Is Reykjavík Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Reykjavík prides itself on having a low crime rate and is often considered one of the world's safer capitals. The Icelandic police are helpful and approachable, and the residents usually are warm, friendly, and comfortable with English. Normal safety precautions apply, such as avoiding deserted areas at night and keeping an eye on valuables, but overall, security incidents involving solo female travelers are extremely rare.

Safety rating

Travel and Meet new People

Get the Travel Ladies app to meet new people, find travel buddies and stay with local women for free through hospitality exchange.
Download from App StoreDownload from Google Play
Get the Travel Ladies App

How safe is Reykjavík?

Safety at night:

Safety at night:Very safe

Reykjavík is known to have low crime rates and is considered one of the safest cities in the world. The city center is well lit and busy, even late into the night. As in any city, it's always important to stay aware of your surroundings but walking alone at night in Reykjavík is generally very safe. While taking normal precautions as a solo traveler is always recommended, incidents involving tourists, particularly women, are extremely rare.
Public transportation:

Public transportation:Very safe

Public transportation in Reykjavík is typically very safe. The locals are known for being trustworthy, respectful, and punctual. Buses are well-maintained and the schedules are accurately followed. There's CCTV surveillance in most, if not all, public transportation vehicles as an added layer of security. It's a common means of transport and is generally deemed reliable for both locals and tourists. Even during late hours, safety standards are upheld.
Street harassment:

Street harassment:Very low

Reykjavík is generally a safe and respectful city for solo female travelers. Instances of street harassment are very low and rare. The residents are generally welcoming, polite, and respect boundaries. However, like anywhere in the world, it's always important to stay aware of your surroundings.
Petty crimes:

Petty crimes:Low

Reykjavík is generally a safe city with low rates of petty crimes. However, like anywhere else in the world, occasional pickpocketing or theft can occur, especially in more crowded areas or events. Always stay alert and keep an eye on your belongings.

Is Reykjavík worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.3 /5

based on 12 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.4/5

Safety

4.8/5

Food

3.5/5

Budget-friendly

2.9/5

Solo travel

Reykjavik is quirky, safe, and interesting. There are plenty of attractions for days when the weather doesn’t agree with your plans 😅. The Perlan, Hallgrimskirkja, and rainbow road are stand outs. The food and beverages are expensive. Expect to spend $50 USD on a main and $12 USD on a beer.

Posted: October 8, 2024Experienced: October, 2024
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 1
Anika

Anika

Bulgaria

Family travel

We visited Iceland between July 2-5 and want to share our experience from this short trip. We traveled with British Airways as Lufthansa canceled the flight and missed a night. Sofia-London-Reykjavik. On the way back with Lufthansa Reykjavik Vienna Sofia We liked the Sky Lagoon the most—a very good place to relax with the so-called Infinity pool. I had taken the Pure Pass, the seven-step spa ritual offered by the lagoon. It was organized by Reykjavik Excursions and we are delighted. The departure time is fixed, and the return time is free - every hour there are buses from the lagoon to Reykjavík. An important clarification is that it is also suitable for people who cannot swim. Even diving is prohibited in principle. It's a good idea to bring a waterproof phone case if you're going to take pictures, but even without taking pictures, the experience is wow. No photography allowed, but everyone was taking pictures. We didn’t. The next day we went on a full day trip organized by Tourism Iceland including Reynisfjara black beach, the south coast in general and Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls. We also saw the Sólheimajökull glacier, which personally impressed me a lot. There are large icebergs that were half black. There were tourists doing the glacier hike with special equipment, but we were not among them. I also want to recommend 2 restaurants — with very good lamb. Tides restaurant is located in a hotel, if you're looking for it by navigation, you won't think it's part of a hotel (like we didn't haha). As is Fjalkonan. We had a lamb burger at Fjalkonan and a Uruguayan steak and another lamb at Tides. The country is famous for its wonderful lamb and the famous lopapeysa wool sweaters. We also walked to the famous church in Reykjavik. Overall, we really liked Reykjavik. At least where we were staying. There was a large pond with birds. We used Airbnb and everything cost us about EUR 2000 for two people for 4 days. I am attaching some pictures. And I wish everyone to visit Iceland for more time and independently, not with an agency. This is our experience. For the next time, we reserved the Magic Ice Bar, Blue Lagoon or Myvatn, Hvamsvik, another lagoon if anyone has a recommendation, as well as Cat 🐈 cafe Kattakaffihusid & Omnom ice cream.

Posted: September 21, 2024
favorite_border 1
mode_comment 0
Lola

Lola

Finland

Solo travel

Spent 10 days in a camper van, touring through the Ring Road as a solo female traveller in September 2023. The entire country felt safe everywhere. Reykjavik was very nice, people were helpful and friendly.

Posted: June 11, 2024
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0

Group travel

I went to iceland some time ago and the views took my breath away and made me cry 😂 i fully recommend visiting this country if you feel you need to get in touch with nature more or feel cozy like in a cafe that we went in the middle of the city! We felt very safe like nowhere else, we recommend the food museum too!

Posted: May 18, 2024
favorite_border 2
mode_comment 0
Mariana

Mariana

Mexico

Solo travel

I've been to Reykjavik repeatedly over the years and it is one of the cities where I have felt the safest, even walking around alone in the middle of the night (in winter) without a problem. It's not the most happening of places (unless there's a music festival, and there are many and often), but it's a good home base in Iceland if you want to explore the southern part of the island. It has, however, become much more expensive than it used to be, so it will set you back a bit.

Posted: April 13, 2024
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0

Solo travel

i was alone, i stayed for three days and it’s one of the safest countries in the world i felt very safe. highly recommend going there. i went to see the northern lights but i couldn’t see them i recommend checking the dates of the northern lights before going there. i went to a golden circle tour and it was beautiful too.

Posted: January 13, 2024
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0

Solo travel

Reykjavik is tiny, you can walk the entire "city" in one morning. I found a few very good restaurants there, and the food was delicious, but expensive.

Posted: May 21, 2023
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0

Solo travel

I found Reykjavik to be a very friendly and safe place. I spent my first night in an Airbnb room in a stranger's house (which I had never done before) and I was pleased with the accommodation. I was lucky and managed to see a bit of the northern lights that night. I spent the rest of my trip in a national park. The rented car was very cheap at the time, and the road that circles the whole country was well maintained and well marked.

Posted: December 10, 2022
favorite_border 68
mode_comment 0

Solo travel

I went alone and could allow myself to travel independently. I spent all days sightseeing the Golden Circle. I could book the Secret Lagoon (two hours entry, more rural stay and significantly smaller, but unique) to the south towards Vik and the black sand beach. An extraordinary walk/route along the coast is the way to the Grota lighthouse - a total of about 12 km, which was really worth it. It was so peculiar, identical and beautiful.

Posted: November 17, 2022
favorite_border 77
mode_comment 0

Solo travel

To do: - Hallgrímskirkja - Sun Voyager - Rainbow Street - Street Art - Hofdi House Safety: I felt very safe. Recommendations: Reykjavik is a charming city with fantastic tours to breathtaking landscapes.

Posted: September 16, 2022
favorite_border 67
mode_comment 0

Is Reykjavík safe for women?

Safety index

4.4 /5

Based on 5 local experiences

Crime index

1 /5

Based on 5 local experiences

Reykjavík is definitely the safest city I've ever been to. I've lived there for 6 months and it felt very safe to be there as a woman and especially as a queer woman. Of course it is also not 100% safe, cause everywhere there can be bad people, but it's definitely the safest I've ever experienced.

Posted: July 29, 2024
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0

Its safe if you use just common sense and watch your drinks :) We have to be on guard more the last couple of years because we have some more of creepy men at bar mostly foreign man who dont respect woman but only that they spike your drinks

Posted: July 6, 2024
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0

Meet locals in Reykjavík

Yuna

Yuna

About Me

Hi, my name is Yunali and I’m trying to check off every single country slowly, but surely 😋 I like traveling and getting to know different cultures and people. If love sightseeing a new city, going to a festival or a light hike around.

Speaking

mode_comment 0
Arnrún

Arnrún

About Me

Hi my name is Arnrún and I'm from Iceland. I'm traveling around world and I like to meet knew people 😊

Speaking

mode_comment 0

Stay with locals in Reykjavík

Eva

Eva

Reykjavík

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Hi I am Eva, I am 50 years old and a single mom. I love animals and nature. I like to travel and meet new people, see new cities and learn about new cultures.

Speaking

mode_comment 0

Upcoming visitors to Reykjavík

Jo

Jo

About Me

22 years old - American - Exploring Europe!

Speaking

mode_comment 0
Jo

Jo

About Me

22 years old - American - Exploring Europe!

Speaking

mode_comment 0

Safety in Iceland