Every year, millions of travelers make decisions that could be life-changing, sometimes literally, based on what they think they know about a destination. A glossy Instagram photo or a glowing travel blog can paint a very different picture from what global risk analysts and safety indexes are actually saying.
In 2026, the gap between perception and reality is wider than ever. The 2025 Global Peace Index reveals a continuing decline in global peacefulness, with rising conflict deaths, accelerating geopolitical tensions, and what researchers call “The Great Fragmentation” reshaping the global order. So before you book that flight, let’s take an honest, data-driven look at where you can roam freely and where you absolutely shouldn’t. Let’s dive in.
1. Iceland – The World’s Undisputed Safety Champion
If there’s one country that keeps winning the “world’s safest” title year after year, it’s Iceland. According to the Global Peace Index, Iceland is the safest country in the world for the 15th year in a row, home to a population of just 382,000 people. Think about that. Fifteen consecutive years at the very top. No other country comes close.
Iceland has a very low level of crime, attributed to its high standard of living, small population, strong social attitudes against crime, and high trust in its well-trained police force. Remarkably, the police do not even carry firearms. That alone tells you something profound about the social fabric of the place.
Iceland, Switzerland, and Norway are the three safest countries to travel to in 2026, according to HelloSafe’s global index based on five dimensions including public safety, political stability, health security, cybersecurity, and environmental risk. For travelers, Iceland offers not just safety but one of the most breathtaking landscapes on the planet. Volcanoes, glaciers, and northern lights, all without looking over your shoulder.
2. New Zealand – Peaceful, Beautiful, and Blissfully Safe
New Zealand ranks 3rd on the 2025 Global Peace Index, making it one of the safest countries in the world and a leading choice for nature lovers, retirees, and remote workers seeking peace of mind. Honestly, it’s hard to think of a better combination: jaw-dropping scenery plus genuine personal security.
New Zealand, the most peaceful country in the Asia-Pacific region, recorded an improvement in peacefulness over the past year of 3.1 percent. That trend is moving in the right direction. New Zealand has a very low crime rate, and violent crime is especially rare. Theft is worth guarding against in tourist areas, but overall risk is minimal. Unlike its neighbor Australia, New Zealand has no deadly animals. Yes, not even the wildlife is out to get you.
3. Austria – Europe’s Quietly Underrated Gem
Rated fourth on the 2025 Global Peace Index, Austria makes its debut on the Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection report for the first time, landing impressively in third place. The nation generally ranks very low when it comes to crime and is a welcoming country, great news for tourists who can’t get enough of Europe’s jaw-dropping Alpine parks with glaciers, waterfalls, and wildlife.
Austria ranked as the third-most-peaceful country in the 2024 rankings, particularly well for political stability, low crime rates, quality of life, and respect for civil liberties. Vienna, its magnificent capital, is one of the most livable cities in the world. Vienna boasts a crime rate significantly lower than other European metropolises. It’s the kind of city where you can stroll through imperial palaces and historic cafés without a second thought about personal security.
4. Japan – Safe Streets, Crowded Cities, Surprising Nuances
Japan has a nearly mythical reputation for safety, and for good reason. Japan is ranked 9th in BHTP’s 2026 travel safety survey and is described as “the exception to the rule that only sparsely populated countries are safe.” It ranks top in safety from violent crime and transportation safety, and 4th in safety from terrorism.
Japan’s violent crime rate is extremely low, around 24 per 100,000 in recent years, compared to 500 to 1,500 per 100,000 in countries like the UK or France. Even megacities like Tokyo routinely report lower levels of street violence than cities such as London, Paris, or New York City. That contrast is staggering, almost hard to believe.
Still, things aren’t perfectly rosy. Violent crimes posing direct threats to personal safety surged alarmingly in 2024, with recognized cases of major crimes totaling 14,614 incidents, marking an 18.1% year-over-year increase. Expats and tourists should also be aware of the rising number of financial scams organized by “tokuryu,” a new-generation high-tech gang. Japan remains extremely safe overall, but travelers should stay alert to these emerging trends.
5. Portugal – Europe’s Friendliest and One of Its Safest
Portugal ranks seventh among all countries on the Global Peace Index. Its safety is largely attributed to its very low crime rate and political neutrality. As a great tourist destination, the country attracts many tourists worldwide and is one of the friendliest nations toward foreign nationals.
In 2014, Portugal was ranked 18th globally and has since made significant strides. Unlike Iceland and New Zealand, Portugal has armed police, but an increased police presence has resulted in a decreased crime rate. In recent years, Portugal has experienced an economic resurgence, decreasing its unemployment rate from over 17% to under 7%. That economic stability has had a direct positive effect on the country’s safety profile. For any traveler looking to combine culture, cuisine, coastal beauty, and safety, Portugal is genuinely hard to beat in 2026.
6. Canada – Safe, Vast, and Worth Knowing the Nuances
Canada is the safest North American country on the Global Peace Index, landing in 14th place. It’s an expansive nation at more than 3.8 million square miles in size, though most of its population resides in the southern regions. Canada topped the BHTP list in 2024, fell to third place in 2025, and now sits in fifth place for 2026.
Canada’s many claims to fame include its universal healthcare system, and crime rates in many parts of the country are considered low. Crime rates spike in larger cities, but destinations like Halifax, Montreal, Calgary, Ottawa, and Quebec City all rank “low” on Numbeo’s crime index. That’s genuinely reassuring for first-time visitors planning city-based trips. Countries deemed to have especially low security risks in 2025 by International SOS, Riskline, and Berkshire Hathaway include Iceland, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, and Switzerland, all of which carry Level 1 travel advisories from the State Department.
7. South Africa – Iconic Destination, Serious Safety Concerns
Here’s where things shift dramatically. South Africa is one of the most awe-inspiring destinations on earth, home to incredible wildlife, vibrant cities, and breathtaking coastlines. The safety picture, however, is genuinely alarming. South Africa, with a Travel Danger Score of 76, tops the list of perilous destinations. The country presents a perfect storm of risk factors for international visitors, with 88.5 sexual assaults per 100,000 population and the highest crime index of 75.4 among analyzed destinations.
South Africa’s high traffic fatality rate of 24.5 deaths per 100,000 people and a subpar healthcare index of 33.2 combine to paint a picture of a destination where tourists must exercise extreme caution and thorough preparation. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go, but going uninformed would be a serious mistake. Careful planning, vetted transportation, and staying within established tourist corridors dramatically reduces your personal risk.
8. Venezuela – The Most Dangerous Travel Destination on Earth
Let’s be real. Venezuela is in a category of its own when it comes to tourist risk. Venezuela is not just risky by the standards of Latin America. It has one of the highest rates of violent crime, corruption, and unrest in the world, with the capital city of Caracas a focal point for violent demonstrations, organized crime, robbery, kidnapping, and homicide. Venezuela was rated the world’s most dangerous country by Numbeo’s user-submitted safety surveys, with a dismal safety score of 19.3.
The U.S. State Department has issued a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for Venezuela, citing risks including homicide, armed robbery, kidnapping, and civil unrest. Political demonstrations often turn violent, and law enforcement responses can be brutal and unpredictable. The capital is a focal point for kidnapping, and most kidnappings are “express,” lasting less than 48 hours, frequently targeting people leaving hotels, traveling in taxis, or walking in wealthier areas. Tourists are often targeted for robbery or theft. There is virtually no scenario in which a tourist visit to Venezuela in 2026 is advisable.
9. Mexico – A Tale of Two Countries
Mexico is one of the world’s most visited countries, and millions of tourists have wonderful, trouble-free experiences there every year. The picture is nuanced, though. As of February 22, 2026, the U.S. Department of State has a travel advisory in effect for Mexico that advises U.S. citizens to exercise increased caution due to the potential for violent actions, demonstrations, or terrorist attacks.
Six states, Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas, have been given a flat “Do Not Travel” warning at Level 4 due to crime and terrorism, according to the State Department. That’s a striking number of high-risk zones within a single country. In February 2026, following a major organized crime development in Jalisco, significant unrest was reported in Jalisco, Michoacán, Baja California, and Guanajuato. Airports in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta experienced temporary ground stops due to security concerns.
Most tourist destinations including Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Puerto Vallarta, and Los Cabos have a strong presence of tourism police and generally experience lower crime rates. However, even in these areas, it’s wise to stay vigilant, especially at night. Mexico rewards the well-informed traveler but punishes the careless one.
10. Afghanistan – A Country Where Tourism Simply Does Not Exist Safely
At the far end of the risk spectrum sits Afghanistan, a destination with no realistic version of safe tourism in 2026. Afghanistan remains one of the highest-risk destinations globally. Persistent terrorism threats, arbitrary detention risks, and limited diplomatic support make travel extraordinarily hazardous. Healthcare infrastructure is critically weak, particularly outside Kabul, where medical facilities lack supplies and trained personnel. Emergency evacuation can be nearly impossible in deteriorating security conditions.
Few destinations illustrate travel risk as clearly as Afghanistan. The current U.S. State Department advisory lists a Level 4 warning and cites civil unrest, crime, terrorism, wrongful detention risk, kidnapping, natural disasters, and limited health facilities. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul has suspended operations, and routine or emergency consular services are not available. That combination leaves travelers exposed on both the security side and the assistance side.
Armed conflict remains the primary driver of travel risk, with ongoing clashes, insurgencies, and civil unrest shaping the world’s most dangerous destinations. The fragility of healthcare infrastructure further compounds these risks, leaving travelers particularly vulnerable in countries such as Afghanistan, South Sudan, and Haiti. For Afghanistan specifically, this is not a risk equation any traveler should attempt to solve personally.
Conclusion: Know Before You Go
The world in 2026 is genuinely more divided in terms of safety than at almost any point in recent memory. There are currently 56 active conflicts globally, the most since World War II, with 92 countries involved in conflicts outside their borders. That’s the world travelers are navigating right now.
The good news is that the safest destinations, Iceland, New Zealand, Austria, Japan, Portugal, and Canada, are not obscure or hard to reach. They are magnificent, accessible, and genuinely welcoming. The risky ones, from Venezuela to Afghanistan, are not mysteries either. The data is clear and consistent across every major safety index.
Safety is not about fear. It’s about being an informed traveler who respects both the data and the destination. Where will your 2026 passport take you? Whatever your answer, let it be an informed one. What country on this list surprised you the most?
