Can you drink the tap water?
Tap water in Türkiye: safe on paper
Tap water is chlorinated and officially safe in most cities, but building tanks and old pipes can spoil it. Locals drink bottled, and visitors are best doing the same. Brushing your teeth with tap water is usually fine.
- Tap water safe
- Safe in cities
- Drink bottled
Resort hotels often have water dispensers, and Turkish bottled water is cheap. Ice in established restaurants is generally made from filtered water.
Where it differs
- Istanbul, Antalya, IzmirSafe in cities
Treated at source, but drink bottled to be safe.
- Rural areas and villagesDrink bottled
Bottled only.
Why locals drink bottled
Turkish cities treat their water, and it's legally safe when it leaves the plant. But old pipes, rooftop tanks in apartment blocks and a strong taste of chlorine mean most Turks buy bottled water or have it delivered in big refillable jugs. Visitors are best doing the same for drinking. Brushing your teeth with tap water in a city hotel is usually fine.
Food and drink tips
- Ayran (a salty yoghurt drink) and Turkish tea are safe and everywhere.
- Salads in resort hotels are generally washed in treated water.
- Big 5-litre bottles from a supermarket are much cheaper than hotel minibars.
Before you go
- Big 5-litre bottles from supermarkets are cheapest.
Official advice: FCDO health advice for Türkiye
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