Is Copenhagen safe?
Very safe for a capital. Pickpocketing and bike theft are the main problems; a few areas have gang-related shootings that rarely touch visitors.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2024-09-16.
- Homicide rate in Denmark: 0.8 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Denmark: 3.7 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 112 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112.
Safety in Copenhagen at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Pickpocketing in the Central Station area, Strøget and on trains, plus stolen bikes. Violent crime against visitors is rare. |
| At night | Safe on foot and on night buses. Metro runs 24 hours. Bar districts get rowdy on weekends but rarely dangerous. |
| Solo women | Among the easiest cities for solo women. Walking alone at night is normal; keep to lit streets near Vesterbro bars. |
| Other risks | Cyclists in lanes you step into; Slippery cobbles and icy paths in winter; Cold water shock when harbor swimming |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Bike thieves selling bikes cheaply near Nørrebro and the station
- Distraction thefts at Central Station and the airport metro
- Pushy petition or donation clipboards in the center
Take care
- Parts of Nørrebro late at night: occasional gang incidents; police sometimes set stop-and-search zones
- Central Station and Istedgade late at night: drug dealing and drunks
- Bike lanes: cyclists are fast and silent
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Jaywalking and cycling without lights after dark bring on-the-spot fines.
- Carrying a knife in public without a valid reason is illegal.
- Face coverings such as burqas and niqabs are banned in public.
How Copenhagen compares in Denmark
Quick answers
Is Copenhagen safe for solo female travelers?
Among the easiest cities for solo women. Walking alone at night is normal; keep to lit streets near Vesterbro bars.
Is Copenhagen safe at night?
Safe on foot and on night buses. Metro runs 24 hours. Bar districts get rowdy on weekends but rarely dangerous.
What is the crime rate in Copenhagen?
Pickpocketing in the Central Station area, Strøget and on trains, plus stolen bikes. Violent crime against visitors is rare. Nationally, Denmark records 0.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Copenhagen?
Police 112 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112.
More about Copenhagen
Going to Copenhagen solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Metroselskabet (Copenhagen Metro)
- Rejseplanen
- Copenhagen Airport
- Wonderful Copenhagen
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.