safest

There are hundreds of places to explore in Europe, from quaint seaside towns to medieval cities – but which is the safest to visit? A travel expert has ranked them and revealed their top 10

An avid traveller has revealed the safest places to visit in Europe – and it might not be where you’d expect.

When looking for the next getaway or city break, it can be hard to narrow down the ideal location, especially if you’re looking for somewhere new to visit. A key factor that many consider is how safe the location is – so they can wander around the foreign streets freely without the extra stress of looking over their shoulder.

In a bid to help others book their dream vacation, solo traveller and European expert, Luke Patrick Hoogmoed, curated a list of European capitals that were dubbed the safest, with the lowest level of crime. Sharing a video on his Instagram account, which boasts over 500K followers, he revealed the list, counting down from 10 to number 1. Here’s what the traveller expert said…

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10. Copenhagen, Denmark

The capital of Denmark is a charming and modern city, known for its biking culture and brightly coloured buildings with Scandinavian designs. The expert said, “People trust each other and follow the rules. The streets are well-lit and easy to walk at night. Visit Nyhavn for colorful views by the water.”

9. Prague, Czech Republic

Often called the ‘City of a Hundred Spires’, the capital of the Czech Republic boasts cobbled streets, medieval bridges and fairy-tale-like churches with a vibrant yet welcoming feel. The traveller noted, “The city is full of life but feels calm. Police are present and public spaces are kept safe. Don’t miss Charles Bridge at sunrise.”

8. Bratislava, Slovakia

It may be small, but the capital of Slovakia is filled with character, with lively squares that go uncrowded and a relaxed vibe for an easy getaway. “It’s small and easy to get around. Most areas are quiet and crime is rare. Bratislava Castle has the best views of the city,” the expert revealed.

7. Warsaw, Poland

Blending history and modern energy, the capital of Poland has riverside parks, baroque churches, historic landmarks and an Old Town that was reconstructed. Luke shared: “The city is busy but well-organised. Public transport and streets are safe to use. The Old Town Market Square is a must-see.”

6. Helsinki, Finland

The capital of Finland has been described as modern yet serene, with maritime beauty and an urban blend. “People look out for one another. It’s clean, peaceful, and safe to walk anywhere. Visit Suomenlinna island for a nice getaway from the busy city centre,” the expert noted.

5. Tallinn, Estonia

The small capital of Estonia is a preserved medieval city where you can walk the streets filled with character and experience its contemporary edge. “The old town is well-lit and lively. Crime levels are low and people feel secure. Toompea Hill offers great city views,” Luke said.

4. Reykjavik, Iceland

A small yet vibrant and picturesque city, with a lively cultural scene, surrounded by majestic mountains. The expert revealed: “Almost everyone knows each other. Violence and serious crime are very rare. I filmed the clip from the top of the Hallgrímskirkja Church.”

3. Zagreb, Croatia

With an Upper and Lower Town to be explored, the capital of Croatia has a charming feel with a warmth and elegance that runs through to its residents. “It’s relaxed and friendly. The police are active and keep the streets safe. The Upper Town is perfect for a peaceful walk,” the traveller said.

2. Ljubljana, Slovenia

Intimate and walkable, the capital of Slovenia is known for its modern architecture, outdoor living and fairytale-like backdrop. Luke noted, “The city is small and welcoming. It’s easy to walk around without worry. Ljubljana Castle overlooks the whole city.”

1. Bern, Switzerland

With medieval buildings, arcaded walkways and cobbled streets, the Swiss capital is filled with history and beauty around every corner. Ranked as the safest, the expert said: “Calm streets and orderly life. Safety is part of everyday living here. The Rose Garden has the best view of the old town.”

A recent study named the cities in the country that are the safest to stay in or travel to – and this one took the number one spot

When choosing where to live, everyone will have their own preferences. Whilst easy access to green spaces and parks might be the top priority for some, others will focus on amenities and shopping facilities.

Nevertheless, many Scots would agree that few things matter as much as safety. Thankfully, Scotland’s villages, towns, and cities are typically very secure places to call home.

If you place safety above everything else, though, it can be challenging to know where in Scotland to put down roots. Luckily, a recent study has revealed the cities in the country that are the safest to reside in or visit.

OPINION

Milo Boyd

As reported by the Daily Record, the “safest cities” in Scotland were identified earlier this year by Reolink. Five cities across the nation were ranked by their ‘safety index’ score, which “shows the consistency of local police in managing crimes and maintaining peace within the city”.

Topping the experts’ list was Edinburgh. The Scottish capital achieved a high safety index score of 68.98. Reolink also discovered that 82 per cent of people living in Edinburgh feel secure. According to the experts, “continuous patrolling has been done in heavy traffic areas” of the city. Meanwhile, Edinburgh was found to have a ‘crime index’ of just 30.99.

Also, theft, dishonesty, and house break-ins are amongst the most common offences reported in the Scottish capital. Reolink declared: “Edinburgh is ranked as the safest city in Scotland. It has a safety index of 68.98 according to Numbeo, with the lowest crime index of 30.99. It usually reports cases of theft, dishonesty, house break-ins, and offences.”

“According to the reports, over 82 per cent of the residents feel safe living there. It’s a student-friendly city where continuous patrolling has been done in heavy traffic areas.”

Reolink also branded Edinburgh as being “significantly safer” than Glasgow. The specialists revealed that Scotland’s biggest city “has higher violent crime rates, which makes it less safe than Edinburgh”.

Trailing in second spot on Reolink’s ranking of Scotland’s most secure cities was Aberdeen. The Granite City was discovered to possess the “lowest violent crime rate and high safety standards”, achieving a safety index rating of 63.20.

Meanwhile, Inverness claimed third position as the nation’s safest city. Based on Reolink’s findings, the Scottish Highlands city boasts a safety index rating of 62.13.

Completing the top five on the ranking were Glasgow and Dundee. The former achieved a safety index rating of 54.56, whilst Dundee’s safety index rating stood at 51.40.

Beyond Scotland’s cities, Reolink revealed that Orkney and Shetland rank amongst the nation’s most secure regions. The specialists noted that the archipelagos maintain lower crime figures when measured against other Scottish locations.

Reolink stated: “Safety ranks as one of the major concerns for people visiting and living in Scotland. It is necessary to inquire about the safety of everywhere you stay or travel.”

One popular European city has been named the safest place to visit, according to new research

When it comes to planning a holiday, there’s a lot to consider from the local cuisine and attractions to accommodation. However, one crucial factor is the safety of the destination.

According to an analysis by tour company Riviera Travel, which launched two cruise ships last year, one city has been crowned the safest in Europe.

The study took into account current crime levels and the increase in crime over the past five years – and it comes after a warning to Brit tourists planning all-inclusive holidays to Spain.

An overall safety score was then calculated, revealing how safe each location is, reports the Express.

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Topping the list with an overall safety score of 44.14 is the Croatian city of Dubrovnik.

Not only is Dubrovnik a safe place to visit, but it also attracts crowds of tourists with its medieval architecture and status as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Known as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’, the city boasts a charming Old Town for visitors to explore.

Dubrovnik scored 8.76 from Numbeo for crime level, indicating it’s ‘very low’ and 35.38 for crime increasing over the last five years, also deemed ‘low’.

Coming in second with an overall safety score of 55.81 is Tallinn, the capital of Estonia.

Like Dubrovnik, Tallinn is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a medieval city.

Visitors can safely enjoy a plethora of cafes and restaurants serving local cuisine.

Poland’s capital, Warsaw, ranks third with a safety score of 60.19.

Despite seeing a ‘moderate’ increase in crime over the past five years, the popular destination maintains a ‘very low’ crime level.

Many tourists flock to this city to delve into its rich history and sample the vast array of Polish cuisine on offer.

Prague, the Czech Republic’s capital, came in fourth with a score of 60.88, its ‘moderate’ crime rating over the past five years contributing to an overall ‘very low’ crime score.

As the largest city in the Czech Republic, Prague draws in thousands of tourists annually, who are captivated by its gothic cathedrals and skyline filled with spires.

Kraków took fifth place with a score of 64.31. According to Riviera Travel, it has a ‘low’ crime level of 20.7 and a ‘moderate’ increase in crime over the past five years of 43.61.

Kraków is home to Europe’s largest medieval market square, a renowned Old Town, and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Meanwhile, Amsterdam ranked sixth with a score of 71.09, followed by Munich in Germany with 73.74 and Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland.

Zurich was ninth, with Budapest, the capital of Hungary, rounding out the top ten.

A travel expert has pointed out one specific seat that offers the best combination of safety and value – and it’s one that most people don’t even know about

For many, the thought of flying can be a source of anxiety, particularly when turbulence strikes or the mind wanders to the potential dangers of being 30,000 feet in the air. While some opt for the comfort and reassurance of business class, others simply hold tight to their armrests and hope for smooth skies.

However, travel guru Bryson Robert, from Safari Soles Tours, an operator specialising in African escapades, suggests there’s a more intelligent approach that won’t leave your wallet feeling light.

“Most people don’t realise there’s actually a specific seat that offers the best combination of safety and value,” Mr Robert revealed. “While seat 11A might seem like any other window seat, it’s actually positioned in what many aviation experts consider the safest part of the aircraft, and you can often snag it without paying those exorbitant upgrade fees.”

With his extensive experience guiding clients to far-flung locations across Tanzania, Mr Robert has gained deep insights into aviation safety and booking strategies, and he explains why this particular seat should be on the radar of safety-conscious travellers.

Why Seat 11A is the sweet spot for safety

The allure of seat 11A lies in its strategic placement over the aircraft’s wings. This location provides several safety benefits that most passengers overlook when reserving their flights.

Aircraft seating expert Mr Robert shared a tip on securing a smoother ride, saying: “When you’re sitting over the wing, you’re positioned at the plane’s centre of gravity,” and added, “This means you’ll experience less turbulence compared to seats at the front or back of the aircraft. The wing area also has the most reinforced structure in the entire plane.”

The reinforcement of the wings not only ensures steadier flying due to the robust structure but is also pivotal for the plane’s structural integrity. The design of aircraft wings is intentional to bear significant stress, which in turn makes the space directly above them a highly stable zone in the event of any unforeseen trouble during a flight.

There’s also the added perk of being near emergency exits when seated at 11A, giving passengers swift access to multiple egress points – a sharp contrast to seats situated at the extremities of the plane where exit options could be restricted.

Check seat maps for your aircraft

Before rushing to book your seat, remember to review the seat maps specific to your flight.

For those aiming to claim seat 11A, Robert emphasises the importance of verifying the seat layout by stating: “You want to look for planes where 11A sits directly over the wing with clear sight lines to emergency exits,” recommending both Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s as prime candidates for such favourable seating arrangement.

To make sure that 11A indeed boasts these strategic positional perks on your particular journey, it’s wise to consult airline seat map resources and tools such as SeatGuru. It’s noteworthy that certain aircraft may have unique numbering sequences or layouts that displace row 11 from its advantageous spot over the wing.

Mr Robert also advises against choosing planes where the 11th row falls within the premium economy section, as these seats usually come with compulsory upgrade fees that negate the point of affordability.

Securing seat 11A without additional charges

The timing of your booking could be the deciding factor between securing seat 11A for free or being hit with hefty selection fees. Mr Robert reveals his insider tip for nabbing this prime spot.

“Book your flight first, then wait about 24 hours before selecting your seat,” he recommended. “Many airlines release their best available seats during this window, and 11A often becomes available for standard selection.”

“If you’re flexible with your departure times, Tuesday and Wednesday flights often have more seat availability,” Mr Robert said. “Airlines are less likely to charge premium fees for seats that aren’t filling up quickly.”

Another tactic involves regularly checking back after making your booking. As the departure date draws nearer, airlines sometimes make previously restricted seats available for free selection when it’s apparent they won’t be sold as upgrades.

Mr Robert concluded: “After years of coordinating travel for safari clients flying into remote African destinations, I’ve learned that smart seat selection can make or break a long-haul flight experience. Seat 11A represents the perfect sweet spot that most travellers completely overlook. You’re getting the structural advantages of being positioned over the wing – which means better stability during turbulence and proximity to the aircraft’s strongest point – without paying the premium that business class demands.

“The beauty of this seat is that it addresses the two biggest concerns I hear from nervous flyers: safety and cost. You don’t need to spend an extra £200-500 on an upgrade to feel more secure during your flight. Understanding aircraft design and booking timing can get you into one of the safest positions on the plane for the price of a standard economy ticket.

“It’s particularly valuable for travellers heading to destinations like ours in Tanzania, where you’re looking at 15-20 hour journey times. Every advantage in comfort and peace of mind counts when you’re covering that kind of distance.”