Travel the world long enough, and you will find yourself in a sketchy situation.
I've been scammed, had taxi drivers throw coffee at me, and once booked a nonexistent hotel in Mexico, leaving me and my girlfriend stranded in a town we probably weren't pronouncing right.
In other words, a little research goes a long way, even for seasoned (and occasionally cocky) travelers like me.
A new report is here to help us all do just that by revealing Europe's safest destinations for those venturing ‘across the pond' anytime soon.
We at Travel Off Path handpicked the top 7 that stood out to our team most for one reason or another, but mainly because of how amazing these destinations are since you can fully take advantage of them without keeping your head on a swivel.
Without further ado, let's start the countdown!
7) The Netherlands 🇳🇱
For a while there, all you had to worry about in The Netherlands, particularly Amsterdam, were locals urging tourists to travel anywhere but their beloved homeland.
Besides some petty crime concerns, this country as a whole has long been considered a safe haven for travelers.
Known for wild nightlife, epic bike rides, picture-perfect canals, and tulip-lined countryside, The Netherlands is far more than a party capital.
Streets are clean, and you don't have to worry about many traffic jams, whether it's the Dutch way 🚲 or the highway.
Current U.S. State Department Advisory: Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution
Here's what travelers are saying about The Netherlands:
6) Iceland 🇮🇸
“Watch out! A puffin!” 🐧
That's the only feasible concern when venturing around Iceland, well, except the ‘ice' part. Roads can be a little rough for this road-trip happy nation.
Not to be biased, but this is one of many reasons Europe's fastest-growing destination is my favorite country. You can wander the charming capital of Reykjavik carefree and traverse well-appointed roads to such stunners as Vik or Hjalparfoss.
The only real danger is mispronouncing a word from one of the world's toughest languages and offending a local.
Other than that, crime is extremely low. Police officers don't even carry guns, nor does Iceland have a military.
Current U.S. State Department Advisory: Level 1 – Exercise Normal Precautions
Here's what travelers are saying about Iceland:
5) Slovenia 🇸🇮
If you're wondering if going off-path is worth it, the answer is a resounding “Yes!” to Slovenia.
Grasping onto the last threads of “hidden gem” status, Slovenia has taken off as one of Europe's trendiest destinations, largely thanks to Lake Bled and nomads flocking to its unsung capital of Ljubljana.
To some, venturing into a country you may not know anything about can be daunting, but Slovenia is nothing of the sort, with timeless villages, crystalline lakes, and fairytale castles.
Plus, Luka Doncic is from there, and that has to say something, right?
Current U.S. State Department Advisory: Level 1 – Exercise Normal Precautions
Here's what travelers are saying about Slovenia:
4) Croatia 🇭🇷
Summertime in Croatia draws a crowd, making spring the ideal option. But how safe is Croatia to visit?
Very!
I mean, how dangerous could it be chillin' on a yacht in paradise or indulging in cheap local wine and seafood delicacies?
Croatia is truly a gem across the board and not one you have to keep looking over your shoulder, whether exploring the walled city of Dubrovnik, strolling Zagreb’s delightful Old Town, or relaxing on the beaches of Brač.
Answers aren't Split when it comes to safety. See what I did there?
The State Department backs it up too.
Current U.S. State Department Advisory: Level 1 – Exercise Normal Precautions
Here's what travelers are saying about Croatia:
3) Estonia 🇪🇪
Estonia is one of the most recent countries I had the pleasure of visiting in my last European escapades.
It wasn't just the timeless townscape with staggering spires and the vibe that every restaurant had, I should preface my order with “Here Ye! Here Ye!”.
It was the fact that it felt you could wander the maze of cobbled walkways at all hours, no matter if you're pub-hopping, visiting off-the-wall museums, or simply becoming mesmerized at every turn by the capital city of Tallinn's medieval marvels.
Of course, it doesn't hurt that it's one of Europe's cheapest countries too.
Current U.S. State Department Advisory: Level 1 – Exercise Normal Precautions
Here's what travelers are saying about Estonia:
2) Isle Of Man 🇮🇲
Well…this one probably wasn't on your radar, so let's have a quick geography lesson.
Located in the Irish Sea, this self-governing British Crown Dependency (not technically part of the UK), is one of Europe's best kept secrets.
As such, even criminals don't know about it. You can explore dramatic coastal cliffs, lush green countryside, storybook castles, and blissful seaside towns that even the most seasoned travelers have never heard of.
Believe it or not, the best way to get around is by vintage steam trains. Getting here may be a trek, but it's half the fun and completely safe throughout the island.
The U.S. State Department doesn't recognize the Isle of Man as an independent country.
That said, it earned a ‘crime' score of 20.9 and ‘safety' score of 79.1 on a scale of 1 – 100 on our source's crime index study.
1) Andorra 🇦🇩
Andorra feels more like a village than a country, but this map-dot independent nation recognized by the UN is sandwiched between Spain and France.
More popular for skiing than anything else, Andorra is a high-altitude haven between two giants.
While largely deemed safe, not just by this report we've covered today, but numerous others, you can wander the walkable streets of Andorra la Vella and high-elevation hiking routes.
Unlike horror stories from America's national parks, there's no boogeyman out to get you in this seemingly untouched swath of gorgeous nature.
Whether you hit the slopes or peruse stone villages, Andorra is incredibly safe, earning the highest ‘safety score' of 84.8.
Current U.S. State Department Advisory: Level 1 – Exercise Normal Precautions
Here's what travelers are saying about Andorra:
