Not All Maps Come With Warnings
Trip plans usually skip the gritty stuff. However, the Global Peace Index (GPI) and Eurostat data indicate which European cities you should visit with caution. Fair warning: these specific details come from an April 2025 report—stats can change, and cities evolve.
25. Shkoder, Albania
With a crime index of 76.56 and a murder rate of 36 per 100,000 in 2025, Shkoder ranks high. The cobbled charm and fortress views hide deep cracks, and four criminal syndicates run illicit networks from the shadows. Drug smuggling, extortion, and trafficking aren’t just headlines here—they’re daily risks.
Diego Delso, Wikimedia Commons
24. Grozny, Russia
Serious crimes like kidnapping and terrorism still lurk despite the city’s polished new face. While Grozny’s official crime rate hovers around 37.91, don’t be deceived because it benefits from militarized patrols and controlled media. Wandering far from central districts invites stories you don’t want to tell.
Vyacheslav Argenberg, Wikimedia Commons
23. Donetsk, Ukraine
Holding a crime index of 69.1, Donetsk stands as a cautionary tale of chaos and corruption. Political unrest and a de facto separatist government paint a grim picture. Museums and Soviet architecture don’t outweigh live conflict zones or criminal turf wars. It’s not just risky—it’s red-flag territory.
22. Marseille, France
Criminal networks thrive here, pushing drugs and hosting contract hits in once-grand boulevards. Locals avoid specific quartiers at night, while tourists, unaware, wander into risk. Think Lupin, but unscripted—and far less forgiving. At 61.50, Marseille’s crime index reflects the city’s harsh duality—Mediterranean postcard meets mafia drama.
Philippe Alès, Wikimedia Commons
21. Kyzyl, Russia
The murder rate in Kyzyl soars to 35 per 100,000, making it one of the deadliest spots in Europe. Fueled by alcohol abuse and social instability, its danger isn’t tourist-targeted. You won’t find many Instagrammers here. Even the bravest tend to skip it.
Ada Tyulyush, Wikimedia Commons
20. Birmingham, UK
Clocking in with a crime index of 61.26, Birmingham confronts knife crime daily. A huge chunk of its residents report feeling unsafe in their own city. Now, imagine what that means for a first-time visitor. While art museums and street food scenes charm, danger nests just beyond the city center.
Arne Museler, Wikimedia Commons
19. Catania, Italy
Sure, Catania serves up archaeology and cannoli but also organized crime and corruption. Tourists sticking to the coast might feel fine, but when you venture too far, you’re part of the wrong kind of itinerary. Catania holds a crime score of 60.68, driven by active mafia presence.
Berthold Werner, Wikimedia Commons
18. Naples, Italy
Camorra-controlled Naples has a crime index of 58.26, with a high murder rate for Italy. Petty theft and turf wars bleed through its charming chaos. It’s a city where pasta and peril often share a table. Enjoy the pizza—just be mindful of your wallet, route, and timing.
Montse Monmo monmo, Wikimedia Commons
17. Malmo, Sweden
Stylish cafes and modern design clash with gang violence and drug crimes, particularly after dark. Even locals admit: keep your night walks short and your valuables tight. Even in 2025, Malmo is still surprising with its crime rate of 56.14 and a murder rate of 2.9 per 100,000.
David Castor (user:dcastor)., Wikimedia Commons
16. Athens, Greece
A crime index of 55.43 puts Athens above many larger capitals in Europe, driven by urban drug use and growing street violence. Tourists basking under the Acropolis often don’t see the tension below. Though homicides remained low at 0.7 per 100,000 in 2019, petty crime thrives.
Matt Kieffer from London, United Kingdom, Wikimedia Commons
15. Paris, France
Beneath the Eiffel Tower, scam artists work the crowds like seasoned performers. From Montmartre to the metro, your pocket becomes prime real estate. With a crime index of 55.13, Paris proves that beauty can be misleading. The city’s been targeted by terror groups in recent years, too.
Yann Caradec from Paris, France, Wikimedia Commons
14. Odessa, Ukraine
Open-air bazaars buzz with vendors and opportunistic pickpockets. Odessa posts a crime index of 53.75, and while its Black Sea views charm most visitors, danger slinks through local markets and alleys. Think twice before flashing valuables. Outside the tourist bubble, theft and violence spike fast.
Konstantin Brizhnichenko, Wikimedia Commons
13. London, England
At 53.36, London’s crime rate surprises many. The Big Smoke isn’t just royal guards and red phone booths—it’s also knife crime, gang tension, and unsettling metro encounters. Apparently, nearly 1 in 35 Londoners has experienced assault or robbery. Areas like Camden or East Croydon become worse after dark.
Pedro Szekely from Los Angeles, USA, Wikimedia Commons
12. Brussels, Belgium
Brussels carries a crime score of 51.6, and with it, a pickpocketer’s playground. And crowded transport hubs become perfect stages for sleight-of-hand theft. Petty crimes might dominate, but this city has also housed several known extremist cells. You’ll love the waffles—but guard your belongings like a local.
Alina Zienowicz Ala z (derivative work: Ssolbergj), Wikimedia Commons
11. Dublin, Ireland
Tourists soaking up live music in Temple Bar often become easy targets. Why? Because Ireland’s capital logs a crime index of 51.54, and petty theft dances between pubs and shopping lanes. While violent crime is rarer, late-night mugging and street altercations do happen—especially around Grafton Street.
Ruili jiang de heshui, Wikimedia Commons
10. Kiev, Ukraine
Kiev presents a crime rate of 45.70, and 2010 clocked in a murder rate of 3.2 per 100,000. Suburban trains pose serious risks, and armed robberies have been reported more than once. This isn’t a casual stroll kind of city. Know where you’re going and when, or risk finding out the hard way.
9. Istanbul, Turkey
The Grand Bazaar dazzles, but pickpockets strike fast among distracted crowds. The city pulses, yes, but not always with friendly energy. Guard your gear and trust slowly. Istanbul’s crime rate stands at 47.55, and its dual identity—European grace, Asian chaos—makes it thrilling and tricky.
8. Glasgow, Scotland
Crime in Glasgow hit a rate of 45.38, with a 5.1 per 100,000 murder rate back in 2010. Friendly locals give Glasgow charm, but turf wars and gang history linger. Some streets smile by day and snarl by night. If your route takes you off-grid, rethink it.
Ruili jiang de heshui, Wikimedia Commons
7. Sarajevo, Bosnia And Herzegovina
While violent crime isn’t rampant, pickpocketing around Bascarsija is slick and organized. Tourists drawn to its multicultural magic often don’t realize how quickly a casual stroll can turn costly. With a crime index of 45.03, Sarajevo walks a thin line between revitalized charm and post-war tension.
Live Forever at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons
6. Milan, Italy
Milan, despite its elegance, holds a crime index of 44.12. Fashion and fraud walk hand-in-hand here. Watch out for fake cops, card skimmers, and beggar scams—especially around Duomo. A single distracted moment and your belongings vanish like last season’s trends.
https://www.pexels.com/u/ghostpresenter/, Wikimedia Commons
5. Kaunas, Lithuania
Kaunas might feel calm at first glance, but beneath its cultural glow lies a darker pulse. With a 2025 crime index of 37.84 and a homicide rate of 5.4 per 100,000, alcohol-fueled domestic violence drives its danger levels. While its sites shine, nightlife can be risky.
4. Belfast, Northern Ireland
Belfast carries a complex past and a crime index of 43.72. The Troubles may be over, but unease still simmers. Petty theft spikes near nightclubs and specific neighborhoods feel frozen in tension. Local advice? Know where you’re going and why.
Textman at Dutch Wikipedia (Original text: Textman), Wikimedia Commons
3. Florence, Italy
Florence’s Renaissance beauty masks modern mischief. It’s not just museums and marble; it’s also a crime index of 38.49, driven by credit card scams and lightning-fast pickpockets. Picture this: you’re admiring the Duomo, then—gone. Your wallet vanished. Art may imitate life here, but theft is real and relentless.
Jonathan Körner jonko, Wikimedia Commons
2. Vilnius, Lithuania
Vilnius charms with its baroque buildings, but danger hides behind the pastel facades. Holding a crime index of 26.95, it may seem low-risk—until you factor in its murder rate, which once peaked at 10.4 per 100,000 in 2008. Petty theft is common in certain districts.
Andrejavus (talk), Wikimedia Commons
1. Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn tops the list with a low crime index of 22.58, yet a startling homicide rate of 5.5 per 100,000 today. Tourists feel safe until they drift toward the port area, where violent crime surfaces. Estonia’s jewel may sparkle, but not all that glitters is worry-free.
