In an era marked by geopolitical uncertainty, many travelers are placing a greater emphasis on safety when choosing their next destination. A new analysis highlights the countries that currently offer the highest levels of peace and security.
Relaxed travel without safety concerns - for many holidaymakers, this is a key criterion when choosing a vacation destination. The new "Global Peace Index", which rates countries worldwide according to their level of peace and security, provides orientation. And even if the world is not the quietest at the moment, there are still plenty of fantastic and safe vacation destinations to choose from.
The index is published by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP). The analysis includes internal and external conflicts, crime rates, terrorist activities and violent demonstrations. International relations and the degree of militarization of a country are also taken into account. Even if the global state of peace has deteriorated in 2026 due to crises and military conflicts, according to the index, there are still numerous destinations that offer a high level of safety.
At the top of the ranking is Iceland, which has become a popular travel destination in recent years. Volcanoes, glaciers, rugged coastlines and a small population characterize the island state in the North Atlantic. Around a third of the approximately 366,000 inhabitants live in Reykjavík, the northernmost capital in the world, whose name refers to the region's steaming hot springs. Nature is not just a backdrop, but also shapes everyday life. Geothermal energy plays a central role and supplies Iceland with sustainable energy - from heated houses to greenhouses in which vegetables are grown even in arctic conditions.
The island state in the South Pacific is considered by many travelers to be the "end of the world" - and at the same time one of the most impressive natural destinations of all. New Zealand combines glaciers, fjords, volcanoes, rainforests and long sandy beaches in a small area and has been one of the most iconic travel destinations in the world since the filming of "The Lord of the Rings". The South Island in particular impresses with spectacular landscapes such as Milford Sound or the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, while the North Island scores with a milder climate, green vegetation and cities such as Auckland. The Māori culture still characterizes the country today and can be experienced in many places.
Switzerland is in third place, having improved on the previous year (5th place). In addition to spectacular nature experiences such as hikes through gorges or summit tours, the country also offers culturally diverse cities such as Zurich as well as smaller towns full of character. At the same time, Switzerland is increasingly focusing on a more conscious approach to tourism and has launched campaigns to improve the relationship between travelers and locals.
1st Iceland (1,161)
2nd New Zealand (1,343)
3rd Switzerland (1,363)
4th Slovenia (1,369)
5th Ireland (1,371)
6th Austria (1,421)
7th Portugal (1,427)
8th Singapore (1,435)
9th Finland (1,478)
10th Japan (1,489)
11th Denmark (1,504)
12th Malaysia (1,513)
13th Czech Republic (1,517)
14th Canada (1,525)
15th Hungary (1,538)
16th Bhutan (1,546)
17th Netherlands (1,566)
18th Mauritius (1,586)
19th Latvia (1,589)
20th Australia (1,602)
