Safest Countries to Travel in 2026: Where to Go Right Now
With tensions in the Middle East, Ukraine and beyond — here's where you can travel with peace of mind.
2026 has been a turbulent year. The conflict involving Iran has reshaped travel patterns across the Middle East. Travelers who had Abu Dhabi, Doha or Dubai on their bucket list are now second-guessing their plans. And they're right to ask: where is it actually safe to go right now?
We analyzed data from the US State Department, UK FCDO, World Bank political stability index, and real traveler reviews to create this guide. Here are the safest destinations by region — and the ones to avoid.
🇪🇺 Western Europe
🇵🇹 Portugal
4.6/5Consistently ranked among the top 5 safest countries globally. Lisbon and Porto are highlights.
🇨🇭 Switzerland
4.8/5Extremely low crime, stable politics, world-class infrastructure. Expensive but worth it.
🇮🇸 Iceland
4.9/5Virtually no violent crime. One of the most peaceful nations on Earth.
🇮🇪 Ireland
4.5/5Friendly locals, low crime, stunning landscapes. Dublin is safe and walkable.
🇳🇱 Netherlands
4.4/5Very tolerant, diverse, and well-organized. Amsterdam is safe despite the party reputation.
🌏 Asia-Pacific
🇯🇵 Japan
4.8/5One of the safest countries in the world. You can walk anywhere at any time. Lost wallets get returned.
🇸🇬 Singapore
4.7/5Ultra-safe, ultra-clean. Strict laws but incredibly low crime. Perfect for families.
🇳🇿 New Zealand
4.6/5Remote, peaceful, and stunning. Very welcoming to all travelers.
🇰🇷 South Korea
4.4/5Seoul is incredibly safe. Great food, great transport, very low crime.
🇹🇭 Thailand
4/5Very welcoming to tourists of all backgrounds. Bangkok and the islands are generally safe. Watch for scams.
🌎 Americas
🇨🇦 Canada
4.5/5Multicultural, tolerant, and safe. Montreal and Vancouver are highlights for diverse travelers.
🇺🇾 Uruguay
4.2/5The safest country in South America. Progressive laws, low crime, beautiful beaches.
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
4/5Pura vida lifestyle. No military, stable democracy, amazing nature. Stick to tourist areas.
🇨🇱 Chile
3.8/5Santiago is modern and relatively safe. Patagonia is world-class. Watch for petty theft in cities.
🔴 Regions to avoid in 2026
Middle East conflict zones
Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, parts of Lebanon. Active military operations and unpredictable escalation. Most governments advise against all travel.
Eastern Ukraine
Active conflict zone. Do not travel.
Sudan / South Sudan
Civil conflict, humanitarian crisis. Avoid.
Myanmar
Military coup, ongoing civil war. Avoid outside of very limited tourist corridors.
Haiti
Gang violence, political instability. Most embassies have evacuated.
Always check your government's official travel advisories before booking. Situations can change rapidly.
What about the Gulf states?
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha remain physically safe — crime rates are among the lowest in the world. However, their proximity to the Iran conflict means:
- Flight disruptions are more frequent due to airspace restrictions
- Travel insurance premiums have increased for the region
- Some embassies have issued caution advisories (not “do not travel” but “exercise increased caution”)
- The Strait of Hormuz situation affects cruise itineraries
If you still want to visit the Gulf, you'll likely be fine. But have a backup plan and check advisories weekly.
How to stay informed
- Check MapSur before every trip — our safety scores update based on the latest data
- Register with your embassy when traveling abroad (STEP for US, FCDO for UK)
- Get travel insurance that covers geopolitical events
- Read real traveler reviews — official advisories lag behind reality