Today more than ever, safety has joined the discussion when it comes to planning a trip abroad. Now you don’t have to guess anymore, thanks to a recent study to determine the safest place to travel. The study examined the experiences of more than 1,800 Americans over the past five years. Then a team at Berkshire Hathaway added data from the Global Peace Index, which gauges security and conflict in a particular region, city rankings from the safety intelligence community, and crime stats — including theft, assault and bias incidents. It turns out the No. 1 safest travel destination is The Netherlands. The beautiful, canal-filled country on the North Sea between Germany and Belgium tops the list for safe travel destinations in 2026. It was vaulted from 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 like healthcare access and climate are also critical. Even though it was ranked No. 1 for safety, The Netherlands isn’t without its issues. Of course, the biggest thing you have to worry about is cyclists. Riding bikes is a way of life for the Dutch, and two-wheelers actually have their own pathways in many of the major cities. Once you add in the e-bike craze, you’ve got a recipe for disaster if you’re not on high alert. What is there to do in The Netherlands? The top options include canal cruises, tulip season, the Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum art gallery, the Van Gogh Museum, and De Haar Castle. The countries rounding out the top five safest places to visit include Australia, Austria, Iceland and Canada. Sadly, the United States ranked 128 out of 195 countries.
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| Canal Cruises |
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| De Haar Castle |
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| Rijksmusem |
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| Van Gogh Museum |
