If you’re a woman, there are some places in the world that you should avoid. It’s not that these countries are inherently dangerous—they just don’t have the same level of resources for women who travel alone. It’s best to stay away from regions like Central America, Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe if you have no safety net or support system in place. But what about Europe? Which countries are safe for solo female travellers? Here are my top safest countries in Europe for female solo travellers:
Iceland
Iceland is a safe, beautiful country. If you’re travelling alone or with friends and family, Iceland is an ideal destination. It’s also a great place to travel if you want to get away from it all and spend some time in nature.
Finland
Finland has one of the highest levels of equality between men and women in Europe, and it’s also one of the safest countries in Europe. In fact, Finland has a low crime rate overall—a fact that may be due in part to its high standard of living.
I ranked Finland as having a “medium” level of gender inequality by the World Economic Forum (out of 144 countries), meaning there are more opportunities for women than in some other countries but not all opportunities are equal.
Despite this ranking, female travellers can feel safe travelling alone around Finland thanks to low rates of violent crime (2 per 100 000 people) and sexual assault (3 per 100 000 people).
Norway
Norway is a safe country for solo female travellers. It has a low crime rate, and there’s plenty to do in this beautiful country. You can hike and ski in the mountains, enjoy fjords on your boat tour or just relax by the sea at night.
If you’re looking for a place where you can explore alone without having to worry about safety issues, then Norway should be your first choice!
Denmark
Denmark is a safe country for solo female travellers. It has a low crime rate and its residents enjoy a high standard of living. The country is also a popular destination for tourism, with more than 1 million visitors every year. Denmark is the perfect place to visit if you want to spend a long weekend exploring Europe’s most livable cities or if you’re looking for an affordable European holiday.
Sweden
Sweden is one of the safest countries in Europe, and it’s also one of the most developed. The country has a low crime rate and a low rate of sexual assault (8.2 per 100,000 people).
Violent crimes are also rare: there were just 0.5 murders per 100,000 residents in 2018. As far as petty crime goes, Sweden saw only 62 thefts per 1,000 residents during 2016—which makes it one of Europe’s least criminalized countries when compared with other European nations like France (99 thefts), Greece (123), and Poland (144).
Germany
Germany is a popular destination for solo travellers. It’s also one of the safest countries in Europe.
Germany has a lot to offer for solo travellers. You can visit Berlin, Munich and Cologne on your own and enjoy their vibrant nightlife scene. If you want some peace and quiet, there are many hiking trails around Germany that are perfect for solo travel. You can also take advantage of their public transit system which makes it easy to get around even if you don’t speak German!
Switzerland
The Swiss are known for their good manners and cleanliness, but they’re also known for being some of the most welcoming people in Europe.
The country has a high standard of living, low crime rate and a public transport system that makes it easy to get around.
It has an excellent public transport system – one that is efficient, reliable and well-connected to other countries in Europe.
Austria
Austria is one of the safest countries in Europe for female solo travellers. The crime rate in Austria is low, and violent crime and theft are particularly rare.
Austria has a low rate of sexual assault, with only 0.3 reported per 100,000 people each year—a figure that’s comparable to many other European countries. This is partly due to the country’s strict laws regarding consent: if someone wants sex with you and you agree, then it’s perfectly legal; if they don’t want sex with you and they say no but you go ahead anyway (even if they do not protest), we can define this as rape under Austrian law (and can result in up to 10 years imprisonment). In addition to its strict laws on consent, Austria also has an excellent healthcare system that provides high-quality care for sexual assault victims regardless of their nationality or background; anyone who feels unsafe after being assaulted should seek immediate medical attention from either an emergency room or a local hospital.[1]
Netherlands
The Netherlands is one of the safest countries in Europe for solo female travellers. The Dutch have a reputation for being a little reserved, but they’re actually very warm and friendly. This can be especially true if you are travelling alone or with friends, as there are many social activities you could attend on your own or with small groups—you might even find yourself befriending locals! There may not be as many nightlife options as some other European capitals (such as Paris), but if that’s something that interests you then Amsterdam has plenty to offer.
If you’re travelling solo and want to meet new people, try Couchsurfing—the website where travellers can offer up their couches or floors for fellow adventurers who need somewhere comfortable to rest their heads at night. You’ll be able to make friends with other travelers from all over the world while getting insider tips about what sites are worth visiting during your stay in each city!
There are many options for safe travel in Europe.
There are many options for safe travel in Europe. While some countries might seem safer than others based on the media you consume, it’s important to remember that safety is relative and depends on where you are going. It’s also important to keep in mind that any place can be unsafe if precautions are not taken.
Don’t let fear of traveling alone stop you from enjoying your trip! You might have heard stories of solo female travellers being attacked or harassed while they’re abroad… but those incidents are not common at all! In fact, most people report having an overall positive experience when they take the time to plan their trip well and keep an eye out for themselves while they’re out exploring new places.
If you’re worried about safety alone—either because other travelers told horror stories or just because it feels like a scary thing to consider—you should know that there are many ways to ensure your personal safety as a female traveller.
Conclusion
I hope you found this article useful and that it will inspire you to travel in Europe. Remember, as a female solo traveller, you are never alone!