Is Gothenburg Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Gothenburg is generally a safe city for solo female travelers. The locals are friendly and English is commonly spoken. The city’s public transportation is reliable, making it easy to navigate. Like any other major city, there are areas that are less safe at night, so it's advisable to avoid unpopulated areas after dark. It's also better to stay vigilant when in crowded places to avoid pickpocketing.

Safety rating

4.6 /5

Based on 3 experiences from female travelers

4.7 /5

Based on our research and crime data

4 /5

Based on 19 experiences from local women

Gothenburg is currently ranked #50 safest place for solo female travelers, with an overall safety rating of 4.6 out of 5. Check the full ranking.

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How safe is Gothenburg?

Safety at night:Very safe

Gothenburg is generally very safe at night. Street lights are well-maintained and crime rates are low. Public spaces are often populated even in the late hours, and the local law enforcement is reliable and responsive. Public transportation operates at all hours, offering a safe and efficient travel option. However, like in any city around the world, one should still take basic safety precautions such as being mindful of their surroundings and avoiding deserted or poorly-lit areas late at night.

Public transportation:Very safe

Public transportation in Gothenburg is considered quite safe by international standards. The system, which includes buses, trams, and ferries, is well-maintained and efficiently run, offering reliable and convenient services to residents and tourists alike. Passengers generally respect rules and follow proper etiquette. Security measures are implemented and incidents of crime are relatively low. However, like anywhere, it's always recommended to stay vigilant, especially during late hours.

Street harassment:Very low

In Gothenburg, the streets are generally respectful and safe for solo female travelers. It isn't commonplace to experience street harassment, and locals uphold a culture of personal boundaries and mutual respect. Nonetheless, it's always important to stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings as situations can vary.

Petty crimes:Low

Gothenburg in Sweden typically experiences quite low levels of petty crime compared to other cities of a similar size, globally. While incidents such as pickpocketing and bag theft can occur, particularly in tourist-heavy areas or on public transport, they are not overly common. The rate increases slightly during summer when tourist influx is high. Still, the overall risk is relatively low, due to the effective policing and public awareness. However, it's always recommended to remain vigilant about personal safety and belongings.

Is Gothenburg worth visiting?

Overall rating

3.7 /5

based on 3 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

3.3/5

Safety

4.6/5

Food

3.7/5

Budget-friendly

3.3/5

Solo travel

It was very cozy and lovely. Visited some museums and walked around the city and hiked to the Bergsjön in the morning. There was a beautiful lake and view to the whole city. Met some friends and they showed me around.

Posted: July 24, 2024

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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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Solo travel

Accommodation: I can recommend Slottsskogens hostel. Recommendations: Gothenburg is not a big city and it does not have as many attractions to see compared to other European cities, but it is worth trying to see a bit of nature around it if you like forests/oceans. I really recommend doing a day trip to one of the archipelagos, you can easily get there by public ferry, and they are beautiful.

Posted: October 23, 2022

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Is Gothenburg safe for women?

Safety index

4 /5

Based on 19 local experiences

Crime index

1.8 /5

Based on 19 local experiences

I’ve lived in Gothenburg for 22 years and I’ve never experienced any harassment or crimes towards myself or anyone I know. As a woman I’ve never felt unsafe walking alone at night. There is some gang crimes so I would still recommend to stay vigilant but you don’t need to feel unsafe or scared.

Posted: July 3, 2025

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It's a pretty safe city. You just have to know which areas to avoid and ofcourse not take too many risks. It's best to always check which areas locals say to avoid. But with every big city there are always risk.

Posted: June 12, 2025

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