The Safest Countries For Travelers In 2025, According To Previous Visitors

These days, travelers don't just want to experience the world; they want to do so safely. While there are plenty of fantastic countries to explore, not all provide equal levels of security for tourists. As noted by Forbes, the number of safe places to visit worldwide has decreased significantly in the past few years. Due to the war in Russia and Ukraine, once-popular cities like St. Petersburg, Moscow, and Kyiv are off-limits. Some travelers may even think twice before heading to countries like Latvia or Estonia, as their location might be too near the conflict for comfort. 

Russia and Eastern Europe aren't the only areas that have become less welcoming in the past few years. Once bustling with tourists, Israel and the West Bank have also lost much of their appeal. Even Mexico — which has experienced high crime rates in recent years — may no longer be the best choice for visitors. The Canadian government warns its citizens against traveling to some Mexican cities due to concerns about violence. These travel advisories might even prevent some people from traveling altogether.

Despite recent issues with security abroad, there are still plenty of countries that are perfectly safe. As experienced travel writers ourselves, we have spent hours researching the most secure destinations in the world. After scouring world safety rankings and traveler reviews, we have compiled a list of great places to visit. These countries are gorgeous, interesting, and — above all — safe.

If you hope to travel somewhere with lots of natural beauty and very little crime, Iceland may be the place for you. Ranked the safest country in the world by the World Population Review, Iceland boasts an impressive score of 1.124 on the Global Peace Index. Although the organization re-evaluates its rankings annually, Iceland always seems to come out on top. In fact, the country has held on to its No. 1 spot for 14 years and counting. This means that The Land of Fire and Ice has a proud tradition of providing residents and visitors with positive experiences from its southern city of Reykjavik to the northern town of Akureyri.

From a traveler's perspective, Iceland's high levels of security provide all sorts of perks. Hitchhiking is a popular form of transport across the country, and many previous visitors actually recommend the experience. Camping is another great way to keep your Iceland trip under budget, and since crime rates in the country are so low, many tourists feel comfortable spending the night in tents. As one solo female visitor commented on r/VisitingIceland on Reddit: "Iceland is incredibly safe. I've walked around Reykjavik at all hours of the day and never felt uncomfortable." Another traveler on the same thread in the subreddit reaffirmed this idea, writing, "Iceland is super safe as far as crime or people go. The most unsafe thing about Iceland is the nature. Follow the guidelines and signs and you'll be good." 

Considered by some to be the world's eighth continent, New Zealand is a country crawling with natural beauty. Whether you want to enjoy the subtropical beaches of the North Island or the downhill ski resorts on the South Island, New Zealand offers something for everyone. The best part is that The Land of the Long White Cloud is easily one of the most secure destinations for visitors. Ranked fourth on the World Population Review's safest countries list, New Zealand boasts an extremely low crime rate. It also lacks the dangerous fauna that one might find in other parts of the Southern Hemisphere, making it a great travel alternative to, say, Australia.

In terms of infrastructure, New Zealand offers wonderful resources to support people in case of an emergency. The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) is a type of insurance that automatically covers everyone in the country regardless of their residency status or nationality. Tourists who get into an accident or require a visit to the emergency room will usually find that the ACC will cover the bulk of their medical care. This means that visitors can enjoy a trip to New Zealand without worrying that a medical emergency could set them back financially. As a frequent traveler to the country, Petrina Darrah wrote on her eponymous blog, "If things go wrong, New Zealand has good systems in place to help you." In her view, this makes the country "a peaceful, safe place to visit."

Folks trying to constrain their travel plans to safe areas oftentimes overlook big cities. With their large populations and high-rise buildings, these concrete jungles sometimes seem more dangerous than, say, an American national park. That said, the city-state of Singapore is one of the safest destinations in the world. The World Population Review considers it the second safest city and the sixth safest country internationally, and there are plenty of reasons. Firearms and other weapons are subject to strict regulations. Crimes such as drug trafficking and murder result in severe punishments. Because of its tough laws, Singapore attracts very little crime, providing safety to tourists and residents alike.

Travelers of different genders and ages have all reported a sense of security in this city-state. Writing about their Singaporean experience on Tripadvisor, one parent explained, "Our children have been out and about by themselves in Singapore since they were little, and I would say it's one of — if not the — safest countries in the world." A female traveler added, "I have spent considerable amounts of time in Singapore alone, exploring various areas, from tourist attractions to hiking the Southern Ridges solo. I would repeat [it] time and time again without hesitation." This makes Singapore one of the best destinations for traveling by yourself and loving it.

Canada has consistently ranked at the top of the World Population Review's safest countries list, earning the 11th spot in 2024. However, in other ranking systems, Canada places much higher. As reported by CIC News, the Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP) insurance company listed Canada as the third safest country to visit in 2025. The destination performed especially well under the categories of safety from violent crime, transportation safety, and Women's/ LGBTQIA+/People of Color Safety. Interestingly, Canada's high performance in the BHTP rankings is hardly a new phenomenon. Because the country has remained so consistent in its strong culture of safety, it even earned a spot in the insurance company's "Safe Travel Hall of Fame."

Because Canada is a geographically large country, safety levels vary from one destination to the next. Folks who want the highest possible levels of security can head to Quebec City — the town with the lowest crime rate in the whole country, per a separate CIC News report. One immigrant to Quebec City wrote in r/quebeccity on Reddit that high levels of community engagement play a role in keeping away crime. "Whether you're a young friend group, a family with kids, or elders enjoying retirement, there's always something going on. From the Winter Carnival to summer music festivals, these events bring people together and create a vibrant, happy community," they wrote. A tourist on the same thread wrote that they were awestruck by the levels of safety.

Denmark is famous for being one of the happiest countries in the world. While it's hard to pinpoint the country's secret to success, it's fair to say that safety plays a role in the Danish people's overall well-being. Ranked second on the World Population Review's list of the safest countries in the world, Denmark benefits from low crime rates. The country's strong social system is believed to foster a sense of overall security among locals, and the government's tough stance on corruption helps reinforce citizens' high levels of social trust. In fact, Danes have so much faith in their system — and in each other — that 74% of them are comfortable trusting each other (via Our World in Data). 

People who have spent time in Denmark generally agree that the country is a safe place to visit. As one local expert wrote on Tripadvisor, "Copenhagen is a very safe city. There aren't any particularly "unsafe" areas you need to avoid." A previous visitor on the thread also advised future travelers not to worry too much about safety when booking a hotel in the region. "Anywhere in Copenhagen (and Denmark as a whole) is safe. Focus on the hotel itself and read reviews for problems with noise, accessibility, etc." they wrote. The high levels of security in Denmark allow tourists to avoid most safety-related stress and focus instead on planning the best possible vacation itinerary.

Like Denmark, Bhutan is not just known as one of the World Population Review's safest countries. It is also famous for being one of the happiest places in the world. Although it was left out of the organization's World Happiness Ranking due to a clerical error, Bhutan still earned an honorable mention in the review. This recognition was only fair, considering the Bhutanese leader, King Jigme Singye, invented the concept of Gross National Happiness. Plus, seeing that the country truly prioritizes happiness and safety over wealth and GDP, Bhutan is one of the best places for travelers to experience moments of peace and tranquility.

People who have traveled throughout Bhutan say that the country is one of the best places for female travelers looking to stay safe. As one local Bhutanese expert put it on Tripadvisor, "Yes, Bhutan is considered very safe for solo female travelers, and it is also safe for two ladies to travel together. The country is known for its low crime rates and high levels of safety and security." A previous traveler also took to r/bhutan on Reddit to share their positive experiences with the local culture, writing, "I love Bhutan because the people I met there are sweet and caring. And it's very safe to travel around the country." Check out one way to feel safe as a female solo traveler.

Ireland has long been known as one of the most scenic vacation spots in the world, but there's more to the Emerald Isle than just a pretty view. The country also boasts one of the lowest crime rates in the world and is listed as the third safest place to visit by the World Population Review. Per the organization, Ireland has an extremely low risk of suffering any kind of cultural violence. Its wildlife is also generally non-threatening. If you eliminate big cities like Dublin from your travel itinerary, your chances of experiencing any type of crime on your trip will drop significantly.

Previous visitors to Ireland explained that they felt very comfortable during their travels. As one female traveler wrote on r/irishtourism on Reddit, "Ireland is extremely safe, I (female) have traveled there solo multiple times. Good for your sister [to plan a similar trip]; solo travel is good for the soul." Another tourist from a similar demographic in the subreddit wrote that locals were inclined to help her during her solo journey. "I'm a woman, currently travelling around Ireland solo for a few weeks. Did the same last year. Irish people are the best! Plenty of good people offered help without me asking. I've always felt welcome and safe everywhere except in Dublin late at night," she wrote. Overall, by avoiding Dublin and sticking to Ireland's charming small towns, you can enjoy fabulous landscapes at minimal personal risk.

Slovenia ranks eighth on the World Population Review's list of safest countries. According to the organization, Slovenia is a fantastic place to visit overall, especially if your goal is to minimize risk. While the country's low crime rate keeps travelers safe from the threat of violence, its excellent road conditions keep car accidents to a minimum. Tourists will also find that their chances of suffering a health emergency in Slovenia are slim. After all, the country's emergency rooms will provide anyone with urgent care, regardless of their ability to pay. 

Travelers, on the whole, report feeling safe in Slovenia. One Redditor on r/travel even described it as "Quite safe. People won't stare at me because I am a foreigner. I didn't have to worry about getting robbed or assaulted like in some North America/Europe countries." Another Reddit user in the subreddit recommended the country to anyone looking for an inexpensive and safe vacation. "Slovenia is one of the more underrated European destinations I reckon. Cheap, safe and beautiful," they wrote.

Anyone who wants to explore a big city without taking any major risks should consider scheduling a trip to Japan. Thanks to its strong social system and strict policy regarding firearms, Japan boasts one of the world's lowest crime rates. Its big cities benefit tremendously from these policies. According to the World Population Review's ranking system, Tokyo is the safest city in the world. Osaka, meanwhile, was ranked the third safest city on Earth. All in all, this means visitors can enjoy the energy and excitement of Japan's major urban centers without worrying excessively about the possibility of violence.

Previous visitors say the country provides a positive experience for tourists and locals. As one international student shared on her vlog, Brown Girl in Japan, "I can go at night around anytime. I can leave my stuff on the table, and I know that it's not going to get stolen. In fact, when we go to the restaurant, and sometimes I have forgotten my wallet, the person from the restaurant comes running behind you and until they catch you and ... give you your bag." A friend of the blogger added, "There's no concern of any pickpocketing or someone eve-teasing [engaging in street harassment]."

Portugal is a country that has only grown increasingly popular among tourists in recent years. Thanks to its scrumptious food, sunny beaches, and fascinating historical sites, Portugal has earned a reputation for being something of a hidden gem. While all these elements have certainly played a role in promoting local tourism, Portugal's safety has also helped attract visitors from around the world. Ranked seventh on the World Population Review's list of safest countries, it boasts relatively low crime. Although it's hard to pinpoint the exact reason for the country's success, the World Population Review has hypothesized that Portugal's declining unemployment rate and strong police force play a role.

Foreigners who have spent time in Portugal say that their travel experiences were overwhelmingly positive. As former residents of Portugal ourselves, we can vouch for an overall feeling of safety, especially in the small towns and countryside. According to a comment on r/PortugalExpats on Reddit, made by a British expat, I lived here (near Tomar) for 5 years and never experienced any negativity; people, on the whole, are friendly and helpful. I feel safer out on my own here than I ever did in the UK." Another female traveler added in the subreddit, "I travel alone all the time here, and I have a blast! [The] Food is great, [and the] people are super nice. [I have] Never felt unsafe."

Compiling this list of the world's safest countries was challenging but worth it. Although we relied heavily on the World Population Review's ranking system to identify which countries provide travelers with the most security, we also spent a great deal of time researching qualitative evidence from previous visitors. We only wanted to include countries where a large number of tourists said they had felt safe. Therefore, we excluded places where people reported feeling uncomfortable from this list.

We also wanted to apply a holistic view of each destination to our analysis. In one or two cases, we felt it was important to note that certain regions of a particular country were safer than others. Although Canada, for example, was ranked 11th on the World Population Review's list, we noticed Quebec City was still an incredibly safe destination. As for Ireland, we decided to issue a warning about the discrepancy between crime rates in Dublin and the rest of the country — as several previous travelers reported feeling uncomfortable in that particular city.