Safety is a top concern for the majority of British tourists and without visiting it can be hard to know how safe you’ll feel while away.

I’ve visited over 40 countries across Europe, Africa and Asia and found that destinations can surprise you.

While some destinations are known as pickpocket hotspots, thieves can operate in any major city. I had my phone stolen twice while living in Stockholm, one of Europe’s safest cities, while I’ve never had an issue on Las Ramblas, Barcelona’s notorious pickpocket street.

Marseille often features on rankings of Europe’s most dangerous cities but it’s one of my favourite destinations and perhaps France’s best foodie spot. If you take reasonable precautions, I’ve found most destinations are fairly low-risk as long as they’re on the UK Government’s safe for travel list. Advice can change rapidly so make sure to check for the latest updates before going on holiday. 

That said, there are a few places I’ve visited that felt particularly low-risk and I’d recommend them to anyone looking for a safe holiday destination.

North Macedonia

Although it’s one of Europe’s least touristy destinations, North Macedonia is home to one of the continent’s prettiest natural wonders. Lake Ohrid sits within the mountains on the border of North Macedonia and Albania and I was lucky enough to visit last July.

As a small town, Ohrid is easy to explore on foot (although it can be hilly!) and I felt completely safe wandering around. All the local residents I met at restaurants or in the town were extremely friendly and happy to offer advice and recommendations.

The lake always felt safe for swimming and there are clearly marked beaches for families looking for a bathing spot. Find out more about Lake Ohrid in Express.co.uk ’s guide.

Seychelles

The Seychelles is home to the world’s most photographed beach, giant tortoises and coral reefs and it’s also a great choice for a safe holiday destination.

I visited three islands on the Seychelles, travelling to Mahe, Praslin and La Digue. Almost everyone uses a bike to get around on La Digue so I found it really safe to explore on two wheels.

As the majority of the islands’ beaches are fringed by palm trees, there are plenty of shady spots to escape the sun. As in Ohrid, I found that people were extremely friendly and I didn’t feel unsafe at any point.

Singapore

Singapore regularly features on lists of the safest countries in the world and it’s not hard to see why.

I found the city’s public transport system clean and safe as well as being easy to navigate as a tourist.

It’s easy to order a taxi using Grab if you’d prefer to travel by car but I also found it a walkable destination, as long as you can stand the humidity.

I felt safe the whole time I was there and I’d recommend it for anyone looking for a city to explore as a solo traveller.