World’s top safest cities for 2021, Copenhagen tops the list

Thursday, September 30, 2021

Safety has long been a paramount concern for travellers when it comes to deciding which destination to visit.


But the world has been turned on its head in recent years due to the global pandemic and the notion of exactly what makes somewhere “safe” has changed significantly.

This may help explain the stir at the top of the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Safe Cities Index (SCI,) which ranks 60 international destinations on digital security, health security, infrastructure, personal security and environmental security for this year.

While Asian cities like Tokyo, Singapore and Osaka have continuously occupied the top spots year after year, it’s a European destination that holds the number one position for 2021.

Copenhagen

The laid-back vibe of the city makes it a unique travel destination in Europe. It has been named the world’s safest city for the first time, scoring 82.4 points out of 100 in the annual report.
Although the Danish borders are open for visitors, however, they need to show a negative PCR test report or be fully vaccinated. Also, visitors have to follow COVID protocols.

Toronto

Toronto is one of the major cities for tourism in Canada with luxury destinations, sports venues, entertainment zones and many other things to see and appreciate. Some of the popular places to visit are Royal Ontario Museum, Niagra Falls, High Park and many more.
It stands as the second safest city in the world with 82.2 points out of 100 in the SCI. Visitors need to have complete doses of vaccine or show negative COVID test results prior to entering Canada.

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Singapore

The Asian potpourri of culture, Singapore is an ideal destination for a fun-filled vacation with family and friends. It is the third safest city with a score of 80.7. Visit the world-famous Sentosa Island which leaves every nomadic soul spellbound.
You can also include places like Civic District, Marina Bay and other popular attractions in your itinerary.

Sydney
One of the most beautiful Australian cities Sydney stands at the fourth position with 80.1 points in the SCI ranking.
Rich wildlife, cobbled pathways, historic buildings and many more make Sydney trip special for tourists. Some of the must-visit places include Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Barangaroo Reserve and others.

Tokyo

Tokyo is in the fifth position with 80.0 points. The busy capital of Japan has everything from neon-lit skyscrapers, historic temples, imperial palaces and so much more. Visitors can visit the Olympic site, Tokyo Tower, Hamarikyu Gardens, Sensoji Temple and other prominent places in Tokyo. Eligible travelers will have to quarantine for 10 days instead of 14 days. At the end of the 10-day period, they must take a PCR test. If that test comes back negative, the person is then able to move about freely.

Netherlands
The Netherlands’ Amsterdam was sixth with 79.3 points in SCI ranking. The prominent places to visit in the Netherlands include Jordaan and Amsterdam’s Canals, Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum and others. Travellers are required to present a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours before arrival. This rule applies to all persons over the age of 13, regardless of their vaccination status.

Wellington

Wellington came in at number seven with 79.0 points and was the overall leader in the environmental security category. All arrivals, including New Zealand citizens, must undertake 14 days of mandatory quarantine and test negative for COVID-19. Visit Rotorua, Lake Taupo, Queenstown and other places of attraction in your post-pandemic vacation.

Hong Kong and Melbourne scored joint eighth place after receiving 78.6 points each, while Sweden’s Stockholm rounded off the top 10 with 78.0 points.

New York was the highest US city on the list, sharing the 11th spot with Spain’s Barcelona (both cities received 77.8 points).

Six cities, Amsterdam, Melbourne, Tokyo, Toronto, Singapore and Sydney have all made it in the top 10, every year since the report was launched back in 2015, while Copenhagen has been a regular fixture since 2019.

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