UK, Russia, and Germany Dominate Turkey’s Tourism Market with Six Point Four Million Arrivals in 2025, While Bulgaria, Iran, and Other Markets Show Steady Growth

Published on November 30, 2025

In 2025, the tourism market in Turkey is being significantly shaped by the UK, Russia, and Germany, which collectively accounted for six point four million arrivals. This dominance is driven by strong historical ties, ease of travel, and Turkey’s appeal as a cultural and leisure destination. Meanwhile, countries like Bulgaria, Iran, and other emerging markets are also showing steady growth, contributing to a diverse and expanding tourism landscape in Turkey.

Turkey saw a notable increase in Russian tourism during the first ten months of 2025, even as overall foreign arrivals to the country experienced a slight dip. Official data from the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism revealed a 2.25 percent increase in Russian visitors compared to the previous year. Notably, October stood out as the strongest month for Russian tourism, with a remarkable 11.4 percent surge, marking the highest monthly increase recorded for the year.

Between January and October 2025, Turkey welcomed 47.25 million foreign visitors, a slight 0.1 percent decrease compared to the same period in 2024. While the overall numbers dipped, the key source markets for Turkish tourism remained resilient. Russia regained the top spot with 6.39 million arrivals, registering a small increase over last year. Germany followed closely with 6.2 million visitors, a 1.9 percent increase, while the United Kingdom came in third, contributing 4.05 million visitors, a growth of 2.25 percent. Iran (2.55 million) and Bulgaria (2.31 million) rounded out the top five countries sending visitors to Turkey. Together, these five markets accounted for 45.5 percent of Turkey’s total foreign visitors.

Antalya Dominates Russian Tourism

Antalya remains the leading destination for Russian travelers to Turkey. During the first ten months of 2025, the region welcomed 3.89 million Russian tourists, reflecting a 3.3 percent increase compared to last year. This represents 60.8 percent of the total Russian market share in Turkey. The city’s extended tourist season and strong reliance on all-inclusive offerings continue to make it a preferred destination for Russian holidaymakers. Its position as a prime resort area has solidified its role as the epicenter of Russian tourism in Turkey.

While Antalya flourished, Muğla, another popular region, experienced a decline in Russian arrivals. The region saw 398,621 Russian visitors, reflecting a 2.5 percent drop and accounting for only 6.23 percent of the total Russian market. The decrease in Muğla is attributed to a shift in Russian tourism preferences, with more visitors opting for destinations offering better value for money and extended seasonal offerings, especially in Antalya.

Istanbul Maintains Steady Growth

Istanbul, traditionally a cultural and commercial hub, continued to attract significant numbers of Russian travelers in 2025. Estimates suggest that the city received around 1.7 million Russian tourists, which accounted for 26.6 percent of the total Russian arrivals to Turkey. The city has remained a stable destination, offering a mix of city breaks, historical attractions, and air-transit connections for international flights. Istanbul’s position as a critical gateway for Russian visitors remains firm, even as other destinations continue to grow.

Further entry points into Turkey for Russian tourists were through regions like Trabzon, Izmir, and Ankara, as well as through the land border with Georgia. These regions together accounted for an additional 6.3 percent of Russian tourism, reflecting a diversification in entry points to Turkey.

October: A Record Month for Russian Tourism

October 2025 emerged as the standout month for Russian tourism to Turkey. Of the 5.68 million foreign visitors that arrived in Turkey in October, 865,472 were Russians, marking an 11.4 percent increase in comparison to October 2024. This marked the strongest performance for Russian tourism during the year and highlighted the ongoing appeal of Turkey as a travel destination for Russian citizens, particularly during the Mediterranean “velvet season,” when the weather is milder, and holiday costs are competitive.

The top five markets for October 2025 were:

• Germany: 983,346 arrivals (+6.2%)
• Russia: 865,472 arrivals (+11.4%)
• United Kingdom: 510,408 arrivals (-3.8%)
• Bulgaria: 272,125 arrivals (-1.8%)
• Iran: 268,102 arrivals (-4.7%)

The Mediterranean region’s favorable weather and the affordability of holiday packages during the post-summer months are key factors driving the surge in Russian arrivals. Antalya absorbed 67.4 percent of the total Russian arrivals in October, with the region posting a 12.3 percent increase, welcoming 583,044 visitors. The increase in Antalya was primarily driven by the extended season and its consistent appeal among Russian tourists seeking sun and relaxation. In contrast, Muğla continued to see a decline, with 40,191 visitors, a 10.7 percent drop from the previous year.

Istanbul saw around 185,000 Russian arrivals in October, reflecting a 5.3 percent rise, and capturing 21.5 percent of the Russian market for the month. Additional entries from Trabzon, Izmir, Ankara, and the land borders brought the total number of Russian visitors through these regions to 6.5 percent for the month.

In 2025, the UK, Russia, and Germany lead Turkey’s tourism market with 6.4 million arrivals, driven by strong historical ties and Turkey’s appeal, while Bulgaria, Iran, and other markets show steady growth.

The growth in Russian arrivals to Turkey, particularly in October, is largely attributed to a combination of factors. The “velvet season,” which stretches from late September to early November, is known for its pleasant climate and competitive holiday prices, which make Turkey an attractive destination. Additionally, Russia’s strong market positioning, especially in Antalya, highlights the ongoing reliance on Russian tourists for the Turkish tourism industry. The extended holiday seasons in key regions like Antalya, as well as Istanbul’s status as a major hub, are also contributing factors to the country’s ability to maintain strong foreign visitor numbers despite slight declines in other areas.