25 Safest Places to Travel in 2020

The world can seem like an awfully scary place at times but the reality is there are plenty of destinations you can experience without jeopardizing your safety and security. While no country is completely rid of crime or danger, here are 25 places travelers exercising common sense and taking normal precautions can explore fearlessly in the new year.

Australia is the world's safest destination for 2020, according to Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection's (BHTP) annual research study. The country ranks first overall as well as tops in every major demographic category, including millennials, millennials with children and mature travelers. On top of that, Australia was also recently named "Destination of the Year" by Travel & Leisure magazine.

Both millennials and middle-aged travelers consider New Zealand to be the second-safest place in the world behind Australia. This peaceful destination Down Under is also among the planet's most diverse, making it a no-brainer for open-minded travelers prioritizing safety.

Middle-aged and mature travelers are in agreement that Sweden is among the world's safest destinations, according to BHTP data. Plus, the Nordic nation was named "the world's most reputable country" by Reputation Institute's annual Country RepTrak.

While the crowds in places like Rome and Venice can certainly create some unwelcome stress and anxiety, safety shouldn't be a concern for visitors to Italy. There are plenty of reasons to make this coveted country your first great getaway in 2020, and feeling safe and secure is just one of them.

Amsterdam remains one of the world's most sought-after cities and the ability to visit with confidence is a big reason why. As a country overall, the Netherlands is undoubtedly one of the safest you'll find and that's unlikely to change in 2020.

Like many European countries, the threat of terrorism remains a concern for travelers to France. However, the destination is safe overall, with visitors far more likely to lose an unattended personal item than be the victim of violent crime.

Iceland is among the several European destinations ranking very high on the Institute for Economics and Peace's Global Peace Index (GPI). Iceland was the most peaceful country in the world in 2019 and has held the top position for more than a decade.

Another very-high-ranking destination on the GPI, Ireland is a hit with both affluent millennials and older travelers when it comes to feeling safe, according to BHTP. The country also performs well on the UL Safety Index, which quantifies the relative state of safety for more than 180 nations.

Greece, especially the picturesque Greek Islands is a safe option for travelers eyeing a European getaway in 2020. It ranks ninth-safest based on BHTP's research and is boosted by some of friendliest locals in the Mediterranean.

With Tokyo set to host the Olympics in 2020, travelers will be pleased to know that Japan ranks among the world's safest destinations. What's more, officials have been proactive in enhancing safety and security in anticipation of the Summer Games. Travelers will also have a great shot at finding flight deals to Japan in the new year.

Denmark earns an impressive 94 percent on SafeAround's Safety Index and ranked fifth on the GPI for 2019, making it one of the safest countries you can visit. Travelers can take comfort in the destination's low crime rates and friendly locals.

One of the world's happiest countries, Finland is unsurprisingly safe and ranks high on the peace-measuring GPI. Whether you're touring the capital city of Helsinki or chasing the northern lights in Finnish Lapland, you can do so without concern.

The world's largest island is safe to visit even if it isn't the most popular destination, hosting fewer than 2,700 U.S. travelers on overnight trips in 2018. If your goal is to venture far from the beaten path but to do so safely in the new year, consider Greenland.

Norway joins its Scandinavian neighbors Sweden and Finland among the world's safest travel destinations in 2020. Even in major cities like Oslo, crime rates are very low. In BHTP's study, Norway ranked fourth-safest in the eyes of mature travelers.

Slovenia can make a strong case as the safest destination in Europe. The U.S. State Department notes that "Slovenia's overall crime rate is low," pointing out that "incidents of purse snatching and pick-pocketing are most common in the tourist areas," which can be said of any destination you visit.

Violent crime is very rare in tiny Luxembourg where visitors are more likely to be the victim of petty crime such as pick-pocketing. In addition to being among the safest, Luxembourg is one of the most accessible destinations in Europe.

While the country was impacted by a recent avalanche, the bottom line is that Switzerland is among the safety places you can visit in 2020, placing seventh out of 162 countries in the world, according to SafeAround.

Compared to its North American neighbor, Canada is a very safe country. Visitors will feel right at home touring the country's most popular sites and attractions and English-speaking travelers won't have to worry about clearing a language barrier.

When it comes to South America, Argentina is a relatively low-risk country. The U.S. State Department puts it at Level 1 on its travel advisory scale, meaning Americans are simply encouraged to exercise normal precautions when visiting hotspots such as Buenos Aires, Patagonia and others.

Travelers shouldn't hesitate to explore scenic San Marino's historic architecture in 2020 as this overlooked gem remains extremely low risk, whether you're a woman traveling solo or a family visiting with young children.

Travelers seeking a safe place in paradise can't go wrong in Turks and Caicos where you can warm up on world-class beaches like Grace Bay worry-free. The destination has come into its own in recent years and has bounced back impressively since the devastating 2017 hurricane season.

Elsewhere in the Caribbean, the Cayman Islands is also a tourist-friendly destination with a low threat of crime. "The Cayman Islands are a safe place with little criminal activity affecting tourists," according to the U.S. State Department.

Anguilla is an obvious choice for travelers seeking a safe Caribbean getaway that isn't lacking in authenticity. Aside from the occasional hurricane threat from June through November, the British territory is among the safest places in the Eastern Caribbean.

Your 2020 escape to the beautiful Seychelles is very likely to be trouble free. Even if you arrive with some doubts, they're certain to be dissolved into the archipelago's renowned white-sand beaches.

The Pacific Ocean can be an intimidating place, sure, but the Marshall Islands are a once-in-a-lifetime experience and one of the world's least dangerous destinations, according to medical and travel security risk services company International SOS's 11th annual Travel Risk Map.