To prepare for your next trip to the capital of Sweden, you wonder if there are neighborhoods in Stockholm to avoid and where the best areas to stay are.
Indeed, it is complicated to choose an area to stay in Stockholm, especially since its center is made up of 14 islands connected by around fifty bridges between Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea. Furthermore, faced with the insecurity of large European cities, it is legitimate to ask yourself a few questions before choosing your accommodation.
And even though Stockholm is not as dangerous a city as Paris, London ou Rome, it is better to avoid certain neighborhoods. Indeed, it is better to choose your accommodation among the best tourist districts perfectly adapted to your desires and your budget.
To help you, here is a guide accompanied by a map of Stockholm's neighborhoods. This was carried out by synthesizing a lot of information and data on the districts of Stockholm (press articles, statistics and web rankings).
Is Stockholm dangerous in 2024?
Until a few years ago, Stockholm was considered a safe city. But today, unfortunately it is not one of the safest cities in Europe either. Vienna, Valencia, Budapest ou Copenhagen.
Indeed, in 2024, at Numbeo ranking on crime in European cities, Stockholm is in the high average of the ranking with a crime index of 46.15. In addition, crime has increased significantly over the last 3 years.
Un reporter made a comparative study of the crime rates (rapes, murders, burglaries, assaults and car thefts) of Stockholm with those of Paris, Berlin, Rome and Warsaw. The result of his study reveals that except for murders where Paris is at the top, Stockholm has the highest rates for all other crimes.
In fact, there are sensitive areas in the Swedish capital that they call vulnerable zones as Wikipedia explains in the article: Vulnerable areas. Violence and insecurity in these areas alert the population and the government. See the article in Le Monde: Gun violence, a scourge that worries Sweden » or the article in Le Figaro: « Sweden is alarmed by its European record for fatalities by firearm"
This is confirmed on the site. police official from Sweden in a communicated on the massive reinforcement of police officers from other cities towards Stockholm from January 17, 2022. See also the shooting and shooting statistics.
Stockholm dangerous for tourists?
Stockholm is not considered dangerous for tourists. Indeed, visitors can discover the tourist sites of this magnificent city in safety.
However, as in most tourist cities, there can be pickpockets, theft or scams.
And to have peace of mind, it is best to avoid certain areas of Stockholm (see list below) to book their hotel there.
Here are the recommendations published on France Diplomacy for travelers to Sweden:
- In relation to the terrorist risk: “The alert level set by the Swedish authorities is 4 (high), on a scale of 1 to 5.”
- In relation to delinquency: “An increase in acts of violence linked to drug trafficking and organized crime has been observed. It is recommended to be vigilant and avoid going to certain outlying areas of large cities at night. A significant increase in bag thefts has been noted. Travelers are urged to be extra vigilant in the face of pickpockets who are rampant in the centers of large cities (stations, cafes, restaurants, hotels). »
Boroughs of Stockholm
Stockholm is divided into 14 districts (stadsdelsområden) of which you will find the map on Wikipedia :
- Älvsjö
- Bromma
- Enskede-Årsta-Vantör
- Father
- Hägersten-Liljeholmen
- Hässelby-Vällingby
- Kungsholmen
- Normalm
- Östermalm
- Rinkeby-Kista
- Skarholmen
- Sharp neck
- Sodermalm
- Spånga-Tensta
Map of Stockholm neighborhoods
Each arrondissement is itself made up of neighborhoods. To find the best areas to stay in Stockholm below, you can use this map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/zqLwLjfZVAxJw26X8
Neighborhoods in Stockholm to avoid
In the center of Stockholm, there are no security problems and therefore no particular neighborhood to avoid. The only areas that tourists should avoid in Stockholm are the outskirts (see below) as these are less safe areas and too far from tourist sites.
However, even if they are not dangerous during the day, there are 2 other areas to avoid at night because they have posed security problems:
Most dangerous area in Stockholm
The most dangerous neighborhoods in Stockholm are not in the city center but on the outskirts. In fact, it is the area northwest of Stockholm that is the most dangerous (higher crime rates).
In this area, there are 3 dangerous neighborhoods: Tensta, Husby and Rinkeby. See where these 3 neighborhoods are located on the map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/xCoU1AS39tXGwWeJA
Best neighborhoods to stay in Stockholm
It's hard to say which are the best neighborhoods to stay in Stockholm because among its 14 islands, the neighborhoods are all very beautiful and all have their interest.
However, real estate and tourism professionals agree that the best areas in Stockholm would be:
- Gamla Stan (Old Town)
- Östermalm
- Normalm
- Sodermalm
- Söder om Söder
- Djurgården
- Skeppsholmen
- Kungsholmen
- Vasastan
Now, let's take a look at which neighborhood to choose when you want to visit the Swedish capital.
The most touristy district of Stockholm
The ideal for tourists who come to Stockholm is to choose their accommodation as close as possible to the sites to visit. The best area to stay to visit is necessarily the most touristy district of Stockholm: Gamla Stan
gamla stan, this is the old town of Stockholm, one of the oldest preserved medieval towns in Europe.
It is in this area that the majority of the city's tourist attractions are located: the Parliament, the Royal Palace (Kungliga Slot), the Christmas markets, the Nobel Museum, the Cathedral of Stockholm, many shops, pubs and good restaurants.
Right in the heart of Stockholm's waterways, gamla stan is located between the Norrmalm and Södermalm districts (also nice to stay there).
Where to stay in Gamla Stan?
Here is one of the best located hotels in the old town to visit Stockholm on foot: Sven Vintappare Hotel
In my opinion, this is the best location to discover the emblematic sites of Stockholm: The Nobel Museum at 150 meters, the Royal Palace just 5 minutes walk from the hotel and the shopping street of Västerlånggatan at 50 meters.
For tourists who travel with little money, here is a good option: Castanea Old Town Hostel
With good value for money, its ideal geographical location in the Gamla Stan district for a successful tourist stay.
How to visit Stockholm?
Here are 2 convenient ways to visit Stockholm: Stockholm tourist boat ou Stockholm tourist bus
