Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionin Sweden due to terrorism. There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Sweden.”
Updated Mon, 18 May 2026
Full advisory →Is Uppsala safe? 🇸🇪
Sweden · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Uppsala scores 88/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes — Uppsala is very safe for visitors, with only low‑level petty crime to watch for. 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
Uppsala 🇸🇪
Sweden · Assessed 29 July 2026
88
/ 100
Yes — very safe
Safer than ~94% of countries
What drives this score
Crime84/100GoodCrime index 47.8 / 100
Sentiment86/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories72Good
Stability86Good
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
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 rare for tourists and mainly confined to peripheral suburbs; city centre is low‑risk
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing is the most common visitor risk, especially around Uppsala Central Station, markets and during festivals
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
Recent traveler reports indicate visitors feel comfortable walking during daylight; nighttime confidence drops slightly in peripheral zones but remains high overall.
Yes — Uppsala is very safe for visitors, with only low‑level petty crime to watch for.
Uppsala’s composite safety index of 88 places it well above the global average, and recent data show low homicide, terrorism, and violent‑crime scores. The city is generally secure, though isolated incidents of gang‑related shootings have occurred in suburban districts.
Recent developments
- Apr 2025Three people killed in a shooting at a hair salon in Uppsala; police arrested a 16‑year‑old suspect— The Guardian
- Mar 2024Uppsala shooting during Walpurgis festival left two dead; sparked national debate on gang violence— BBC
- Feb 2026Local authorities issued a reminder of the terrorism advisory after a series of bomb‑threat hoaxes in the city centre— Uppsala universitet press release
Common scams
- Pickpocketing in crowded tourist spots and at the central station
- Overpriced restaurant bills and menu‑item mis‑charges
- Fake charity collectors and unsolicited street vendors
Full briefing
Uppsala is one of Sweden’s safest cities, reflected in its very high composite safety index (88/100) and low homicide rate (1.1 per 100 k). The latest government advisories (U.S. Level 2, Canada “high degree of caution”) cite only a general terrorism warning; there are no active disaster alerts, and air quality is excellent (AQI 24). Recent news from the dossier confirms a few high‑profile violent incidents in 2024‑2025 — a shooting during the Walpurgis festival and a 2025 hair‑salon attack — both confined to suburban areas and not targeting tourists. Pickpocketing remains the most frequent visitor‑related crime, especially around the central station, markets and during crowded events; robbery and armed mugging are rare and limited to peripheral neighborhoods.
The city’s neighborhoods vary only modestly in safety. The historic centre around the Cathedral and university is heavily patrolled and well‑lit, making it the safest zone for night‑time walks. Areas such as Luthagen and Fålhagen are consistently ranked as the most secure residential districts, while some outer suburbs (e.g., parts of Gränby and Sala Backe) have seen occasional gang‑related disturbances but remain low‑risk for visitors who stay in well‑traveled zones. Travelers should keep valuables in front pockets, use licensed transport, and avoid poorly lit side streets after dark.
Practical safety tips: lock doors in accommodation, stay aware of your surroundings in busy tourist spots, and heed the current terrorism advisory by avoiding large, unsanctioned gatherings. By following these steps you can enjoy Uppsala’s museums, parks and student‑town vibe with confidence.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 5 Uppsala districts for visitors: 3 safer, 2 needing caution. See them plotted on the Uppsala safety map.
GränbycautionGenerally safe but some pockets see occasional gang‑related activity after dark
Sala BackecautionPopular with students; stay alert in nightlife zones and avoid poorly lit alleys
Fyrklangens parksaferQuiet residential area with low crime, well‑lit streets and frequent police patrols
LuthagensaferFamily‑friendly suburb, consistently ranked among Uppsala’s safest districts
FålhagensaferSecure neighbourhood with strong community presence and visible municipal policing
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 rare for tourists and mainly confined to peripheral suburbs; city centre is low‑risk
After dark, be most careful around Gränby, Sala Backe. 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 Uppsala's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight87
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight87
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight88
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight87
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight89
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight87
09 · Questions
Uppsala safety FAQ
Is Uppsala safe for tourists right now?
Yes — Uppsala is very safe for visitors, with only low‑level petty crime to watch for. Uppsala’s composite safety index of 88 places it well above the global average, and recent data show low homicide, terrorism, and violent‑crime scores. The city is generally secure, though isolated incidents of gang‑related shootings have occurred in suburban districts. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Which areas of Uppsala should tourists avoid?
Gränby (certain peripheral blocks after dark); Sala Backe (nightlife zones after 01:00). See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Uppsala?
- Pickpocketing in crowded tourist spots and at the central station
- Overpriced restaurant bills and menu‑item mis‑charges
- Fake charity collectors and unsolicited street vendors
How does Uppsala compare with other places in Sweden?
Uppsala ranks #1 of 5 Sweden destinations we've assessed, scoring 88/100. See the Sweden safety overview for the full list.
How is this Uppsala safety score calculated?
The score blends 13+ 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.
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4 reportsBrowse the Sweden safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: uppsala.json (CC BY 4.0).