Exercise Increased Caution
“There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated.”
Updated Mon, 18 May 2026
Full advisory →Is Gothenburg safe? 🇸🇪
Sweden · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Gothenburg scores 86/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes — Gothenburg is one of Europe’s safest cities for visitors. 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
Gothenburg 🇸🇪
Sweden · Assessed 29 July 2026
86
/ 100
Yes — very safe
Safer than ~93% of countries
What drives this score
Crime84/100GoodCrime index 45.8 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment86/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories72Good
Stability81Good
Health96Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
No advisory against travel
“Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.”
Updated 2026-04-20T13:30:51Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for Sweden: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-07-13T14:53:10.4800879-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging and armed robbery are rare for tourists and virtually absent in the city centre; incidents are confined to peripheral suburbs with known gang activity.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing is the most common visitor risk, concentrated in Central Station, Nordstan mall and busy tram corridors, especially during summer festivals and weekends.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
86/100
Reported feel84Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveller reports on Reddit and niche travel forums consistently describe feeling safe while walking downtown, using public transport and staying in central districts, with only minor concerns about petty theft.
Yes — Gothenburg is one of Europe’s safest cities for visitors.
Gothenburg’s composite safety index of 86/100 and low homicide, traffic‑death, and violent‑crime rates confirm it is markedly safer than most countries; however, gang activity in certain suburbs and seasonal pickpocketing in crowded venues present localized risks.
Recent developments
- May 2026Police reported a gang‑related shooting in the Angered district that resulted in one fatality; the incident occurred near Hammarkullen metro station and prompted a temporary increase in patrols.— NL Times
- Jun 2026A spike in pickpocketing complaints was recorded at Nordstan shopping centre during the summer music festival, with 12 reported cases in one weekend.— Travel Safe - Abroad (June 2026 article)
- Jul 2026Authorities issued a warning about unlicensed taxi operators charging up to 800 kr for short rides from the central station, prompting a city‑wide crackdown.— Travel Safe - Abroad (July 2026 safety rating)
Common scams
- Fake or unlicensed taxis overcharging tourists
- Pickpocketing at Nordstan shopping centre and Central Station
- Overpriced street‑food or souvenir scams targeting summer crowds
Full briefing
Safety Briefing
Gothenburg earns a composite safety index of 86 / 100, placing it well above the global average and safer than 93 % of countries. Homicide, traffic‑fatality and overall violent‑crime rates are extremely low, and the city benefits from strong rule‑of‑law scores, excellent emergency‑health infrastructure and consistently good air quality. Government travel advisories from the U.S., U.K. and Canada all sit at “Exercise Increased Caution” or “High Degree of Caution,” reflecting normal urban vigilance rather than acute danger.
The most relevant current risk for visitors is petty crime. A May 2026 gang‑related shooting in the Angered suburb (reported by NL Times) illustrates that some outer neighborhoods experience higher levels of violent gang activity, but these incidents are isolated and do not spill over into the city centre or tourist zones. More immediate concerns are the moderate pickpocketing rates documented in June 2026 at Nordstan shopping centre during a summer music festival, and a July 2026 crackdown on unlicensed taxi operators who were overcharging tourists from the central station. Both trends are captured in recent travel‑safety articles and local news feeds.
Overall, travellers report feeling safe walking alone after dark in the historic downtown, the riverfront and the Liseberg amusement area, with 76 % of respondents saying they feel secure in UN SDG surveys. The city’s high‑trust environment means police presence is visible and response times are swift, especially in central districts. Nonetheless, visitors should treat Gothenburg like any major European city: keep valuables secured, use only licensed taxis or official ride‑share apps, and stay aware of their surroundings in crowded spots such as Central Station, Nordstan and popular tram routes. By following these simple precautions, most travelers can enjoy Gothenburg’s canals, design shops and archipelago excursions without incident.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Gothenburg districts for visitors: 3 safer, 3 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Gothenburg safety map.
AngeredavoidHigh gang violence and drug activity; recent 12 shootings in 2023, 3 fatalities, avoid all times especially after 22:00 near Hammarkullen metro
RannebergenavoidNoted vulnerable area with elevated gun crime; police advise against lingering after dark
LindholmencautionIndustrial zone with late-night activity; avoid after dark due to isolated warehouses and limited lighting
BergsjöncautionSuburban area with occasional anti-social behaviour; safe during daylight but avoid isolated parks after dark
HjällbocautionKnown for social tensions; pickpocketing reported near schools and transit hubs, remain alert
City Centre (Kungsportsplatsen)saferHigh foot traffic, heavy police presence, well-lit streets; pickpocketing risk only in crowded areas like Nordstan
LinnébergsaferQuiet residential area with strong community presence; no recent incidents reported
HagasaferHistoric cobblestone district popular with tourists; low crime, but watch for pickpockets near main squares
07 · After Dark
Is Gothenburg safe at night?
76% of people in Sweden say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2024).
Mugging and armed robbery are rare for tourists and virtually absent in the city centre; incidents are confined to peripheral suburbs with known gang activity.
After dark, be most careful around Angered, Rannebergen, Lindholmen, Bergsjön. 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 Gothenburg's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight85
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight86
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight87
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight85
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight87
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight85
09 · Questions
Gothenburg safety FAQ
Is Gothenburg safe for tourists right now?
Yes — Gothenburg is one of Europe’s safest cities for visitors. Gothenburg’s composite safety index of 86/100 and low homicide, traffic‑death, and violent‑crime rates confirm it is markedly safer than most countries; however, gang activity in certain suburbs and seasonal pickpocketing in crowded venues present localized risks. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Which areas of Gothenburg should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Angered, Rannebergen as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Gothenburg?
- Fake or unlicensed taxis overcharging tourists
- Pickpocketing at Nordstan shopping centre and Central Station
- Overpriced street‑food or souvenir scams targeting summer crowds
How does Gothenburg compare with other places in Sweden?
Gothenburg ranks #5 of 5 Sweden destinations we've assessed, scoring 86/100. See the Sweden safety overview for the full list.
How is this Gothenburg 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 Sweden reports
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4 reportsBrowse the Sweden safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: gothenburg.json (CC BY 4.0).