Finland may be known for the awe-inspiring Northern Lights, and even Santa Clause, but it also happens to be the safest country to travel to, according to the World Economic Forum’s 2017 Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report.
Iceland, Oman and the United Arab Emirates were ranked as the next three destinations respectively. The study ranked countries for their business environment, health and hygiene, and human resource and labour markets. At the opposite end of the scale, Colombia ranked as the most dangerous country to visit in the world.
Finland’s title comes as the country celebrates its 100th year of independence, with celebrations set to take place until 6 December 2017.
Top 10 Safest Countries in the World
- Finland
- United Arab Emirates
- Iceland
- Oman
- Hong Kong
- Singapore
- Norway
- Switzerland
- Rwanda
- Qatar
With safety being the least of your worries when travelling to Finland, here are five other reasons to visit the country…
Helsinki
Art-lovers can roam the capital’s museums, such as the Helsinki City Museum, the National Museum of Finland and the Finnish Art Gallery. For the romantics, the city also boasts charming old churches and the oldest park in Helsinki, Kaivopuisto.
The Northern Lights
While this spectacular auroral show can be seen in places as far as Greenland, northern Canada, Alaska, it’s Finland’s Lapland that boasts the best views.
The Archipelago National Park (ANP)
Situated in southwest Finland, the ANP is the multicultural meeting ground of Nordic customs. The islands are perfect for water sport enthusiasts keen to enjoy anything from kayaking to slow sailboat trips.
Kemi’s ice castle
A castle made entirely of ice is something you’d expect to come across in a fairytale. But Kemi is the home of the world-famous ice castle, which is rebuilt each year to host guests from across the globe, live musical performances and even weddings.
Savonlinna
Nestled in the centre of Lake Saimma in the southeastern region of Finland, this town is where the 15th-century St Olaf’s Castle is located.
