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 safe to travel?

4.5 /5

Based on 9 experiences

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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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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Kalmar, Solo travel

Kalmar is a place where you can feel quite safe, I stayed at our family friends place and everywhere was near to everywhere . It was october and i wore a bit revealing dress and went our for a walk, no one made me feel unsafe. There were times I went out with our Pet dog and walked in the forest everyone is nice and they say hi to you and smile. It was quite normal pricewise. But be careful all the shops shut down before 4 pm!

Posted: May 15, 2024
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Stockholm, Solo travel

I felt mostly safe in the city, everyone was respectfull and peacefull. Even alone at night, the streets were quite empty but mostly well lighted and didn't had any problems as a solo traveler. I went tobars alome as well again, a simple no was enough to keep the umwanted attention away. It's an expensive city so I mainly ait from the supermarket. Bu the bar Stampen in Gamla Stan was quite nice (expensive though). Bartenders always kept my stuff and drink safe when I went to bathroom etc. I stayed in a hostel room of 12 people and almost all of them were men so next time I would choose a smaller room and maybe an all female but still I haven't had any issues.

Posted: May 5, 2024Experienced: February, 2024
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Malmo, Solo travel

The City of Malmo relatively safe, quite expensive so not a safe option for a low budget trip, I am from the tropics so I didn't like the Spring weather, however I loved the Spring bloom, I stayed at the Clarion live hotel, a walking distance from the Central Train Station, highly recommended. Spectacular view of the city from the rooftop

Posted: April 20, 2024
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Stockholm, Solo travel

I felt very safe as a solo female traveller in Stockholm. Highly recommend the Abba museum and fotografiska. The vasa museum was also excellent. Also the Bageri on the river was amazing but basically anywhere you can get cardamom buns is a win. In general I loved Stockholm and literally left wanting to move there!

Posted: March 30, 2024
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Sweden, Solo travel

I spent most of my trip in Stockholm, but also visited Gothenburg and Sigtuna. The transport was fantastic. I was staying in an Airbnb outside of the city and could easily get there by train or bus from where I stayed. Everyone spoke English. The cities were full of history, there was a lot to discover, and I enjoyed Fika (coffee break) every day. I've never felt so safe.

Posted: December 26, 2023
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Brina

Brina

New Zealand

Sweden, Solo travel

I solo traveled and also bicycle-rode southern Sweden in spring 2022 and again some in summer. I mostly stayed in the 2nd most populated/biggest city called Göteborg/Gothenburg. I also stayed in random rural areas and in August 2022 was in Stockholm the biggest city. Overall a very beautiful country with nice people and a good mix of outdoor activity and people and indoor activity and people. I bicycle-rode thesouthwest coast of Sweden and bicycled Sweden to Norway and it was incredibly beautiful and bicycle supportive, in spring 2022. There are many advanced countries that are not supportive of bicycles as transportation but Sweden overall is and that is great. Scandinavians and Swedes are known to be "cold" or unfriendly. From my perspective after spending multiple months here I find the swedes nice but just not as friendly as other countries people. It is a very safe place though the locals may tell you about how bad their crimes have been lately-but a high crime rate in Sweden seems pretty fine compared to other countries. It is a safe country. Highly LGBTQ+ friendly. Nightlife is decent/good in Sweden places close 3am or after that (in biggest cities not rural areas) which is great. Go to "Yaki Da" in Göteborg before 10pm to get in free. I was at Yaki Da every single Wednesday night dancing until 3am with lots of people who also like Wednesday nights - Wednesday party nights at Yaki Da in this city will forever be in my heart. Go to Trädgården club in Stockholm also free before 9 pm, awesome wicked place. I cannot say much about expenses or things to do because I am a solo traveler who uses the community "Couchsurfing" where I stay for free with locals in their homes. I was not able to afford things to do that were not free in Sweden-so I cannot say much about expenses or things to do other than beautiful nature and going out to free places and activities. The Couchsurfing community here was amazing to me and I am forever grateful for my hosts in this country.

Posted: October 14, 2023Experienced: May, 2022
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Stockholm, Solo travel

Stockholm was my first solo trip abroad and I believe it's a great place for a first solo journey. I was there for 3 nights, I felt very safe, and everything went smoothly. I walked quite a lot of kilometers, as there was always something that caught my attention and I couldn't get enough of it.

Posted: August 23, 2023
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Gothenburg, Solo travel

Gothenburg is my hometown. Everywhere downtown is really safe, I even used to walk home alone from night clubs in the middle of the night and I have never felt unsafe.

Posted: July 13, 2023
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Is Sweden safe for women?

Safety rating

4.4 /5

Based on 80 experiences

Crime rates rating

1.6 /5

Based on 80 experiences

Stockholm

In my experience Stockholm is generally a very safe city for women. Public transport is very safe. I've hardly ever experienced harassment on the street. I am a white, heterosexual woman, therefore it's a little bit difficult for me to write about safety for women who identify as LGBTQ, wear religious clothing, are black etc.

Posted: September 10, 2024
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Stockholm

I often go running alone at night and have never felt unsafe. There are some neighborhoods that are less safe, but the downtown area has always felt OK in my opinion. Like most cities, you just need to know which parks or areas to avoid at night.

Posted: September 1, 2024
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Is Sweden safe right now?

Before your visit to Sweden, it's essential to check travel advisories for Sweden, including your home country's official travel advisory. These advisories can provide up-to-date information on safety, health, and any specific considerations for travelers.
🇺🇸

United States Travel AdvisoryExercise a high degree of caution

The United States Government advises exercising increased caution in Sweden due to terrorism. Check the full travel advisory.
Last updated: July 24, 2024
🇨🇦

Canada's Travel AdvisoryExercise a high degree of caution

The Canadian government advises exercising a high degree of caution in Sweden due to the threat of terrorism. Check the full travel advisory.
Last updated: August 30, 2024
🇦🇺

Australia's Travel AdvisoryExercise a high degree of caution

The Australian Government advises exercising a high degree of caution in Sweden, due to the threat of terrorism. Check the full travel advisory.
Last updated: May 13, 2024

Is Sweden worth visiting?

Overall rating

4 /5

based on 9 experiences

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
Things to do: 4/5Food: 4/5Budget-friendly: 2/5Safety: 5/5
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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
Things to do: 5/5Food: 3/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 5/5
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Meet locals in Sweden

Meet local women in Sweden who are open to meet up for a coffee or a drink, show you around, give local advice or practice a language with.
Alice

Alice

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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Lana

Lana

About Me

Hi. I am Lana. I am master student in Italy, university of Messina. I am Korean and want to visit as more European countries as I can during my studying abroad here :))

Speaking

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Stay with locals in Sweden

Stay with local women in Sweden who offer free accommodation as part of cultural exchange. Hospitality exchange is a great way to meet new people, learn more about new cultures and experience destinations like a local.
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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Asa

Asa

Stockholm

Can host for:

2 days

About me

Hi! 😀 I am a spontaneous, adventure seeking 29 yr old queer woman! I enjoy making music 🎶, playing improv theatre, swimming and hiking🥾I am always up for trying out new things and meeting new people. I look for spontaneity and open mindedness in others to have deep conversations! :) I would be happy to show you around or let you crash on my couch if you’re ever in town! 😊

Speaking

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Upcoming visitors to Sweden

Connect with upcoming visitors to Sweden who are looking for travel buddies or meet ups.
Yasmine

Yasmine

About Me

Moroccan in Gdansk

Speaking

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Miriam

Miriam

About Me

Science geek. Book's lover. Coffee Addicted. Mountain's woman. Film's fan. Poodle toy mum. Photographer. Traveller. Nepal&Himalaya's soul.

Speaking

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Safety in Sweden