Is Berlin Safe? An In-Depth Look at the City’s Safety

Berlin is one of the biggest cities in Europe, and it attracts millions of tourists every year. But is it safe? For many travelers, safety is a key factor when deciding where to stay, and it’s understandable why they would want to know if Berlin is as safe as it’s recognized as being.

In this guide, we will give you an in-depth look into the safety of Berlin, which has been declared the “Safest City in Germany” for a few years running now. We’ll answer all your questions about safety in the city, highlight key points to stay aware of, and tell you the best areas to stay in during your trip.

Overall Safety in Berlin

The short answer to the question of whether Berlin is safe is that, yes, Berlin is perfectly safe for visitors. In fact, there’s no danger while walking around Berlin even late at night. Of course, there’s always the chance you will experience some petty crime here or there – as there is always in big cities – but Berlin is overall nowhere near as dangerous as other European cities.

In a survey conducted by the World Crime Index, Berlin was ranked as the sixth safest city out 64 cities for its low crime rates. Crime rates in the city have fallen sharply over the past two decades, particularly violent crime such as assault and rape, and petty crime is almost non-existent in the city.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that some security risks (such as pickpocketing) do still exist, so visitors should remain vigilant and take some basic precautions. We’ll cover that later on.

Crime in Berlin

As with any other large city, Berlin does still have some criminal activities taking place. But overall crime rates are much lower than they have been in previous years.

According to official figures from the Federal Office for Statistics, overall crime rates in 2012-2018 dropped by 8.7%. Common crimes like theft and burglary saw a drop of 10.3%, while violent crimes dropped by 6.9%. The statistics also show that Germany’s capital has a low crime rate overall compared to other German cities.

The main issue with crime in Berlin is pickpocketing – while it is still uncommon, it is one of the most commonly reported crimes. So vigilance should be exercised, especially when travelling on public transport, near major tourist attractions and in crowded areas.

Areas to Avoid at Night

While Berlin may not be known for its crime levels compared to other major cities, there some areas where you should use a bit more caution. Particularly at night.

The eastern suburbs and southern Friedrichshain district are known for being particularly “edgy’ areas with higher levels of crime, so it’s best to avoid walking around these areas late at night unless you absolutely need to. There are also some parts of northern Neukölln that are best avoided after hours.

If you’re staying in or around these areas it’s best to be vigilant – exercise caution and stick to well-lit streets when walking around.

Areas to Stay in Berlin

Now that we’ve covered what areas to avoid at night, let’s talk about staying safe during your trip to Berlin. The trick here is to stay away from areas that are known to have high levels of crime while taking advantage of all the city’s wonderful attractions.

Berlin can be divided into 22 districts known as Bezirke – each with their own unique charm and atmosphere – and you should always choose one of these districts as your base during your trip.

Some of the most popular districts are Mitte (which includes major attractions like the Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie), Charlottenburg (home of the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe) and Kreuzberg (full of trendy restaurants and nightlife).

Generally speaking, areas like Mitte and Charlottenburg are the safest for visitors, as they are well policed and full of popular tourist attractions. What’s more, many of Berlin’s hotels can be found in these neighborhoods so you won’t have any problems finding a place to stay during your trip.

Personal Safety Tips for Visiting Berlin

Finally, let’s look at some useful tips for staying safe while visiting Berlin:

• It’s best not to carry too many valuable items on you while sightseeing or out at night.
• Avoid flashing your cash or electronics around – it might attract unwanted attention.
• Always be aware your surroundings, especially good pickpocketing areas like train stations or busy attractions.
• Avoid saying your hotel room number out loud – you never know who might be listening!
• Don`t leave any valuables unsupervised anywhere.
• Always avoid sketchy areas at night.

Enjoy Your Stay in Berlin

While preparing for your visit to Berlin is important, most visitors don’t need to worry too much about their safety during their stay in this wonderful city. With its low crime rates and good police presence at tourist hotspots, Berlin is generally considered quite safe for visitors. Just remember to stay aware of your surroundings at all times and take basic precautions for a stress-free holiday experience!

Finally, don’t forget to make the most out of your trip! Why not get a unique insight into what life is like in this amazing city? Check out the “Berlin Icebar Entrance with 3 Drinks” tour, which offers an unforgettable experience at one of Berlin`s most iconic bars can make an evening memorable (with plenty of drinks included!). So what are you waiting for? Book it now and go enjoy!