Planning a trip abroad? This country was ranked No. 1 in safety for international travelers, and it happens to have tons of cool stuff to do.
We travel afar to see new places, try unusual cuisines and learn about different cultures. But today, more than ever, safety has joined the discussion when it comes to planning a trip abroad. Case in point: For my husband’s 60th birthday this spring, fun museums, cool architecture and nonstop flights were must-haves as we debated destinations—but safety on the ground (measured by the political climate, health metrics and extreme weather) was also a factor.
In the end, we settled on two places to see over the course of a week—and one of them happens to be the 2026 safest country in the world to visit. That’s according to a new report from the insurance giant Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection. Yup, we actually nailed it with our top pick, not only choosing an interesting nation but one that’s tops in terms of personal safety.
Intrigued? Keep reading to check out the winner, then make sure your passport is up to date!
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How did the study determine the safest place to travel?
The study examined the experiences of more than 1,800 Americans over the past five years, asking them to rank their opinions on the safety of countries and cities they’d visited. Then, the team at Berkshire Hathaway added data from the Global Peace Index, which gauges security and conflict in a particular region, city rankings from GeoSure, a hyper-local safety intelligence company, and crime stats (including theft, assault and bias incidents) from Numbeo.
What is the No. 1 safest travel destination?
Ready for the No. 1 safest travel destination in the world? It’s The Netherlands! This beautiful, canal-filled country on the North Sea borders Germany and Belgium, and it tops the list for safe travel destinations in 2026. In equally big news, The Netherlands vaulted from lowly No. 14 to No. 1 this year, thanks to a shift in the way Americans feel about safety. While crime is still a factor, other issues are also critical, like health care access, inclusiveness and climate events.
What’s the big safety issue you need to watch out for here?
Even though it ranked No. 1 in safety for tourists, The Netherlands isn’t issue-free. In fact, there’s one big thing you need to keep in mind as you stroll the cobblestone streets and picturesque bridges: bicyclists! Riding bikes is a way of life for the Dutch, and two-wheelers actually have their own pathways in many of the major cities. Bike paths intersect with pedestrian crosswalks in many cases, and once you add in the e-bike craze, you’ve got a recipe for disaster if you’re not on high alert.
What bucket-list attractions should you check out in the Netherlands?
The Netherlands is a nation rich in history, art and natural beauty, which means the list of attractions you could potentially check out is quite long. To help, here are six options that’ll hit the highlights on your next visit.
- Canal cruises: Fun fact—Amsterdam, the capital city, has more canals than Venice and more bridges than Paris! And there’s no better way to view these wonders than from a guided cruise. Sign up for an early-morning jaunt aboard an open-top boat for the best views (and a quiet float), since there will be far fewer vessels on the water.
- Tulip season: The Netherlands leads the planet in flower production, but it’s their massive iconic tulip fields that people flock to each spring. Take full advantage of this amazing floral miracle by booking a visit to the most famous botanical garden, Keukenhof, from mid-March to early May, just a short bus ride from Amsterdam.
- Anne Frank house: No trip to The Netherlands would be complete without seeing this vital Holocaust monument where Anne Frank, her family and others hid from the Nazis for more than two years and where she penned her famous diary. Grab tickets well in advance (they’re released six weeks ahead), as they sell out very quickly.
- Rijksmuseum: This gorgeous building, the national gallery of The Netherlands, is filled with such Dutch masters as Rembrandt, Vermeer and van Gogh, along with some 8,000 objects spanning eight centuries of art and history. Tip: Be sure to take a much-needed break for a yummy lunch in their lovely atrium cafe above the gift shop.
- Van Gogh Museum: You know about Vincent van Gogh from his famous Post-Impressionist oil works and his tragic story of mental illness. A stop at his namesake museum is a must, as it contains the world’s largest van Gogh collection—more than 200 paintings and 500 drawings—including the well-known Sunflowers masterpiece.
- De Haar Castle: Hundreds of castles dot the Dutch canals and rivers, which means a tour of at least one is highly recommended. De Haar, about 45 minutes from Amsterdam, is the nation’s largest and is straight out of a fairy tale with its spectacular Neo-Gothic reconstruction and stunning gardens (go in May or June to see the roses).
What other safe countries rounded out the list?
Curious about the other safe countries that rounded out the list? Take a look below—and note that there’s a theme here. Yup, Europe is heavily represented, taking 10 of the 15 slots.
- Netherlands
- Australia
- Austria
- Iceland
- Canada
- New Zealand
- United Arab Emirates
- Switzerland
- Japan
- Ireland
- Belgium
- Portugal
- France
- United Kingdom
- Denmark
Were there any surprises?
Yes, there were definitely surprises in this year’s top 15 safest countries to visit. The Netherlands’s leap to the top was certainly significant, but the emergence of a Middle Eastern locale, the United Arab Emirates, is probably the biggest shocker. According to Berkshire Hathaway, the UAE has been working hard over the years to improve its safety ratings—and it’s finally paying dividends, moving the country from No. 18 last year to No. 7 in 2026.
Belgium also made great strides this time around, jumping from No. 20 in 2024 to No. 11. And Austria has a lot to be proud of as well, as the alpine nation wasn’t even on the list (!) before—but now sits confidently in third place. Alas, there’s always a fall from grace in these kinds of lists, and this time it’s Norway, which was in the eighth slot last time around but plummeted out of the top 20 this year.
Which cities were also highlighted as the safest?
Many cities were also highlighted as the safest, such as The Hague and Eindhoven in The Netherlands, and several in Switzerland, including Bern, Basel and Geneva. The top city for traveler safety is Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, followed by Copenhagen, Zurich and Amsterdam.
And there were two metro areas in the UAE, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with high safety marks—though the reason may be due to their super strict enforcement of any wrongdoing. The report found that drug crimes, improper dress and bad behavior can all land you in hot water, legally speaking—so be careful!
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Why trust us
Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection: “Safest Countries In The World To Travel To In 2026”
- Institute for Economics and Peace: “2025 Global Peace Index”
- Numbeo: “Safety Index by Country 2025 Mid-Year”
- Geosure: “Hyper-Local Safety Intelligence. For a World at Hyper-Risk.”
- Keukenhof: “The most beautiful spring garden in the world!”
- Anne Frank House: “Home”
- Rijksmuseum: “The museum of Rembrandt, Vermeer and van Gogh”
- Van Gogh Museum: “Discover the Life and Work of Vincent van Gogh”
- Kasteel de Haar: “Kasteel de Haar In volle glorie”
