Is Sweden Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Sweden, known for its high level of gender equality, is generally considered very safe for solo female travelers. The locals are generally respectful and kind, making it easier for one to navigate and explore the country. Like all destinations, basic precautions like staying vigilant, particularly during night times in bigger cities, are always recommended.

Safety rating

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How safe is Sweden?

Safety at night:

Safety at night:Safe

Sweden generally has a high safety level and is considered safe for solo female travelers, even at night. Like in any other city, you should always be vigilant and aware of your surroundings, but Swedish cities tend to be well-lit and monitored by local law enforcement. There's a good level of street safety due to the active presence of people, even at night, especially in larger cities like Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö. Nonetheless, it is recommended to avoid less crowded or secluded areas at night if possible.
Public transportation:

Public transportation:Very safe

Public transportation in Sweden, including buses, trams, and metro systems, is generally very safe and efficient even for solo female travelers. The staff are helpful and most Swedes speak excellent English. The stations and vehicles are well-lit and have security cameras. During off-peak hours or in less populous regions, it can sometimes feel a bit lonely, but in general, it doesn't pose a significant safety concern. It is also common for stations and vehicles to have emergency help points.
Street harassment:

Street harassment:Low

In general, Sweden is known for its safe and respectful environment. As a solo female traveler, you may occasionally encounter unsolicited remarks, but overall, cases of street harassment are quite rare. This is largely due to the country's strong commitment to gender equality, progressive values, and a generally high level of respect towards women.
Petty crimes:

Petty crimes:Low

Sweden, especially major cities like Stockholm, Göteborg, and Malmö, are generally safe with a reasonably low risk of petty crimes such as pickpocketing or bag snatching. Nonetheless, it's always good to stay vigilant and mindful of your belongings, especially in crowded areas and on public transport. Occasionally, there may be cases of bike thefts, so ensure to always lock up your bicycle securely if you're using one. As with any location, you should always exercise usual precaution at night.

Is Sweden worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.4 /5

based on 53 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4/5

Safety

4.7/5

Food

4/5

Budget-friendly

3.1/5

Stockholm, Solo travel

I did feel safe in Stockholm, I think it's a beautiful city. I stayed in a hotel near the main station, so I was travelling around with metro, by feet, or with the e-scooter. Stockholm has many delicious restaurants. You have to try the meatballs with mashed potatoes! You should visit the Gamla Stan, Södermalm and Solna (:

Posted: April 21, 2025
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Elisabeth

Elisabeth

Germany

Stockholm, Solo travel

I felt safe in Stockholm, my hostel in gamla Stan was very affordable and I met some really lovely people. I feel like there could be some more affordable things to do but if you like walking around mew cities you'll find lots to do anyway

Posted: April 20, 2025Experienced: October, 2024
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Sofia

Sofia

Ukraine

Göteborg, Solo travel

In September 2024 I visited Göteborg (or Gothenburg), Sweden. It was great. City has a beautiful historical part, also a lot of canals, big river with ships, some huge buildings, beautiful gothic churches, parks. I'd visit a riverside with an old huge sailing ship - which is a hotel nowadays. Important to mention, I felt super safe. In Sweden people are very welcoming (a lot of them are introverts tho, haha). Every person I ever asked in Sweden speaks English. The coast of public transport is pretty big in Sweden (well, at least as for Ukrainian), but it's well organised. I used an app "Västtrafik To Go" to navigate and buy tickets for buses and trains, but also you can pay with card.

Posted: April 8, 2025Experienced: August, 2024
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Stockholm, Solo travel

Stroll around gamla Stan, better during the working hours as it gets quite busy Vasa museum is really interesting - a recovered shipwreck that was sunken for 333 years Skinnarviksberget and Katarina Elevator for the city views! Highly recommend the metro tour, especially stops Tekniska Högskolan Solna Centrum Radhuset Kungsträdgården Feel free to dm me for amazing food recommendations! Hot take, skip the meatballs - overrated. There is much more amazing food the city can offer. If meatballs are on your experience list, “meatballs for the people” were the best I’ve tried.

Posted: April 7, 2025
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Uppsala, Solo travel

I was in Uppsala for a course trip from my university, i was there two days with the university and expenses mostly paid for and then two days on my own in a hostel. The prices are all very reasonable and just how you would expect them to be in a bigger city. The city has many nice buildings and places to visit and some second hand shops and museums. I personally felt very safe in the city and did not once have to worry about anything. I had a mixed dormitory in the hostel and only was a bit weary of one older guy who had a weird sleeping habit and just generally was inside the hostel room all the time which seemed kind of weird. The city was also very clean and I have talked to several locals I randomly met, everyone was very nice and helpful if I was lost.

Posted: March 12, 2025Experienced: January, 2025
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Stockholm, Group travel

I was travelling with a group and they made sure we are extra safe but, walking alone at night no sense of fear. IN A CAPITAL. safest i ever felt truly. also culture, gastronomy and sightseeingwise it is definitely on top. made me realise i want to move to sweden

Posted: March 7, 2025Experienced: July, 2024
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Eryka

Eryka

Poland

Stockholm, Solo travel

I was shocked that stockholm was actually quite cheap. Only museums and public transport were very expensive. But loved the subway stations, loved the kardemumma buns, a little strange to walk everywhere on red light 😂 Overall fun to see, but a bit boring to come back for me

Posted: January 30, 2025Experienced: November, 2024
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Sweden, Group travel

I felt very safe, we were 6 people and we stayed together in a hostel. It was cheap but for a solo traveler it can be more expencive. We went national museum, last one hour cheaper but you should be fast. Public transportation is good, you should see Vasa museum and metro lines and if you like Abba, ABBA museum is great.

Posted: November 6, 2024
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Luleå, Solo travel

I spent 2 weeks in Luleå chasing the northern lights. The whole city felt safe, never had any problems being a solo female traveler. I stayed at a local's place. They were very friendly and that helped with the cost, Luleå is expensive. I can only revommend Luleå, it was magical.

Posted: October 12, 2024Experienced: January, 2022
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Sweden, Solo travel

South Sweden was absolutely gorgeous, very green and clean. People spoke fantastic English and were warm and friendly. I visited Lund and Malmö and would highly recommend both. There's a bath house in Malmö that's really nice to visit.

Posted: September 12, 2024Experienced: May, 2024
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Is Sweden safe for women?

Safety index

4.4 /5

Based on 181 local experiences

Crime index

2 /5

Based on 181 local experiences

Olivia

Olivia

Skovde

It’s a very safe and calm small town. Lots of university students study here as well as some military, who are also kind and safe. There are also some nice bars and night clubs, which are well kept and safe

Posted: April 24, 2025
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Antonia

Antonia

Lysvik

Safe town, children can walk around in the middle of the night alone in the "centre". But id keep my eyes open on the Train. In the evening there can be a few creepy men but not that often. Genereally its very safe! If ypu walk around the Forest rhe chance of meeting a moose is bigger than being attack by someone

Posted: April 23, 2025
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Meet locals in Sweden

Olivia

Olivia

About Me

Hii, I’m an eighteen year old soon-to-be graduate who has studied humanities! I love history and culture, reading, nature and meeting new people. Christian but ally of all humans!!!

Speaking

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Antonia

Antonia

About Me

Hi, my name is Antonia and I currently live in Sweden. I love travelling and I want to visit more countries. I had a opportunity to go to Portugal in 2024 with Erasmus+ which was a fantastic experience and since then my love for traveling has become really big. At home I have three Chickens together with my family. I really want to ger to know as many different cultures and experiences as I can now that I'm still young. If anyone needs a travel buddy I'd love to tag along. I can be a bit introverted but as soon as I get to know the other person better I tend to be quite Extroverted. I just need a little time to get comfortable:)

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Safety in Sweden