Travelers around the world are asking the same question in 2025: โIs it safe to visit?โ Whether itโs Europe, Asia, the Middle East, or the Americas, safety concerns are now one of the most critical factors in travel planning. This Global Tourist Safety Index 2025 is designed to provide you with precise, practical, and honest information on the safety of more than 200 destinations worldwide.
This pillar guide acts as the central hub for all destination safety profiles. Here youโll find global safety rankings, regional insights, city-by-city breakdowns, and links to detailed safety articles that explain exactly what to expect when you visit each location.
How the Global Tourist Safety Index 2025 Works
The index evaluates destinations using nine core safety factors commonly affecting tourists:
- 1. Violent crime levels
- 2. Pickpocketing and petty theft
- 3. Tourist-targeted scams
- 4. Public transportation safety
- 5. Night safety
- 6. Solo female traveler safety
- 7. Political stability & demonstrations
- 8. Cultural expectations & local laws
- 9. Past year safety incidents involving tourists
Each destination receives an overall โtourist safety scoreโ from 1 to 10, based on publicly available data, traveler experiences, and local insights.
Top 20 Safest Cities to Visit in 2025
These cities consistently rank as some of the worldโs safest for visitors:
- Dubai, UAE
- Singapore
- Tokyo, Japan
- Seoul, South Korea
- Vienna, Austria
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Zurich, Switzerland
- Helsinki, Finland
- Munich, Germany
- Reykjavik, Iceland
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Dubai Marina (district)
- Osaka, Japan
- Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Stockholm, Sweden
- Taipei, Taiwan
- Auckland, New Zealand
- Sydney, Australia
- Doha, Qatar
- Hong Kong
Each of these destinations has stable infrastructure, low violent crime, and strong safety standards for visitors.
Top 20 Cities Where Tourists Should Be More Cautious
Not necessarily dangerous โ but requires more situational awareness.
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Sรฃo Paulo, Brazil
- Bogotรก, Colombia
- Lima, Peru
- Cairo, Egypt
- Marrakech, Morocco
- Nairobi, Kenya
- Johannesburg, South Africa
- Mexico City, Mexico
- Manila, Philippines
- Jakarta, Indonesia
- Bangkok (night areas)
- Phuket (Patong Beach)
- Ho Chi Minh City
- New Delhi, India
- Tijuana, Mexico
- Bali (tourist scams)
- Buenos Aires (petty theft)
- Casablanca, Morocco
- Hanoi Old Quarter
These cities are gratifying but require extra awareness of scams, petty crime, or cultural sensitivity.
Global City-by-City Safety Overview (200+ Destinations)
This is the worldโs most comprehensive quick-view safety list. Each city below includes a 1โ2-sentence summary and links to the full safety guides once available.
Europe
- Paris, France: Safe, but pickpockets are familiar in tourist hotspots.
- Rome, Italy: Extremely safe; petty theft around major attractions.
- Barcelona, Spain: High petty theft, especially Las Ramblas.
- Amsterdam, Netherlands: Very safe; watch for bicycles and pickpockets.
- Berlin, Germany: Safe; nightlife areas require awareness.
- Athens, Greece: Safe; avoid certain squares late at night.
- London, UK: Safe; pickpockets & scams around central zones.
- Prague, Czechia: Safe; tourist scams exist near the Old Town.
- Budapest, Hungary: Mostly safe; nightlife scams exist.
- Vienna, Austria: One of Europeโs safest cities.
North America
- New York City, USA: Safe; subway is fine with normal precautions.
- Miami, USA: Safe in tourist zones; nightlife awareness needed.
- Los Angeles, USA: Safe for tourists; avoid Skid Row.
- Mexico City, Mexico: Vibrant but requires strong situational awareness.
- Toronto, Canada: Very safe and tourist-friendly.
South America
- Buenos Aires, Argentina: Safe, but pickpockets are active in busy areas.
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: High-risk zones; stay in Copacabana/Ipanema.
- Bogotรก, Colombia: Safe with precautions; use trusted taxis.
Middle East
- Dubai, UAE: One of the safest cities in the world.
- Doha, Qatar: Very safe with strict laws.
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Safe but culturally strict.
Asia
- Tokyo, Japan: Possibly the worldโs safest major city.
- Seoul, Korea: Safe at all hours.
- Bangkok, Thailand: Safe, but tourist scams are common.
- Bali, Indonesia: Tourist scams have become more common recently.
Africa
- Cairo, Egypt: Safe with local guidance; scams around pyramids.
- Cape Town, South Africa: Amazing but requires caution.
- Marrakech, Morocco: Safe for tourists; aggressive sellers.
Oceania
- Sydney, Australia: Very safe.
- Melbourne, Australia: Extremely safe.
- Auckland, NZ: Safe and relaxed.
Common Risks Travelers Face Worldwide
Most destinations share a set of common risks:
- Pickpockets in crowded tourist zones
- Taxis refusing meters
- Fake tour guides
- Credit card skimming
- Nightlife scams
- Street distractions
Regional Safety Overview (2025)
Europe
Generally safe, but big cities have pickpockets.
Asia
Extremely safe overall, especially in Japan, Korea, and Singapore.
Middle East
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha are among the world’s top safety leaders.
North America
Tourist zones are safe; avoid specific neighborhoods.
Africa
Mixed; Morocco and Egypt are safe with awareness.
South America
Cities are improving, but require precautions.
Oceania
Australia & New Zealand are incredibly safe.
Travel Safety Tips for 2025
- Use cross-body bags
- Stay in well-lit areas at night
- Use official taxis or Uber
- Keep phones out of your back pocket
- Avoid isolated neighborhoods at night
Female Traveler Safety Index 2025
One of the most critical questions we see every year is: โIs it safe for women to travel here alone?โ The answer depends on the destination, but in general, solo female travelers are safer today than ever before thanks to better information, more digital tools, and stronger travel communities.
In the Global Tourist Safety Index 2025, destinations are evaluated not only on general crime statistics but also on how comfortable and respected solo female travelers typically feel in each place. Some cities stand out as especially friendly and low-stress for women traveling alone:
- Tokyo, Seoul, and Singapore โ extremely low street harassment, clean public transport, and very safe at night.
- Lisbon, Vienna, Copenhagen, and Amsterdam โ progressive, walkable, with strong public transport networks and low violent crime.
- Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha are highly regulated, with strict laws that strongly discourage harassment and street crime.
Destinations where solo female travelers may feel more pressure or need stronger awareness include cities with more aggressive nightlife, less regulated transport, or cultural norms that draw extra attention to foreigners. That doesnโt mean they are โoff limitsโ โ only that planning, modest dress in certain regions, and careful accommodation choices become more critical.
No matter where you go, a few common-sense strategies make a huge difference: choose central, well-reviewed accommodation; avoid walking alone through unlit areas late at night; be cautious with alcohol when youโre by yourself; and trust your instincts. If an area, bar, or person makes you feel uncomfortable, leave quickly and without hesitation.
Night Safety Index 2025
Many cities feel completely different during the day and at night. For tourists, nightlife areas can be either the highlight of a trip or the place where most problems occur. The Night Safety Index in this guide looks at how comfortable it is to walk around after dark, how well-lit and busy central neighborhoods are, and how common alcohol-related incidents and theft are in nightlife districts.
Generally speaking, cities like Dubai, Singapore, Vienna, Tokyo, and Reykjavik are among the safest in the world after sunset. You can walk around in central areas long after midnight and still feel comfortable. In contrast, some destinations require extra care late at night, especially around club streets, red-light districts, and transport hubs.
Across all regions, the same patterns appear over and over:
- Train and metro stations become more chaotic after bars close.
- Tourist party districts attract pickpockets and opportunistic thieves.
- Back streets just behind the main squares are riskier than the main pedestrian zones.
If you want to enjoy the nightlife in any city safely, plan. Know in advance how youโll get back to your accommodation (taxi app, metro timetable, or a short, well-lit walk), keep your phone charged, and carry only what you really need: one bank card, some cash, and a copy of your ID rather than your full passport if possible.
Scams & Tourist Traps Index
Not all destinations are dangerous, but almost every popular city has at least a few classic tourist scams that repeat day after day. These might not be violent or physically risky, but they can ruin your mood, waste your time, and cost you money.
In the Global Tourist Safety Index 2025, we consider how widespread tourist scams are in each city, how aggressive they tend to be, and whether local authorities actively try to stop them. Some patterns are almost universal:
- Fake petitions and โcharityโ clipboards in busy squares.
- Friendship bracelets or โgiftsโ that suddenly require payment.
- Taxi drivers refuse to useย meters atย airports and stations.
- โHelpfulโ strangers steering you into specific shops or restaurants for commission.
- Bar and nightclub scams that hide prices and inflate the final bill.
The good news is that most scams become harmless the moment you recognize them. If someone insists on giving you something โfor freeโ, smile and walk away. If a taxi refuses to use the meter, get out and choose another, or use an official app. If a random person tries to push you into a shop, politely decline and continue walking.
Remember: in almost every city, the safest places to spend your money are well-reviewed hotels, official ticket offices, reputable restaurants, and licensed tour operators. A few quick checks on Google Maps or review sites before you commit can save you from the most common tourist traps.
How to Use This Safety Index When Planning Your Trip
The purpose of this Global Tourist Safety Index 2025 is not to scare you away from specific destinations but to help you travel smarter. Every city in the world has both safe and less safe areas, good and bad experiences, responsible businesses, and opportunistic ones. The key is understanding which risks are most common in each place and adjusting your behavior accordingly.
When planning your next trip, use this guide in three simple steps:
- Check the overall safety impression for your chosen city or country.
- Read the full โIs X Safe to Visit?โ guide for detailed local advice.
- Bookmark a few practical tips for transport, neighborhoods, and nightlife before you arrive.
With the correct information, most destinations that look โscaryโ in the news turn out to be perfectly manageable in reality. Thoughtful preparation, realistic expectations, and a calm, aware mindset will take you further than fear ever will.
FAQ โ Global Travel Safety
What is the safest city in the world in 2025?
Dubai, Singapore, Tokyo, and Vienna consistently rank at the top.
Which cities have the most pickpockets?
Barcelona, Paris, Rome, and Bangkok are tourist areas.
Is Europe safe for tourists?
Yes โ very safe, with minor petty theft in busy areas.
Is the Middle East safe to visit?
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, and Oman are among the safest destinations worldwide.
Which destinations require extra caution?
South America, parts of Africa, and nightlife districts in major Asian cities.
For complete safety guides and updated tips, please explore our full list of city-specific articles below.
Europe
London, Paris, Barcelona, Athens, Rome, Amsterdam, Istanbul,
Asia
Japan, Korea, Singapore,
Middle East
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha,
North America
New York, Canada
Africa
Morocco, Egypt,
South America
Brazil, Argentina,
Oceania
Australia, New Zealand,
