Finland : Safety by CityOulu is the fourth largest city of Finland located in the region of North Ostrobothnia, Finland on the shores of Bay of Bothnia.
It is believed to be an urban getaway that has a stunning nature and is the meeting point between the Northen part of the country and Southern one through business and technology.
When in Oulu you will find out how much nature and outdoor activities play in the cultural life of the city and locals.
Warnings & Dangers in Oulu
OVERALL RISK: LOW
Overall it can be claimed that it is a safe destination for tourists if all precautions measures will be taken into account and choose wisely your accommodation.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
Transport infrastructure is very developed in the city and as a result, traveling facilities are available everywhere and are claimed to be very safe. Also, the same is believed to be true about the taxi services offered.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
Pickpockets are often met here and therefore it is advisable to keep a close look at your belongings especially on your documents and try if possible not to carry all you have with you but instead store them in a safe place.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
There are no considerable natural disaster risks that can somehow affect you negatively.
MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
There is an increasing number of violent crimes in the city, meaning that in order for you to avoid such unpleasant cases you should opt for not walking alone at night is not so populated places and take all measures to safeguard your possessions as well as yourself.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
Terrorist attacks happening in the city can not be ruled out and the only solution to this would be to follow the advice of public authorities. These will take care of you and diminish as much as possible the negative effect it can have on you.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
There are scammers in the city but these could be easily avoided through using your common sense and not being easily influenced. If you feel the pressure from a person regarding a decision report it immediately and get rid of that person as soon as possible.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
This is definitely a safe place for solo traveling women and only if taken into account all precautions measures and not walk alone in the dark part of the day and not so safe part of the cities.
So... How Safe Is Oulu Really?
Overall it is a safe destination for you as a tourist from almost all perspectives, but it is advisable to take all measures in order to preserve your safety and security.
In recent years with the development of tourism in the city the cases of robberies, thefts, and crime, in general, have increased, which means that you as a tourist should choose wisely your accommodation which will ensure your safety.
Be aware of a big gang of pickpockets that operate in the most populated areas of the city and keep a close look at your belongings, especially your documents.
Also, it is recommended to always have a mobile phone from which in case of emergency you will be able to call as well as have a list of numbers.
Even if it is claimed to be relatively safe there are some neighborhoods that are advisable especially by night to not be visited however, during the day these could be and are recommended to be visited.
These one could be easily found at the tourist information point together with a lot of more interesting and important updates related to tours, guides, experiences of any kind as well as the must-see and do of the city which will ensure you a safe and great trip.
Taking everything into account and following all the above-mentioned pieces of advice you will be able to safely enjoy your trip.
How Does Oulu Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Oulu | 70 |
| Helsinki | 95 |
| Buenos Aires (Argentina) | 60 |
| Vancouver (Canada) | 82 |
| Cordoba (Argentina) | 61 |
| Toronto (Canada) | 81 |
| Melbourne (Australia) | 80 |
| Montreal (Canada) | 81 |
Useful Information
Visas
It depends on your citizenship whether you need a visa or not, but all the required information is clearly provided by the web-site of the public authorities.
Currency
The local currency is the Euro, which is the widely used currency in almost all European countries.
Weather
The climate of the city is considered to be cold with significant rainfall throughout the year in Oulu. the weather is mainly cold and snowy winters with short and warm summers.
Airports
Oulu Airport is the second busiest airport in Finland that operates a wide range of flights and it is as well extensively used by the Finnish Air Force for training purposes.
Travel Insurance
As it is always recommended to have travel insurance while traveling, no matter the destination, therefore, Oulu is not an exception.
Oulu Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | -6 | -6 | -1 | 5 | 12 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 12 | 6 | -1 | -4 |
| Low °C | -15 | -15 | -10 | -4 | 2 | 9 | 5 | 0 | -6 | 0 | -6 | -11 |
| High °F | 21 | 21 | 30 | 41 | 54 | 64 | 68 | 64 | 54 | 43 | 30 | 25 |
| Low °F | 5 | 5 | 14 | 25 | 36 | 48 | 41 | 32 | 21 | 32 | 21 | 12 |
Finland - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Helsinki | 95 |
| Oulu | 70 |
This article is false, I tell you why
This article can’t be more far away from the truth. Starting with the photo which is from Italy (venice perhaps) or somewhere else, but definately not from city of Oulu.
These claims “Pickpockets are often met here” and “increasing amount of violent crime” are not true at all. Im interested that where did you get such information? There is pretty much nonexistent gun crimes in Finland and muggings are really rare even in the capital city Helsinki, and much less here in Oulu.
I have lived in this city my whole life, which is over 30 years and I have never heard anybody get pickpocketed, not tourist or local. Only case you see muggings is after the bars get closed 4am, and you don’t get mugged if you dont start getting into argument with some really drunken person. Which is everywhere in the world. And I might add, that if you’re tourist, locals will be more kind and curious about you so you’re actually more safe as a tourist in nightclub/bar for example.
Oulu is really safe small city with kind people. We finns might seem bit cold, because we like to stay bit away from other people, but if you stop somebody and ask something, you always get answer. People are kind and curious, you might think finns as shy people.
If you read that article and thought “Oh could it be dangerous?” and dont trust my comment, ask any local finnish person or somebody who has travelled to Oulu or Finland itself. Oulu is friendly little city with young population due to high amount of students (many exchange students from various countries also) and is really relaxed. Much more relaxed pace of life than Helsinki. Less things to do somewhat, but if you want relaxing holiday in small northern city with clean air, nice views and shy, but kind people with all around extremely LOW crime rates and honest people, welcome to Oulu.
Oulu is very safe it’s actually safer then Helsinki
Pickpockets is very uncommon in oulu
Looks like you’re right.
So nice and friendly
With Oulu being the European capital of culture for 2026 I did a quick google search last year and booked a trip for two for mid November. It was beautiful, cold but filled with warm comfort food. Not even for a second have I felt uneasy, Oulu is a small city that is both safe and a pleasure to visit.