This Stunning Island Was Just Named the Safest Place for Travel in 2025
Iceland came in at No. 1, a jump from the No. 9 spot last year.
Susmita Baral/Travel + Leisure
Scenic view of Gullfoss Falls Waterfall in IcelandIceland 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 color; 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.”
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 color.
To come up with the list, Berkshire Hathaway surveyed American travelers and looked at other ratings, including the Global Peace Index and GeoSure Global scores of the major cities in each country.
Feeling safe while traveling is essential when taking a trip, but luckily there are a few steps travelers 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 U.S. embassy or consulate.
