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  • 17 Safest Cities In Europe To Travel To In 2023

Numerous sizable towns around Europe call visitors, and it is a continent full of drama and excitement. This country of gooey spaghetti and chocolate-topped Belgian waffles has a boatload in its bag, from the cold straits of Norway to the magnificent Roman Colosseum, the snow-covered Austrian Highlands to the soaring Eiffel Tower, the flamenco theaters of Madrid to the undulating woodlands of Poland. But which towns in Europe are the best options for safety? When traveling, the majority of people's initial thought is, "is this place safe?"

The best part is that safety is a fact of life in European cities. Usually, using rational thinking and regular shrewd travel tactics will be sufficient to get visitors through any vacation to any city on this continent. However, there are some locations where visitors won't need to fret quite so much. These are cities that are well-known all around the world for their world-class facilities, pure air, and friendly public persona. So let's explore the best and safest European cities to visit in 2023.

UPDATE: 2023/01/22 18:06 EST BY SERA PARRIS

17 Safest Cities In Europe To Travel To In 2023

Exploring Europe should be on every wanderluster's bucket list. With so many amazing and safe destinations, there really is no reason to not see what the world has to offer solo or with others. For travelers who have yet to visit some of these lovely towns and cities, 2023 is definitely the year to consider checking out the original 15 along with a few more like Porto and Brasov.

UPDATE: 2022/11/29 16:14 EST BY AARON SPRAY

More Of Europe's Safest Cities To Visit

Europe on the whole is quite safe to visit, but some cities are naturally safer than others. This list was updated to include more of the capitals of Europe (these cities are also considered among the safest capital cities in the world to visit). These are cities where travelers can relax and enjoy themselves.

UPDATE: 2022/11/10 21:32 EST BY LAUREN FEATHER

The List Of Europe's Safest Cities To Visit Keeps On Growing

As people get back into the swing of global travel once again, some European destinations appear favored over others. Places appearing on the most popular cities in Europe list tend to have one thing in common: they're super safe, not just overwhelmingly beautiful and steeped in history. With that in mind, this guide on the safest cities in Europe has been updated to include even more visit-worthy metropolises where travelers can enjoy the utmost safety on their trip.

17 Marbella

There are many cities in Spain worth visiting for tourists. In Europe, Marbella is referred to have been the "capital of the sun." It is a popular location for tourists seeking sophistication, finesse, golfing, shopping, and upscale restaurants and hotels. Regional handicrafts are also available. Since Marbella is not among Spain's most populous cities, visitors can take pleasure in knowing that it is not overrun with tourists. One may browse without having to worry much about pickpockets. Furthermore, violent crimes are almost absent in this warm city.

RELATED: The Most Expensive Cities In Europe Explained

16 Oradea

Romania's Oradea is among the safest cities to visit if visitors wish to travel to Eastern Europe. One of Romania's most picturesque cities, Oradea is noted for its liveliness and unique architectural setting. As one of the best places in the area for leisurely and stress-free travel, Oradea embraces every season to the fullest. Beautiful displays of architecture and art can be seen, and cultural activities go on throughout the year. Visitors can unwind and enjoy the views without having to worry about being the victim of crimes in one of the many scenic towns of Romania.

15 Lahti Region

Among the safest nations in Europe is Finland overall. Lahti, an hour's drive north of Helsinki, is a truly green location with stunning forests, gardens, and reserves, many of which include hiking paths and vantage places. Lahti, the biggest Lakeland in Europe and the entrance to the Finnish Lakeland, is a leader in the fight against climate change. Even though there are some places where drugs are sold and used, visitors may simply avoid them by inquiring at the hotel reception where they should stay away from, especially at night.

14 Leuven

Leuven, a charming city in central Belgium, is still the perfect place to go for an action-packed city break any time of year. It is also the region of chocolate and is widely recognized for its rich brewing legacy. It has car-free retail districts and street stalls promoting local goods. The two crimes about which people should be most concerned are vandalism and stealing, even though neither of those acts occurs frequently. The city has a wide range of social variety, as visitors will discover. Nearly wherever people would like to go can be reached on foot or by bicycle.

RELATED: Which Is The Most Romantic City In Europe For A Honeymoon?

13 Lucerne

With the lively Chapel Bridge located in the heart of the town, Lucerne has the appearance of a snapshot. The city is the origin of Switzerland, and many people describe it as a miniature replica of that country. Whether people go in the summers or the winters, they will have a great time. The crime levels in Switzerland are extremely low overall. Visitors may travel in comfort in any place, and the hotel reception service can direct them to whatever location visitors like so that they can stay away from sketchy areas.

12 Istanbul

Together with the mesmerizing fusion of views, sounds, and hues, the multicultural city of Istanbul has many top attractions making it the ideal city destination. The city is a remarkable 21st-century mash-up of modern art exhibitions, world-class eateries, and nightclubs amid majestic mosques, ominous churches, remarkable institutions, and Sultans' castles. People can see the distinctive fusion of Islamic and Christian landmarks wherever they look in the city, with the famous Blue Mosque being one of the most famous Muslim establishments. Areas close to Syria are not secure, but Istanbul is absolutely safe, with Turkish transportation also being convenient across the city. When people are in a tourist area, exercise caution at all times.

Related: Dos & Don'ts Of Visiting Turkey For The First Time

11 Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast, rightfully regarded as a pearl of Italy, is a legendary vacation destination that captured the attention of famous heroes like the siren-swayed Ulysses. The wealthy and famous frequently travel to Italy's Amalfi Coast, and if it's secure for them, it's secure for everyone. Even though there will occasionally be a pickpocket, there are many things visitors could do to protect themselves. It is simple to understand why so many visitors choose to visit this region of Italy, given the charming fishing villages, breathtaking cliffs, and other features.

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10 Ljubljana

Ljubljana is a place for the keen and daring, full of intriguing mysteries and unspoiled pleasures. The gloriously green city of Slovenia attracts all visitors seeking culture, arts, and leisure and provides expansive green spaces, making it a leading instance of sustainable construction worldwide. Ljubljana made the decision to make its historic center entirely pedestrian-only faster than any other European city. This stunning capital is one of the safest and top travel destinations thanks to its rich natural resources, colorful history, and unique charm.

9 London

London is among Europe's wealthiest cities. The city's tourist attractions go much further than Big Ben, Madame Tussauds, and the London Eye, which never fail to enthrall visitors of all ages. Although visitors may anticipate a well-known metropolis like London to have a high crime rate, there seems to be significant police involvement. Knowing which neighborhoods to explore and which to avoid, particularly at night, is the easiest way to keep safe when touring London. It is far less congested in the months of spring and summer, so visitors can fully enjoy the flea markets, local retail areas, and other attractions.

8 Bavaria

Germany's most-traveled location is Bavaria which is also among the most popular stops for visitors to Europe. Bavaria is a fascinating destination for tourists worldwide because of its rich history and ancient customs. Bavaria boasts the biggest woodland in Europe for those seeking a journey that combines wilderness, outdoor sports, culture, cuisine, and heritage. It is verdant and abundant with natural flora and wildlife. Visitors can explore several old, obscure towns in this secure area - its enchanting castles are also dreamy to explore. The only time visitors need truly be concerned about the crime is when visiting during Oktoberfest or when they go to some of Munich's grubbier neighborhoods.

Related: 10 Most Amazing Things To Do In Germany’s Bavaria

7 Zürich

Switzerland has been one of the safest counties in the world for decades. Within the country, Zurich isn't just the largest city in the country; it's also crowned the safest, with a low crime index of just 16.71%. That attractive statistic makes the city even more tempting with its high livability scores, signaling the quality of life of people living there ranks highly. The European Commission conducted a report on the quality of life in different European cities, and, of course, Zurich ranked very high; over 50% of local respondents said they strongly agreed they feel safe when walking alone at night, and more than 60% said they felt safe walking alone at night in their specific neighborhood - the latter proving that safety isn't only in the downtown air.

Speaking of air, the air quality in Zurich was rated the highest of the Sootfree Cities in the last decade, meaning in terms of air pollution, the city is a clear winner. On top of that, Zurich's public transportation system leaves little to be desired, with networks of trams, trolleybuses, and ample cycle paths maintaining travel efficiency and air as clean as the Alpine foothills - which are a stone's throw away on the horizon. To cherry on top? Zurich is close to pristine alpine lake waters and hiking trails of the Glarus Alps, rendering this spot ideal for nature lovers as well as city guys and gals.

6 Reykjavík

Iceland's capital is home to around 120,000 people, so it hardly passes for a "major city". It seems everyone knows one another, much like residents in America's neighborliest cities do; thus, it's unsurprising that crime rates are extremely low. In fact, Reykjavik's crime rates are so low that's often deemed one of the safest cities in the world, not just in Europe.

Iceland's entirety also has a low crime rate, deservedly earning the country the number one spot on the 2021 Global Peace Index published by Vision of Humanity. Forget crime - the only concern visitors and residents might face is the weather, which is why local people and veteran visitors will tell Iceland-bound travelers the same thing: never drive to unknown places without first checking the weather forecast first, lest they wish to risk a snowstorm burial.

Big scary snow aside, the capital of Iceland offers a wealth of tourist appeal, with the top attractions in Reykjavik comprising unique churches, modern art museums, and, naturally, the famous Blue Lagoon – a human-made hot spring fueled by the underwater geothermal energy of Icelandic volcano activity bubbling beneath and atop the nation's terrain.

5 Copenhagen

The capital of Denmark is also one of the safest cities in Europe for travelers. The design-oriented, eccentric Danish capital is famous for its equally crazy-high prices - but with great price comes great safety. Rarely does anyone have to cope with crime in Copenhagen; ranked first place on the 2021 Safe Cities Index, making this European metropolis officially the safest city in the world, according to research conducted by The Economist. Indeed, the city beat Toronto in Canada, Wellington in New Zealand, Sydney in Australia, and Tokyo in Japan on the safety front - and all those cities rank super safe.

Why is Copenhagen so safe? The prominent answer lies in its epically low crime rates all across the board. Numbeo listed Copenhagen as a low-risk travel destination for almost everything, from car theft to bribery and police corruption and more. What's more, regarding official data, violent crime, domestic crimes, and homicides are getting lower.

Strikingly low crime rates aside, Copenhagen is a breathtaking city that's as beautiful as it is entertaining. By day visitors take in the imposing medieval towers of the Indre By in the city's old town. By night, they soak up the classic jazz in the chilled-out open-air bars of Nyhavn. Heck, the urban beaches in Copenhagen are just as much of a draw, as are the city's UNESCO sites and multicultural districts dotted with coffee houses and delicious falafel stores.

4 Vienna

Vienna is the capital of Austria and has the largest Christmas market in the world. It is a remarkable city that was once the capital of one of the largest Empires in Europe (the Austro-Hungarian Empire). Today the rich architecture of the old capital is preserved, and it is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.

Vienna is a great place to visit and according to World Capital Cities, it is one of the top ten safest capitals in the world. The city's center is UNESCO listed and a treat to visit, but not only that, it is also considered one of the most livable cities in the world - it is frequently ranked among the top ten.

Vienna is located where Eastern Europe and Western Europe meet and visitors can feel the influence of different regions on this stunning city.

3 Porto

Yet another amazingly safe city in Europe is none other than Porto. A beloved city in the country of Portugal, Porto has a rich history, ample things to see and do, plus more. Since tourism is vital to this city’s economy, it is very safe and inviting for world travelers and tourists alike. What’s more, this multilingual destination has wonderful hotels, restaurants, lush outdoor spaces, and breathtaking scenery. Overall, this is a lovely respite for solo travelers, couples, and friends.

  • Where to stay in Porto: Bonfirm is a budget-friendly option east of Baiax.

2 Brasov

Brasov is just one more important tourist city in Europe where visitors can expect to feel overwhelmingly safe. This particular area of Romania is known for its larger-than-life ski resort and its Hollywood-like sign. Here, the crime rate is relatively low in this mountain resort town, and public transportation is extensive. So avid winter sports fans can spend their time enjoying the slopes instead of worrying about their overall safety in Brasov. This European city also has great museums, walking tours, delightful eateries, and more. Oh yeah, and Transylvania is right around the corner for any Dracula enthusiasts.

1 Tbilisi

Tbilisi is the capital of the Republic of Georgia in the Caucasus region. Not everyone would consider Georgia to be Europe - although Georgians certainly consider themselves European. Georgia is one of the world's most historic and stunning cities.

Traveling in the mountains is almost like visiting Switzerland - just infinitely cheaper. Georgia is a post-Soviet country that has made very impressive strides since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the chaos of the 1990s. Today Georgia is not only one of the top ten easiest places in the world to do business, but also its capital, Tbilisi, is counted among the top 10 safest capitals in the world.