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Updated 2026-10-07T12:46:52Z
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Is Stavanger safe? 🇳🇴
Norway · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Stavanger scores 92/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes. Stavanger is one of Norway's safest cities for visitors, with very low violent crime and strong public safety infrastructure. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Stavanger 🇳🇴
Norway · Assessed 13 October 2026
92
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime84/100GoodCrime index 28.9 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment86/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories100Good
Stability90Good
Health94Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for Norway: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-10-09T10:26:54.7057512-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Mugging & robbery risk
Low risk
92
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
82 / 100 (Mostly positive)
82
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 rare; isolated incidents may occur near nightlife areas after dark but pose minimal risk to visitors.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching happen occasionally in crowded spots such as Stavanger sentrum, Øvre Holmegate, and during peak tourist season at ferry docks.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
86/100
Reported feel82Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Visitors consistently report feeling safe walking alone during daylight hours, with slightly lower but still strong confidence at night, reflecting low perceived threat in daily interactions.
Yes. Stavanger is one of Norway's safest cities for visitors, with very low violent crime and strong public safety infrastructure.
Stavanger benefits from Norway's exceptionally low homicide rate (0.7 per 100k) and strong governance indicators, resulting in a composite safety index of 93/100. While petty theft can occur in tourist areas, violent crime against visitors is rare. The city maintains high standards in air quality, healthcare access, and emergency services.
Recent developments
- Jul 2026Gyrocopters flying over Preikestolen startled hikers and tourists, prompting local safety concerns about unregulated aerial activity near popular trails— Newsinenglish.no
- Jun 2026Norwegian teenager accused of flying to UK on alleged hitman job for Iran-linked gang, drawing attention to extremist recruitment risks though no local violence occurred— Sky News
Common scams
- Taxi overcharging
- Fake charity collectors near tourist sites
Full briefing
Stavanger remains exceptionally safe for travelers, with violent crime virtually absent and public order well maintained. The city’s compact size and strong social cohesion contribute to low incident rates, particularly in residential and tourist zones. While the dossier notes isolated concerns — such as unregulated gyrocopter flights over Preikestolen in July 2026 that disturbed hikers — these reflect niche activity rather than broad safety threats. Similarly, international legal cases involving Norwegian nationals abroad do not indicate elevated risk within the city itself.
Petty theft remains the most relevant concern for visitors, especially in high-traffic areas like Stavanger sentrum, the colorful Øvre Holmegate street, and near ferry terminals during peak season. Licensed taxis are recommended to avoid overcharging, and valuables should be kept out of sight in crowded settings. Air quality is excellent, medical facilities are accessible, and natural hazards pose minimal risk in October, though hikers should prepare for sudden weather changes on trails like Preikestolen. Overall, Stavanger offers a secure environment where standard urban precautions suffice.
Was this Stavanger, Norway report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Stavanger districts for visitors: 5 safer, 2 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Stavanger safety map.
ØlensvågavoidIndustrial zone with limited lighting and infrequent patrols; higher risk of theft and antisocial behaviour after dark.
MadlacautionResidential district with higher property crime reports; avoid walking alone late at night.
HillevågcautionMixed residential area; increased bike thefts and occasional vandalism noted in local reports.
Stavanger sentrum (city centre)saferWell-patrolled, low violent crime; watch for pickpockets in busy areas like Øvre Holmegate.
VågensaferHarbour area with restaurants and hotels; generally safe day and night, standard precautions for belongings.
Gamle Stavanger (Old Stavanger)saferHistoric wooden houses area; very low crime, popular with tourists, safe at all hours.
KvadraturensaferGrid-plan central district; strong police presence, safe for walking day and night.
JåttåvågensaferModern residential area near university; low crime, well-maintained, popular with students and families.
07 · After Dark
Is Stavanger safe at night?
Mugging and armed robbery are rare; isolated incidents may occur near nightlife areas after dark but pose minimal risk to visitors.
After dark, be most careful around Ølensvåg, Madla, Hillevåg. 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 Norway's safest cities for visitors, with very low violent crime and strong public safety infrastructure. Stavanger benefits from Norway's exceptionally low homicide rate (0.7 per 100k) and strong governance indicators, resulting in a composite safety index of 93/100. While petty theft can occur in tourist areas, violent crime against visitors is rare. The city maintains high standards in air quality, healthcare access, and emergency services. (Assessed 13 October 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 Ølensvåg as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Stavanger (2026)?
- Taxi overcharging
- Fake charity collectors near tourist sites
How does Stavanger compare with other places in Norway (2026)?
Stavanger ranks #5 of 9 Norway destinations we've assessed, scoring 92/100. See the Norway safety overview for the full list.
How is this stavanger 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: stavanger.json (CC BY 4.0).