15 safest cities in the world, according to a new report

Experiences

What are the safest cities in the world to visit right now? A new report by Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection ranks the top destinations for 2026, and two U.S. cities make the list.

An image of Tokyo, named one of the safest cities in the world — Tokyo has been named one of the safest cities in the world for travelers in a new report. (Getty)

What are the safest cities in the world to visit? At a time when safety is top of mind for travelers, knowing where to go and where to feel secure can make all the difference. Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP) has just released its annual Safest Cities report, ranking the world’s safest places to travel in 2026.

This comprehensive report combines real traveler insights with trusted third-party data to pinpoint the world’s safest cities. BHTP surveys more than 1,500 Americans, only including feedback from people who have actually visited each city. Respondents rate their experiences across a range of safety categories, including crime, health, transportation and more.

BHTP then uses a proprietary algorithm to weight and synthesize incorporates safety indices from sources like Numbeo, The Economist and GeoSure Global. All of these data points are weighted and analyzed to create the final list of the safest cities in the world. You can compare the 2026 results against BHTP’s previous reports on the safest cities for 2025 and 2024.

One important note: These ratings give a picture of safety conditions when the survey was conducted in August 2025. “They don’t consider the recent funicular accident in Lisbon, for instance,” note the authors of the BHTP report, who stress that it’s important to check the State Department’s travel advisories before traveling.

What Is The Safest City In The World?

So what is the safest city in the world? For the second year in a row, Reykjavik—the capital of Iceland— takes the top spot. This marks a strong continuation of the rise of this small city known for its sustainability, community-minded culture and resilient infrastructure. In BHTP’s 2024 report, Reykjavik ranked No. 3.

A winter scene in Reykjavik, the safest city in the world for 2026 — A winter scene in Reykjavik, the capital city of iceland and the safest city in the world for 2026. (Getty)

“There’s not a single neighborhood in Reykjavik that’s not exceptionally safe,” write the authors of the BHTP report. Contributing factors include Reykjavik’s low crime rates, robust healthcare system and helpful and welcoming locals.

That doesn’t mean the city is without risk. BHTP warns that lava is still a problem in areas around Reykjavik. “Because the country is essentially one big pile of cooled magma, the problem’s not going away,” the report’s authors explain.

But in every other front, Reykjavik delivers peace of mind when it comes to violent crime (ranking No. 1), terrorism (No. 2), transportation (No. 4), health (No. 2) and measures to protect women, LGBTQIA+ travelers and people of color (No. 2).

What Are The Safest European Cities To Visit?

European cities dominate much of the top 15, with nine cities on the list. Many of these cities have ranked high on previous BHTP reports, though there are some noteworthy surprises.

Copenhagen takes the No. 2 spot (the same as last year). Copenhagen is praised for safety when it comes to violent crime, terrorism, transportation (ranking No. 1) and more.

Zurich—new to the list this year—rounds out the top three. Zurich is noted for its terrorism safety. BHTP also calls it out for its relatively compact size yet expansive feel, as well the fact that medical care is readily accessible, should you need it.

Amsterdam comes in at No. 4. Contributing to this score: Amsterdam ranks No. 1 for inclusivity and safety across demographic categories like gender, sexuality and race. “Amsterdam’s just a place where folks are free to be who they want to be,” write the authors of the report.

Cycling through Amsterdam, one of the safest cities in the world. (Getty)

The bike-friendly culture adds to Amsterdam’s appeal: “Road rage is also low because it’s hard to stay mad at someone going 10 miles an hour on a bicycle,” say the authors.

Barcelona, which comes in at No. 7, jumped back into the top 10 after improving in categories like infrastructure. “Barcelona has done a commendable job managing its tourist crush while maintaining public safety,” notes the report.

Lisbon (No. 8) and Dublin (No. 10) are both newcomers to the list. BHTP points out that Lisbon is “safer and less visited (for now)” than Barcelona. BHTP says that in Dublin “it’s hard to find a part of the city that’s even remotely unsafe.”

BHTP says its survey respondents consider Venice (No. 11) extremely safe, while other data sources “are a little less bullish” on the city, pointing out that you’ll find “the normal petty theft and small-time scams you find in any major European city.”

London comes in at No. 13. “GeoSure Global data says most neighborhoods in central London are exceptionally safe, with no real unsafe neighborhoods as you head to the suburbs,” write the authors. However, road safety is something that American travelers need to consider, says BHTP: “The traffic comes from the other direction, and even though there are some traffic restrictions in central London, you still need to be aware and reverse your normal traffic-watching pattern before crossing a street.”

What Are The Safest Cities In The U.S.?

Honolulu, Hawaii continues to lead the way among U.S. cities. It’s the only destination to have made BHTP’s safest cities list three years in a row. This year it jumps from No. 13 to No. 5. The city is praised for its laid-back atmosphere. It has strong safety ratings across many categories, including healthcare, crime and transportation. It also ranks No. 7 when it comes to safety for women, LGBTQIA+ travelers and people of color.

Honolulu Hawaii safest city in the US — Relaxing on a Waikiki walking path in Honolulu, Hawaii—which was named the safest city in the U.S. (Getty)

Another contributing factor: “At a time when emergency response is more crucial than ever, Honolulu gets highest marks for its responses to everything from volcanoes to tropical storms,” writes BHTP.

San Francisco also makes the list this year, coming in as the 15th safest city. While safety perceptions are mixed across sources, BHTP explains that third-party data helps paint a more accurate picture: “The Economist has it tied with London as the 15th-safest city, and says it’s safer than Zurich,” notes the report. “Numbeo and GeoSure wouldn’t go that far, but agree that it’s fairly safe.”

A surprising find about San Francisco, according to BHTP: “Parents chose San Francisco over Orlando as a top-10 safe-travel destination.”

However, travelers are advised to be vigilant. “There’s no way to sugarcoat the fact that homelessness is a problem in San Francisco,” the report states.“This unfortunate reality does make petty crime more of a problem for travelers.”

More Of The World’s Safest Cities

Several cities from across the globe—from Asia to Oceania—made strong showings in the top 15, illustrating how safety is a global pursuit with many local variations.

Sydney safest city — Two friends traveling in Sydney, Australia, which was named one of the top five safest cities in the world. (Getty)

Sydney ranks high again this year, moving from No. 5 last year to No 6. The report notes that Australia’s largest city is popular with millennials. One caveat: The city “is not immune” from natural disasters like bushfires, floods and severe storms.

Tokyo lands at No. 9, continuing its streak as a perennial favorite among global travelers. The city came in at No. 4 last year and No. 11 in 2024. The Japanese capital scores high across the board, particularly with its lowrates of violent crime. BHTP also notes that it’s “home to one of the world’s safest metros and super-safe train service.”

Seoul (No. 12) is another major player in the global safety conversation. Beyond its fast-paced innovation and pop culture dominance, travelers praise the South Korean capital for its health measures and respect for women, LGBTQIA+ travelers and people of color. One important caveat, according to BHTP: You need to be careful about what you say about North Korea. “You can be detained or imprisoned for praising that country or its leaders,” write the authors.

Another Asian city makes the list at No. 14: Singapore. The city delivers one of the most structured and controlled urban experiences in the world, for better or worse. “Beating people with a stick is a legitimate punishment in Singapore for crimes like vandalism, sexually inappropriate behavior, drug crimes or immigration violations,” points out BHTP.

Safety Trends To Watch In 2026

Beyond the rankings, the 2026 BHTP report identifies a number of emerging trends in how travelers perceive and experience safety.

Healthcare access and emergency preparedness remain high on the list of traveler concerns. According to BHTP, destinations that can demonstrate quick and effective emergency response—whether it’s weather-related or health-related—earned higher marks in the survey. Honolulu, for example, was specifically called out for its emergency weather response systems for everything from volcanoes to tropical storms.

Age also plays a role in how safety is perceived. BHTP notes that travelers in different age groups view cities through different lenses, which in turn affects rankings. “Survey respondents showed some really different perceptions of the world’s safest countries depending on their age,” say the report authors.

Millennials (ages 25–44) are more likely to rate cities highly that align with their more adventurous, global tastes. “Millennials are globetrotters for sure, and this list confirms that,” say the authors of the report.

Hong Kong safest cities in the world — When it comes to the safest cities in the world, Hong Kong is popular with Gen Z and mature travelers. (Getty)

Gen Z travelers show a preference for destinations like Hong Kong, Amsterdam and Dublin—places that combine cosmopolitan vibes with a sense of inclusion. Mature travelers (age 65+) tend to be more cautious, gravitating toward places with strong infrastructure, excellent healthcare and low petty crime. Something Gen Z and mature travelers have in common: “They both consider Hong Kong to be a safe destination,” notes the report.

Ultimately, this report shows just how varied and nuanced the concept of safety can be. From reliable healthcare and public transit to inclusive communities and strong emergency response systems, the safest cities in the world are the ones that meet people where they are and make them feel protected, welcome and prepared for whatever lies ahead.

Looking for even more peace of mind while traveling? Be sure to check the full list below of the safest cities in the world for 2026 and explore related rankings for safest travel destinations based on traveler type.