1O Safest Cities Around the World for Women Travellers

Posted on 26 September 2015. Tags: ‘Safest, Around, Cities, travellers, women, World

If you are a woman thinking of travelling solo or with a bunch of friends, or you’re planning on a mother-daughter getaway, look no further. Skyscanner has a list of places that promise to be fun, exciting and most importantly safe. All these places boast of a low crime rate, high personal safety and low incidence of rape. Most have well-connected public transport systems and make concerted efforts to cater to the safety of female travellers. While it always pays to keep your wits about you, the 12 places listed here are some of the safest cities around the world for women travellers.

1. Tokyo, Japan
What can you say about a city that has special crying rooms for women? You can say that it is awesome, thank you very much. Visit the Mitsui Garden Yotsuya hotel in the heart of Tokyo and have a let it out in one of their special rooms if you feel like it. Now while everyone needs a good cry now and then, it is your vacation after all, so go out and do some exploring. Soak in the culture by visiting the famous Sensoji temple, visit the master animator Hayao Miyazaki designed Ghibli Museum, get your girlfriends together for some karaoke at Karaoke-kan in Shibuya and don’t forget to stuff yourself with sushi. Incidentally, while Tokyo may be the world’s most populous city, it has also been ranked as the safest city in the world by the 2015 Safe cities index released by the Economist Intelligence unit.

2. Seoul, South Korea
There’s nothing like a vacation Gangnam style! Get a glimpse of the South Korea’s complex culture by exploring the Gangnam district of Seoul. Try getting in some exercise by bicycling along the Han River and go midnight shopping at the Dongdaemun Street Market. What’s a girls trip without some spa treatments? No need to worry, Seoul has it covered. Head to a Jimjilbang- a gender segregated public bathhouse, where you can enjoy the spa, sauna, snack bar, singing room, massage shop and nail room. They even let you stay overnight! And you can worry less knowing that Seoul is considered to be one of the top 25 safest cities in the world by the 2015 Safe cities index. In fact, it is considered to have one of the top 5 best public transport systems for women.

3. Toronto, Canada
Toronto is the safest city in North America according to the 2015 Safe cities index; it is also the most fun. Toronto is a foodie’s delight and its multicultural character is reflected in its restaurants with cuisines from around the world. Have some delicious dumplings in Chinatown or visit an old polish bakery in Roncesvalles. If you’re up for it, make a day trip to see the Niagara Falls. You won’t be disappointed.

4. Dubai, UAE
If it’s shopping you crave, then Dubai is your answer. It has more than 50 malls ladies! Think of the sales! From the decadent Dubai Mall to the humble Karama shopping complex, there’s something for everyone. If you get tired of the consumerist onslaught, then head to old school Bur Dubai and hop on a traditional water taxi, the Abra. It takes you to the textile and spice souk, from where you can shop again. What? It is Dubai after all.

If at all you are worried about your safety, you will be happy to know that the UAE reports a low crime rate compared to the rest of the region. While women are advised to dress modestly and refrain from any public displays of affection, if you are aware of the rules and follow them, there’s no reason why you can’t have a fun and exciting vacation.

5. Melbourne, Australia
The coastal city of Melbourne is a great place for all the beach loving and sporty women out there. Boasting of calm, safe and clean beaches such as the gorgeous Sorrento beach (a 90 minute drive from the city centre) or the closer, family-friendly Elwood beach. If cricket is your drug, then head to the Melbourne cricket ground and catch a game in the summertime.

After Sydney, Melbourne is the second safest city in Australia. It is also a White Ribbon City, pledging its support to end violence against women by funding measures to increase safety and awareness.

6. New York, USA
Not all big cities are dangerous for women. Financial consulting firm ValuePenguin found New York to be the third safest large city for women in a survey that looked at 285 American cities and their reported rates of rape, murder and stalking.

Now it’s not for nothing that New York is known as the best city in the world. There’s so much to do. If you’re a museum junkie, there’s the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim, the American Museum of Natural history and many more. If you like your vacations with plenty of song and dance, head to a Broadway show. Look for little baby turtles in the Central Park turtle pond. Top off all this with some excellent food at one of the many food trucks or a fancy Michelin starred restaurant.

7. San Francisco, USA
In the same study done by ValuePenguin, San Francisco came out as the second safest large city in USA, with a crime score of 30.1 as opposed to the national average of 72.5.

Now, San Francisco, just like New York is a place for the woman who wants to explore. Walk around the neighbourhoods such as Haight-Ashbury, the epicentre of the 60s hippie culture, Nob hill- the bastion of privilege and sophistication, Fisherman’s wharf- where you’ll find sea lions and boats to Alcatraz, and Chinatown- where your mom can buy exotic gifts for everyone back home, while you stuff yourselves with dim sums.

8. Zurich, Switzerland
Zurich is ranked the third safest city in Europe on the 2015 Safe cities index. Incidences of violent crime are rare, with most criminal activities being restricted to pickpockets and vehicle break-ins. Now with the snow capped Alps looming in the horizon, how can you not fall in love with Zurich? In the daytime, head to one of the many museums and art galleries. At the Kuntshaus gallery, one can find collections of European art from all ages. To discover an Indian connection, go visit the Centre Le Corbusier, a museum designed by and featuring work by the famous Swiss architect. For the party animal in you, Zurich also has a lively nightlife.

9. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is ranked fifth in the Economist’s list of top 25 safest cities in the world. Violent crimes against women are uncommon, but because of the rare spiked drink, women are always urged to exercise caution.

Now, for the more open-minded, Amsterdam can be a wonderful holiday destination. If you’re on a budget holiday, stay at one of the many hostels. They even have a female-only hostel called Hostelle. Women can also safely visit the red light district and catch a glimpse of the Oude Kerk at the heart of it. Take a canal tour, have a beer at a pub in Leidseplein, take a selfie if you must against a windmill and then rest your weary feet at the most famous park in the city, the Vondelpark.

10. Reykjavik, Iceland
International women’s travel center rated Iceland as the number one safest country for women to travel to. Ratings were based on low incidence of sexual assault and harassment as well as ranking on the Global peace index. So, if you’re willing to splurge a bit on the tickets, Reykjavik can be a revelation. It’s great for the woman with a love of the outdoors. One can go glacier hiking in the Pingvellir National Park, skiing at Blafjoll and Viking horse riding at Thingvellir. If that’s not your thing, relax and de-stress in one of the many thermal pools and spas across the city. If you’re lucky you may even get to witness the famous Aurora Borealis.

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