No advisory against travel
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Updated 2026-10-07T12:53:50Z
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Is Uppsala safe? 🇸🇪
Sweden · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Uppsala scores 87/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes. Uppsala remains one of Sweden's safest cities for visitors despite national concerns about gang-related violence. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Uppsala 🇸🇪
Sweden · Assessed 13 October 2026
87
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime79/100GoodCrime index 42.9 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment85/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories75Good
Stability88Good
Health93Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for Sweden: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-09-24T08:53:35.4288253-04:00
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
79 / 100 (Mostly positive)
79
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
177k residents
84
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
1.1 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Sweden1.1World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
93
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging and armed robbery are uncommon for visitors; isolated incidents occur near Uppsala Central Station late at night
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing happens in crowded areas like the market square and on buses, especially during peak hours
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
85/100
Reported feel79Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Visitors report feeling safe walking alone in daylight, with confidence dropping after dark but remaining higher than national averages due to low violent crime against tourists
Yes. Uppsala remains one of Sweden's safest cities for visitors despite national concerns about gang-related violence.
Uppsala benefits from strong institutions, low homicide rates, and minimal everyday hazards, though visitors should stay alert in crowded areas and near the central station where petty theft occurs. Gang-related shootings reported in 2024-2025 were isolated criminal incidents not targeting tourists, and the city maintains a high sense of security during daylight hours.
Recent developments
- Apr 2025Teen detained after three killed in Uppsala shooting near a hair salon— The Guardian
- Apr 2025Suspect arrested after three killed in Uppsala gun attack— DW.com
- May 2025Teen detained after triple murder at Sweden hair salon is freed; four men arrested— CBS News
Common scams
- Fake charity collectors near Uppsala Cathedral
- Overpriced taxi rides from the train station
Full briefing
Uppsala’s compact city centre sees steady foot traffic from students and tourists, with violent crime rare in visitor zones. The April 2025 shooting near a central hair salon shocked locals but was linked to criminal networks, not random attacks on the public. Police presence increased afterward, and no similar incidents have been reported since. Daytime exploration of the university buildings, botanical gardens, and historic churches carries minimal risk.
Pickpocketing remains the most likely issue, particularly around Uppsala Central Station and the Saturday market in the main square. Buses during rush hour are also targeted; keeping bags zipped and front-facing reduces vulnerability. Licensed taxis are readily available outside the station, though some drivers may overcharge unfamiliar passengers — using apps or agreeing on fares beforehand avoids disputes.
After dark, the Fyris River paths and poorly lit alleys near the train station see fewer people and slightly higher opportunistic theft. Sticking to well-lit routes like Svartbäcksgatan or Dragarbrunnsgatan ensures safer evening walks. Most visitors describe feeling secure during the day, and the city’s strong social trust contributes to a calm atmosphere despite national headlines about gang violence elsewhere in Sweden.
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06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Uppsala districts for visitors: 5 safer, 3 needing caution. See them plotted on the Uppsala safety map.
GottsundacautionHigher-density suburb with occasional gang-related activity; avoid isolated areas after dark.
BoländernacautionIndustrial zone with sporadic vandalism and theft; low foot traffic at night increases risk.
KvarngärdetcautionMixed-use area with recent reports of drug-related loitering; exercise caution after 22:00.
Uppsala City Centre (Domkyrkan area)saferWell-patrolled historic core with low violent crime; pickpocketing possible in crowded areas like Stora Torget.
FålhagensaferResidential area north of centre with strong community safety; minimal reported incidents.
SävjasaferQuiet eastern residential district with low crime rates and good lighting; popular with families.
LunsensaferGreen, affluent area near Uppsala University; very low incident reports and high perceived safety.
ÅlidhemsaferStudent-heavy neighbourhood with active campus security; petty theft possible but rare violence.
07 · After Dark
Is Uppsala 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 uncommon for visitors; isolated incidents occur near Uppsala Central Station late at night
After dark, be most careful around Gottsunda, Boländerna, Kvarngärdet. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Uppsala safety FAQ (2026)
Is Uppsala safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Uppsala remains one of Sweden's safest cities for visitors despite national concerns about gang-related violence. Uppsala benefits from strong institutions, low homicide rates, and minimal everyday hazards, though visitors should stay alert in crowded areas and near the central station where petty theft occurs. Gang-related shootings reported in 2024-2025 were isolated criminal incidents not targeting tourists, and the city maintains a high sense of security during daylight hours. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Is Uppsala safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Uppsala 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 Uppsala should tourists avoid?
Gottsunda (after dark); Boländerna (at night); Kvarngärdet (late night). See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Uppsala (2026)?
- Fake charity collectors near Uppsala Cathedral
- Overpriced taxi rides from the train station
How does Uppsala compare with other places in Sweden (2026)?
Uppsala ranks #2 of 5 Sweden destinations we've assessed, scoring 87/100. See the Sweden safety overview for the full list.
How is this uppsala 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: uppsala.json (CC BY 4.0).