Safest cities in Iceland
1 city with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04
What official travel advice warns about
Terrorism
- Terrorism in IcelandAlthough there’s no recent history of terrorism in Iceland, attacks cannot be ruled out.
Crime
- Crime levels are low but petty theft and antisocial behaviour can occur, particularly around bars in downtown Reykjavík. Take sensible precautions and keep your belongings safe.
Laws and cultural differences
- Personal IDYou do not have to carry your passport with you, but it is sensible to have some form of ID, such as a photocard driving licence. You could also carry a copy of your passport’s photo page as ID. Keep your passport somewhere safe.
- Smoking and e-cigarette bansIt is illegal to smoke or use e-cigarettes in restaurants, bars, public transport and public buildings, and you could get a fine.
- Illegal drugsIllegal drugs, even small amounts, including cannabis and khat carry severe penalties.
- LGBT+ travellersSame-sex sexual activity is legal in Iceland and same-sex relationships are recognised in law.
Outdoor activities and adventure tourism
- Hiking and mountaineeringWhen hiking, choose a trail suited for your level of experience. Conditions in Iceland could be different to what you’re used to.
Transport risks
- Road travelIf you are planning to drive in Iceland, see information on driving abroad and check the rules of the road in the RAC’s Iceland guide. The guide lists driving regulations and other legal requirements you need to be aware of or risk a sizeable fine up to £500. Follow speed limits, keep dipped headlights on year-round, and have suitable tyres,…
- Driving conditionsDriving in Iceland can be very different to the UK, the weather can change quickly and make driving conditions challenging at times. Speed limits are lower than in the UK and the distances between towns are far greater.
- Electric ScootersRiding a scooter after consuming alcohol is prohibited by law in Iceland. The same law as driving a car under the influence applies and will resort in a fine and or charges.
Extreme weather and natural disasters
- Volcanic eruptions and earthquakesVolcanic eruptions and earthquakes are common in Iceland given the country’s geography. In the event of an eruption or wider seismic activity, always follow the latest advice issued by the authorities, including on areas to avoid and actions to take if air quality is affected.
Arctic travel
- Iceland is in the Arctic Circle: emergency medical assistance and search and rescue may be limited in some areas. See Arctic travel safety advice.
Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for Iceland, updated 2026-08-11 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →
Country figures
- Homicide rate
- 2.03 /100k2024
- Income inequality
- Gini 26.82019
- Human development
- HDI 0.9722023
- Income
- $83,250/yrGNI per capita PPP
- Road deaths
- 2.0 /100kWHO, 2019
- Political stability
- 86/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
- Rule of law
- 85/100WGI, 2024
- Corruption perceptions
- 77/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
- Natural-hazard risk
- 1.6/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Women, Peace & Security
- 0.93GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
- Air quality
- 4.9 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
- Safe drinking water
- 100%of population, 2024 · WHO/UNICEF JMP
- Healthcare capacity
- 4.4 doctors /1k2.8 hospital beds per 1,000
Natural hazards
- Earthquake
- 5.4/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.
Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Iceland (as of 2025).
How Iceland compares
| Measure | Iceland | World median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 2.0 /100k | 2.4 /100k | −0.3 /100k — better for Iceland |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 26.8 | 35.2 | −8.4 — better for Iceland |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.972 | 0.763 | +0.209 — better for Iceland |
| Road deaths | 2.0 /100k | 15.4 /100k | −13.4 /100k — better for Iceland |
| Rule of law | 85/100 | 52/100 | +33/100 — better for Iceland |
| Corruption perceptions | 77/100 | 39/100 | +38/100 — better for Iceland |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 4.9 µg/m³ | 19.7 µg/m³ | −14.8 µg/m³ — better for Iceland |
| Natural-hazard risk | 1.6/10 | 3.8/10 | −2.2/10 — better for Iceland |
| Measure | Iceland | Europe median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 2.0 /100k | 1.0 /100k | +1.0 /100k — better for Europe median |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 26.8 | 30.7 | −3.9 — better for Iceland |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.972 | 0.907 | +0.065 — better for Iceland |
| Road deaths | 2.0 /100k | 5.8 /100k | −3.8 /100k — better for Iceland |
| Rule of law | 85/100 | 73/100 | +12/100 — better for Iceland |
| Corruption perceptions | 77/100 | 56/100 | +22/100 — better for Iceland |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 4.9 µg/m³ | 11.8 µg/m³ | −6.9 µg/m³ — better for Iceland |
| Natural-hazard risk | 1.6/10 | 2.5/10 | −0.9/10 — better for Iceland |
Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.
All 1 cities, safest first
- Reykjavik89.5 · #95 worldwide