Where can you actually feel safe while traveling alone? While freedom and self-discovery drive solo adventurers, personal safety remains the top priority when choosing destinations. Studies reveal that 78% of solo travelers select destinations based on safety concerns, with 63% of women citing safety as their critical factor. So let’s dive into the countries that have proven themselves as havens for independent explorers.
Iceland – The Undisputed Champion of Solo Safety
Iceland maintains its position as the safest country in the world for the 17th consecutive year according to the Global Peace Index, making it an absolute paradise for solo travelers. Violent crime is nearly non-existent here, and walking alone, whether in Reykjavik or out in nature, feels completely safe. The Nordic nation of roughly 380,000 people has created something truly remarkable: a society where trust isn’t just encouraged, it’s assumed.
Iceland has no military, and police officers don’t even carry firearms, relying only on extendable batons and pepper spray. Local walking tour guides joke that the worst crime problem involves drunk people stealing traffic cones, which pretty much sums up Iceland’s crime rates. The country’s breathtaking landscapes, from volcanic black sand beaches to the Northern Lights, create an otherworldly backdrop for solo adventures. Iceland has one of the lowest crime rates on the planet and remains a very peaceful country with welcoming, modest people.
Japan – Where Respect Meets Safety
Japan offers unmatched safety, impeccable public transit, and a culture of respect that envelops solo travelers. Japan provides one of the safest environments for solo travelers, with a social culture that highly respects rules and individual responsibility, featuring extremely low violent crime rates and rare petty crime like pickpocketing. The country’s legendary hospitality, known as “omotenashi,” ensures visitors are treated with genuine kindness and respect.
With low crime rates, ultra-efficient public transport, and a culture of respect, Japan creates an easy and stress-free environment for solo travelers, where women feel super safe walking alone day and night, with women-only train cars offering extra peace of mind. Whether wandering through neon-lit streets of Tokyo or strolling through serene temples in Kyoto, solo exploration feels effortless, with solo dining welcomed and even celebrated. Even small details like phone cameras being required to make a shutter sound to prevent secret photos show how much safety is prioritized.
New Zealand – Adventure Meets Tranquility
New Zealand ranks as the fourth-safest country globally, with extremely low crime rates and particularly rare violent crime. Making it one of the safest countries in the world and a leading choice for nature lovers with consistently low crime rates featuring just relatively low crime rates and high levels of public trust in institutions. The country offers an incredible blend of heart-stopping adventure and peaceful serenity that few destinations can match.
New Zealand blends adventure with calm, from hiking in fjords to glowworm caves and heartfelt Maori culture, representing solo travel at its most serene and exciting, with well-developed tourism infrastructure and friendly locals making it feel like home away from home. As in Iceland, New Zealand’s police do not carry personal firearms as they don’t see a need to do so, with violent crime being low throughout the country. The main safety concern remains theft, particularly targeting tourists, but overall risk remains minimal.
Switzerland – Precision Meets Peace
Walking alone at night in Switzerland feels as safe as it gets, with low crime rates, well-lit streets, and efficient, reliable public transportation making it one of the safest solo female travel destinations. Switzerland’s policy of neutrality has played a critical role in maintaining its safety, political stability, and distance from violence, with the Swiss experiencing a peaceful environment free from threats of war or turmoil. The country operates with legendary Swiss precision that extends far beyond watchmaking.
Visitors to cities like Zurich and Lucerne never feel uneasy, with English widely spoken in tourist areas and everything running with Swiss precision, while Lucerne offers a fairytale setting with its wooden chapel bridge, snow-capped mountains, and crystal-clear lake. Switzerland ranks highly on the Women, Peace, and Security Index, measuring women’s safety, inclusion, and justice worldwide, with strong gender equality policies and low rates of violence making it among the safest countries for solo female travelers.
Austria – European Elegance with Exceptional Security
Austria ranks first for solo travelers thanks to its low crime rates, excellent public transport, and English-friendly atmosphere. Austria achieved a Global Peace Index score of 1.30 in 2024, placing it fifth among the most peaceful countries worldwide, with intentional homicide rates very low at approximately 0.73 per 100,000 people. The country combines imperial grandeur with modern safety standards in a uniquely Austrian way.
The economic costs of violence in Austria amount to just 4.23% of its GDP, among the lowest worldwide, with low crime rates and a strong judicial system reinforcing its peaceful environment. The U.S. State Department notes Austria has one of the lowest crime rates in Europe, with violent crime being rare and only opportunistic theft occurring occasionally in tourist areas. Visitors can expect elegant cities, fairytale villages, and comfort in every detail.
Denmark – Scandinavian Serenity
Denmark ranks as one of the safest and happiest countries in the world, being one of the few countries where people report feeling safe at any time of day or night, even children. Denmark follows closely behind other top destinations as safe, relaxed, and absolutely solo-friendly. The Danish concept of “hygge” creates an atmosphere of coziness and contentment that embraces solo travelers warmly.
Danish cities offer bike-friendly infrastructure, excellent public transportation, and a culture that values work-life balance and social trust. Denmark is known for welcoming attitudes toward solo travelers, making it easy to strike up conversations with locals or simply enjoy peaceful solitude. The country’s flat landscape makes cycling tours particularly popular among solo adventurers, while Copenhagen’s vibrant food scene provides countless opportunities for memorable solo dining experiences.
Singapore – Urban Safety Perfection
Singapore ranks sixth on the Global Peace Index for 2023, with residents reporting the highest sense of personal security and the most positive experiences with law enforcement of any country, featuring one of the lowest crime rates worldwide p,, possibly due to severe penalties for even small crimes. Singapore consistently ranks among the safest countries, combining ultra-low crime rates with world-class infrastructure and strict law enforcement, placing 6th globally on the 2025 Global Peace Index.
Singapore reports one of the lowest intentional homicide rates globally at just 0.2 per 100,000 people, according to the UNODC. The government and police strictly control guns and firearms, with violent and confrontational crimes being rare, while as a city-state,,e Singapore ranks as the second-safest city according to the Safe Cities Index. The efficiency and cleanliness of this Southeast Asian hub make solo navigation incredibly straightforward, while its multicultural food scene offers endless culinary adventures for independent explorers.
Portugal – Coastal Charm with Complete Security
Portugal has surged in popularity for solo travelers and for good reason, featuring friendly locals, cozy cities, and accessible coastlines that make it both safe and affordable. Portugal comes in seventh among the most peaceful countries rankings for 2023, establishing itself as one of Europe’s most welcoming destinations for independent travelers. The country’s laid-back atmosphere perfectly complements its impressive safety record.
Portugal secured the 7th safest country globally in the 2025 Global Peace Index, a testament to its consistent stability, low violence, and minimal internal conflict, with crime generally low and non-violent offenses dominating. From the colorful streets of Porto to the golden beaches of the Algarve, Portugal offers incredible diversity within a compact, easily navigable territory. The Portuguese people’s warmth toward visitors creates an environment where solo travelers quickly feel at home, whether sipping wine in a local tasca or watching sunsets from dramatic coastal cliffs.
Ireland – The Emerald Isle’s Embrace
The Irish landscape itself offers both beauty and some natural challenges that solo travelers should respect. The country’s breathtaking cliffs and winding country roads must be treated with respect, especially during sudden rainstorms or in areas with no cell reception. Irish hospitality remains legendary, with pub culture providing natural gathering places where solo travelers can easily connect with locals and fellow adventurers over a pint of Guinness and traditional music.
Slovenia – Europe’s Hidden Gem of Safety
Slovenia retains its position as the 9th most peaceful country in the world in the 2025 Global Peace Index, with a score of 1.409, with low levels of violent crime combining with long-term regional stability and effective democratic governance to boost its peaceful standing. Slovenia is lauded for sustainability, gorgeous lakes, alpine trails, and soft infrastructure, creating an ideal environment for solo travelers who appreciate both natural beauty and social stability.
This Alpine country punches well above its weight in terms of safety and accessibility for independent travelers. Slovenia’s judiciary operates independently, supported by robust structures including general and specialized courts, a constitutional court, and an independent state prosecutor’s office. Lake Bled’s iconic island church and Ljubljana’s charming old town provide postcard-perfect backdrops, while the country’s compact size makes it easy to experience diverse landscapes from mountains to Mediterranean coastline in a single solo journey. Slovenians are known for their environmental consciousness and outdoor expertise, making them excellent sources of advice for solo hikers and nature enthusiasts.
Solo travel continues to reshape how we experience the world, with safety remaining the cornerstone that enables genuine freedom and discovery. These ten nations have proven themselves as sanctuaries for independent explorers, offering not just low crime rates but entire cultures built on trust, respect, and welcome for strangers. Whether you’re drawn to Iceland’s otherworldly landscapes, Japan’s respectful society, or Portugal’s coastal charm, each destination provides its own unique blend of security and adventure that makes solo travel not just possible but truly transformative.