For most travelers, safety and security are a top priority when planning agetaway. Fortunately, numerous destinations offer visitors not only peaceof mind but one-of-a-kind experiences.
Looking at the latest U.S. State Department travel advisories, the Institutefor Economics & Peace's Global Peace Index and Berkshire HathawayTravel Protection's list of the safest places to travel-which takes intoaccount each of the latter, plus traveler feedback and GeoSure Globascores of the major cities in each country-we can uncover the world'ssafest destinations.
In 2024, these are the places that stand out when it comes to safety andsecurity.
Canada
The United States' neighbor to the north continues to be among theworld's safest countries, ranking first on Berkshire Hathaway TravelProtection's list of the safest places to visit in 2024 and 11th on the GlobaPeace Index, up two spots from last year.
Canada also receives a Level 1 travel advisory from the U.S. StateDepartment and Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto all rank in the top 10 ofthe GlobalLiveability Index for 2023
Switzerland
Switzerland is trending up when it comes to safety. The mountainousEuropean destination is up one spot to 10th on the Global Peace Index thisyear and up seven spots to second on Berkshire Hathaway TravelProtection's list of the safest places to visit."Switzerland has beensynonymous with security forever - or at least, for as long as there's beena Switzerland"BHTP points out.
Advertisement
Ireland
The Emerald lsle is another easy choice for travelers prioritizing safety andsecurity in the new year."The country's 69 homicides in 2022 puts itbehind 16 U.S. cities" Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection points outreland ranks fourth-safest on that list and third on the Global Peace Index.
Portugal
A burgeoning destination located just across the pond, Portugal ranksseventh on both the Global Peace Index and Berkshire Hathaway TravelProtection's list of the safest places to travel in 2024. Currently, the U.SState Department advises visitors to exercise normal precautions inPortugal.
Advertisement
Denmark
Yet another European destination that travelers can visit with confidencein 2024, Denmark ranks second on the Global Peace Index and eighth onBerkshire Hathaway Travel Protection's list of the safest places to travel inthe new year
Since the world's happiest country report came out in 2012, Denmark hasconsistently topped the report. Danes have a stable government, lowevels of public corruption, and access to high-quality education andhealth care" She ls Wanderlust points out celand maintains its impressive number-one ranking on the Global PeaceIndex.
Iceland
The European island country has topped the GPI every year since2008 due to its low crime rates, minimal military spending and conflictavoidance.Iceland also ranks ninth on Berkshire Hathaway TravelProtection's list of the safest places to travel in 2024 and receives a Level1 travel advisory from the U.S.State Department.
Advertisement
New Zealand
New Zealand is a spectacular destination, especially for nature lovers andadventure seekers.lt also happens to be one of the world's safestcountries, checking in fourth overall on the Global Peace lndex and rankingas the 11th-safest country to visit, according to Berkshire Hathaway TravelProtection.
Japan
Japan held steady at ninth overall on the Global Peace Index and elevatedinto Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection's top 15 list of the safest placesto travel, ranking 12th in 2024. The beloved destination also receives aLevel 1 travel advisory from the U.S. State Department heading into thenew year.
Advertisement
Singapore
Elsewhere in Asia, Singapore climbed four spots on the Global Peaceindex to sixth overall in 2023. Visitors to this island country and city-statecan anticipate not only a safe environment but a clean one as well.
Australia
Americans venturing Down Under in 2024 can also explore Australia withpeace of mind.The country-continent jumped four spots on the GlobalPeace Index to 22nd in 2023 and ranks as the 10th-safest place to travelto in 2024, according to Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection.
Advertisement
The Netherlands
Despite falling four spots from atop Berkshire Hathaway TravelProtection's list of the safest places to travel this year, the Netherlandsjumped five spots on the Global Peace lndex, reaching 16th. The country'simpressive safety ratings are aided by its most sought-after destination inAmsterdam, which continues to be one of the safest cities in the world.according to American travelers.
Advertisement
Norway
Ranking inside the top 25 on the Global Peace Index and reaching third onBerkshire Hathaway Travel Protection's list of the safest places to travel in2024, Norway is another safe and sound option in Scandinavia. Accordingto Statistics Norway, the crime rate in the capital of Oslo was 39 per 1,000residents in 2021, making it Norway's safest area.