Exercise Normal Precautions
“There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated.”
Updated Tue, 05 May 2026
Full advisory →Is Selfoss safe? 🇮🇸
Iceland · Safety report last updated
As of August 2026, Selfoss scores 93/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes — Selfoss is among the safest towns in Iceland for visitors. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Selfoss 🇮🇸
Iceland · Assessed 5 August 2026
93
/ 100
Yes — very safe
Safer than ~98% of countries
What drives this score
Crime87/100GoodCrime index 25.5 / 100
Sentiment89/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories97Good
Stability88Good
Health93Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
No advisory against travel
“Volcanic eruptions Recently there has been a series of volcanic eruptions on the Reykjanes peninsula in south-west Iceland. For more details see Extreme weather and natural disasters.”
Updated 2026-04-20T13:28:01Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for Iceland: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Mugging & robbery risk
Low risk
92
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
70
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
92 / 100 (Mostly positive)
92
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
9k residents
92
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
1.3 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Iceland1.3World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
92
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging or armed robbery is extremely rare; isolated incidents have not been reported in Selfoss
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing occurs in busy spots like the town centre and near waterfalls, targeting tourists with bags or backpacks
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
89/100
Reported feel92Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Visitors report feeling very safe walking around Selfoss during daylight, with occasional concerns about pickpockets in crowded spots
Yes — Selfoss is among the safest towns in Iceland for visitors.
Selfoss enjoys a very low crime rate, excellent emergency services, and stable environmental conditions, making it highly secure for travelers.
Recent developments
- Jun 2026Selfoss Pool Slide Closed Over Safety Concerns— Iceland Review
- Jun 2026Six Romanian Nationals Arrested Over Pickpocketing at South Iceland Attractions— Iceland Review
- May 2025Emergency response in Öræfasveit improves safety for residents and tourists— Ísland.is
- Dec 2022Security cameras and blinking signs installed in Selfoss town centre— Iceland Monitor
Common scams
- Pickpocketing at popular tourist sites
- Fake guided tours and unauthorized rentals
Full briefing
Selfoss is a compact, low‑crime town where violent incidents are virtually nonexistent; mugging or armed robbery is rated Low and no recent cases have been documented. Pickpocketing, however, is the primary concern for visitors, with a Moderate risk concentrated around the town centre, the geothermal pool and popular waterfall viewpoints—always keep bags zipped and valuables out of sight. Recent dossier items confirm a June 2026 police bust of six Romanian suspects linked to tourist pickpocketing and the closure of the Selfoss pool slide due to safety worries, underscoring that while the environment is calm, opportunistic theft does occur. Travel health notices are limited to global vaccine warnings, and air quality remains excellent (US AQI 28), while the CDC’s current alerts do not affect Iceland. The official U.S., UK and Canadian advisories sit at Level 1—exercise normal precautions—reflecting only routine vigilance. Recent weather data from WhereandWhen.net shows August temperatures averaging 11 °C with frequent rain, so pack waterproof layers and check the Icelandic Met Office daily for sudden shifts. Finally, use only licensed rental companies, avoid unmarked “guided” tours, and stay informed of any volcanic or seismic alerts, but overall Selfoss offers a very safe environment for travelers who follow these simple precautions.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Selfoss districts for visitors: 5 safer, 2 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Selfoss safety map.
SveinbjarnarkirkjaavoidIsolated area with recent reports of trespassing on private land and unsafe hiking near unmarked cliffs
Selfoss town centrecautionPetty theft and pickpocketing reported in busy tourist spots, especially during summer festivals
BjargircautionOutskirts near hiking trails see occasional wildlife‑related accidents
HrunamannafarsaferQuiet residential area with low crime and well‑lit streets
Sundlaug Selfoss neighbourhoodsaferHome to the geothermal pool and family‑friendly facilities; minimal incidents
KrossavogursaferIndustrial zone with limited foot traffic; no recent safety concerns
EyvindarstadirsaferRural fringe with low population density and negligible crime
HoltavogursaferQuiet suburb with good street lighting and active community watch
07 · After Dark
Is Selfoss safe at night?
90% of people in Iceland say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2024).
Mugging or armed robbery is extremely rare; isolated incidents have not been reported in Selfoss
After dark, be most careful around Sveinbjarnarkirkja, Selfoss town centre, Bjargir. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Score by traveller type
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Selfoss's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight91
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight92
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight92
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight91
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight92
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight92
09 · Questions
Selfoss safety FAQ
Is Selfoss safe for tourists right now?
Yes — Selfoss is among the safest towns in Iceland for visitors. Selfoss enjoys a very low crime rate, excellent emergency services, and stable environmental conditions, making it highly secure for travelers. (Assessed 5 August 2026.)
Which areas of Selfoss should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Sveinbjarnarkirkja as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Selfoss?
- Pickpocketing at popular tourist sites
- Fake guided tours and unauthorized rentals
How does Selfoss compare with other places in Iceland?
Selfoss ranks #2 of 7 Iceland destinations we've assessed, scoring 93/100. See the Iceland safety overview for the full list.
How is this Selfoss safety score calculated?
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
More Iceland reports
6 reportsNearby destinations
4 reportsSimilar safety profile
4 reportsBrowse the Iceland safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: selfoss.json (CC BY 4.0).