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 45 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4/5

Safety

4.7/5

Food

4/5

Budget-friendly

3.1/5

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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Sweden, Family travel

Hey guys, I was with my family in Sweden, to be exact in Malmö and in the areas near of it. It was in June and honestly it was really pretty, the sunset and all is perfect. The people are very nice and helpful. But there were some difficulties: There are parking issues, you have to have an app because without this, you can't really park. The parking is free for supermarket parking. Sweden is a must go country, sadly I wasn't able to go to more places. Near Malmö, you could go to Skanör Beach.

Posted: August 19, 2024
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Sweden, Solo travel

It was a great place to visit in summer and it very safe and my stay was very comfortable. I think Stockholm is a great city to see. A multicultural capital with some fantastic places to visit. shopping is great here but quite expensive due to the fact that Scandanvian countries are expensive. The boa trip trip and the sightseeing bus are the best way to see the city.

Posted: August 8, 2024Experienced: July, 2024
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FichtenTinte

FichtenTinte

Germany

Stockholm, Solo travel

Stockholm is full of nature. If you have a tent with you, I definitely recommend staying in a nature reserve. There are many places with beautiful sunsets. You should definitely get "Too Good To Go". You can get a lot of food there for a reasonable price. The best surprise bags are available at the espresso house and Lindquist's Pastry in Stockholm.

Posted: August 7, 2024Experienced: July, 2024
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Abisko, Solo travel

I hiked at the kungsleden from abisko till abiskojaure in june, it was a amazing experience, the nature was amazing and it was no problem to hike alone, because you meet a lot of new people there! definitely a must do!!

Posted: July 28, 2024Experienced: May, 2024
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Abisko, Solo travel

I was in Abisko in July, I've hiked the first part of the Kungsleden (From Abisko till Abiskojaure) It was such a amazing experience, the nature is just amazing and even when you start alone you meet so many new people, so don't be afraid and start you hiking-trip!

Posted: July 28, 2024Experienced: May, 2024
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Albina

Albina

Latvia

Stockholm, Solo travel

I recently visited Stockholm and had an amazing time! Here are some highlights from my trip: **Safety:** I felt very safe throughout my stay in Stockholm. The city is well-maintained, and the people are friendly and helpful. **Things to Do:** I highly recommend exploring the various museums and historical sites. The Vasa Museum is a must-see, showcasing a preserved 17th-century ship. Also, take a stroll through Gamla Stan, the old town, which is full of charming streets and shops. If you have time, visit Djurgården for beautiful parks and attractions. **Food and Restaurants:** The food in Stockholm is delicious! I enjoyed visiting an Asian food cafe in a shopping mall, which offered a variety of tasty dishes. I also had a delightful experience at a local cafe, enjoying coffee and a traditional Swedish bun. The food scene here is diverse and caters to all tastes. **Budget:** I spent around 300 EUR for my 5-day trip, which was quite reasonable. This included food, transport, and some shopping. **Accommodation:** I stayed at a friend's place, which made my trip more economical. However, there are plenty of hotels and hostels available to suit all budgets. **Transport:** Getting around Stockholm is very convenient. The public transport system is efficient, clean, and easy to navigate. I mainly used buses and the metro, which were both reliable and timely. **People:** The locals are very kind and helpful. I always felt welcome and had no trouble asking for directions or recommendations. **Itinerary:** I spent my days exploring the city, visiting museums, and enjoying local cafes and restaurants. I also made time for some shopping and leisurely walks in the parks. Overall, Stockholm is a beautiful city with a rich cultural heritage and a welcoming atmosphere. I had a wonderful time and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable travel experience.

Posted: July 27, 2024Experienced: April, 2024
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Anna

Anna

Germany

Abisko, Couple travel

We walked down from Abisko to the Kebnekaise and it was great. We slept in a tent and took all of our things with us, so also our food. It was very exhausting with so much weight to carry around but the landscape was worth it!

Posted: July 24, 2024Experienced: July, 2023
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Is Sweden safe for women?

Safety index

4.4 /5

Based on 93 local experiences

Crime index

1.7 /5

Based on 93 local experiences

Sasmita

Sasmita

Sundsvall

In my experience everyone knows all the trouble some people, it makes me feel safer because I know who to avoid. It’s a pretty calm city when one self doesn’t do anything stupid. The night life feels very safe because there’s a ton of people out and I have never seen any trouble.

Posted: December 19, 2024
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Stockholm

In most neighbourhoods, it is safe as a woman to be walking around at night. There are, however, a few notorious neighbourhoods that one should avoid where crime rates are higher than the rest of the city.

Posted: November 24, 2024
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Meet locals in Sweden

Sigrid

Sigrid

About Me

Hello, my name is Sigrid. Young Artist and entrepreneur from Sweden. I come from a community and travel a lot since a young age, I am used to Couchsurfing and also hosting others if there are space in our community in Sweden. I am easy going, kind, fun and generous in nature. I often travel for work so I sometimes need a place to stay, if I have the time of work I am interested in exploring places and meeting new people :)

Speaking

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Elisabeth

Elisabeth

About Me

Hi, I am a travelling woman since a few years back on and off. I love music and speak multiple languages. A degree in human rights but hope to get life elsewhere with music and something more creative. Have an easy time with new people and like to socialize. Meeting new people has always been a pleasure of mine. Hope to meet you. Lisa

Speaking

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Stay with locals in Sweden

Sigrid

Sigrid

Forslov

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Hello, my name is Sigrid. Young Artist and entrepreneur from Sweden. I come from a community and travel a lot since a young age, I am used to Couchsurfing and also hosting others if there are space in our community in Sweden. I am easy going, kind, fun and generous in nature. I often travel for work so I sometimes need a place to stay, if I have the time of work I am interested in exploring places and meeting new people :)

Speaking

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Alice

Alice

Sävsjö

Can host for:

7 days

About me

Hi, I am a girl in Sweden who is 18 years old. I really love traveling and want to experience the whole world. I'm really spontaneous and wants to experience everything! I loves to read, listen to music, work out, hiking, swim, dance ugly in clubs. I have a big passion for animals and loves to see wild animals.

Speaking

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Upcoming visitors to Sweden

Lisi

Lisi

About Me

Lisi from Austria starting my Digital Nomad journey. I like writing and storytelling combined with cultural exploration. The world is your school 🤗 We can learn so much from each other. Became more a living in other countries kinda person than traveling around. Slow traveling 🙌🏼

Speaking

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Lisi

Lisi

About Me

Lisi from Austria starting my Digital Nomad journey. I like writing and storytelling combined with cultural exploration. The world is your school 🤗 We can learn so much from each other. Became more a living in other countries kinda person than traveling around. Slow traveling 🙌🏼

Speaking

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Safety in Sweden