If you are gearing up for a European summer, you already know the drill. You want to spend your days eating incredible food, wandering ancient streets, and soaking up the culture—not nervously clutching your backpack or constantly looking over your shoulder.
These rankings come directly from travelers using our Safety Index. While every single city on earth has a few sketchy pockets that you should definitely avoid, these scores reflect the broad, on-the-ground experiences of the travelers who are actively voting after returning home.
If you want a stress-free trip this summer, here are 5 massive European heavyweights that are officially passing the safety test, with scores listed for each destination.
1. Rome, Italy (88/100)
Everyone wants a piece of Italy right now, and Rome is officially the most-booked international city for summer 2026.
Even with millions of people pouring into the city, it holds the absolute highest safety score on our list.
- The Vibe: It is chaotic, loud, and absolutely beautiful. You spend your days dodging Vespas and eating your weight in pasta.
- The Reality: The sheer volume of people actually works in your favor here. The major historic areas around the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain are heavily monitored by the Carabinieri (Italian military police). Your biggest threat here is just a standard pickpocket on the crowded Metro lines, not violent crime.
- The Move: Keep your wallet in your front pocket, grab a gelato, and enjoy the safest mega-city in Europe.
2. Paris, France (85/100)
Paris has spent the last few years massively upgrading its infrastructure and security, and the travelers voting on our index are clearly feeling the difference. It remains one of the top-booked spots for American travelers heading overseas.
- The Vibe: It is still the ultimate bucket-list city. Spending long afternoons at corner cafes and walking along the Seine at sunset never gets old.
- The Reality: The city is highly patrolled, especially around massive tourist hubs like the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. While you still need to watch out for the classic street scams—like someone asking you to sign a fake petition while their friend grabs your phone—the overall physical security on the ground is incredibly solid.
- The Move: Skip the chaotic, over-touristed restaurants right next to the monuments. Walk a few blocks off the main avenues to find quieter, insanely safe neighborhoods where the locals actually hang out.
3. Istanbul, Türkiye (84/100)
If you watch the global news, you might be hesitant, but the travelers actually on the ground are telling a totally different story. Istanbul is easily one of the safest major tourist destinations in the world for 2026.
- The Vibe: It is a wild, beautiful collision of Europe and Asia. You get massive ancient bazaars, epic rooftop views over the Bosphorus, and some of the best street food on the planet.
- The Reality: The historic peninsula, which houses the Grand Bazaar and Hagia Sophia, is flawlessly secure and heavily monitored. They even have a dedicated Tourism Police unit in Sultanahmet that speaks multiple languages. You are honestly far more likely to be forcefully fed fresh baklava by a hospitable local than to experience any real danger.
- The Move: Download a local taxi app to avoid the classic meter-negotiation headache, and spend your evenings safely exploring the vibrant, secure neighborhoods of Kadıköy or Karaköy.
4. Lisbon, Portugal (83/100)
Lisbon has exploded in popularity over the last few years, but it has completely managed to maintain its laid-back, highly secure atmosphere.
- The Vibe: It is all about steep, cobblestone streets, bright yellow tram cars, and incredible viewpoints overlooking the water. The pace of life here is noticeably slower and more relaxed than in London or Paris.
- The Reality: Violent crime is practically non-existent here. The only reason it doesn’t score higher is that the massive influx of tourists has brought in opportunistic pickpockets who ride the crowded Tram 28 looking for easy targets.
- The Move: Wear comfortable shoes with solid grip. The biggest danger in Lisbon isn’t the people; it’s slipping on the polished, steep cobblestone streets after a few glasses of local green wine.
5. London, United Kingdom (79/100)
London is sprawling and easily one of the most culturally dense cities on the planet. It remains a massive hotspot for spring and summer trips this year, and it rounds out our list with a highly respectable score of 79/100.
While this is a bit lower than many others on this list, keep in mind that this is based on travelers using our Safety Index. Disagree? Hop on over to our Safety Index to tell us about your experiences.
- The Vibe: You can jump from a quiet, historic pub in a centuries-old building straight to a hyper-modern art gallery. The public transit system is elite, making it incredibly easy to navigate.
- The Reality: Because the city is so massive, the safety score naturally dips slightly compared to a more compact city like Rome. However, London is one of the most heavily surveilled cities on earth, utilizing a massive CCTV network that deters major crime in the central boroughs.
- The Move: The West End and major tourist corridors are totally secure. Just stay alert when navigating the massive crowds at major Tube stations during rush hour, and you will have zero issues.
Now take this quiz to find your perfect match!
