Travel
This Stunning Island Was Just Named The Safest Place For Travel In 2025
Iceland is the safest country in the world to travel to in 2025 thanks to easy road trips; its low crime rate; its high safety rating for women, LGBTQIA+ people, and people of colour; and more.
The country, which took the top spot in Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection’s ranking of the safest countries in the world for 2025, is known for its amazing food, Northern Lights viewing opportunities, and never-crowded Ring Road, which loops around Iceland and passes by many of the island’s most famous parks and waterfalls. And with just “one major road” that is “never crowded,” Berkshire Hathaway noted “it’s hard to have traffic accidents if you don’t have traffic.”
Here’s what makes Iceland the safest place to travel
Of course, Iceland is also known as the “Land of Fire and Ice,” and Berkshire Hathaway said their rankings do not consider potential natural disasters, like volcanic eruptions.
Iceland’s No.1 ranking jumps from last year when the country took the No. 9 spot on the list.
Australia came in second thanks in part to its low crime rate, while Canada — which took the top spot last year — came in at No. 3. Ireland and Switzerland rounded out the top 5.
When it comes to violent crime, Norway is actually the safest destination in the world, according to the list, followed by Canada and Australia. For its part, Canada did come in as the safest country for transportation (helped by its hundreds of miles of remote roads), while New Zealand was lauded for its high safety rating for women, LGBTQIA+ people, and people of colour.
To come up with the list, Berkshire Hathaway surveyed American travellers and looked at other ratings, including the Global Peace Index and GeoSure Global scores of the major cities in each country.
Feeling safe while travelling is essential when taking a trip, but luckily there are a few steps travellers can take for peace of mind from investing in products like personal safety alarms to enrolling in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which sends email updates from the local US embassy or consulate.
How to Plan a Trip to Iceland
shop the best travel experiences here
(Feature Image Credit: Susmita Baral/Travel + Leisure)
This story first appeared on travelandleisure.com
Related: These Cruises Might Be The Best Way To Visit Iceland This Summer
Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
We may earn an affiliate commission when you shop through links on our site.