Insecurity is one of the factors that affect the quality of life of the citizens of the world, deriving a series of risks that affect health and life. In this sense, when talking about unsafe countries and / or cities, the criminal acts that plague a large part of the planet stands out, filling people with uncertainty, fear and concern, even more when they leave the familiar environment and a business trip, work or vacation starts.
Therefore, security has become one of the factors that travellers take deeply into consideration when choosing a tourist destination, as well as other elements related to their preferences and the type of tourism that they want to experience, if they wish to enjoy beaches, mountains, historical and / or cultural sites, or wish to practice extreme sports, or try paradisiacal beaches, tropical forests, etcetera.
However, in this article we will especially refer to safety, based on the studies carried out by the Institute for Economics and Peace and the general classification carried out by the Economist Intelligence Unit, which has considered several aspects that range from digital criminality to road safety, going through personal welfare, among others.
In this way, the calculation of the peace index by a group of experts from the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), which is recorded in a report made 12 years ago, serves as an indicator to classify 163 countries, which represents 99.7% of the population, according to their degree of conflict.
We will begin our journey, presenting the 15 countries considered to be the safest in the world by 2018 according to the studies and calculations of this worldwide prestigious institute.
In the first place of the list is Iceland, considered for many reasons as the safest country to travel, although it is advisable to take the necessary precautions if visiting in winter, however, it has amazing nature that displays spectaculars aurora borealis, waterfalls and impressive springs, such as the Dettifoss waterfall or Glacier Lake, as well as beautiful cities such as Reykjavik, its capital.
Sweden is in the second place of this classification, and is characterized by its charming and elegant cities, with a perfect symbiosis of tradition and avant-garde, highlighting the old town of Stockholm called “Gamla Stan”, as well as the Vasa Museum, the Palace Royal, etc., following Norway with famous Preikestolen, a huge rock formation with a vertical drop of 1981.63 feet.
Continue in the established order, Switzerland with its large green mountains corresponding to the Swiss Alps, where there is the enjoyable beauty of Geneva or Lucerne; and although the costs of the trip may seem high, it has a pleasing sense of safety, peace and comfort; followed by Denmark, whose capital Copenhagen, is an interesting sample of tradition and modernity, which include the Imperial Castle of Rosenborg and the Freetown Christiania, where there is a completely safe hippie neighbourhood for tourists.
Although Tokyo, the safest city in the world is located in Japan, this country ranked sixth after Denmark. It can be visit Mount Fuji or the bamboo forest of Arashiyama, where you can appreciate the spectacle of cherry blossoms or sakura, as well as enjoy vibrant and very modern cities such as Tokyo or Osaka.
In the seventh place is the Czech Republic, with its well-known capital, Prague, with its architecture that emulates a fairy tale, which highlights the walks by the Charles Bridge, the Astronomical Clock of the Old City and placid cities like Karlovy Vary or Cesky Krumlov. Following the route of the list with Austria, country located in the heart of Europe, in whose capital Vienna provides places to enjoy like the Schonbrunn Palace, the National Opera and towns such as Tyrol, Alpbach or Lienz.
Then comes Canada in ninth place and Slovenia in tenth. In the great Canada, the only American country on the list, we can find the Niagara Falls and the Rocky Mountains, which with their spectacular beauty attract millions of tourists, in addition to the island of Newfoundland, with more than 200 days of fog year, and cities with typical European buildings such as Quebec or Montreal; while in Slovenia, its capital, Ljubljana, offers wonderful places such as Lake Bled, as well as snowboarding trails such as Vogel, which is located on a stunning plateau above Lake Bohing.
Places 11, 12 and 13 correspond respectively to New Zealand, Finland and Belgium. Thus, in New Zealand where the kiwi lands are, there is unique and fascinating nature, which include Mount Cook, Lake Pukaki or Tongariro National Park; while in Finland, considered among the Nordic countries with very low crime rates and absence of political conflicts, where it can be visit for example, the Pallas Yllästunturi National Park and cities full of magic such as Helsinki, where the temperature can drop to around -33ºC due to its location, which makes it one of the coldest capitals in the world.
Then Belgium, which is located between France, Germany and the Netherlands, and has magnificent cities such as Ghent, Bruges or Leuven and natural environments such as the Flemish Ardennes, where spring brings countless and colourful flowers, such as the tulips that fill the fields, providing a dazzling landscape.
Finishing this list are Ireland and Australia. Ireland stands out for the beauty of its landscapes and its architecture, as well as for the famous beers that are traditional in this country. In its capital, Dublin, it can be visit iconic places such as St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the Guinness beer factory. In addition, the Emerald Island, the Cliffs of Moher or the Killarney National Park, should be pay a visit.
For its part, Australia has a large territory, with magnificent cities such as Sydney and Melbourne, where there are beautiful coastal landscapes and much more natural areas that offer more exuberant tourism alternatives. There are Whitsundays, Byron Bay, the Twelve Apostles, the Great Barrier Reef, and so on.
Regarding the safest cities in the world, we will show in this article the list prepared by the Economist Intelligence Unit. Considering the results shown by this organization, travellers wishing to avoid risks should opt for Europe or the Asian continent, where the safest cities in the world are concentrated to travel:
1.Tokyo (Japan): Within the 60 cities analysed by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is located as the safest in the world, a place it has held since 2015. In this city characterized by its high modernity, full of contrasts, where the most modern combines with the most traditional, there are nice visits to pay to huge shopping centres or wonderful ancient temples, such as, for example, Meiji in Shibuya, or the of Senso-ji in Asakusa.
2. Singapore: this city also has a magnificent structure where a fascinating combination of modernity and tradition is observed, which makes it a very attractive tourist destination for tourists from all over the world who are looking for magical places and above all safe, to enjoy an unforgettable trip. Some of the places that can be visited there are the Buddha Tooth Relic temple, the Clarke Pier, the Marina Bay Sands or the botanical gardens.
3. Osaka (Japan): It has more than two and a half million inhabitants and has multiple attractions, such as the Tsutenkaku Tower, the Shinsekai neighborhood, the lively Dotonbori and the temples of Isshin-ji and Shintennoji.
4.Toronto (Canada): the economic capital of Canada is located on the shores of Lake Ontario, it is a young and cosmopolitan city, with almost six million inhabitants in its metropolitan area. Some of the places that must be visited are: CN Tower, a building of 1814.3 feet high, the San Lorenzo market, or Toronto Islands, among other attractions.
5. Melbourne (Australia): Considered the most European city in Australia, has also been highlighted by the Economist Intelligence Unit as the best city in the world to live, for the seventh consecutive year. It is known among other things for its streets full of bar, fashion shops and cafes, royal botanical gardens, the Queen Victoria market, Chinatown and wonderful beaches.
6. Amsterdam (Holland): is known internationally for its canals, the combination of modern and traditional, where coffee shops, the red light district, the Anne Frank house, as well as stunning museums can be visited.
7. Sydney (Australia): The largest and most populated city in Australia is a lively city, with numerous tourist attractions such as: The Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, the historic The Rocks neighbourhood, full of bars and restaurants, Botanical Garden, its splendid beaches, among many others.
8. Stockholm (Sweden): This elegant and beautiful city is a perfect destination for traveling, which is made up of 14 islands where culture, tradition and nature are enjoyed. Its main attractions are: The Skansen open-air museum, the Vasa Museum, the old town Gamla Stan, the museum and the Gröna Lundo amusement park.
9. Hong Kong (China): is considered one of the most attractive cities in the world, which is divided into three areas: the island of Hong Kong, where the largest number of skyscrapers, the city centre, Kowloon and New Territories. To go to the top of the city, it must be take the centenary tram “Victoria Peak”, to then appreciate the Symphony of Lights, the light show that takes place daily and visit the Big Buddha on Lantau Island.
10. Zurich (Switzerland): In this city with wonderful lakes, you can walk through its streets and enjoy wonderful architecture, which has become a European fashion destination, where the best quality life in the world can be experienced.
ALFA