Is Izmir Safe at Night?
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Izmir is normally very safe during the day, however at night it becomes significantly more dangerous. Some once-bustling streets are now silent at night, and there are numerous narrow, dark alleys where tourists can become victims of crime.
Alsancak is a famous area for nightlife in Izmir, although travelers should be wary of pickpockets in nightclubs and pubs. In the past, it was not uncommon for drinks to be spiked, but this is not the case today. Always keep an eye on your stuff and your beverage.
At night, Basmane, Konak, and Kemeraltı are rather tranquil. At night, there are many homeless and intoxicated beggars, who could endanger your safety if they get confrontational. In addition, there are numerous dark, narrow lanes in these regions, making them ideal for crooks to take advantage of tourists.
As long as you remain watchful and exercise common sense, these communities are safe. However, we recommend using Uber if you are traveling around these Izmir neighborhoods at night.
Is İzmir Safe for Solo Travelers?
Generally, solo visitors in Izmir are secure during the day, but you should be cautious at night. As previously said, the greatest concern for solitary travelers is being robbed at night, which typically occurs in dark, narrow alleyways.
During the day, the city is busy and no one will notice that you are traveling alone. You are free to explore the city without concern. Especially in crowded settings, you should keep your valuables near and be attentive of your surroundings.
However, it is vital that you do not stray too far from tourist sites. There are numerous really poor neighborhoods that may not be the safest.
If you want to travel safely, you should travel with someone. However, as long as you are aware of your surroundings and adhere to our safety advice, you should have no trouble remaining secure in Izmir.
Natural Disasters in İzmir
Natural disasters are one of the most dangerous things in Izmir. This beautiful city on the Aegean Sea has been hit by earthquakes, floods, tornadoes.
In 2020, there was a huge 7.0 quake in the Aegean Sea that destroyed Izmir and killed 117 people in Turkey alone.
In fact, Izmir is in a place where small tremors happen often because of its location. But these quakes are so small that you can’t feel them on the surface.
There are sometimes floods and tornadoes in the city, but visitors should be able to avoid them.
Staying up-to-date on the news and weather can help travelers in Izmir avoid natural disasters.
Crime and Terrorism in İzmir
Even though Izmir has had problems with terrorism in the past (like a car bomb in 2017), the city is much safer now.
Izmir is not the political center of Turkey. Instead, it is a popular place for tourists and a college town. There aren’t many reasons for terrorists to attack Izmir.
Terrorist attacks happen more often in the capital, Ankara, and in the southeast, near the border with Syria. But Izmir is pretty safe because it is so far from these two places.
Are Taxis Safe in İzmir?
Taxis in Izmir are normally safe, although it is all too frequent for taxi drivers to defraud tourists. Taking a detour or a longer route than necessary is one of the most popular ways taxi drivers defraud visitors. Since Izmir taxis are metered, tourists can easily overpay by a substantial amount.
We have encountered this issue frequently when taking taxis in Turkey.
When taking a cab, it is advisable to have your navigation on to ensure that the driver is not heading in the incorrect route. Occasionally, it is unavoidable to be defrauded by taxi drivers who claim they took a detour to escape traffic. However, if you see that the driver is traveling in the opposite direction, you must speak up or you will be ripped off!
