Moving to Turkey
Complete relocation guide
Moving Checklist
Before & after arrival
Relocation Timeline
Week-by-week what to expect
Cost of Living
Budgets across major cities
Healthcare in Turkey
Insurance, SGK, hospitals
From the UK
From Germany
From the Netherlands
From Belgium
From France
From Sweden
From Norway
From Switzerland
From Austria
From the USA
From Canada
From Australia
From the UAE
Is Alanya Safe for Expats?
Alanya consistently earns top safety marks from its large Scandinavian and European expat community.
Quick Answer
Is Alanya safe?
Yes. Alanya rates 9/10 for safety. It is a very safe city with low crime rates and a family-friendly environment. Mahmutlar and residential areas feel extremely safe at all hours. Scandinavian retirees who have lived here for 10–20 years consistently rate safety as one of Alanya's strongest attributes.
9 / 10
Safety Rating: Excellent
Alanya is one of Turkey's safest popular destinations. The long-established expat community and family-friendly culture make it particularly welcoming and safe for foreign residents.
What Scandinavian Expats Say
- Norwegian and Swedish retirees who have lived in Mahmutlar for 10+ years describe it as safer than their home cities in Scandinavia
- Elderly residents report walking alone at night without any concerns in Mahmutlar, Oba, and Alanya Centre
- Family safety: multiple families with children cite Alanya as excellent for raising children safely
- Petty theft and pickpocketing are rare, even in the summer tourist season
- No political violence, civil unrest, or terrorism incidents have affected Alanya
- The local police (emniyet) are visible and generally responsive to expat concerns
Safety by Neighborhood
Mahmutlar
Residential, established expat community, quiet streets. Very safe at all hours.
Alanya Centre
Busier summer tourist area. Standard caution in crowded markets. Excellent otherwise.
Oba
Residential, family area. Very safe, minimal tourist footfall.
Kestel
Quiet, semi-residential. Minimal issues.
Cikcilli
Local neighbourhood, very safe.
Konakli
Quiet resort area. Very safe off-season; family-friendly in summer.
Alanya harbour & nightlife strip
Peak summer nightlife brings some minor disturbances. Normal tourist area caution applies.
Common-Sense Precautions
- Keep copies of passport and ikamet separately from originals
- In summer, be aware of your surroundings in the busy bazaar and harbour areas
- Driving: road safety is the primary concern in Turkey — drive defensively
- Sea safety: heed local advice on currents; the Alanya coast has some strong currents near rock formations
- Sun safety: the Alanya climate is intense July–August; heatstroke is a genuine risk for those unused to it
Emergency Numbers
Emergency (all)
112
Police
155
Ambulance
112
Fire
110
Gendarmerie
156
Coast Guard
158
Alanya vs Other Coastal Destinations
| City | Safety Rating | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Alanya | 9/10 | Consistently rated excellent by long-term residents |
| Fethiye | 9/10 | Equally safe; smaller, more British-focused |
| Antalya | 8/10 | Larger city; very safe; standard urban awareness |
| Bodrum | 8/10 | Safe; summer party scene adds some petty theft risk |