Cruise tourism in Turkey reached its strongest performance in more than a decade, with passenger arrivals at 18 ports hitting 326,450 in July alone, up 3.3% compared to last year. Between January and July, over one million cruise passengers visited the country, marking a 19% rise from the same period in 2024 and the highest figure since 2013.
The Aegean port of Kuşadası remained the top destination, receiving 516,930 people from 316 cruise ship visits, representing a 20% rise year over year. Istanbul followed with 301,124 passengers across 127 arrivals (up 16%), while Bodrum registered 67,547 visitors (up 10%). Izmir welcomed 52,087 passengers (up 9%), and Marmaris saw 22,571 passengers (up 7%).
According to official data, 675 cruise ships docked in Turkish ports in the first seven months of 2025, up 98 from the same time previous year. In 2024, Turkey hosted 1.89 million cruise passengers in total. With the upward trend continuing, the country is expected to surpass its 2025 target of 2.5 million cruise tourists by year’s end.
This surge in cruise activity has helped balance a modest decline in overall tourism arrivals. From January to July, Turkey attracted 28.4 million international visitors, down 2.1% compared to the previous year. However, tourism revenue reached a record growth of 7.6%, driven by higher average spending per tourist.
The cruise boom is strengthening Turkey’s position as a key Mediterranean destination, with ports like Kuşadası and Istanbul emerging as major hubs. Industry experts see the momentum as a sign that Turkey’s cruise sector will continue to grow, boosting both tourism and the wider economy.
