All the countries that holidaymakers are warned against travelling to

There are currently 20 countries you shouldn’t travel to and 43 countries with partial warnings, according to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Laura Hampson
Updated ·6-min read
Odessa Ukraine is one place Brits should not go on holiday to
Following Russia's invasion in early 2022, Ukraine is one country Brits are advised not to visit currently. (Getty Images)

For many, the days of holidaying solely in the UK and Europe are gone as travellers venture further afield to explore destinations less touched by tourists.

But there are several countries that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against travelling to.

At present, there are 20 countries that the FCDO says you shouldn’t travel to at all and 43 countries with partial travel warnings – the latter including tourist favourites Mexico, Thailand and Turkey.

Countries you shouldn’t travel to

  • Afghanistan: The FCDO advises against travel to Afghanistan as the security situation remains volatile.

  • Belarus: The FCDO advises against travel to Belarus as Russian military operations are taking place.

  • Burkina Faso: No one should travel to Burkina Faso as there is no British Embassy.

Burkina Faso's Sindou Peaks
Burkina Faso's Sindou Peaks. (Getty Images)

  • Chad: The FCDO advises against travel to Chad.

  • Central African Republic: The Central African Republic should be avoided due to risk of foreign nationals being targeted.

  • Haiti: A volatile security situation means the FCDO advises against travel to Haiti.

  • Iraq: Travel to Iraq should be avoided due to the country’s security situation.

  • Iran: Brits should avoid travelling to Iran as there is a high risk they could be arbitrarily arrested, questioned or detained.

  • Libya: The FCDO has advised against travel to Libya since 2014 due to military clashes.

Grand Mosque of Djenne, Mopti, Mali
Grand Mosque of Djenne in Mali. (Getty Images)

  • Mali: The FCDO advises against travel to Mali due to terrorist threats and risks of kidnapping.

  • Niger: Travel Niger is not recommended due to security reasons.

  • North Korea: The FCDO advises against travel to North Korea.

  • Russia: Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the FCDO has advised against travel to Russia.

  • Somalia: Somalia should be avoided as the FCDO says the situation remains ‘volatile’.

  • South Sudan: The FCDO says tourists should not South Sudan due to violence.

  • Sudan: It is not currently safe to travel anywhere in Sudan due to security reasons.

  • Syria: No travel should be taken to Syria as it remains volatile.

Ukraine's capital of Kyiv
Ukraine's capital of Kyiv before the Russian invasion. (Getty Images)

  • Ukraine: As Russia's invasion of Ukraine remains ongoing, the FCDO advises against travel.

  • Venezuela: The FCDO advises against travel to Venezuela due to ongoing crime and instability.

  • Yemen: Travel to Yemen should be avoided as the security situation remains unstable.

Countries with partial FCDO warnings

  • Algeria: Avoid areas within 30km of the borders with Libya, Mauritania, Mali and Niger.

  • Angola: The FCDO advises against travel to the province of Cabinda and the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

  • Armenia: The FCDO says tourists should avoid anywhere within 5km of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border.

View of the Cuma Mosque, old house and Flam towers in the morning in Baku, Azerbaijan
View of the Cuma Mosque, old house and Flam towers in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Getty Images)

  • Azerbaijan: The FCDO advises against travel within 5km of the Armenian border.

  • Burundi: The FCDO says the situation at the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda remains unstable.

  • Benin: The FCDO advises against travel to Benin's northern areas.

  • Côte d’Ivoire: The FCDO advises against travel to the Mali and Burkina Faso borders.

  • Cameroon: The FCDO advises against travel to Cameroon's borders with Chad, the Central African Republic and Nigeria.

Aerial shot of Cartagena, Colombia at sunset showing the old and new city
The old and new city of Cartagena, Colombia. (Getty Images)
A view of the great pyramids, Giza, Egypt.
It's still safe to visit the great pyramids in Giza, Egypt. (Getty Images)

  • Egypt: Despite seeing 500,000 British tourists each year, there are only a few areas considered safe.

  • Ethiopia: Tourists should avoid most of its borders with other countries and many of its states.

  • Georgia: Two major areas in the northern part of the county shouldn’t be visited.

  • Indonesia: The FCDO advises against travelling within 5km of the country's volcanoes.

  • Israel: The FCDO says travel to the Gaza Strip and the borders of Syria and Lebanon should be avoided.

  • India: The FCDO advises against travel near the India-Pakistan border.

There is a person by the doorway to get a scale of the size. A classic view of El Deir, The Monastery in Petra. Shown in the context of the mountain that the facade was carved out of by the Nabataeans in the 1st century. The facade measures 50 metres wide by approximately 45 meters high.
Jordan's Petra is safe to visit. (Getty Images)

  • Jordan: The FCDO advises against but essential travel to the Syrian border.

  • Kenya: The FCDO says you should avoid areas bordering Somalia.

  • Laos: The FCDO advises against travel to Xaisomboun due to intermittent attacks on infrastructure.

  • Lebanon: The FCDO advises against travel the Lebanon-Syria and the Lebanon-Israel borders.

Aerial view of the Akumal Bay in Quintana Roo, Mexico. Caribbean Sea, coral reef, top view. Beautiful tropical paradise beach
Akumal Bay in Quintana Roo, Mexico. (Getty Images)

  • Mexico: The FCDO advises against travel to several areas of Mexico due to gang and cartel-related activity.

  • Moldova: Most areas of Moldova are safe to visit besides the border with Ukraine.

  • Mozambique: The only areas of concern for Mozambique are found in the north east of the country.

  • Malaysia: The FCDO says only essential travel should be taken to some islands as there is a threat of kidnapping.

  • Mauritania: The FCDO advises against travel to the borders with Western Sahara, Mali, and Algeria.

  • Myanmar: The FCDO advises against tourist visits to northern Myanmar.

  • Nigeria: Most states in central and northern Nigeria have travel warnings from the FCDO.

View of Wazir Khan mosque, famous for its extensive faience tile work, situated in the Walled City of Lahore, in Punjab Province, Pakistan. The Wazir Khan Mosque was built around 1634-1635 AD, during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan. The mosque contains some of the finest examples of Qashani tile work from the Mughal period.
The Wazir Khan mosque in Punjab Province, Pakistan. (Getty Images)

  • Pakistan: The FCDO advises against travel to several regions and cities.

  • The Occupied Palestinian Territories: The FCDO advises against travel to Gaza, the Sheba’a Farms and Ghajjar, and the Lebanon-Syria border.

  • Philippines: Southern areas of the Philippines have travel warnings.

  • Papua New Guinea: Some regions should be avoided due to risk of tribal fighting.

  • Saudi Arabia: Tourists should avoid travel to the Yemen-Saudi Arabia border.

A line of Zebras in Tanzania
Many areas of Tanzania are safe to visit. (Getty Images)

  • Tanzania: The FCDO advises against travel to the border of Mozambique.

  • Tunisia: The FCDO advises against travel to the Libya-Tunisia border.

  • Thailand: The FCDO advises against travel to the southern part of Thailand near Malaysia.

  • Togo: Visitors are advised not to travel to the Togo-Burkina Faso border.

  • Turkey: The FCDO advises against travel to the Syrian border.

  • Uzbekistan: The FCDO says you should avoid the Termez region and the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan border.

  • Western Sahara: The FCDO advises against travel to the Berm.

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