Is Europe safe? Culture, religion, currencies

If you plan on coming to Europe for the first time or if plan to return, you’ve probably wondered whether it’s safe. Be it (terror) attacks, war, economical hardships or everchanging politics, Europe has definitely seen a change in terms of safety. Due to the vastness of cultures and identities, it might seem like Europe is chaotic. News channels also love to antagonize more often than one thinks. There is however some truth it in. European politics have changed a lot over the years and it is hard to talk about an entire’s continent safety.

Culture and religion

Immigration to Europe has brought in a lot of different traditions and culture, making it a cultural melting pot. Right-wing parties are making it appear like the sole reason why Europe is struggling at the moment in terms of safety and economy is immigrants. Russia’s war against Ukraine, covid, but also due to rising political tensions globally have affected Europe severely.

The reason why you might see more negative opinions from Europe on topics like this because of controlled media. Right-wing parties tend to be a bit more outspoken on what they consider issues, but fortunately enough this is not the reality. Of course, we cannot lie and say Europe is safe, because it has gotten unsafe due to unregulated violence and integration problems. Thankfully, people have gotten more outspoken on such issues.

Things to consider & look out for:

Currency differences

Make sure that when you travel to a new country, you are using the right currency. Some EU states and many others in Europe do not use the Euro. You should however be able to find a currency exchange in bigger cities, but take into account some may not have the currency of the country you’re traveling from. It is best to have both cash and card, as some places are either cash free or cash only. Our advice is to always check online if the currency exchange is legit. You can make sure by checking https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/

What to look out for in Europe

We cannot lie or not ackowledge that crime has increased in Europe and so we recommend you always travel with a friend if possible. If alone, we suggest you avoid parks at night. Now some other things you should avoid would be going hammered after an intense night through conservative places and neighbourhoods. Some places in Europe might not be considered safe simply because there is a culture and religious difference. If anything, that adds to Europe’s diversity, not to its unsafety.

If you ever feel unsafe, do not be afraid to contact authorities. Always trust your gut. In bars, as everywhere, we recommend you watch your drink religiously, as just like anywhere else, there are chances of getting spiked. Watch your pockets in touristy places and take care when people approach you trying to sell you something; more often than not, it’s a scam.

New hot spots in Europe

The Balkans and Eastern Block are doing better than ever in terms of tourism, safety and also affordability. Countries like Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Poland and many others have progressed economically. Besides people ‘discovering’ the beautiful places and culture of the Balkans and Eastern block, these countries are also safer. From personal experience, people in Eastern Europe tend to keep their opinions to themselves and mind their own business and their hospitality makes them some of the nicest people to be around.

For other tips about travelling around Europe, make sure to check our other blogs at https://www.flyingpigbeach.nl/category/piggies-travel-blog/traveltips/

Sergiu