Most Dangerous Cities in Europe: A Look at the High-Risk Areas

Worried about crime disrupting your plans to see medieval buildings or explore canals, or visit sun-kissed beaches in Europe? Elements of both history and culture shine throughout Europe however, particular cities tend to be more dangerous. The following detailed guide will present both the rankings and statistics of the most dangerous cities in Europe while offering safety strategies for travelers to prevent harm.

Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Europe

Before diving into unsafe countries in Europe, note that crime statistics can only tell part of the story. Some cities underreport certain crimes. Others have a more visible police presence that deters offenders. Always check local advisories and recent traveler reviews before you go. Here are the most dangerous cities in the Europe:

1. Bradford, United Kingdom

Bradford is in West Yorkshire, England. It was once a busy center for the wool and textile industries. The city is known for its industrial history and landmarks such as the Saltaire World Heritage Site. In 2025, it ranks as the most dangerous city in Europe. Numbeo reports that Bradford has the highest crime index of 67.1 in Britain. Its crime rate is almost 90% higher than the national average. Drug-related offenses and economic crimes are the main reasons for the rise in insecurity.

2. Coventry, United Kingdom

Coventry sits at the top of Europe’s risk list. With a crime index around 66 out of 100, locals report high levels of both violent and property crime. In the past year, the city saw over 11,000 offenses per 100,000 residents.

Roughly 4,000 of these were violent acts—street assaults, robberies, even knife crimes. Property crimes like burglary and shoplifting accounted for another 4,000 incidents. Car theft also remains a worry, with some areas recording over 600 stolen vehicles in a single year.

3. Marseille, France

Marseille clocks in just behind Coventry, with a crime index close to 66. The city’s port status and sprawling urban layout attract organized crime networks. Violent incidents—assaults, armed robberies—are more frequent in certain districts.

Property crime is also high: pickpockets swarm busy markets and public transport, and car break-ins are all too common. In one recent year, local police logged nearly 50 drug-related homicides, underscoring a growing gang presence.

4. Birmingham, United Kingdom

Birmingham’s diverse neighborhoods hide a crime index of about 64. For every 1,000 people, there are roughly 120 recorded crimes. Violent crimes—fight-related injuries, street robberies—make up about a third of that total.

Property offenses, including burglary and motor vehicle theft, account for another third. Pickpockets target busy shopping districts and festival crowds.

5. Naples, Italy

Naples carries a long-standing reputation tied to the Camorra crime network. Its crime index hovers near 63, driven by both violence and property loss. Some districts see murder rates as high as 90 per 100,000 residents.

Pickpocketing and purse-snatching plague the historic center, and thieves often strike parked cars or scooters. Burglary rates in suburban areas can outpace many Italian cities.

6. Montpellier, France

Jumping to southern France, Montpellier registers a crime index of around 62. The city’s student population and tourist draw help fuel street crime. In past seasons, police noted surges in assaults near bars and tram stops.

Vehicular crime—including theft from parked cars—occurs regularly in public lots. Tourists report a one-in-a-hundred chance of being pickpocketed during peak months.

7. Liège, Belgium

Liège’s crime index sits at 61. Violent crime accounts for about 32 percent of all reports. Shoplifting and car break-ins each make up roughly 8 percent.

Locals rank car theft worry at more than halfway up the scale. Central Liège has seen street fights spill out of nightlife venues, and some suburban blocks endure repeated domestic burglary attempts.

8. Grenoble, France

Grenoble’s index also hits about 61. The city’s role as a mountain gateway draws large crowds—and the occasional scammer. Drug-related assaults contribute to the violent-crime tally. Property crimes range from vandalism to theft from vehicles. Visitors tend to feel uneasy around the bus station after dark, where reports of muggings rise.

9. Nantes, France

With an index of 59, Nantes may surprise you. Recent years have seen a rise in assaults and robberies, making up about 15 percent of all crime reports. Tourists in the old quarter face regular pickpocket attempts during summer festivals. Car theft worry rates track above average, and some residential zones report repeated break-ins.

10. Paris, France

No surprise here—Paris ranks with an index around 58. Its status as a global capital brings both wonder and risk. Pickpockets on the Metro, handbag snatches near the Eiffel Tower, and occasional muggings in less-touristed arrondissements all push the numbers up. Violent crime remains lower than property crime, but isn’t negligible—knife attacks have risen on certain routes. And while terrorism incidents are rare, they factor into overall safety planning.

If you live in one of the cities listed above, it’s a good idea to consider installing security cameras or systems to help protect your home and family. Just be sure to follow local laws and privacy regulations before setting them up.

How We Determine the Most Dangerous City in Europe?

We pull data from multiple, independent sources to get a clear view:

• Numbeo Crime Index: Aggregates citizen surveys on safety perception in over 400 cities.
• Official Police Records: Arrests and incident reports per 100,000 residents, including violent and property crime.
• Local News Reports: Investigative stories on organized crime trends and gang violence.
• Tourist Surveys: Measures worry levels for theft, car crime, and assault in popular destinations.
• Academic Studies: Peer-reviewed work on social factors—unemployment, income inequality, and policing levels.

Top Crimes in the Most Dangerous Cities of Europe

A city’s danger level doesn’t hinge on a single factor. Instead, it’s the mix of:

• Violent crime: It includes assaults, muggings, robberies, and even homicides.
• Property crime: It consists of pickpocketing, burglary, car theft, and shoplifting.
• Organized crime: This is a combination of gangs, drug rings, or mafias that drive violence.
• Economic stress: It includes high unemployment, poverty, and social inequality.
• Tourist hotspots: They consist of crowded areas that can attract scammers and pickpockets.
• Law-enforcement resources: It means fewer officers on patrol or slow response times can make cities more dangerous.

Safety Tips for Travelers in the Most Dangerous Cities in Europe

The following are the common safety tips that you should know before heading into a most dangerous cities Europe:

1. Stay in well-lit areas at night—even a short detour can keep you safe.
2. Hide your valuables by using a money belt or an inside jacket pocket.
3. Use official taxis or ride apps to avoid street solicitations after dark.
4. Learn a few local phrases like “Help,” “Police,” and “I’m lost.” It can cut tension in a pinch.
5. Split up cash and cards and stash spare emergency funds in separate bags.

Safer Alternatives to Europe’s Most Dangerous Cities

If safety tops your must-have list while traveling in Europe, consider these consistently low-crime spots:

• Reykjavik, Iceland
• Zurich, Switzerland
• Helsinki, Finland
• Copenhagen, Denmark
• Vienna, Austria

FAQs

Which city has the highest crime rate in Europe?

Bradford, United Kingdom, holds the highest crime rate in Europe, with a crime index of 67.1, making it the most dangerous city in 2025.

What is the safest city in Europe?

Reykjavik in Iceland consistently ranks at the top for safety, thanks to near-zero violent crime and a strong community vibe.

Which EU country has the most crime?

Nationally, the UK and France report the highest aggregate crime numbers, but it concentrates in a few cities rather than spreading evenly across each country.

Conclusion

Europe remains one of the world’s richest playgrounds—from art-filled alleys to mountaintop vistas. Yet pockets of danger do exist. By knowing which cities record the highest rates of violence and theft, you can plan smarter, stay alert, and enjoy every moment with peace of mind. Have you ever bumped into trouble on a European trip? Tell us what happened and share your own safety tips in the comments below!