After earthquakes rendered popular tourist spot Santorini a no-go for tourists this month, we take a look at more popular destinations with travel warnings.
When planning your holiday abroad, it’s important to make sure the destination you have in mind is safe to visit. Accidentally visiting areas experiencing national disasters, security risks and or with reported high crime rates could not only derail your holiday, but they could also invalidate your travel insurance.
The best way to make sure you’re visiting somewhere safe is to look up the destination on the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) website and look out for any warnings against travel.
And, when you’ve booked your trip — plus insurance with a reputable travel insurance provider — sign up to FCDO updates to make sure you’re informed of any news that could affect your trip.
Is Europe at threat from terrorism?
Some news outlets are reporting worrying warnings against travelling to the likes of Spain and the Canary Islands because of terrorism threats. In reality, the FCDO has issued general guidance for UK travellers abroad across Europe, warning: ‘There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets.’ It advises that tourists stay aware of their surroundings at all times, and read its guides on staying safe abroad and how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
While it’s important to consider these risks and stay up-to-date with the FCDO’s guidance, there aren’t actually warnings against travelling to these destinations.
Each FCDO country page states whether terrorism attacks are likely in the country, based on recent political activity in the region, or recent incidents. You can use this information to make an informed decision about whether you’re comfortable travelling, and to help you choose travel insurance that covers you fully for your trip.
Below, we’ve shared how the FCDO has assessed some of your favourite destinations, and what that means for your travel plans — and travel insurance coverage.
Get travel advice and recommendations you can trust from the experts with our free monthly Travel newsletter
Is it safe to go to Spain and the Canary Islands now?
There are no FCDO travel warnings against travel to anywhere in Spain or the Canary Islands.
The FCDO does have a warning in place for UK tourists taking holidays abroad to remain vigilant for possible terrorist attacks, but this is not unique to Spain or the Canary Islands. It also notes that terrorists are likely to carry out terrorist attacks in Spain, but does not currently warn against visiting the country (meaning that doing so shouldn’t invalidate your insurance).
Spain’s new travel rules do change things slightly for travellers in 2025, including some higher tourist taxes, new check-in rules and new guidelines, such as bikini bans, for tourists in some areas.
Greece earthquakes: is it safe to travel to Santorini, Greece?
There has been a state of emergency declared in Santorini until 3 March 2025, due to increased seismic activity and earthquake risks in the area and surrounding islands. The FCDO website warns that: ‘The Cycladic islands of Santorini (Thira), Anafi, Ios and Amorgos, [are] currently experiencing frequent earthquakes which may continue for several weeks.’
There isn’t currently an FCDO warning against travel to Greece or the affected areas, but the Greek authorities have advised that people in those areas ‘not to attend large indoors gatherings, to avoid old or abandoned buildings and the ports of Amoudi, Armeni, Korfos and Old Port (Paleos Limenas) in the area of Fira and to choose safe routes when travelling, particularly in areas where the landslide risk is high. In case of a strong tremor, people should immediately depart coastal areas.’
If you’re planning a trip to Greece and are concerned about earthquake risks, consider a trip to an area inland and unaffected by the seismic activity.
Is it safe to go to Cyprus right now?
The Cyprus FCDO advice page mentions a risk of terrorism to UK nationals across Europe and that attacks cannot be ruled out in Cyprus, and notes that, ‘Ongoing hostilities in the region and between Israel and Lebanon could escalate quickly and pose risks for the wider region.’ The page also mentions that Israel is directing all its Cyprus-bound flights to Larnaca Airport for security reasons, but that UK flights are not affected by this change. There aren’t currently any warnings against travelling to Cyprus and holidaymakers can still safely visit.
Booking a trip abroad? Find the best travel insurance for 2025 according to our travel experts
Is it safe to travel to Thailand?
According to the FCDO, you shouldn’t travel to certain parts of Thailand for holidays ‘due to regular attacks in the provinces by the border with Malaysia’.
These areas are Pattani Province, Yala Province, Narathiwat Province, southern Songkhla Province – south of the A43 road between Hat Yai and Sakom, and south of the train line that runs between Hat Yai and Padang Besar. The FCDO also advises against all but essential travel on the Hat Yai to Padang Besar train line that runs through these provinces.
Travel to other parts of Thailand is generally safe, though you should check your full itinerary is covered by your travel insurance policy.
Methanol poisoning in Thailand
Some tourists have died or become seriously ill from drink spiking and counterfeit drinks in Thailand. To protect yourself from methanol poisoning, the FCDO recommends that tourists buy alcoholic drinks only from licensed shops, bars, restaurants and hotels, check bottle seals are intact, and watch out for poor quality on drinks labels or incorrect spellings.
How safe is Turkey for tourists?
While most of Turkey is currently considered safe to visit by the FCDO, you shouldn’t go within 10km of the Syria-Turkey border. This area has a warning against travel in place.
Similarly to Thailand, there have recently been issues with counterfeit alcohol in Turkey, particularly in Ankara and Istanbul. Only buy alcoholic drinks from licensed shops and venues, and check labels and seals for anything suspicious.
Is it safe to go to Morocco right now?
There aren’t currently warnings against travel to Morocco, but the FDCO website recommends that: ‘If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.’
Regional risks include disputed territory in the Western Sahara, and risk of being intercepted and investigated at the Morocco-Algeria border if you cross the border into Algeria. If you’re sailing or using jet-skis in this area, the FCDO warns that tourists should stay in Moroccan waters, know where the border is, and make sure they have enough fuel to get home after excursions.
How safe is Mexico for tourists?
Mexico is generally safe for tourists, provided you only visit the places suitable for tourism.
If you’re a tourist, don’t visit these places: the city of Tijuana in the state of Baja California (with some exceptions, including transits through Tijuana airport), the state of Chihuahua, Sinalo, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Jalisco, Colima, Guerrero and Chiapas. There is a warning in place advising against all but essential travel to these parts of Mexico.
Is Egypt safe to visit?
There are tourist destinations in Egypt free from FCFO travel warnings, such as Sharm-el-Sheik and Cairo, but it’s important to consider current political instability and risks — the FCDO warns that terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Egypt.
There is currently a warning in place against not only tourism but all travel to the following places in Egypt: Egypt-Libya border, North Sinai, Northern part of South Sinai, Eastern part of Ismailiyah Governorate, Western Desert, Hala’ib Triangle and Bir Tawil Trapezoid.
How to check if your destination has an FCDO warning
Head to the FCDO website and look up the country you’re visiting. Consult the ‘Warnings and Insurance’ page — this is where you’ll find any official warnings against travel. There is further information about specific warnings and risks on the ‘Safety and security’ page.
Understanding FCDO warnings
There are several different types of FDCO travel warnings, and they mean different things for your travel plans.
1. FCDO advises against all travel
This warning means you should not travel to any parts of this country, for any reason, and doing so could invalidate your travel insurance
2. FCDO advises against all travel to parts
This warning means that you should not visit some areas of the country. Check your travel insurance policy to make sure your itinerary is covered.
3. FCDO advises against all but essential travel
This warning means tourists shouldn’t visit any parts of this country for holidays, and doing so could invalidate your travel insurance.
4. FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts
This warning means tourists can visit the country for holidays, but shouldn’t visit certain parts as part of those holiday plans. You should check your itinerary against your policy to make sure it’s fully covered.
How FCDO warnings affect your travel insurance
Never travel to a destination with a warning against ‘all but essential travel’ or ‘all travel’, as this could invalidate your travel insurance.
Always book travel insurance as soon as you’ve booked your trip. If there is a change in FCDO travel advice and your holiday is affected, some travel insurance policies may allow you to make a claim to cover the costs of cancelling a journey or holiday.
If you booked a package holiday covered by ABTA, and a change in FCDO advice means it’s no longer safe to travel, the holiday provider is required to offer you an alternative holiday, without significantly changing the trip, or a full refund.
Always check the fine print of your travel insurance to make sure your full itinerary is covered — even if you don’t plan to visit areas with travel restrictions in your destination country.
If the FCDO releases a new travel warning after you’ve arrived in the affected country or region, you continue to be covered by your travel insurance policy. It’s a good idea to consult your travel insurance provider before arranging any next steps if you can.
What are the safest countries for LGBTQIA+ travellers?
You can find out some information about whether a destination is specifically safe for LGBTQIA+ travellers via each country or territory’s FCDO travel advice page under the subheading ‘LGBT+ travellers’.
There’s also a more extensive guide on the FCDO website called Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender: foreign travel advice, which shares details on how to check if a country is safe for travel, and how the FCDO can help you if needed once you’re there. You can also find general information pages for travellers with disabilities, women travellers and solo travellers.
