Is Stockholm safe?
Safe in the center with normal care. Pickpocketing is the main risk; gang shootings in some suburbs rarely affect visitors.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2026-05-17.
- Homicide rate in Sweden: 1.1 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Sweden: 3.1 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 112 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112.
Safety in Stockholm at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Pickpocketing on the tunnelbana, at T-Centralen and Gamla Stan, and phone snatching from café tables. Drunk fights on weekend nights. |
| At night | The center is safe after dark and the night subway/bus network runs on weekends. Prefer well-lit areas late at night. |
| Solo women | Generally safe for solo women; harassment is uncommon. Be careful in suburban stations late at night and watch drinks in clubs. |
| Other risks | Thin ice on lakes and bays in winter; Slippery pavements Dec–Mar; Ticks in forests and archipelago islands |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Distraction theft on crowded trains and at Arlanda Express
- Unlicensed taxi touts at Arlanda quoting fixed high fares
- Fake charity petitions in the center
Take care
- Unlicensed cabs at the airport: use apps or the official rank
- Some northern and southern suburbs: gang violence, mostly targeted
- Late-night bar areas around Stureplan: fights and drink spiking
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Drinks over 3.5% are sold only at Systembolaget; ID is checked if you look under 25.
- Buying sex is illegal; the buyer is prosecuted.
- Drinking alcohol in public is banned in many town centres.
How Stockholm compares in Sweden
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Kiruna | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Uppsala | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Visby | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Stockholm | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Gothenburg | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Malmö | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
Quick answers
Is Stockholm safe for solo female travelers?
Generally safe for solo women; harassment is uncommon. Be careful in suburban stations late at night and watch drinks in clubs.
Is Stockholm safe at night?
The center is safe after dark and the night subway/bus network runs on weekends. Prefer well-lit areas late at night.
What is the crime rate in Stockholm?
Pickpocketing on the tunnelbana, at T-Centralen and Gamla Stan, and phone snatching from café tables. Drunk fights on weekend nights. Nationally, Sweden records 1.1 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Stockholm?
Police 112 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112.
More about Stockholm
Going to Stockholm solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- SL (Stockholm public transport)
- Swedavia Stockholm Arlanda
- 1177 Vårdguiden
- Visit Stockholm
- 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.