Statistically, Denmark is one of the safest countries in the world, which means that visitors have little to worry about in terms of crime and that women need not fear harassment in public as much as they do in the United States. Still, if you’re visiting this Scandinavian country, follow some basic safety precautions so you don’t give petty thieves an easy target.
The UK government notes that in recent years, pickpockets and purse snatchers have started operating in crowded areas of Denmark, such as train stations and shopping malls. There have also been some recent violent clashes between motorcycle gangs and local groups, particularly in the capital Copenhagen.
Although these are generally local conflicts that are unlikely to affect tourists, it is good to know which areas you may want to avoid. If you need help, dial 112, the country’s toll-free emergency number that you can use to request help.
Safety tips for visiting Copenhagen
Considering that Copenhagen is such a large and busy city, it is surprising to consider its low crime rates compared to other European capitals. According to Bustle, for example, Copenhagen had a rate of just 0.3 homicides per 100,000 residents, making it safer than Madrid, Vienna, Berlin, Amsterdam, Prague, and Bucharest.
However, just like with any other destination, you need to keep an eye on your wallet or purse. Although not particularly common, pickpockets and other petty criminals operate in many tourist attractions, train stations (especially in the city’s main train station, Nørreport Station), and on its main shopping street Strøget, as well as on other popular areas with tourists such as Christiania, Nyhavn and Kongens Nytorv.
Thieves are also known to operate in busy hotel lobbies and in coffee shops and restaurants. so keep your personal belongings, including passports and money, safe when in those areas of Copenhagen.
Safety tips for visiting Aarhus
Aarhus (Århus), Denmark’s second largest city, is located on the east coast of the Jutland Peninsula, about 116 miles northwest of Copenhagen and is known as one of the safest cities in the world, especially for tourists .
This is a destination where you don’t have to worry about being shot, robbed, or even robbed as long as you remember a few basic travel tips and keep your purse and wallet in sight, especially when attending busy festivals. summer in the city.
The nightlife in Aarhus is also much safer than the club scenes of many other European cities, with policemen constantly patrolling the streets on weekends. Almost everyone is friendly here too, so if you get lost, just ask a passerby for directions, they’ll be happy to help.
Safety tips in other areas of Denmark
Rural areas in Denmark are very quiet, but they can be a bit less safe than urban areas, not in terms of crime, but in cases where you may need help for other reasons, such as a medical emergency or a car accident.
Many residents in rural areas do not speak or understand English well enough to help you with a security problem, and emergency response times from police and ambulances can be slower in these regions.
On the positive side, accidents in rural Denmark are rare and there is almost no crime. If you have a flashlight on hand and a pack of supplies (such as food, water, and blankets) in the car for emergencies, always use your headlights and seat belts, you should be able to travel throughout Denmark without fear of harm.
