Is Turkey Part of the Middle East? Perception vs. Reality

For many international investors, the question of "Is Turkey part of the Middle East?" often stems from worries about safety, stability, and alleged closeness to conflict areas. This misconception, often driven by geographical assumptions and media narratives, has unjustly associated Turkey with more unstable regions further south.

However, many Turkish cities and resort destinations are not only safer but are more distant from conflict than several European cities. In this article, we take a look at Turkey's global position – geographically, politically, and culturally – and how it is significantly far from Middle Eastern conflict zones.

Is Turkey the Middle East: Perception vs. Reality

Turkey Compared to Conflict Zones

When clients hear about instability in the Middle East, such as ongoing tensions in Syria, Iraq, or Gaza, they often perceive Turkey as being uncomfortably close. Yet geography, population distribution, and government policy tell a different story.

Although Turkey shares a border with Syria, the area of concern is a small region in the far southeast that is heavily militarised and hundreds of kilometres away from major cities and resort areas like Bodrum, Antalya, Fethiye, and Istanbul. These tourist destinations are as far from active conflict zones as Berlin is from Kyiv.

A key insight: Over 80% of Turkey’s population resides in the western half of the country, far from Syrian and Iraqi borders.

Flight time comparisons: Istanbul to Baghdad takes 2 hours 55 minutes, while Istanbul to Munich takes 2 hours 40 minutes.

Istanbul is as easily connected to European capital cities as it is to the Middle East. The UK’s Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) along with the U.S. State Department advise caution only near Syria's border, not across other parts of Turkey, which they deem as safe.

Straight Line City Distances Compared

Many U.S. and European cities are just as close to regions facing conflict, yet no one questions their safety or investment potential. Turkey’s cities are geographically the same distance to Europe as to the Middle East, and far more aligned with the West in safety, governance, and lifestyle.

Consider these Turkish city distances:

- Antalya to Gaza: 800km

- Istanbul to Aleppo: 1,200km

- Bodrum to Baghdad: 1,700km

- Fethiye to Tehran: 2,300km

In comparison with European cities:

- Berlin to Kyiv: 1,200km

- Vienna to Aleppo: 2,100km

- Rome to Damascus: 2,200km

- Munich to Gaza: 2,500km

In comparison with the United States:

- Los Angeles to Tijuana: 200km

- Miami to Havana: 400km

- Houston to Guatemala City: 1,700km

- Dallas to San Salvador: 2,300km

For example: Istanbul is physically closer to Vienna than it is to Aleppo, and Bodrum is physically closer to Milan than it is to Baghdad.

Is Turkey Safe for Expats to Live?

Turkey is recognised as a safe and appealing destination for expats and foreigners, particularly from the UK, Germany, Russia, the Netherlands, and other European countries. Several factors contribute to Turkey’s continued popularity:

1. Large and Growing Expat Communities: Cities like Istanbul, Bodrum, Antalya, and Fethiye boast well-established communities of British, German, and Russian expats. These areas offer international schools and English-speaking medical professionals.

2. Healthcare Access: Expats benefit from access to world-class private hospitals with affordable health insurance options. Many healthcare facilities are tailored for foreign residents with multilingual staff available.

3. Residency and Property Ownership: Foreign nationals can purchase property without facing bureaucratic obstacles and apply for residence permits easily. As of 2024, over 1.6 million foreigners hold residency permits in Turkey.

4. Low Day-to-Day Crime: Areas favoured by expats tend to be extremely safe with crime rates significantly lower than those in major cities such as London or New York. Violent crime is particularly rare in coastal resort towns and affluent suburbs.

Infrastructure and Modernisation to European Standards

Turkey has experienced a major infrastructure transformation during the past twenty years. These developments display Turkey's modern outlook, as well as highlight its progress towards European infrastructure standards by implementing the following features:

1. High-speed rail: Turkey has invested in high-speed rail infrastructure. The completed Istanbul–Ankara line and future projects will develop connections between Izmir and Konya. By the end of 2035, the government plans to establish rail services between 52 of 81 Turkish provinces.

2. Airports: Istanbul Airport opened in 2019 and quickly became Europe's busiest, serving 76 million passengers in 2023. Antalya, Izmir, and Bodrum Airports handle millions of international travellers each year.

3. Smart cities and digital services: Cities such as Istanbul and Izmir continue their smart city development by installing modern technologies that include: public Wi-Fi, digital transport cards, and applications for utility and public services.

4. Energy and sustainability: The renewable energy capacity of Turkey is expanding rapidly with the country now generating more than 55% of its total electricity through hydro, wind, and solar resources.

5. Healthcare: The Turkish healthcare system is among the top 20 best in the world. Medical tourism has made Turkey a leading destination for foreign patients who select its cost-effective, high-quality healthcare, and contemporary hospital facilities.

Tourism Records and Real Estate Investment

International tourist arrivals in Turkey exceeded 56.7 million in 2023, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute, which placed the country as the fourth most visited nation worldwide. The majority of tourists originated from Russia, Germany, the United Kingdom, Netherlands, and France.

Antalya alone welcomed more than 15 million visitors during 2023, which exceeded the total visitor numbers of entire countries, including Croatia or Portugal. In 2023, Istanbul ranked as the world's second most visited city by welcoming 17.4 million visitors – exceeding visitor numbers of Dubai or Rome. Tourism revenue of Turkey achieved a record-breaking $54 billion USD in 2023.

Over 67,000 homes were purchased by foreigners in Turkey in 2023. The top foreign buyers in Turkey originated from Russia, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Iran – with Istanbul and Antalya leading the way for investment. British citizens living in Turkey are currently estimated at 35,000 to 40,000 people, many choosing to live in Fethiye, Bodrum, and other Aegean or Mediterranean regions.

Turkey stands as one of the most appealing real estate markets in the world – with more affordable property prices versus its European neighbours, strong rental income yields, and sustained tourism throughout the year.

Top Cities for Property Investment in Turkey

1. Istanbul:

Connecting Europe and Asia, Istanbul is Turkey’s cultural and economic engine. The Istanbul real estate market is dynamic, with high rental yields and appreciation rates. The cosmopolitan lifestyle, universities, and infrastructure provide expats with a sense of home. The urban environment of Istanbul shares more characteristics with Berlin or Barcelona than any city in the Middle East through its cafe culture, fashion-forward districts, and nightlife. The distance between Istanbul and Athens is shorter than Berlin's distance to Paris.

Istanbul Straight Line Distances:

- Distance to Athens: 560km

- Distance to Aleppo: 1,200km

- Distance to Vienna: 1,270km

- Distance to Rome: 1,370km

- Distance to Berlin: 1,735km

2. Bodrum:

This Aegean gem resembles the south of France more than it does any Middle Eastern city. With its famous marina, whitewashed villas, art galleries, and Michelin-style restaurants, Bodrum feels, and looks, European. Bodrum offers a climate that matches Southern Italy with long dry summers and pleasant winters – appealing to people who love a Mediterranean lifestyle. The Bodrum real estate market offers luxury properties, retirement villas, as well as summer vacation homes.

Bodrum Straight Line Distances:

- Distance to Athens: 350km

- Distance to Beirut: 1,100km

- Distance to Rome: 1,360km

- Distance to Baghdad: 1,700km

- Distance to Milan: 1,750km

3. Antalya:

The Mediterranean working city of Antalya functions as a tourism giant and has attracted an expanding number of foreign residents and expats. The city of Antalya attracts families, retirees, and digital nomads with its European-standard hospitals, international schools, airport, and a peaceful lifestyle. This Mediterranean region echoes a Spanish Costa del Sol experience through its year-round sunny weather, exceptional golf facilities, beach clubs, and international dining options.

Antalya Straight Line Distances:

- Distance to Athens: 580km

- Distance to Gaza: 810km

- Distance to Sofia: 930km

- Distance to Baghdad: 1,300km

- Distance to Vienna: 1,590km

4. Fethiye:

The turquoise coastline of Fethiye attracts buyers who want affordable tranquillity. With all the amenities of a European seaside town, Fethiye offers modern facilities, exceptional healthcare services, and minimal criminal activity. The British expat community of Fethiye maintains a strong presence through Sunday roasts and English pubs that provide familiar comforts. Fethiye residents often describe their life in Fethiye as European seaside living at half the price of Spain.

Fethiye Straight Line Distances:

- Distance to Athens: 500km

- Distance to Sofia: 770km

- Distance to Jerusalem: 950km

- Distance to Rome: 1,470km

- Distance to Tehran: 2,300km

Alignment Between Turkey and Europe

Turkey maintains its position as a European-aligned country through its economic partnerships, legal systems, and governance practices. Including: NATO Member since 1952, EU Customs Union since 1995, a candidate for EU membership, and the host of multiple international summits, including G20 and COP.

- NATO Membership: As one of the earliest members of NATO, Turkey plays a vital role in security within the region and contributes one of the largest armies in the alliance.

- EU Customs Union: The EU Customs Union of 1995 allows Turkey to maintain duty-free trade with EU nations for industrial goods and EU product standards.

- Trade and Investment: The EU is Turkey’s largest trading partner, responsible for 33% of Turkish exports and 36% of Turkish imports in 2023.

- Academic Integration: Turkey joins the EU's educational and research programs through Erasmus, which enables Turkish students to study at European universities.

- Culturally aligned: The cultural lifestyles of young Turks living in Istanbul, Izmir, and Ankara align with those found in European cities such as Milan, Barcelona, and Athens.

Conclusion: Turkey Is NOT the Middle East

Although Turkey shares borders with Middle Eastern countries, it is not defined by them. It is more accurate to define Turkey as a Eurasian country – one that is economically, politically, and culturally tied to Europe. Popular cities, such as Istanbul and Bodrum, are far from conflict. They are safe, modern, and internationally connected.

“Investors wouldn’t hesitate to buy in Dallas because of unrest in San Salvador, even though the two cities are as close as Fethiye is to Tehran. No one questions the stability of Berlin due to the war in Kyiv, yet Istanbul is a similar distance from Aleppo. Be guided by facts, don’t let outdated perceptions hold you back.”

Cameron Deggin, CEO at Property Turkey

Contact Property Turkey to explore homes in Istanbul, Bodrum, Antalya, Fethiye, and more – where luxury lifestyle meets unmatched value.

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