International adventure awaits retirees with the time and budget to pursue it, but some cities are better hosts than others, according to a new report by personal finance website InsureMyTrip.
Civil strife, crime, long lines, inaccessible tourist sites, a lack of public transportation, and scarcity of medical facilities staffed with physicians who speak English are just some of the potential pitfalls that can turn the trip of a lifetime into a never-ending nightmare when the unexpected happens, according to the study.
To help seniors find suitable locations, InsureMyTrip, the Warwick, R.I.-based insurance platform, ranked 50 cities worldwide across the four categories of tourism, well-being, mobility, and demographics using eight metrics: quality of things to do; selection of senior tours; available of healthcare; peacefulness, which includes safety, crime, security, and conflict; ease of walking; public transportation; average population age; and population density.
Here, in ascending order, are the study's top 10 best cities to visit as a senior.
10. Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki, the capital of Finland and its largest city, offers visitors free walking tours. With Radar.com reporting only 10 senior tours to Helsinki, the city scored 4.43 out of 5.0 in tourism and 79% out of 100% in well-being. The population has an average age of 43.
9. Berlin
Seniors 60 years and older are eligible for reduced admission to theaters, museums, and other attractions in this bustling German metropolis, as well as discounted fares on public transportation. Berlin scored 4.50 out of 5.0 in tourism and a 68% out of 100% in well-being, It has an average age of 48.
7. Riga, Latvia (tie)
Founded in 1201, the Latvian capital of Riga boasts a huge central market, art nouveau architecture, and a medieval Old Town section that is popular with tourists. The city scored 4.54 out of 5.0 in tourism and 61% out of 100% in well-being. It has an average age of 44.
7. Prague (tie)
Prague has an extensive public transportation network of metros, trams, and buses, and anyone aged 65 or older is eligible to ride them free of charge. The city scored 4.62 out of 5.0 in tourism and 75% out of 100% in well-being. It has an average age of 43.
5. Vilnius, Lithuania (tie)
Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania. This progressive city has sidewalks and footpaths that make it largely accessible to wheelchair-bound sightseers. The city scored 4.66 out of 5.0 in tourism and 74% out of 100% in well-being. It has an average age of 45.
5. Tallinn, Estonia (tie)
Tucked away in the Balkans, the Estonian capital of Tallinn is a well-preserved medieval city popular with digital nomads, remote workers and cruise ship sightseers. The city scored 4.61 out of 5.0 in tourism and 73% out of 100% in well-being. It has an average age of 44.
4. Bangkok, Thailand
While the elderly are revered in Thai society, seniors who travel to Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok will find few available discounts based on their age. The city scored 4.51 out of 5.0 in tourism and 77% out of 100% in well-being. It has an average age of 39.
3. Rome
Italy’s capital is a highly walkable city, but there are many places for the weary senior sightseer to stop and rest during their sojourn there. The city scored 4.65 out of 5.0 in tourism and 60% out of 100% in well-being. It has an average age of 47.
2. Athens, Greece
Although there are few senior discounts available in Athens, some museums and archeological sites offer reduced admission to visitors age 60 and older. The city scored 4.63 out of 5.0 in tourism and 57% out of 100% in well-being. It has an average age of 45.
1. Istanbul, Turkey
In exotic Istanbul, the ancient capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, senior vacationers can feast on street food for pocket change, and visit the city’s mosques, markets and parks at no charge. The city scored 4.63 out of 5.0 in tourism and 70% out of 100% in well-being. It has an average age of 32.
The full report can be viewed here.