If you’re eager to get away for a holiday, well, you’re not alone. We’re all feeling rather drained after so much time spent dealing with the varied consequences of living through a pandemic. And while we’re far from out of the woods, travel has opened up enough at this point that you have some decent options. You just need to think carefully about where you want to go.
One option that’s always formidable is venturing to a capital city (or venturing to another capital city if you’re based in London). Capitals aren’t always the biggest cities in their countries, but they’re powerhouse hubs of economic and social activity. They’re also held up as beacons for tourists with the aim of leaving excellent first impressions. In short, you can’t really go wrong with picking a capital to visit — but which one?
When deciding, you should make safety a differentiating factor. Staying safe has always been a priority for travelers, and it’s even more important while COVID-19 is around. To be clear, no city is perfectly safe, so you should take precautions regardless of your destination: the protection afforded by something like Post Office’s travel insurance cover is absolutely worth investing in. But choosing a safe city will allow you to relax and feel confident that you’re not in danger.
In this post, we’re going to highlight some of the safest capital cities to holiday in. Provided you can actually reach it (which isn’t guaranteed due to fluctuating travel restrictions), choosing any of these destinations will set you on a good path. Here are three top choices:
Tokyo
Japan’s capital is renowned throughout the world for its remarkable safety. In truth, the entire country offers a level of security that few places can match: you can leave valuable items on a table at a cafe and come back hours later to find them either untouched or put behind the counter in anticipation of your return. The food is spectacular, the views are breathtaking, and the combination of old and new makes the architecture captivating.
Are there issues? Of course. It’s hugely populous, intimidating from a language standpoint, and busy to the point of inducing headaches. But if you want to stroll everywhere around a metropolis without worrying that your wallet might get stolen, this is the place for you.
Singapore
In some ways, you can look at Singapore as a more accessible alternative to Tokyo when it comes to safety: it offers many of the same advantages, such as a low crime rate and high cleanliness, but with the added benefit of most people speaking English at least reasonably well. Foreigners are far more common than in Tokyo, too, so locals are more used to them.
Do keep in mind, though, that it does have some areas where petty crime is a problem. This shouldn’t overly concern you if you stick to popular areas connected by safe public transport links. Remaining on the beaten path will ensure that you have a great time.
Copenhagen
Often considered the most bike-friendly city in the world, Copenhagen is extremely accommodating to those who want to take their time and explore. Given that, you won’t be surprised to read that it has a modest crime rate and fair conditions in general. Even the hectic nightlife rarely leads to anything more serious than a modest scuffle.
Tourists are advised to stick to the city center because parts of Copenhagen have seen rises in violence between immigrant groups, so take heed and act accordingly. If you want to party in safe conditions, this European gem brings a lot to the table.
Which of these great capital cities you should visit depends on what you’re looking for. If you don’t mind feeling somewhat alienated, Tokyo will give you a powerful experience. If you want to visit somewhere in Asia that’s more accommodating for tourists, Singapore is ideal. And if you’d prefer to stay in Europe and go bicycling, Copenhagen is for you.
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