Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionin the Netherlands due to terrorism. Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in the Netherlands.”
Updated Tue, 18 Aug 2026
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Is Rotterdam safe? 🇳🇱
Netherlands · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Rotterdam scores 87/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes. Rotterdam is very safe for visitors, with low violent crime and strong infrastructure, though petty theft and isolated incidents require standard precautions. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Rotterdam 🇳🇱
The Netherlands · Assessed 13 October 2026
87
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime79/100GoodCrime index 30.1 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment82/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories75Good
Stability85Good
Health93Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
No advisory against travel
“Check separate travel advice pages for advice on travel to the constituent countries and special municipalities in the Dutch Caribbean. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe.”
Updated 2026-10-07T12:45:25Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for Netherlands: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-10-09T10:18:33.7173554-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Urban scale factor
868k residents
69
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
0.7 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Netherlands0.7World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
97
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging risk is low; occasional incidents occur near Rotterdam Centraal station at night but are rare
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing happens in crowded trams, metro stations, and markets like Markthal, especially during rush hour
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
82/100
Reported feel71Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Visitors report feeling safe during the day in central areas, with some unease at night near transport hubs; overall sentiment reflects confidence in the city's safety.
Yes. Rotterdam is very safe for visitors, with low violent crime and strong infrastructure, though petty theft and isolated incidents require standard precautions.
Rotterdam's homicide rate is 0.7 per 100k and terrorism deaths are zero, reflecting strong safety fundamentals. Visitor surveys show 61/100 feel safe walking alone at night and 81/100 in daylight, indicating moderate night-time caution. Recent dockworker protests and port-related incidents are localized and do not broadly affect tourist areas.
Recent developments
- Aug 2026Explosion at the Dutch port of Rotterdam left one dead and several injured— NBC News
- Aug 2026Two injured and a 26-year-old arrested after a stabbing in Rotterdam— NL Times
- Jul 2026Morocco World Cup celebrations triggered unrest in Rotterdam, leading to 29 arrests— NL Times
- Aug 2026Dockworkers struck at Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Zeeland ports, causing localized disruptions— WorldCargo News
Common scams
- Fake charity collectors near Central Station
- Overpriced taxi rides from the airport
- Distraction thefts in crowded markets like Markthal
Full briefing
Rotterdam remains a secure destination for travelers, with violent crime infrequent and emergency services responsive. The port explosion in August 2026 was an isolated industrial incident with no link to tourism, and the stabbing that same month occurred in a non-tourist area following a personal dispute. Dockworker strikes have caused temporary disruptions at port access points but do not affect city centers, museums, or major attractions like the Cube Houses or Erasmus Bridge. Pickpocketing remains the most common concern, particularly on tram lines 21 and 24 and around Rotterdam Centraal during peak hours, so securing belongings is advised. Nighttime safety is generally good in well-lit districts such as Kralingen and Delfshaven, though visitors should exercise usual caution near station areas after midnight. Using licensed transport and staying alert in crowded spaces will ensure a smooth visit.
Was this Rotterdam, The Netherlands report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Rotterdam districts for visitors: 4 safer, 3 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Rotterdam safety map.
FeijenoordavoidHigher incidence of drug-related crime and occasional violence; avoid Kop van Zuid after dark unless with a group.
CentrumcautionBusy city centre; pickpocketing reported near markets and transport hubs, especially during events.
CharloiscautionMixed area; some streets see drug activity and vandalism; exercise caution at night, avoid poorly lit side streets.
HoogvlietcautionReports of occasional disturbances and property crime; avoid isolated parks after dark; remain vigilant near transit points.
Kralingen-CrooswijksaferAffluent residential area with low crime; popular with students and families; well-lit and patrolled.
DelfshavensaferHistoric district with low violent crime; safe by day; remain alert for petty theft in tourist zones.
OverschiesaferQuieter residential zone; low crime rates; good for families; minimal reported incidents recently.
AlexandersaferSuburban northeast; low violent crime; well-connected by transit; petty theft possible near shopping areas.
07 · After Dark
Is Rotterdam safe at night?
Mugging risk is low; occasional incidents occur near Rotterdam Centraal station at night but are rare
After dark, be most careful around Feijenoord, Centrum, Charlois, Hoogvliet. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Rotterdam safety FAQ (2026)
Is Rotterdam safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Rotterdam is very safe for visitors, with low violent crime and strong infrastructure, though petty theft and isolated incidents require standard precautions. Rotterdam's homicide rate is 0.7 per 100k and terrorism deaths are zero, reflecting strong safety fundamentals. Visitor surveys show 61/100 feel safe walking alone at night and 81/100 in daylight, indicating moderate night-time caution. Recent dockworker protests and port-related incidents are localized and do not broadly affect tourist areas. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Is Rotterdam safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Feijenoord as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Rotterdam (2026)?
- Fake charity collectors near Central Station
- Overpriced taxi rides from the airport
- Distraction thefts in crowded markets like Markthal
How does Rotterdam compare with other places in Netherlands (2026)?
Rotterdam ranks #9 of 9 Netherlands destinations we've assessed, scoring 87/100. See the Netherlands safety overview for the full list.
How is this rotterdam safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 14+ 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: rotterdam.json (CC BY 4.0).