Where not to go on vacation? List of dangerous destinations 2024

Polish diplomatic missions, in cooperation with the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have issued recommendations on destinations to avoid due to traveler safety concerns as the summer vacation season begins.

"We strive to ensure that the information provided here is reliable, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, we emphasize that the following information should be considered as recommendations only and cannot form the basis for any claims. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not have the legal authority to prohibit travel to any country," the official statement explained. So, which countries are on the list of those to avoid?

Places to avoid or exercise extreme caution

Due to political situations, warnings primarily pertain to areas experiencing armed conflicts (such as Ukraine or the Gaza Strip) or those that remain dangerous. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against all travel to Afghanistan.

Travel to Jerusalem in Israel, as well as areas adjacent to the borders with Lebanon and Syria, is also discouraged. Starting August 1, 2024, new regulations for entering Israel require all visitors to register their arrival and obtain entry approval via the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA-IL).

Due to the state of emergency in Tunisia since 2015, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against visiting the Sahara and desert regions near the borders with Algeria and Libya (excluding tourist routes), as well as mountainous areas in the central-western part of the country (Orbata, Selloum, Semema, Chambi, and Mghila mountains), which may be areas of anti-terrorism and anti-smuggling operations. For the rest of Tunisia, travelers are advised to exercise extreme caution.

For Turkey, a particularly popular destination among Polish tourists, travel is discouraged in areas bordering Syria and Iraq, as well as the Turkish part of Cyprus.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also does not recommend traveling to Peru near the border area with Ecuador due to the declaration of a state of emergency on January 9, 2024, in the northern part of the country and escalating internal conflict.

Watch out for earthquakes there

It can also be dangerous in regions with significant seismic activity. In Europe, such warnings apply to Albania, Greece (where there is also a risk of wildfires), and Italy (earthquakes may be observed around Naples and active volcanoes).

Before traveling, it is advisable to check detailed information on potential threats, such as terrorist attacks, and other safety concerns in the region. All such information is regularly updated by diplomatic services and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the section: Travel Information on the website: https://www.gov.pl/web/dyplomacja/informacje-dla-podrozujacych.

(mp)