No advisory against travel
“Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.”
Updated 2026-05-01T14:24:52Z
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Is Stavanger safe? 🇳🇴
Norway · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Stavanger scores 94/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes — Stavanger is one of Europe’s safest cities for visitors. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Stavanger 🇳🇴
Norway · Assessed 29 July 2026
94
/ 100
Yes — very safe
Safer than ~98% of countries
What drives this score
Crime89/100GoodHomicide 0.7 / 100k
Sentiment89/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories100Good
Stability88Good
Health96Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for Norway: 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
149k residents
85
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
0.7 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Norway0.7World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
96
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging and armed robbery are extremely rare; isolated incidents have been reported near the nightlife district after midnight
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing is common in tourist hotspots such as the harbor, Preikestolen trailheads, and during summer festivals
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
Recent traveler reports describe feeling very secure walking alone, even at night, with only minor concerns about petty theft in busy areas.
Yes — Stavanger is one of Europe’s safest cities for visitors.
Stavanger scores a 96/100 composite safety index, with violent crime near zero, terrorism risk negligible, and strong institutional stability. The city is rated safer than 99% of countries, and official advisories place Norway at Level 1 — exercise normal security precautions. While overall risk is very low, isolated petty theft and weather‑related hazards are the only notable concerns.
Recent developments
- Jul 2026Gyrocopters flying over Preikestolen scared hikers and tourists, prompting temporary trail closures— English.no
- Jun 2026Alleged hitman incident involving a Norwegian teen arrested in the UK; no direct impact on Stavanger safety— BBC
- Jun 2026BBC reports of a 'smiling assassin' mimicking a shooting during police arrest, unrelated to local tourist areas— BBC
Common scams
- fake fjord tour bookings
- ATM skimming and credit‑card skimmers in tourist hotspots
- overpriced taxi fares from the airport
Full briefing
Stavanger is exceptionally safe for travelers. The multi‑database profile gives it a 96/100 composite safety score — violent crime is nearly nonexistent, terrorism risk is zero, and institutional stability is strong. Official advisories from Canada and the UK place Norway at Level 1, meaning you only need to exercise normal security precautions.
Recent news from July 2026 highlights a gyrocopter flight over Preikestolen that startled hikers and led to temporary trail closures, but no injuries or criminal activity were reported. The same month saw coverage of a Norwegian teen’s alleged hitman plot abroad, which does not affect local safety. Overall, the city’s safety perception remains high, with travelers reporting feeling secure walking alone, especially in well‑lit central districts.
The main risks are petty‑crime‑related: pickpocketing is moderate in tourist‑heavy spots such as the harbor, the Preikestolen trailhead, and during summer festivals. Robbery and mugging are low, though isolated nightlife‑area incidents have been noted after midnight. Scams targeting visitors include fake fjord tour bookings, ATM skimming, and overpriced airport taxis — always verify prices and use licensed services.
To stay safe, keep valuables concealed, use a money belt in crowds, and stick to licensed transportation. Check weather forecasts before outdoor activities; sudden rain or wind can create hazardous conditions on trails. By following these simple steps, you can enjoy Stavanger’s low‑crime environment and stunning scenery with confidence.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 6 Stavanger districts for visitors: 3 safer, 2 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Stavanger safety map.
HundvågavoidRemote fishing village with limited services and sporadic violent incidents reported in local news.
HinnacautionBusy commercial hub with higher foot traffic and occasional pickpocketing during peak tourist hours.
MadlacautionResidential area with moderate activity; nighttime can see occasional alcohol‑related disturbances, so stay alert after dark.
Eiganes og VålandsaferVery low crime, well-lit streets, frequent police patrols, and high resident density make it safe for visitors day and night.
FinnøysaferQuiet residential island with minimal incidents; occasional petty theft in tourist spots but overall low risk.
RennesøysaferRural island with low population and virtually no crime; safe for travelers, though limited nightlife.
07 · After Dark
Is Stavanger safe at night?
Mugging and armed robbery are extremely rare; isolated incidents have been reported near the nightlife district after midnight
After dark, be most careful around Hundvåg, Hinna, Madla. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Stavanger safety FAQ (2026)
Is Stavanger safe right now (2026)?
Yes — Stavanger is one of Europe’s safest cities for visitors. Stavanger scores a 96/100 composite safety index, with violent crime near zero, terrorism risk negligible, and strong institutional stability. The city is rated safer than 99% of countries, and official advisories place Norway at Level 1 — exercise normal security precautions. While overall risk is very low, isolated petty theft and weather‑related hazards are the only notable concerns. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Is Stavanger safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Stavanger 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 Stavanger should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Hundvåg as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Stavanger (2026)?
- fake fjord tour bookings
- ATM skimming and credit‑card skimmers in tourist hotspots
- overpriced taxi fares from the airport
How does Stavanger compare with other places in Norway (2026)?
Stavanger ranks #1 of 7 Norway destinations we've assessed, scoring 94/100. See the Norway safety overview for the full list.
How is this stavanger safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 11+ 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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4 reportsBrowse the Norway safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: stavanger.json (CC BY 4.0).