Europe is drop-dead gorgeous with its cute cafés and old buildings that are truly what travel dreams are made of. But sadly, not every spot is straight out of a fairy tale. Some places require you to have your wits about you and maybe invest in a cross-body bag and pepper spray.
Don’t freak out though! The crime index list isn’t meant to scare you away. Think of it more like a heads-up on where to keep your phone in your front pocket and maybe not flash that fancy camera around at 2 AM. Most tourists visit these cities without any drama whatsoever!
10. Athens, Greece
Pickpockets in Athens are practically Olympic athletes – especially around the Acropolis and on packed metros. They spot a tourist busy taking selfies with ancient ruins and boom – there goes your wallet! The areas around Omonia Square get pretty sketchy after dark, so maybe save your nighttime wandering for the more touristy spots.
Still, Athens is absolutely worth visiting! The locals are super friendly, the food is killer, and those ancient ruins are mind-blowing. Just keep your bag zipped, watch for scammers trying to put bracelets on your wrist, and you’ll be living your best Greek life.
9. Malmö, Sweden
Surprise! A Swedish city on a danger list? Yep, this coastal spot across from Copenhagen isn’t all Swedish perfection. Some neighborhoods like Rosengård have sketchy reputations, and the city has had some gang issues that occasionally make headlines. Not exactly what you picture when dreaming of Sweden!
The good news? The cute old town and waterfront areas where you’d actually hang out are totally fine. Malmö has some seriously amazing food (thanks to its super diverse population) and incredible modern architecture. Just do a quick Google before wandering into random neighborhoods at night.
8. Manchester, United Kingdom
Manchester gets rowdy – like, really rowdy – on weekend nights when everyone pours out of pubs. Piccadilly Gardens can be a bit of a mess, and phone snatching happens way too often. Those gorgeous Gothic buildings look a lot less charming when you’re dodging drunken arguments at midnight!
But don’t cross it off your list! Manchester’s music scene is legendary, the football culture is unreal, and the converted industrial spaces are super cool. Stick to well-lit areas, don’t wave your phone around like a flag, and maybe skip the sketchy late-night kebab shops. The Northern Quarter during the day? Absolutely perfect!
7. Lyon, France
Lyon’s train station area is about as pleasant as a bad hangover. La Guillotière district has seen better days, and the tram lines are pickpocket paradise. Nothing ruins a foodie pilgrimage like chasing someone who just grabbed your camera!
The flipside? Lyon is literally food heaven. The old town is gorgeous, and the annual light festival turns the whole city into a magical playground. Just keep your fancy watch hidden, your bag zipped, and be suspicious if a random stranger is being suspiciously helpful. Eat all the food, see all the sights, just do it with your street smarts switched on.
6. Paris, France
Paris has more scam artists than it has cafés – and that’s saying something! The classic “did you drop this ring?” or “sign my petition” tricks are alive and well around every tourist spot. Some areas north of the center get genuinely sketchy after dark, and the metro can feel like a pickpocket training academy during rush hour.
The magic of Paris is still 100% real, though. The iconic spots don’t disappoint, and yes, that croissant really does taste better in France. Just channel your inner skeptic when strangers approach, keep valuables hidden, and please don’t hang your bag on your café chair. Paris is worth the extra vigilance!
5. Montpellier, France
This gorgeous university town has a split personality. Behind those perfect Mediterranean vibes lurk bag-snatchers and phone-grabbers, especially in areas like Mosson. The tram is convenient but watch your stuff! Rental cars are break-in magnets, and some squares get pretty sketchy once the sun sets.
The historic center is still a slice of French paradise though. Beautiful buildings, amazing markets, and a young, energetic vibe make Montpellier seriously charming. Hit the beaches nearby, enjoy the café culture, just keep your phone in your pocket and don’t leave anything in your car – not even a backpack that “looks empty.”
4. Naples, Italy
Naples is chaotic in the best and worst ways possible. Those narrow, winding streets that look so cute in photos? Perfect for scooter-riding thieves to zip by and grab your stuff! The train station area feels about as safe as juggling knives, and “helpful” locals might be a bit too interested in your wallet.
But oh man, the pizza alone is worth the risk! Naples has this raw, authentic energy that sterilized tourist cities lack. The archaeological museum is incredible and nearby Pompeii is bucket-list material. Just wear a money belt, keep your phone secure, and maybe don’t flash designer anything. Consider the street smarts you’ll develop as a bonus souvenir!
3. Birmingham, United Kingdom
Birmingham’s city center can feel like the Wild West on weekend nights. The combo of clubs, bars, and fast food joints creates a perfect storm of messy situations. Some neighborhoods have serious rough spots, and the news about knife incidents isn’t just media hype – though tourists rarely end up involved.
The good stuff? Amazing shopping, incredibly diverse food scenes, and cool industrial-turned-hip spots like the Custard Factory. Birmingham doesn’t top many travel lists, which means fewer tourists and more authentic experiences. Stick to the well-lit areas, don’t wander randomly at night, and you’ll discover a city that’s way cooler than its reputation suggests.
2. Coventry, United Kingdom
Coventry isn’t exactly a tourist hotspot, and its safety stats show why. The city center after dark gets pretty dodgy, with more than enough drunk drama to go around. Areas like Hillfields should definitely not be on your evening stroll list, and car break-ins happen way too often.
The rebuilt cathedral is genuinely moving though, and the transport museum is a hidden gem. Coventry’s history of rising from literal ashes (thanks, WWII bombing) gives it a resilient character worth experiencing. Visit the main sights during the day, don’t leave anything in your car, and maybe save your night adventures for another city.
1. Marseille, France
France’s gritty port city tops this not-so-glamorous list for good reason. The northern districts are no-go zones even for locals, and the main train station area feels about as welcoming as a dentist appointment. Drug issues are very real here, and scammers near the touristy Old Port have honed their craft to an art form.
The paradox? Marseille is also ridiculously gorgeous! Those famous calanques (rocky inlets with turquoise water) are breathtaking, and the food scene is next-level amazing. The cultural mix creates a vibe unlike anywhere else in France. Stick to tourist areas, don’t wander randomly, and be smart about when and where you pull out your phone. Marseille rewards travelers brave enough to look past its rough reputation!
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