Exercise Increased Caution
“There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated.”
Updated Mon, 18 May 2026
Full advisory →Is Stockholm safe? 🇸🇪
Sweden · Safety report last updated
As of September 2026, Stockholm scores 86/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes — Stockholm remains one of Europe's safest capitals for visitors, with low violent crime but notable pickpocketing and scam risks in tourist zones. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Stockholm 🇸🇪
Sweden · Assessed 30 September 2026
86
/ 100
Yes — very safe
Safer than ~93% of countries
What drives this score
Crime79/100GoodCrime index 47.8 / 100
Sentiment85/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories72Good
Stability86Good
Health91Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
No advisory against travel
“Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.”
Updated 2026-08-11T09:23:29Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for Sweden: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-09-24T08:53:35.4288253-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Urban scale factor
1.5M residents
63
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
1.1 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Sweden1.1World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
93
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging and armed robbery are rare for visitors and mainly occur in isolated suburban areas, not central tourist zones
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching are common visitor risks, concentrated in Gamla Stan, Stockholm Central Station, Sergels torg, and busy metro stations
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
85/100
Reported feel79Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveler reports indicate visitors generally feel safe exploring Stockholm day and night, citing low violent crime and efficient public transport, though they advise vigilance against pickpockets in tourist crowds.
Yes — Stockholm remains one of Europe's safest capitals for visitors, with low violent crime but notable pickpocketing and scam risks in tourist zones.
Stockholm's safety profile shows low violent crime and strong institutions, though gang-related violence persists in some suburban areas not frequented by tourists. Visitors generally feel safe, with petty crime concentrated in crowded areas like Gamla Stan and transit hubs. The U.S. and Canadian advisories urge increased caution due to broader terrorism concerns affecting Europe, while the UK finds no advisory against travel.
Recent developments
- Aug 2026Sword attack at a Swedish school killed a 17-year-old girl and injured three others— CBS News
- Jun 2026Swedish government announced plans to introduce higher sentences in a push against crime— Reuters
- Sep 2026Financial Times reported on Sweden’s ongoing fightback against gangs— Financial Times
- Mar 2026U.S. Embassy in Stockholm issued a security alert— U.S. Embassy in Sweden (.gov)
Common scams
- Taxi meter manipulation
- Gamla Stan pickpocket gangs operating as distraction teams
- Unofficial tour guide commission scams at Skansen
- Fake charity collectors in central tourist areas
- Restaurant markup scams in Gamla Stan
Full briefing
Stockholm is generally very safe for tourists, with low levels of violent crime and a strong sense of order. The city consistently ranks among Europe’s safest capitals, supported by excellent public transport, well-lit streets, and responsive emergency services. While gang-related violence and occasional shootings persist in certain suburban areas, these zones are not part of typical tourist itineraries and do not affect day-to-day safety for visitors in central districts. The U.S. State Department and Canadian government advise exercising increased caution due to broader terrorism concerns across Europe, though the UK finds no advisory against travel, and no active disaster or terrorism alerts are currently in effect for Stockholm.
On the ground, the main risks for visitors are petty crime and scams. Pickpocketing is moderate in risk and occurs in crowded tourist areas such as Gamla Stan (the Old Town), T-Centralen, Sergels torg, and major metro stations, often involving distraction techniques by teams operating near attractions and transit hubs. Common scams include taxi meter manipulation, unofficial tour guide commission schemes at Skansen, fake charity collectors, and inflated restaurant prices in Gamla Stan. Travelers report feeling safe overall, with a consumer sentiment score of 79/100 reflecting confidence in daytime and nighttime exploration, provided they remain vigilant with belongings.
Recent developments include a tragic sword attack at a school in August 2026, which, while alarming, occurred in an educational setting unrelated to tourism. The Swedish government has responded with plans to increase sentences for crimes, reflecting ongoing efforts to combat gang violence. For safety, keep bags zipped and valuables concealed in crowds, use card payments while selecting kronor to avoid skimming, and rely on licensed taxis or official apps. Emergency services are reachable at 112 with English-speaking operators available 24/7. Stick to well-known districts like Östermalm, Vasastan, Kungsholmen, and Norrmalm, and enjoy Stockholm’s islands, archipelago, and cultural sites with standard big-city awareness.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Stockholm districts for visitors: 3 safer, 3 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Stockholm safety map.
RinkebyavoidNorthern suburb with higher incidence of gang-related violence; not on tourist routes and best avoided by visitors.
TenstaavoidAdjacent to Rinkeby; experiences elevated levels of criminal network activity and gun violence; not recommended for tourists.
Gamla Stan (Old Town)cautionGenerally safe but pickpocketing common in crowded tourist areas, especially around attractions and squares.
Norrmalm (City Centre)cautionCentral and busy; watch for pickpockets around Sergels torg, Stockholm Central Station, and metro hubs.
SödermalmcautionTrendy and lively; safe during day but exercise caution at night in some bars and near transit links due to occasional rowdiness.
ÖstermalmsaferUpscale, well-patrolled residential and shopping area; low violent crime and safe day and night.
VasastansaferQuiet, family-friendly neighbourhood with low crime; popular with expats and tourists for its safety.
KungsholmensaferResidential island west of centre; generally safe with good lighting and low incidence of serious crime.
07 · After Dark
Is Stockholm safe at night?
76% of people in Sweden say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2024).
Mugging and armed robbery are rare for visitors and mainly occur in isolated suburban areas, not central tourist zones
After dark, be most careful around Rinkeby, Tensta, Gamla Stan (Old Town), Norrmalm (City Centre). Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Stockholm safety FAQ
Is Stockholm safe for tourists right now?
Yes — Stockholm remains one of Europe's safest capitals for visitors, with low violent crime but notable pickpocketing and scam risks in tourist zones. Stockholm's safety profile shows low violent crime and strong institutions, though gang-related violence persists in some suburban areas not frequented by tourists. Visitors generally feel safe, with petty crime concentrated in crowded areas like Gamla Stan and transit hubs. The U.S. and Canadian advisories urge increased caution due to broader terrorism concerns affecting Europe, while the UK finds no advisory against travel. (Assessed 30 September 2026.)
Which areas of Stockholm should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Rinkeby, Tensta as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Stockholm?
- Taxi meter manipulation
- Gamla Stan pickpocket gangs operating as distraction teams
- Unofficial tour guide commission scams at Skansen
- Fake charity collectors in central tourist areas
How does Stockholm compare with other places in Sweden?
Stockholm ranks #5 of 5 Sweden destinations we've assessed, scoring 86/100. See the Sweden safety overview for the full list.
How is this Stockholm safety score calculated?
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
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4 reportsBrowse the Sweden safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: stockholm.json (CC BY 4.0).