How to ensure safety while vacationing in popular resort countries in Europe?

Safety on vacation

Everyone knows the wisdom that "forewarned is forearmed". The main thing is to follow basic safety principles to make your travels as comfortable as possible and avoid undesirable situations.

This ranking, developed by the online center for foreignreal estate .ru, allows for an assessment of the safety level in the most popular European tourist destinations. The information for the analysis was gathered from the Numbeo platform, where the safety index is determined based on crime-related statistics. This includes risks such as robberies, car thefts, violence, as well as the level of drug trafficking and manifestations of racial or religious intolerance. The safety index ranges from 0 to 100: 0 indicates low risks, while 100 signifies high protection.

First place - Montenegro

Montenegro ranks first in this rating with a safety index of 73.44. This country is rightly considered the safest for tourists and locals.

• In small communities, residents often leave their doors unlocked because everyone knows each other and the risk of theft is minimal.
• Children can play outside without fear, and women can move around the streets easily even at night.
• However, it is important to note that pickpockets may be present in tourist areas such as Budva and Kotor.

It is recommended to travel in well-lit areas and be careful in public transportation. The security situation is worse in large cities than in rural areas. In addition, it is advisable to avoid discussing the conflicts related to the Balkans that took place in the 1990s and 2000s, both in Montenegro and in neighboring Croatia.

Second place - Croatia

In second place is Croatia with a safety index of 67.75. Here, the crime rate, including murders, does not exceed ten cases per year — one of the lowest rates in the world.

The level of tranquility can be assessed in comparison to other Western European countries, where even in large cities, one can walk in the evenings without fear.

• For example, on the island of Brač, residents often leave their doors unlocked and allow children to play outside unsupervised.
• In contrast, in Italy, located on the opposite side of the Adriatic, the security situation is much worse.
• Nevertheless, tourists should exercise caution and avoid visits to strip clubs that may turn out to be "high-priced traps."

Third place - Cyprus

In third place in our ranking is Cyprus with a safety index of 65.98. This island is renowned for its low crime rate and high state of security.

• Local residents often leave their apartments unlocked and hide the keys in discreet places.
• A high level of trust between locals and tourists creates an atmosphere of calm and safety.
• Nevertheless, even here you should follow some rules of caution and be careful, especially in crowded places and resorts.

Conclusion

In conclusion, safety issues during vacations should be taken very seriously. The compiled ranking not only aids in making an informed choice of country to visit but also suggests ways to minimize risks, ensuring that the vacation becomes a pleasant memory. Every traveler should remember that it's better to be cautious and prepare in advance for the trip to fully enjoy their time in new places.

Safety in Cyprus

The security situation in Cyprus is quite unusual. Cars are often left unlocked, and alarms are rarely installed. This is due to the fact that car thefts on the island are virtually non-existent, as it is difficult to take a car out of Cyprus.

It can also be noted that people relaxing in cafes have no problem leaving their belongings, including phones and bags, on the tables when they go, for example, to the restroom. Many locals do not worry about the safety of their belongings and leave them in the entrances or near their homes.

The island is divided into two parts, Greek and Turkish, which affects inter-ethnic relations. In the Republic of Cyprus, some people may feel dislike for those who look like Turks.

Safety in Spain

When it comes to Spain, the safety level is 65.88. The country is considered quite safe; however, in popular tourist areas along the eastern coast, pickpocketing and bag thefts often occur.

• Foreigners, especially on public transport in Mallorca, become the most vulnerable.
• In resorts like Costa Blanca, including Benidorm, Calpe, and Torrevieja, the crime rate is slightly higher than the average in Spain.
• In cities like Denia, Moraira, Javea, and in the northern part of the country in Galicia, crime is almost non-existent.

In Barcelona, fraudulent schemes related to counterfeits are quite common. Scammers use various tricks to distract tourists while they attempt to help, stealing their belongings. For example, one might approach and, looking noticeably dirty, ask for help, while their accomplice steals money and jewelry from the victim.

It's also important to be vigilant towards people collecting signatures, as many of them may turn out to be pickpockets. The city is experiencing a rising number of burglaries in apartments, which is why many residents on the ground floor are installing bars on their windows.

Safety in Portugal

With a security index of 65.04, Portugal is known for its calm atmosphere, with no internal conflicts or terrorist attacks.

Fraud at resorts

In resorts and large cities, there are quite frequent cases of deception and fraud. For example, in restaurants, you may encounter two menus: one with inflated prices for tourists and one with economical prices for locals.

Additionally, among the services provided by taxis, there can also be a "markup" on fares for locations in popular tourist areas. In crowded places in Istanbul, it's important to be cautious, as pickpockets may stealthily steal your belongings.

In the Taksim Square area, there are sometimes robberies that may involve weapons, which is also an important point for tourists. On days when local club matches are held, such as those of "Beşiktaş," "Fenerbahçe," and "Galatasaray," it is not recommended to wear clothing in the colors of these teams — black and white, blue and yellow, and red and yellow.

Be careful when talking to locals as well: friendly conversations about attractions may just be a pretext for them to ask you for money for their attention.

Tourist police

In major cities such as Ankara, Antalya, Izmir and Istanbul, there are special tourist police stations. Foreigners can go to them to report missing passports, theft or fraud. In all likelihood, police officers speak several languages, which makes communication with them more convenient.

Safety in Bulgaria

As for Bulgaria, the safety level here is rated at 58.53. Like in other countries, there are pickpockets in Bulgaria, who most often appear in busy squares and train stations. In seaside resorts, criminals may break into apartments, so the issue of safety is particularly relevant.

• In Burgas, some scammers may offer you to taste local fruits or berries without specifying that it costs money.
• After such a "free tasting," you may be forced to buy large quantities at inflated prices.
• In Varna, there is often mafia influence around businesses, so it's wise to be cautious of people in black suits and cars.

There have been known cases of mob attacks on tourists, such as the incident with the girl from Iceland in 2007.

Safe areas

Nevertheless, the city of Nessebar is considered relatively safe, and the ski resort of Bansko has a calm atmosphere. In some small villages, people don't even lock their doors. At the same time, the high percentage of Roma living in Bulgaria may raise certain concerns among tourists and real estate buyers.

Regions with a high concentration of Roma.

The largest number of Roma live in cities such as:

• Plovdiv
• Stara Zagora
• Sliven
• Pazardzhik
• Montana
• Burgas
• Good day
• Sofia
• Varna
• Haskovo
• Shumen
• Vratza

The regions that are in a less dangerous situation include Smolyan, Gabrovo, Pernik, Lovech, Blagoevgrad, Veliko Tarnovo, Kardzhali, Kyustendil, Yambol, Vidin, Silistra, Ruse, and Razgrad.

Italy and the level of security

In Italy, according to the safety index of 50.54, the crime rate is relatively low, especially in areas far from major cities likeRome, Milan, and Naples. In Sardinia, which is popular among Russian tourists, the level of safety is higher than in other parts of the country.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I would like to emphasize the importance of being aware of safety while traveling and on vacation. By understanding the potential risks, we can easily avoid unpleasant situations and enjoy every moment of our trip. I am confident that the warnings described in this article will help you choose safe destinations that will provide you with unforgettable experiences.

Safe countries for vacation

Countries such asMontenegro,CroatiaandCyprusThey can indeed offer a high level of safety and tranquility, allowing us to relax and forget about everyday worries. However, it is important to remember that even in the safest places, we should remain vigilant and follow basic precautions.

Key recommendations

• Croatia:Despite the low crime rate, it's better to avoid certain activities that could lead to trouble.
• Spain and Portugal:Pickpocketing is common, especially in tourist areas, despite the lack of serious crimes.
• Turkey:The locals are known for their friendliness, but it's also important to exercise caution.

Reasons to be vigilant

It is important not only to explore new places, but also to try to maintain an atmosphere of safety and trust. Knowing about cultures and local customs can help avoid unnecessary conflicts and misunderstandings. Being prepared and attentive in advance will help us to ensure that we have not only a safe but also a truly enjoyable trip.

Result

Hopefully, this guide to safety in popular European resort countries will help you in planning your future travels.Safe travels!andunforgettable impressions!