Is your dream holiday a danger zone? 22 destinations you should avoid in 2025!
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Planning a trip for 2025? Before you start packing your bags, there are some important things you need to know to keep your travels safe and stress-free.
Whether you're dreaming of adventure, relaxation, or cultural exploration, it's crucial to be aware of the places that could pose serious risks.
Read on to find out which destinations are off-limits and why.
If you had your eye on an international holiday for 2025 but haven’t decided on a destination, there are over 20 locations that should be taken off your list.
Smartraveller is a trusted source for travel advisories. It gathers information from embassies, high commissions, consulates, the Australian intelligence community, and ASIO's National Threat Assessment Centre.
According to them, some countries have been marked as too risky for Aussies to visit.
Smartraveller gives each country an 'overall advice' level. This ranges from 'exercise normal safety precautions' for safe places to 'do not travel' for the riskiest ones.
For 2025, 22 destinations were in the 'do not travel' category due to terrorism, violent crime, strict laws, or unstable security.
European Destinations to Avoid
In Europe, Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine were included on the 'do not travel' list. These nations were flagged due to the 'volatile security environment' stemming from Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, which has posed a risk of conflict spreading into neighbouring Belarus.
Australia also issued a warning for Russia due to a 'dangerous security situation' and the potential for 'arbitrary detention or arrest' of foreign visitors.
Asian Warnings
Afghanistan, North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea), and Myanmar were also named as 'do not travel' zones.
In Afghanistan, the risk of terrorism and kidnappings is notably high, with foreigners frequently targeted, prompting strong advisories against visiting.
North Korea's borders remained effectively closed to Aussies, making travel there limited, but those who could enter were warned about the high risk of 'arbitrary detention or arrest' due to the nation's stringent laws.
In Myanmar, violence, detentions, and human trafficking were widespread, making it another country Australians were advised to avoid.
The Americas on Alert
Haiti and Venezuela were the only two destinations in the Americas that were included on the advisory. Both faced severe security risks, such as violent crime, and significant shortages of basic necessities, including food, water, and fuel.
Middle Eastern Travel Advisories
Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen, and Syria were listed as 'do not travel' destinations due to ongoing conflict and instability.
The military clashes between Israel and Lebanon, as well as tensions in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, had made safety in these regions precarious for tourists.
Africa's High-Risk Countries
Africa had the highest number of countries flagged on the list, with Burkina Faso, Somalia, Libya, South Sudan, Sudan, the Central African Republic, Chad, Mali, and Niger all marked as 'do not travel'.
Most of these countries faced significant threats from armed conflict, terrorism, kidnapping, and violent crime, which made them extremely dangerous for Australians.
For a safe and worry-free holiday, it's crucial to keep updated with Smartraveller’s travel advisories and reconsider destinations that fall under the 'do not travel' category.
As you plan your future travels, which destinations are at the top of your list – and which ones might you now reconsider? It's always wise to stay informed and prioritise safety. Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Whether you're dreaming of adventure, relaxation, or cultural exploration, it's crucial to be aware of the places that could pose serious risks.
Read on to find out which destinations are off-limits and why.
If you had your eye on an international holiday for 2025 but haven’t decided on a destination, there are over 20 locations that should be taken off your list.
Smartraveller is a trusted source for travel advisories. It gathers information from embassies, high commissions, consulates, the Australian intelligence community, and ASIO's National Threat Assessment Centre.
Don’t let safety slip through the cracks—check Smartraveller before you travel. Image source: Pexel/RDNE Stock project
According to them, some countries have been marked as too risky for Aussies to visit.
Smartraveller gives each country an 'overall advice' level. This ranges from 'exercise normal safety precautions' for safe places to 'do not travel' for the riskiest ones.
For 2025, 22 destinations were in the 'do not travel' category due to terrorism, violent crime, strict laws, or unstable security.
European Destinations to Avoid
In Europe, Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine were included on the 'do not travel' list. These nations were flagged due to the 'volatile security environment' stemming from Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, which has posed a risk of conflict spreading into neighbouring Belarus.
Australia also issued a warning for Russia due to a 'dangerous security situation' and the potential for 'arbitrary detention or arrest' of foreign visitors.
Asian Warnings
Afghanistan, North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea), and Myanmar were also named as 'do not travel' zones.
In Afghanistan, the risk of terrorism and kidnappings is notably high, with foreigners frequently targeted, prompting strong advisories against visiting.
North Korea's borders remained effectively closed to Aussies, making travel there limited, but those who could enter were warned about the high risk of 'arbitrary detention or arrest' due to the nation's stringent laws.
In Myanmar, violence, detentions, and human trafficking were widespread, making it another country Australians were advised to avoid.
The Americas on Alert
Haiti and Venezuela were the only two destinations in the Americas that were included on the advisory. Both faced severe security risks, such as violent crime, and significant shortages of basic necessities, including food, water, and fuel.
Middle Eastern Travel Advisories
Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen, and Syria were listed as 'do not travel' destinations due to ongoing conflict and instability.
The military clashes between Israel and Lebanon, as well as tensions in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, had made safety in these regions precarious for tourists.
Africa's High-Risk Countries
Africa had the highest number of countries flagged on the list, with Burkina Faso, Somalia, Libya, South Sudan, Sudan, the Central African Republic, Chad, Mali, and Niger all marked as 'do not travel'.
Most of these countries faced significant threats from armed conflict, terrorism, kidnapping, and violent crime, which made them extremely dangerous for Australians.
For a safe and worry-free holiday, it's crucial to keep updated with Smartraveller’s travel advisories and reconsider destinations that fall under the 'do not travel' category.
As you plan your future travels, which destinations are at the top of your list – and which ones might you now reconsider? It's always wise to stay informed and prioritise safety. Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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