Most visited destinations by international tourists in Turkey 2019-2023

From 2019 to 2023, Istanbul was the leading destination in Turkey based on the volume of international tourist arrivals each year. Overall, inbound travelers in that city totaled over 17 million in 2023, more than tripling compared to 2020, when the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic started, reaching above pre-pandemic figures. Antalya was the second leading tourist destination in 2023, with around 14.8 million inbound arrivals.

Istanbul does not lose its popularity

Istanbul has been an attractive destination with plenty of sights including mosques, churches, museums, palaces, and the Bosphorus Strait, which connects two large continents, Europe, and Asia. This city, which has hosted different civilizations and cultures for centuries, has welcomed millions of foreign and local visitors for years. In 2022, the largest city of Turkey attracted 17.4 million foreign tourists, which was above the pre-coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic level. In line with the high inflation in the country, accommodation prices in Istanbul have generally been increasing. As of October 2023, the average cost for an overnight stay in the city was 117 euros.

Domestic tourism is falling back

Although international tourism in Turkey has been recovering from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and its limitations, domestic tourism has fallen behind. Factors such as high inflation, price increases, and the soaring cost of living in the country have also affected local tourism. In 2023, the number of domestic trips was about 22 percent less compared to the peak figures in 2018. In relation to this, the number of overnight stays of domestic travelers has been generally following a negative trend in the last few years. Local tourists recorded roughly 473 million nights at accommodations in 2023, still below the pre-pandemic levels.