Hallgrimskirkja Church and cityscape of Reykjavik in Iceland (Getty)
The beautiful island of Iceland has just been named the safest place in the world to travel to in 2025, thanks to its safe roads, low crime rate and high safety rating for LGBTQ+ people, people of colour; and more.
The country took first place Berkshire Hathaway travel protection ranking of the safest countries in the world for 2025, reports Travel and leisure Asia.
Iceland has jumped all the way to number one on the list, from a position of #9 last year. Australia came in second thanks to its low crime rate, while Canada, which came first last year, came in third. Ireland and Switzerland completed the top 5.
The data is generated by surveying large numbers of travelers and comparing their experiences Global Peace Index, data from Numbeoand an average of GeoSure Global scores of the major cities in each country.
Iceland: a haven for LGBTQ+ tourists
Blue church at the end of a pride-inspired rainbow road in Seyðisfjörður, Iceland (Getty)
Iceland has some of the most progressive LGBTQ+ legislation in the world. The country was one of the first to legalize same-sex marriage and adoption; it also enables self-ID for transgender people.
The country also passed a historic, ban on trans-inclusive conversion therapy.
You are spoiled for choice when it comes to events and entertainment venues. There is of course the annual Reykjavik Pride Parade, which takes place from August 6 to 11, 2025. One of the highlights is the Queer cruise, that takes you along the coast.
Popular LGBTQ+ locations include vibrant Reykjavik Kiki Queer Bar, as well as Gaukurinn, Iceland’s oldest bar, which hosts concerts, drag shows and more.
The university town of Akureyri, known as the ‘capital of North Iceland’, is also a very inclusive place to visit, with a vibrant arts and cultural scene. There are no dedicated LGBTQ+ locations, but it is a liberal, open-minded destination and the downtown area is filled with quaint shops, cafes and restaurants.
Colorful traditional houses in Akureyri, Iceland (Getty)
Then, of course, there’s the country’s iconic spa culture. No trip to Iceland is complete without a visit to the incredible Blue Lagoon, a geothermal hotspot famous for its clear blue waters and rejuvenating white silica mud deposits, which visitors can cover themselves with while relaxing with a drink.
You can take your worries away at the famous Blue Lagoon (Getty)
There are other cheaper spa options too – with many municipal pools across Iceland offering access to ‘hotpots’ for around £7: geothermally heated natural hot tubs with varying temperatures. But be warned: you must shower completely (and publicly) naked before being allowed into any of these healing waters. Don’t be shy!
You can fly direct to Iceland from Britain from London, Manchester, Glasgow and many more airports.