No advisory against travel
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Updated 2026-10-07T11:53:05Z
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Is Oulu safe? 🇫🇮
Finland · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Oulu scores 92/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes. Oulu is a very safe city for travelers, with low crime rates and a high degree of personal security. The main risks for visitors are tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Oulu 🇫🇮
Finland · Assessed 13 October 2026
92
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime85/100GoodCrime index 35.1 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment89/100GoodGenerally Safe
Advisories100Good
Stability90Good
Health88Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for Finland: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-09-24T08:53:33.120000-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Mugging & robbery risk
Low risk
92
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Low risk
96
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
80 / 100 (Generally Safe)
80
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
216k residents
83
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
1.0 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Finland1World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
94
Robbery / mugging
LowWorry about mugging or robbery is low, and violent crime is not considered a major local problem.
Pickpocketing
LowProperty crime is reported as a moderate concern, suggesting a low risk of pickpocketing in tourist areas.
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Generally Safe
89/100
Reported feel80Generally Safe
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk96Low risk
Most residents and visitors feel safe walking alone in daylight and at night, indicating a high level of perceived security.
Yes. Oulu is a very safe city for travelers, with low crime rates and a high degree of personal security.
Oulu ranks exceptionally well on global safety indicators, reflecting strong rule of law and low violent crime. While most visitors report feeling safe, recent isolated incidents of unprovoked stabbings warrant heightened awareness, particularly for foreign nationals.
Recent developments
- Jul 2026Oulu police issued a public plea while investigating an apparently random stabbing of a woman.— Yle
- Jul 2026Police received over 100 tips regarding cyclist stabbings in Oulu.— Yle
- Apr 2026Oulu police investigated a suspected stabbing of a foreign national in an unprovoked attack.— Yle
- May 2026Concerns grew among immigrant communities in Oulu following reported attacks.— Yle
Common scams
- While not specific to Oulu, be aware of common European scams like overcharging for taxis or minor pickpocketing in crowded tourist areas.
Full briefing
Oulu is a very safe city for travelers, with low crime rates and a high degree of personal security. The city consistently ranks well on global safety indicators, reflecting strong rule of law and low violent crime. Most residents and visitors report feeling safe walking alone both in daylight and after dark.
However, recent isolated incidents of unprovoked stabbings, some targeting foreign nationals, warrant a heightened level of awareness. Police have investigated multiple such incidents throughout 2026, with one report noting over 100 tips received regarding cyclist stabbings. While these appear to be isolated events, it is prudent to remain vigilant, particularly when walking alone in less populated areas or after dark.
Travelers should exercise normal security precautions, similar to those taken in any European city. Be aware of your surroundings, especially in quieter districts or during nighttime hours. Additionally, February can bring heavy snow and ice, which may disrupt travel, so staying informed about weather conditions is advisable.
Was this Oulu, Finland report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 6 Oulu districts for visitors: 4 safer, 2 needing caution. See them plotted on the Oulu safety map.
HaukipudascautionWhile generally safe, recent reports of isolated incidents warrant increased vigilance.
KiiminkicautionLargely residential, but be aware of your surroundings, especially after dark.
Oulu City CentresaferGenerally safe with low crime rates, but exercise standard precautions.
LinnanmaasaferHome to the university, it's a safe area with a student population.
KaakkurisaferA residential area with a low crime rate, considered safe for visitors.
NuottasaarisaferThis district is primarily residential and generally safe.
07 · After Dark
Is Oulu safe at night?
87% of people in Finland say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).
Worry about mugging or robbery is low, and violent crime is not considered a major local problem.
After dark, be most careful around Haukipudas, Kiiminki. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Oulu safety FAQ (2026)
Is Oulu safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Oulu is a very safe city for travelers, with low crime rates and a high degree of personal security. Oulu ranks exceptionally well on global safety indicators, reflecting strong rule of law and low violent crime. While most visitors report feeling safe, recent isolated incidents of unprovoked stabbings warrant heightened awareness, particularly for foreign nationals. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Is Oulu safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Oulu report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Oulu should tourists avoid?
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
What are the most common scams in Oulu (2026)?
- While not specific to Oulu, be aware of common European scams like overcharging for taxis or minor pickpocketing in crowded tourist areas.
How does Oulu compare with other places in Finland (2026)?
Oulu ranks #6 of 6 Finland destinations we've assessed, scoring 92/100. See the Finland safety overview for the full list.
How is this oulu safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: oulu.json (CC BY 4.0).