With summer coming up, travel agencies and tour operators must be buzzing with requests from globetrotters. However, before deciding which country to cross off our travel bucket list next, several factors must be considered, such as the flights, budget, the weather, local events, and tourist attractions. Yet, the most important one is travel safety within your country of choice.
Just recently, the primary safety concern was the pandemic and the number of active cases. Although it's no longer the pivotal factor, there are many other aspects that help us decide which are the safest places to travel. The safety index is often a good indicator for determining the safest places to travel. Generally, the safest places to visit have a high safety index or, in the U.S., are listed under Level 1 travel advisory, which suggests exercising standard safety precautions. The determining factors that rule out the safest countries to travel in are often associated with risks, such as risks for pickpocketing, natural disasters, mugging, terrorism, and scams. The country's crime rate should also be considered. Generally, the safest travel destinations have low risks regarding all aspects. Thankfully, you often don't have to do individual research on all countries of interest to determine whether they are safe to travel to. Up-to-date information is usually already gathered by responsible government institutions. In the U.S., this is done by the Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA). And although CA's travel advisory is oriented toward U.S. citizens, the data can also be used as a guide for non-U.S. citizens, too.
Based on the data from CA's travel advisory and other trusted sources online, we've compiled a list of the safest places to travel right now. Whether you are looking for the safest places to travel alone or as a woman, the list below should prove you of great help. However, low risk doesn't mean there are none. And although the countries below are listed as safe travel destinations, one should always exercise necessary safety precautions and stay vigilant. Have you ever been to any of these countries? If so, share your experiences in the comments. Your opinion can greatly benefit someone debating whether to go there!
#1 New Zealand
With its lush vegetation, friendly people, and gorgeous coastline beaches, New Zealand undoubtedly ranks among the most beautiful destinations on Earth. Also, it's regarded as one of the least corrupt and peaceful nations in the entire globe. And, unlike its neighbor Australia, New Zealand only has a comparatively small number of dangerous animals and insects, so you don't need to inspect your shoes every time you put them on.
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#2 Iceland
Iceland is a top choice for a stress-free trip since it is one of the safest places in the world to travel. It is a true traveler's paradise with its stunning alpine slopes, fascinating Nordic culture, and welcoming people. There are very few odds that you would be robbed or mugged. Actually, the biggest threats for tourists in Iceland lie in nature. It's crucial for visitors to keep an eye on local news for weather information and to heed authorities' advice as well as any warning signs they may come across.
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#3 Japan
The Cherry Blossom Festival, trips to Tokyo and Kyoto, and taking breathtaking pictures of the magnificent temples and castles around the country are all options for tourists. Japan is generally one of the safest countries in the world to go to. But as in any other nation, never let your guard down and be on the lookout for scammers and pickpockets.
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#4 Switzerland
Switzerland is known for its opulence, stunning peaks, delectable cheeses, and scenic trains. Every law is respected here, and the police carry out their duties with extreme care. And since it draws a particular sort of traveler (predominantly affluent people tend to visit Switzerland), it's assumed that an occasional pickpocket would wander about the streets or famous monuments. So, keep your guard up and always be on the lookout, even in a country as safe as Switzerland.
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#5 Ireland
Ireland is home to some of the kindest people and lots of fun craic (banter). Although the weather may not always be ideal, it has beautiful accents, stunning scenery, and a positive outlook. Ireland is generally safe, and you shouldn't have any issues while visiting. However, it's best to avoid bringing up the other side of the country due to history, whether you're in Northern or Southern Ireland. The majority will be okay with it, but you don't want to offend anyone who won't.
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#6 Finland
One of the best places to go by yourself is Finland since the people are so kind and friendly there. Also, Finland and other Scandinavian countries serve as excellent role models for sustainability and environmentally friendly living, so if you’re looking to become greener and learn more about protecting the environment, a trip there won’t disappoint you. Generally, Finland is pretty safe, so as long as you use common sense and stay alert, you shouldn’t run into any issues there.
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#7 Uruguay
The country is known as "the Switzerland of South America" for its undulating hills and pea-green meadows. Despite having a familiar-looking landscape, most Europeans don't visit Uruguay and head straight for Argentina or Brazil. Big mistake! If you want to explore the vast continent of South America, Uruguay is the best starting point because it is the safest country in Latin America to visit. You may gain a perspective on South America without worrying about the crime that may be prevalent in other South American countries.
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#8 Canada
Whether your hobbies are live theater or river rafting, Canada won't disappoint. In general, Canada is very safe. You can be optimistic that visiting the country will be trouble-free because it is recognized for its commitment to maintaining world peace and treating everyone with respect and tolerance. Still, always maintain vigilance, and don't let your guard down.
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#9 Norway
Norway is known for its stunning Ice Age-shaped landscape: mountains, waterfalls, forests on hills and valleys, and a lengthy coastline with fjords, islands, and mountains rising from the ocean. It's a very safe country to travel to. Bicycle theft and break-ins are the most frequent types of crime, while overall crime rates are low. Actually, it's Norway's landscape that poses the biggest threat to tourists since many tourists are injured while traveling through the mountains or on the seas, usually due to failing to heed instructions or warning signs posted along the way.
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#10 Italy
Italy is a country that keeps on giving, starting with its gondolas in Venice, moving through its museums in Florence, and ending with its brilliant blue shoreline. However, even though the country is regarded as very safe precisely because of the volume of tourists, some areas should be avoided. Pickpocketing around popular tourist attractions and landmarks might be the most dangerous scenario that may occur; therefore, taking routine safety precautions should be sufficient.
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#11 Sweden
The claim that Sweden is one of the world's most beautiful countries is not a hyperbole. Although it is very safe to travel to Sweden, you should never let your guard down because crime has been on the rise since the 1980s, and there are petty crimes even in most developed countries. Also, in some areas, such as Rinkeby in Stockholm, you should exercise extra caution as robberies and violent crimes are becoming increasingly more common there.
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#12 Mauritius
Since Mauritius is surrounded by shallow waters, you can enjoy diving and snorkeling to your heart's content here. You can also add seeing the coral reefs, breathtaking underwater topography, and a dramatic ocean drop-off to your list of things to do there. Although it is probably one of the safest countries in Africa to visit, there are dangers there too. The most frequent crime is petty theft, so use common sense and keep your valuables close to hand.
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#13 Netherlands
There is no reason why tourists shouldn't visit the Netherlands, with the country's kind locals, notable historical sites, fascinating landscape, delectable cuisine, and stunning coastline. In general, it's safe to travel to the Netherlands. Pickpockets could be your main worry in this country because of the low crime rates. Use common sense and take simple safety precautions to reduce the likelihood of something going wrong.
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#14 Australia
The "Land Down Under" is home to stunning beaches, snow-capped mountains, world-class national parks, rainforests, and deserts. Australia is perfect for exploring because each state has a unique landscape. Travel to Australia is often reasonably safe. There are a few natural risks to be aware of, but other than that, you shouldn't be concerned about your safety.
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#15 Croatia
Now that the country has joined the Schengen Zone and adopted the Euro, visitors can easily include Croatia on their next Europe trip. Croatia is generally a safe place to travel. However, there is some petty theft in the major cities such as Zagreb or Split. Also, it is strongly recommended that tourists stay away from strip clubs, especially in Zagreb.
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#16 Portugal
This picturesque country offers the finest of Europe—landscapes, history, culture, gastronomy, wines, and more—at prices lower than its neighbors. Because of its low crime rates, Portugal is considered a relatively safe country to visit. Pickpockets, especially on public transportation and popular tourist attractions, might be your only safety concern while on vacation there.
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#17 Denmark
Given the beautiful country they live in, it makes sense why the Danes are recognized as some of the happiest folks on Earth. Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is most definitely among the top destinations for solo travelers. One of the best things about Copenhagen is how bicycle-friendly it is. In fact, Copenhagen is considered one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world! Naturally, there are some riskier areas like Nørrebro, but as long as you're watchful, you will have a great time.
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#18 Estonia
Aside from its captivating coastline, which adds to the charm of this Baltic country, Estonia also has outstanding medieval remains, such as the old town of Tallinn, which was built by German crusaders in the Middle Ages and is still maintained in excellent condition with its original towers and city walls. Generally speaking, traveling to Estonia is safe. Despite the comparatively low crime rates, it’s encouraged to always be attentive and store your valuables in a safe place.
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#19 South Korea
Given the worldwide popularity of this country's pop culture, many tourists are now drawn to South Korea. There have been earthquakes in South Korea in the past, but most of them did not inflict significant damage. Typhoons and tsunamis, which might happen in the months of August and September, are another issue regarding natural catastrophes that you should be aware of. Yet generally, traveling there is safe, and you shouldn't experience any problems.
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#20 Rural UK
While the larger cities like London, Glasgow, and Cardiff are much busier and possibly less safe, the more rural areas in the UK are a great alternative and commonly get swept under the rug. Generally, most of the United Kingdom is safe to travel to. If you apply common sense, your trip to the UK should go without a fuss.
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