Nothing replaces peace of mind when traveling abroad, but some cities are considered safer than others.
The city of Reykjavik in Iceland fits that bill, named the safest city in the world. according to a new rating from insurance provider Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection which was shared with Travel + Leisure. In Reykjavik, the company found that there was not a single neighborhood that was not considered “exceptionally safe.”
“With global uncertainty and safety concerns top of mind this year, travelers are more thoughtful than ever about where they choose to explore,” Carol Mueller, chief marketing officer at Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection, said in a statement shared with T+L. “Our annual report not only highlights the destinations that travelers perceive as safest, but also serves as a valuable resource for planning trips with confidence.”
Reykjavik, famous for its incredible local cuisine, colorful architecture, and easy access to Iceland’s many natural wonders, also ranked first in last year’s report. And while the streets themselves may not be a threat, the report found that travelers should still be aware of volcanic activity in the area around the city.
Beyond Reykjavik, the Danish city of Copenhagen regained its No. 2 spot on the list. The report called Copenhagen “more cosmopolitan” than Reykjavik, but said it still “feels comfortable and warm.” The only part of Copenhagen that could cause problems for tourists, according to Berkshire Hathaway, is the Christiania autonomous zone, where the company said photography is prohibited and visitors have sometimes been robbed while taking a photo.
Zurich came in third on the list (after not making the list in 2024), followed by Amsterdam and Honolulu to round out the top five. It was an impressive performance for the Hawaiian city, which jumped from 13th place last year and was praised for its low per capita car ownership and remote location.
When it came to feeling safe in an entire country, the Netherlands came in first, followed by Australia and Austria.
The report identified the most popular domestic and international cities for U.S. travelers and then asked respondents about several different safety topics, including violent crime, terrorism, transportation issues, health and safety measures for women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and people of color.
This is the complete list of the 15 safest cities in the world, according to Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection.
- Reykjavik
- Copenhagen
- Zurich
- Amsterdam
- Honolulu
- Sydney
- Barcelona
- Lisbon
- Tokyo
- Dublin
- Venice
- Seoul
- London
- Singapore
- san francisco
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