday with peace of mind. Of course, there is danger everywhere in the world and it would be wise to take the usual precautions such as not wandering alone at night if you’re a woman. Property theft is the biggest problem as the Turkish Riviera is known as a hotspot for westerners who may be renting out a villa and keeping their valuables there. The FCO warns that you need to take extra care of valuable items and important documents like passports.

Children always need to be supervised when swimming and remember to use a high factor sunscreen and sunhat to avoid heatstroke. Having said that, Turunc bay has a cooling breeze so it’s very pleasant. If there is no coastguard on duty its better to swim in groups. Drinking tap water isn’t recommended but you can buy bottled water at the small kiosks, grocery stores, restaurants etc. very cheaply. You can brush your teeth using tap water and it’s ok for cooking and washing.

Business as usual

Thousands of Brits and Europeans enjoy wonderful holidays in Turunc and its surrounding region every year. The spectacular scenery, pristine beaches and friendly locals keep bringing people back again and again.