Türkiye is a popular travel destination, whether for its sunbed-lined Mediterranean beaches or the ancient, beautiful landmarks dotted around Istanbul.
However, major cities across the country have been experiencing political unrest and subsequent demonstrations over the last week, with hundreds of thousands turning out and more than 1,000 arrests made.
While tourist resorts are unlikely to be affected by this unrest, it’s an unsettling time to be travelling to Türkiye, so here is everything you need to know if you have a trip booked.
What’s the cause of the unrest and riots in Türkiye right now?
The largest cities in Türkiye, including Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, have been rocked by protests for almost a week with hundreds of thousands of people turning out in solidarity with Ekrem İmamoğlu, according to the Independent.
He’s the mayor of Istanbul and is considered the main political rival to the country’s president, but was arrested and charged with corruption, a move thought by protestors to be ‘politically motivated’. 1,400 people have been detained so far, and 100 police officers have been injured.
What is the UK Foreign Office saying?
The travel advice page for Türkiye reads: ‘Demonstrations and protests are currently taking place in Istanbul and other cities across Türkiye. Demonstrations may become violent. The police response has included use of tear gas and water cannons. You should: monitor local media; plan ahead to avoid disruption; avoid crowds and demonstrations.’
What’s the US’s Travel Advisory saying?
The Türkiye advice page does not contain any specific information about the current protests, but like the UK Foreign Office advises against travelling within 10km (6 miles) of the country’s border with Syria. You can read about it in more detail here.
Safety tips for travellers during demonstrations
In line with government advice, the best thing to do if you’re in Türkiye is avoid crowds and leave the area immediately if a demonstration begins, as they can become violent.
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