Safest Countries in Europe for Travelers
What are the safest countries in Europe for travelers?
Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 safest European countries!
While Europe as a whole is one of the safest regions in the world, some countries are safer than others. So it’s not that any European countries that are absent from this list are dangerous. Far from it, actually!
With the exception of three unstable countries right now (Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus) I’d say you can travel to any of the other 40+ countries in Europe without any safety concerns.
However, the 10 countries below happen to be the safest of the safe.
How Did I Determine This Ranking?
I utilized the Global Peace Index to determine this ranking of the safest countries in Europe.
Every year, the index is updated to reflect the current rankings of the safest countries in the world based on more than twenty factors including societal safety, security, stability, crime, conflict, and so on.
Not only are these the safest countries in Europe, they are also among the safest countries in the world — each of the countries below falls under the top 15 safest countries worldwide.
I’ve also personally traveled to every country below, so I can vouch for their safety.
Here’s a look at the top 10 safest countries in Europe for travelers:
1. Iceland
The safest country in Europe is Iceland. This beautiful country nicknamed the Land of Fire and Ice because of its volcanoes and glaciers is the ultimate destination if you love nature and the outdoors. Iceland is also well-known for its many waterfalls, geysers, hot springs, and other natural beauty.
Geographically isolated from the rest of Europe, Iceland is an island covering 40,000 square miles. The population of Iceland is just under 400,000 people, making it the least densely populated country in Europe.
In addition to being the safest country in the world, Iceland is also among the world’s wealthiest countries by per capita income. It also enjoys the highest level of gender equality in the world.
2. Ireland
The next safest country in Europe (and the world) is Ireland. Another island country, Ireland has been nicknamed the Emerald Isle because of its rolling green hills and beautiful scenery.
Ireland has a lot to offers to travelers — the capital Dublin is a lively city to spend a couple of days in, but the real magic of this country can be found elsewhere, like the stunning Cliffs of Moher or the Wicklow Mountains. The smaller cities of Cork and Galway are also lovely destinations to visit.
The Irish people are known for being friendly and welcoming, and the country has a lively culture that includes music, dancing, and of course, enjoying a pint of Guinness at a pub with friends.
3. Austria
Next up we have Austria, a landlocked country in Central Europe that is famed for its Alpine landscapes. Austria shares a border with eight European countries, four of which you’ll also see on this list.
Austria’s capital Vienna regularly ranks as the most livable city in the world, and it’s a great place to visit for its history, architecture, art, music, and food. Salzburg, a city in the western part of the country, is another gorgeous city you have to visit on your trip to Austria. But I’d get outside the cities too.
With much of western Austria located in the Alps, you can go hiking in the summer or skiing in the winter. There are also plenty of charming small towns like Hallstatt to visit in Austria.
4. Switzerland
Next on this list is Switzerland, one of Austria’s neighbors. Like Austria, Switzerland is very safe, and this landlocked country is also known for its stunning scenery, being located in the heart of the Alps.
One of the big factors that contributes to Switzerland’s safety is its long legacy of maintaining neutrality. Switzerland is also known for being among the wealthiest countries in the world.
One of the major drawbacks of visiting Switzerland, though, is that it’s the most expensive country in the world. In fact, all of the first four countries on this list are among the most expensive destinations in Europe. However, this next country is not only safe and beautiful, but it’s also budget-friendly…
5. Portugal
If you’re looking for a more affordable destination to visit in Europe that’s also extremely safe, look no further than Portugal. Located on the Iberian Peninsula bordered by Spain, Portugal is a beautiful and laidback country with amazing cities like Lisbon and Porto, and beautiful beaches along the Algarve.
In addition to being a safe and secure destination, Portugal is also the most wallet-friendly country in Western Europe, so your money will go much further here than in many other countries.
Portugal is a destination that has something to offer for everyone, whether you’re looking for amazing cities, gorgeous beaches, or charming small towns. Notably, it’s also the warmest and sunniest destination on this list, which makes Portugal an excellent place to visit year-round.
6. Denmark
Denmark is part of the Nordic countries, along with Iceland, and it’s another one of the safest countries in Europe (and still firmly within the top 10 safest countries in the entire world!)
The colorful capital Copenhagen is perfect for a city break. This safe, clean city is known for its beautiful architecture which combines historic charm with modern Scandinavian design.
Outside of Copenhagen, you can take day trips to amazing destinations like Kronborg Castle (which inspired Shakespeare’s Hamlet) or the stunning Louisiana Museum of Modern Art.
7. Slovenia
The smallest country on this list, Slovenia is a country in Central Europe with an area 7,827 square miles. It’s often overshadowed by its more popular neighbors: Austria, Italy, Croatia, and Hungary.
However, Slovenia is well worth a visit. The capital Ljubljana is a small, peaceful city with plenty of charm. However, the highlight of Slovenia is Lake Bled, a stunning Alpine lake in the northern part of the country. Nearby Triglav National Park is also a must-visit destination in Slovenia.
Slovenia even has a tiny but beautiful stretch of coastline along the Adriatic Sea. Thanks to Slovenia’s compact size and ease of getting around, this is a destination where you can rent a car and hit many of the country’s highlights in about a week. It’s also one of the most affordable destinations on this list.
8. Czech Republic
Next up on this list we have the Czech Republic. This Central European nation is famed for its beautiful capital Prague, as well as picturesque smaller towns like Cesky Krumlov and Karlovy Vary.
This is a country where you can enjoy vibrant city life and the charming countryside which is filled with fairytale-like castles. The Czech Republic is also a pretty affordable destination.
I’d put the prices in the Czech Republic on par with those of Portugal. It’s gotten more expensive in recent years as it continues to grow in popularity, but it’s still an overall good value for visitors.
9. Finland
Finland is the third Nordic country to make this list, along with Iceland and Denmark. This is a region of Europe that is famed for its stability, security, equality, and high level of wealth.
Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is a pleasant enough city, but the real beauty of this country lies further north. Nicknamed the Land of One Thousand Lakes, Finland is renowned for its amazing scenery.
Far in the north, the subarctic Lapland region is an amazing place to see the Northern Lights and experience activities like dogsledding, snowmobiling, and staying in an ice hotel. This is also where the indigenous Sami people live, who are known for their tradition of reindeer herding.
10. Hungary
Finally, Hungary rounds out this top 10 list of the safest countries in Europe. Not only is this Central European country quite safe, it’s also the most budget-friendly destination on this list.
Although the capital Budapest has gotten a little pricier in recent years due to its soaring popularity, it’s still a good-value destination. This fun, beautiful city is a great place to spend several days.
Many tourists only visit Budapest, and while it is a great place for a city break, there are tons of other destinations to discover in Hungary if you want to get off the beaten path a bit more.
Safest Countries in Europe
These are the safest countries in Europe for travelers.
As I said at the beginning, Europe is a very safe region overall. I’ve traveled to almost every country in Europe at this point and I’ve never felt unsafe, even as a solo female traveler most of the time.
You might notice some popular destinations missing from this list — France, Italy, and the UK, for example. It doesn’t mean that these countries are unsafe at all. But based on a variety of factors, the 10 countries listed above come out ahead of all the rest when it comes to safety, security, and peacefulness.
Related Guides:
