12 Surprisingly Dangerous European Cities That Aren’t as Safe as They Seem

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Pickpocketing, harassment, and violent attacks can turn your dream European vacation into a nightmare.

Crime is always a concern when traveling internationally, but some destinations throughout Europe aren’t worth the risk.

Stay safe by steering clear of these dangerous European cities:

Athens, Greece

Athens can be a dangerous place for tourists. Most people dream of the city’s incredible history, museums, and famous landmarks but fail to realize it has many unsafe areas.

Plum Guide warns against visiting Omonia, Exarchia, Kolokotroni, and Victoria Square, which have negative reputations. Petty thefts and scams are common in these areas of Athens, and tourists are especially easy targets.

Brussels, Belgium

Skip Brussels on your next overseas getaway—in 2023, Armormax ranked it Europe’s 12th most dangerous city. While violence is fairly rare in the Belgian capital, petty crimes are common. Tourists are especially vulnerable to theft and pickpocketing at the Brussels Midi Train Station.

Milan, Italy

Milan attracts many travelers as the world’s fashion capital, but it isn’t the chic destination you imagine. According to Statista, Milan has one of Italy’s highest crime rates.

As of 2023, burglaries and thefts are more common in Milan than in any other Italian city. Expat Arrivals recommends tourists avoid areas like Corvetto, Lambrate, Giambellino-Lorenteggio, and Quarto Oggiaro in Zone 8.

Marseille, France

In a 2024 Numbeo survey, respondents voted Marseille the second most dangerous European city. With a crime index of 65.9 out of 100, it has high levels of property and violent crimes, and robbery, car theft, and discrimination are relatively common occurrences. Gangs are of particular concern in Marseille—Dragonfly Intelligence reports at least 45 people died due to “drug-related gang violence” in 2023.

Podgorica, Montenegro

While Montenegro is an underrated European country worth visiting, Podgorica poses higher risks than other destinations nationwide. In a list of European capital cities with high crime indexes, Journey Through Montenegro puts it in eighth place.

Visitors should exercise caution in Podgorica, as ATM robberies are common during the summer peak tourist season. The city also lacks the tourist-friendly infrastructure in other places throughout Montenegro, such as Kotor and Budva.

Sofia, Bulgaria

Sofia is a less-than-ideal destination for international tourists. You may fall victim to scammers, muggers, and pickpockets, especially if walking around the city at night. Travel Safe – Abroad notes much of this crime is centered around the Central Station, Pirotska Street, and Lion’s Bridge areas.

Dublin, Ireland

As Ireland’s largest city, it’s unsurprising that Dublin is the site of most of the country’s crime. The Central Statistics Office reports that in 2023, the country as a whole saw a rise in theft, robbery, and similar offenses.

Many of these occur in Dublin, a popular tourist hotspot. The Irish Road Trip highlights the city center, Pearse Street, Tallaght, and Blanchardstown as areas of Dublin that visitors should avoid.

Malmö, Sweden

The once-peaceful country of Sweden is gradually becoming more violent and dangerous. Using data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Guardian found Sweden to have Europe’s second-highest gun crime death rate.

Malmö sees many of these firearm-related offenses due to increasing gang activity. In its ranking of the most dangerous cities in Europe, Numbeo named it number 11, far higher than the next Scandinavian city on the list (Stockholm, in 44th place).

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona’s rising crime rates make it an increasingly dangerous travel destination. According to Catalan News, instances of crime increased by 8.6% from 2022 to 2023, with theft accounting for almost half of all the city’s crime.

Many travelers flock to Barcelona for its architecture, food, and lively local culture. However, crime will only worsen as more people visit the city, where 22% of thefts occur in public transportation.

Minsk, Belarus

In 2023, the U.S. Department of State issued a Level 4 travel advisory for Belarus, meaning Americans should not visit for the foreseeable future. The capital of Minsk, in particular, is risky for tourists.

In addition to nationwide civil unrest due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Minsk faces many of the same safety concerns as other major European cities. As of 2024, 77% of Numbeo survey respondents named police corruption and bribery the most prevalent issues, while over 72% agreed that overall crime has increased in the past five years.

London, United Kingdom

Plumplot reports that London is responsible for 66% of England’s national crime rate. While violent offenses have decreased since 2023, they still account for 23% of all crime in London. Using Crime Risk Scores of various boroughs throughout the city, CrimeRate identified Westminster, Hackney, and Southwark as areas to avoid.

Glasgow, Scotland

Glasgow has a reputation for being unsafe, and data backs this up. A Churchill Support Services study named it the most dangerous Scottish city.

The report shared that overall crime rose by 2.6% in 2023. Drug-related offenses are a big concern in Glasgow, where the rate is more than double any other major metropolitan area in Scotland.

You may be unsafe in these European countries

It’s important to keep yourself safe before booking an overseas trip. You might be surprised to learn about the travel advisories for these popular European vacation spots.

13 Surprising European Countries with Travel Warnings

Dangerous countries to avoid and where to go instead

The U.S. State Department has identified several unsafe countries for American travelers. Instead of risking your safety, visit these alternative destinations.

9 Countries Too Dangerous for Travel, According to the US State Department