Russian Tourist Arrivals Continue to Surge in Türkiye in 2025, Here’s All You Need to Know

Published on November 30, 2025

Even with slight downturns in overall acquisitions in 2025, Turkish international tourism still remains one of the top countries in the world. Russian tourists have regained a strong and constant interest, especially in tourist hotspots such as Antalya, the jewel in the crown of Turkey’s Mediterranean. Russian tourists still show inflow’s of positive growth in comparison to other countries, and the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism confirms these statistics.

Russian Tourists Continue to Drive Growth

In 2025, Russia maintained its position as Türkiye’s top source market, with a year-on-year increase of 2.25% in arrivals during the first 10 months of the year. Approximately 6.39 million Russian visitors flocked to Türkiye in 2025, despite a slight contraction in overall foreign arrivals to the country, which saw a marginal decline of 0.1% over the same period. Russian tourists now account for 13.5% of Türkiye’s total international visitors, reinforcing their importance to the country’s tourism industry.

While many markets have shown slight dips or stagnation, Russian interest in Türkiye’s hospitality sector remains strong. The sustained growth in Russian arrivals reflects Türkiye’s attractiveness to Russian travelers seeking a combination of cultural exploration, relaxing beach vacations, and a favorable exchange rate, making the country a highly popular choice for both leisure and business tourism.

Antalya: The Preferred Destination for Russian Tourists

Among Türkiye’s diverse tourist offerings, Antalya stands out as the prime destination for Russian visitors. The Mediterranean city, known for its luxurious resorts, historical landmarks, and picturesque beaches, has long been a favorite for Russian tourists. In 2025, Antalya hosted 3.89 million Russian visitors, marking a 3.3% increase over the same period in 2024. This surge means that more than 60% of Russian tourists to Türkiye headed to Antalya, underscoring the city’s continued dominance in the Russian travel market.

The longer tourist season in Antalya has contributed significantly to this growth, allowing visitors to enjoy the region’s temperate climate well into the fall. Additionally, Antalya’s all-inclusive holiday packages, which cater to Russian tourists’ preferences for convenience and value, have played a crucial role in attracting more travelers to the city.

Other Regions Show Mixed Results

While Antalya continues to be the favored destination for Russian travelers, other regions in Türkiye have seen mixed results. The southwestern province of Muğla, which includes popular resorts like Bodrum and Marmaris, saw a 2.5% decrease in Russian arrivals in 2025, with just 398,621 visitors. This decline in Muğla has been attributed to changing consumer preferences, with Russian tourists opting for more affordable and varied destinations within Türkiye.

Istanbul, Türkiye’s largest city and main air transit hub, also attracted a significant number of Russian visitors. Approximately 1.7 million Russian travelers visited Istanbul from January to October, representing 26.6% of the total Russian arrivals to the country. This figure highlights Istanbul’s continued appeal as a cultural and historical hub for tourists from around the world.

Other regions, such as Trabzon, Izmir, and Ankara, along with land border crossings from Georgia, collectively accounted for 6.3% of Russian arrivals. These destinations remain attractive for those seeking alternative experiences in Türkiye beyond the usual coastal resorts.

October Sees Record Growth in Russian Arrivals

October 2025 marked the peak of Russian tourism in Türkiye, with the month registering a significant surge in arrivals. Russians accounted for 865,472 of the 5.68 million foreign visitors entering Türkiye that month, reflecting an impressive 11.4% increase over October 2024. This sharp increase was attributed to Türkiye’s “velvet season,” a period of mild weather and lower travel costs, particularly in Antalya, which saw its highest numbers of Russian tourists in recent years.

In comparison, Germany led the month with 983,346 arrivals, followed by the UK (510,408) and Bulgaria (272,125). Russia, however, outpaced these countries in growth, marking the highest monthly increase of any nationality throughout 2025.

Türkiye’s Tourism Outlook for 2025

Despite the marginal decline in total foreign arrivals, Türkiye’s tourism sector remains resilient and optimistic about its prospects. As the fourth most visited country in the world, Türkiye aims to attract 65 million visitors and generate $64 billion in tourism revenue by the end of 2025. Russian tourism plays a pivotal role in achieving these goals, particularly in regions like Antalya, which have become synonymous with Turkish tourism for travelers from Russia.

The Russian market’s continued growth in 2025 reinforces the long-term appeal of Türkiye as a year-round destination for international travelers. With key markets like Russia showing resilience and growth, Türkiye’s tourism industry is well-positioned to rebound and thrive despite broader challenges in global tourism trends.

The Impact of Russian Tourists on Local Economies

Russian tourists contribute significantly to local economies, especially in regions like Antalya, where tourism is a major economic driver. The increased arrivals not only benefit hospitality providers, such as hotels and resorts, but also local businesses including restaurants, shops, and tour operators. Antalya’s all-inclusive resorts, for example, have benefited from the higher number of Russian visitors, providing a steady stream of revenue during peak and off-peak seasons.

Additionally, the rise in Russian tourism has led to greater cultural exchange between Türkiye and Russia, with more visitors exploring Türkiye’s rich history, cuisine, and natural beauty. The influx of Russian tourists has also encouraged local authorities to improve infrastructure and services, further enhancing the tourism experience for all international visitors.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Russian Tourism in Türkiye?

As Türkiye nears the close of the year 2025, things seem to be on the up and up, especially with Russian tourists, who continue to take an interest in the country. With Antalya leading the charge and Istanbul retaining its role as an important transit center, the country’s tourism sector will have sustained growth. As the country’s tourist capture and accommodation trends shift, so too will the authorities and the private sector’s focus on Russian tourists, while also working to ensure Türkiye’s overall tourism services remain competitive.