For many, the new year is about new beginnings and positive change, whether it's an improved diet and exercise, limiting screen time and reading more books or traveling more to experience new places, people and cultures.
The world is a safe place for the most part but those who want to venture with absolute peace of mind can look at the latest data and metrics to pinpoint the places that offer them the most safety and security in the year ahead.
Here are the safest places you can travel to in 2025.
Iceland
Iceland continued its stranglehold on the Global Peace Index (GPI) in 2024, having held the crown since the index's inception in 2007.
"Among the three GPI domains, it ranks second in the Safety and Security domain and remains the most peaceful in both the Ongoing Conflict and Militarization domains," according to the GPI.
Meanwhile, Iceland receives a Level 1 travel advisory from the U.S. State Department and ranks first on Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection's (BHTP) list of the safest countries to visit in 2025—after ranking ninth a year ago.
The BHTP list not only takes into account the GPI but also data from Numbeo and an average of the GeoSure Global scores of the major cities in each country as well as survey results from Americans who have been abroad and visited the destinations in question.
Jaunting Car Ride in Killarney, Ireland (Photo Credit: Collette)
Ireland
Ireland maintains its fourth-place ranking on BHTP's list of the safest countries to visit in 2025 and moved up one spot to number two on the GPI in 2024.
"Ireland has moved up one spot to rank as the second most peaceful nation in the world. It is also the second most peaceful country in Europe and ranks 5th lowest in terms of the economic cost of violence. The economic impact of violence in Ireland accounts for 2.86 percent of its GDP. It is one of four European Union members that are not part of NATO," according to the GPI.
Canada
Few destinations have friendliness and peace ingrained in their culture the way Canada does. Although the United States' neighbor to the north slipped two spots in the BHTP list of the safest countries to visit in 2025, it still ranks 11th on the GPI with a "very high" state of peace and receives a Level 1 travel advisory from the U.S. State Department.
New Zealand
New Zealand is a unique destination but an intimidating one for many North American travelers due to distance and cost.
Nonetheless, travelers committing to this Pacific gem can do with confidence in 2025 as it ranks fourth on the GPI and sixth on BHTP's list of the safest countries to visit in the new year.
Austria
The State Department reissued its Level 1 travel advisory for Austria in August and the European country ranked third on the GPI for 2024, climbing one spot to trail only Iceland and Ireland.
Singapore Marina Bay area and CBD district at dusk. (Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/hit1912)
Singapore
The Asian island country and city-state of Singapore climbed three spots to fifth on the GPI in 2024 and continues to receive a Level 1 travel advisory from the U.S. State Department.
This peaceful locale offers tons to do for travelers of all types, from delectable foodie features to vibrant neighborhoods, gardens and more.
Denmark
Denmark ranks inside the top 10 on BHTP's list of the safest countries for 2025 for the second straight year and also finished in the top 10 on the GPI for 2024, ranking eighth worldwide. The summer months from June to August offer visitors the best weather so there's still plenty of time to plan your visit in the year ahead.
Switzerland
A beloved winter destination for world-class skiing, Switzerland ranks fifth on BHTP's list of the safest countries to visit in the new year and sixth on the GPI for 2024.
This Central European country also puts travelers in the middle of the action as they can quickly explore France, Germany, Italy and Austria.
Mount Koya, Japan (Photo Credit: InsideJapan)
Japan
Japan worked its way up three spots on BHTP's list of the safest countries to visit in 2025 and ranked inside of the top 20 on the GPI in 2024.
Australia
Like New Zealand, Australia can be a challenging visit logistically. However, its second-place ranking on BHTP's list of the safest countries to visit in 2025 along with its top 20 position on the GPI make it an easy choice for travelers prioritizing safety and security in the year ahead.
Travelers with flexibility will want to target the shoulder seasons of March-May and September-November to save some money and avoid the crowds and harsh weather without compromising safety.
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