Iceland beckons travelers with its famed hot springs like the Blue Lagoon and is a noteworthy destination for gazing at Northern Lights. But beyond the natural spectacles, the Nordic country may also appeal to travelers who prioritize safety. That’s because Iceland was just named the safest country to travel to in 2025, according to a new report released today from the insurance company Berkshire Hathaway. Not only that, but Reykjavik—the capital of Iceland and the country’s largest city—was also named the safest city to travel to in 2025, according to the same report from Berkshire Hathaway.
Northern lights at Mount Kirkjufell in Iceland. The country was just named the safest destination for travelers in 2025 by Berkshire Hathaway.
getty
In last year’s safest countries ranking, Iceland held the No. 9 position, while Canada took the top spot for safest countries to travel to. In the 2025 rankings, Iceland reclaimed its position as the safest destination in the world for the first time in three years, despite volcanic activity close to the small town of Grindavík, which is about 30 miles southwest of Reykjavik. (While volcanoes are often spectacles on the “Land of Fire and Ice,” repeated eruptions near Grindavík have caused damage and forced many residents to relocate).
Australia and Canada, now in second and third place respectively, have been climbing in the rankings over the past several years and are now regulars on the top 10 list.
Kangaroos hopping on Lucky Bay in Western Australia. Australia ranked No. 2 as the safest country to travel to in 2025 in a new report.
getty
As for cities, Honolulu, Hawaii, which was ranked No. 1 on last year’s list, slipped to No. 13 this year.
How Are The Safest Cities and Countries to Travel To in 2025 Determined?
Aerial view of Train passing through famous mountain in Filisur, Switzerland. Switzerland is a mainstay on Berkshire Hathaway’s annual ‘safest places to travel to’ lists.
getty
Safety, of course, is top of mind for many travelers, especially given the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. When it comes to choosing safe destinations, travelers can also be mindful of the U.S. State Department’s travel advisories.
Safety, as it pertains to travel, can mean a number of things to different travelers, with priorities placed on areas that are free of terrorism, destinations where you’re sheltered from severe-weather events, countries that have solid infrastructure to help prevent accidents on the road, and regions where travelers of color and LGBTQ+ travelers feel safe and welcomed.
To help highlight some of the safest countries and cities for travel in 2025, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection released its annual “Safest Destinations” report.
The company began surveying travelers on their attitudes towards safety nine years ago, and, in 2018, began culling together lists of the world’s safest places. This year’s report ranks both the top safest countries as well as the top safest cities globally.
Aerial view of the downtown Vancouver skyline in British Columbia. Canada ranks No. 3 as the safest country to travel to in 2025. Last year, Berkshire Hathaway ranked the country No. 1.
getty
“After years of conducting this research, patterns have emerged and certain countries and cities, like Switzerland and Singapore, have become mainstays in the top 10 Safest Destinations,” said Carol Mueller, head of marketing, in a press release. “However, no matter how highly a destination’s safety may be ranked, we always emphasize the importance of purchasing travel insurance ahead of your vacations and choosing the right policy to protect your trip.”
For its list, the insurance company surveyed 1,838 travelers and also considered data points from third-party sources to evaluate safety concerns such as terrorism, weather emergencies, health measures, and the safety of underrepresented groups.
The company also reviewed information from U.S. State Department, the British financial magazine The Economist, safety-app creator GeoSure Global, Vision of Humanity, Numbeo, and Global Finance magazine. Past rankings also are factored in to this year’s safest places to travel lists.
Of course, the list comes with some caveats. Travel is not without risk, so Berkshire Hathaway points out some things to watch out for: Australia is home to jellyfish, crocodiles, poisonous insects and snakes, for example, and that Ireland has very narrow roads (and drivers seats on the right side that might take American travelers some getting used to).
Where are the Safest Countries to Travel to in 2024?
The Blue Lagoon in Iceland is a top spot for tourists.
getty
Here are the 15 safest countries to travel to in 2025, according to Berkshire Hathaway’s report:
No. 1: Iceland
No. 2: Australia
No. 3: Canada
No. 4: Ireland
No. 5: Switzerland
No. 6: New Zealand
No. 7: Germany
No. 8: Norway
No. 9: Japan
No. 10: Denmark
No. 11: Portugal
No. 12: Spain
No. 13: United Kingdom
No. 14: Netherlands
No. 15: Sweden
Where are the Safest Cities to Travel to in 2024?
Reykjavik, Iceland is the safest city to travel to in 2025, according to Berkshire Hathaway, a travel insurance company.
getty
No. 1: Reykjavik, Iceland
No. 2: Copenhagen, Denmark
No. 3: Amsterdam, the Netherlands
No. 4: Tokyo, Japan
No. 5: Sydney, Australia
No. 6: Montreal, Canada
No. 7: Seoul, South Korea
No. 8: Singapore
No. 9: Berlin, Germany
No. 10: Hong Kong, China
No. 11: Venice, Italy
No. 12: London, United Kingdom
No. 13: Honolulu, Hawaii (United States)
No. 14: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
No. 15: Barcelona, Spain
This post was originally published on here
