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Turkey travel health
Is tap water safe in Turkey, what is the emergency number, how do pharmacies work, and what should a visitor know for their health?
General orientation for a healthy traveller, not medical or official travel advice. Confirm emergency numbers and water status with an official source before you travel.
Emergency number
In an emergency in Turkey, dial 112. The EU-wide number 112 also works and connects you to police, fire and ambulance, often with English-speaking operators.
Tap water
Drink with caution
Tap water is chlorinated but not usually recommended for drinking — bottled water is cheap and everywhere. Staying properly hydrated matters even more when you are travelling, walking more than usual or in a hot climate — but the water has to be safe first.
Pharmacies
A pharmacy is an "eczane". A duty branch ("nobetci") stays open after hours. Bring enough of any regular medicine for the whole trip in its original packaging, plus a small kit for headaches, upset stomach and blisters.
Food worth trying
Kebabs, mezze, fresh bread, and strong tea and coffee. Eating what the locals eat, freshly prepared, is usually both the tastiest and the safest choice.
Good to know
Stick to bottled or filtered water for drinking and brushing teeth if your stomach is sensitive.
On longer east–west trips, ease jet lag by shifting toward the new time before you leave, chasing morning daylight at your destination, and going easy on alcohol and caffeine in the air. The body clock resets at roughly an hour a day.
Other countries
Estonia
From spring to autumn use tick protection in forests and long grass — tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme are present in the Baltics.
Finland
Ticks are common in summer in the south and on the Åland islands. In winter, dress in layers against genuine cold.
Latvia
As across the Baltics, use tick protection in forests and meadows from spring to autumn.
Lithuania
Tick-borne encephalitis is present; a vaccine exists if you plan a lot of time outdoors.
Sweden
Summer sun in the far north lasts almost all night — bring an eye mask for sleep. Ticks are present in the south.
Norway
Weather in the mountains and fjords turns fast even in summer — carry a windproof layer for any hike.
Source: Emergency number and tap-water status from widely published travel-health guidance; confirm officially before travel. · checked 2026-09-04
Frequently asked questions
What is the emergency number in Turkey?
Dial 112. 112 also reaches the emergency services across the EU.
Can I drink the tap water in Turkey?
Tap water is chlorinated but not usually recommended for drinking — bottled water is cheap and everywhere.
How do pharmacies work in Turkey?
A pharmacy is an "eczane". A duty branch ("nobetci") stays open after hours.
Keep your routine on the road
TempoLife tracks sleep, food and movement so a trip does not undo your habits.