Berlin, with a location score of 78, is considered a safe city for tourists, both at night and in the daytime. While there are areas where criminal activity may occur, as in any major city, it is generally considered a safe city. As long as precautions are taken, visitors can feel safe while in Berlin.
Berlin is generally considered a safe city for tourists, with low crime rates and efficient safety measures. However, petty crime exists in every town, and this one is no different. The most common issues include violent crime, which is uncommon but does occur, and crimes committed by far-right extremists against individuals belonging to ethnic, religious, or political minorities.
Berlin is generally considered a safe city for tourists, including women. However, safety can vary depending on the neighborhood, and even the “bad” areas are not nearly as bad as most US cities. Even solo travelers can be safe in Berlin, as the chances of being a victim of crime are very low.
The US State Department currently recommends increased caution in Germany due to terrorism, as terrorist groups keep planning attacks in the country. Berlin has risen from its troubled 20th-century past and has become one of the most liberal and safe cities in the world.
📹 How Safe is Berlin?
Is Berlin a safe place to visit? To live? How dangerous is it really? This video covers everything from personal safety, safety of …
Is it OK to speak English in Berlin?
Berlin is a city with a large number of local English speakers or those who understand it. To be respectful of the culture, it is essential to memorize common German phrases. Tamara, the owner and author of My Elated Odyssey, provides travel tips and information for various destinations, helping travelers discover hidden gems and unique experiences. She also enjoys working out and photography. You can find her on Instagram @myelatedodyssey.
Is it safe to walk in Berlin at night?
Berlin is generally safe for walking at night, but certain areas, such as Kottbusser Tor, Alexanderplatz, Görlitzer Park, Neukölln, and Wedding, should be avoided due to potential petty crimes or rowdiness. These areas are not necessarily dangerous but should be avoided to minimize potential risks. To ensure safety while walking around Berlin at night, it is essential to take precautions and stay alert.
Is Berlin expensive?
Berlin is a cost-effective option in Western Europe, with monthly living expenses averaging around €2, 000. A person in Berlin will spend around €2, 100 on accommodation, with the type of accommodation greatly impacting these expenses. The median gross salary in Germany is €3, 645 per month, slightly higher in Berlin. The average salary in Germany is estimated to be around €4, 323, making it a decent amount to live on.
The most significant expense in Berlin is accommodation, with the type of accommodation greatly affecting monthly expenses. A salary in the range between the median and average salary will be enough to comfortably live in Berlin as a single person.
Why is there a travel warning for Germany?
Germany is advised to exercise caution due to the presence of terrorist threats, the occurrence of nationwide and local strikes that are affecting transport systems, and the increased demand for accommodation and transportation that is associated with Oktoberfest and other cultural events. It is recommended that travelers monitor media sources and contact their travel providers for the latest information. A driving permit is a prerequisite for individuals aged 18 and above.
Where to avoid staying in Berlin?
Before searching for a new home in Berlin, it is essential to be aware of the areas to avoid due to high crime rates. Marzahn-Hellersdorf and Lichtenberg are considered safe areas, while Leopoldplatz in Wedding, Görlitzer Park, tourist spots in Mitte, and Kotbusser Tor in Kreuzberg are other areas to avoid. Before deciding on a location, it is crucial to be aware of the potential dangers and to be prepared with tips and important numbers to help you stay safe. By doing so, you can make the most of your time in Berlin and make the most of your living experience.
Is Berlin friendly to foreigners?
Berlin is an exemplary locale for expatriates, offering a multicultural, dynamic, and open-minded environment. The city provides a diverse range of opportunities for interaction, encompassing individuals from Germany, other countries within Europe, and beyond. Regardless of the duration of one’s stay, Berlin proffers a distinctive concoction of culture, history, and traditions that will be treasured for years to come.
Is it safe to travel to Berlin right now?
Terrorist groups are planning attacks in Germany, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets, shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, and major sporting and cultural events. Schools, airports, and other public areas are also targeted. Travelers should be aware of their surroundings, follow local authorities’ instructions, monitor local media for breaking events, enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter, review the Country Security Report for Germany, visit the CDC page for travel health information, prepare a contingency plan, and review the Traveler’s Checklist.
Is Berlin an English friendly city?
Berlin is a popular destination for newcomers due to its English-speaking population and affordable housing options. It offers numerous workspaces, including cafés and coworking spaces, and is a hub for technology, media, and creative industries. Berlin’s burgeoning startup ecosystem provides networking opportunities and job prospects for remote workers in sectors like finance and research. Berlin’s affordability and diverse housing options make it an attractive choice for those seeking a comfortable work environment.
Is there a no-go area in Berlin?
Berlin’s districts follow their own organization, with no “no-go-areas” and a cosmopolitan, hospitable, and safe environment. However, crime is never completely eradicated. If you witness or become a victim of crime, call the police immediately. Emergency calls can be made to Police 110, international mobile phones 112, Berlin Police citizen line +49 30 4664 46 64, or the police station near Alexanderplatz Direktion 3 – Abschnitt 32 Keibelstr. 35, 10178 Berlin.
Are Germans friendly to tourists?
Germany is a tourist-friendly country with a strong safety record, ranking as one of the safest countries in the world. It is home to Oktoberfest, Beethoven, and the original Barbie. Germany is the fifth most visited country in Europe and has a good track record in terms of overall peace. In 2023, UNESCO’s GPI ranked Germany at number 15. However, if you’re planning a trip to Germany, you may need to know about the necessary documentation, health risks, COVID restrictions, general safety and security tips, local laws and customs, and whether you should get travel insurance. AXA travel insurance is a popular choice for travelers looking to ensure their safety and comfort during their trip to Germany.
Do Canadians need a visa for Germany?
A Canadian passport is a valid form of identification that exempts the bearer from the necessity of obtaining a visa for entry into Germany. Nevertheless, it is possible to travel for a limited period, and it is therefore advisable to ascertain the full range of entry requirements. The necessity of a visa is contingent upon both the intended destination and the type of passport held. We will assist you in identifying the appropriate visa. Please submit your application via our user-friendly online portal. Prior to submission, we will conduct a comprehensive review to optimise the probability of approval.
📹 Where to Stay in Berlin? 3 Best Areas & Where to Avoid!
Figuring out where to stay in Berlin can be challenging and overwhelming as Berlin is such a big city. I’ve lived here and still go …
Being from Brazil, those safety tips are just part of my life. I grew up with a lot of measures to prevent a lot of crimes. So Berlin is pretty safe to me. Funny story: when I first moved here I was warned to be careful at Alexanderplatz and I immediately assumed they meant armed robbery. When they told me it was basically pickpocketing I just laughed and said: if they don’t show me a gun that looks real they are not taking my stuff. 😁
I was born and lived in Juarez, Mexico, one of the most “dangerous cities”( so they say), in the world, lived Texas and since 2017 been living in Germany. I have traveled to many countries including Asia. And I’ve never had anything stolen. BUT in Rome and Greece. Not to say these countries suck, because they don’t. They are beautiful, I just never thought, someone would cowardly ransack my car as soon as I stepped out of it =/. So compared to the places I have been and the experiences I have obtained, Germany is super safe. Ich ♥ Deutschland and your website. Thanks Babe 😘!!!
I was once on a class trip to berlin. We went to the memorium next to the brandenburg gates, where there is lots of square pillows which get higher the deeper you go in. I saw one guy who had a paperboard with pen and claimed he was asking people for donations for a charity which intends to help deaf people. He was talking with an old lady, who was willing to give him money and right at the moment where she pulled out her wallet I called “Don’t do it, it’s a scam!”. Immediately right after I said this he became very aggressive and chased me, intending to hurt me, with his other friends. They were young adults, only male and arabic in appearance. I cannot believe that such nasty and violent scammers are literally in such an important historic sight…
Living in Berlin for almost 10 years. Number of friends who got their bike stolen – 4 flat broken into – 3 phone or wallet stolen – 4 One of my girlfriends had her iPhone laying on the table in a cafe. A beggar lady casually put her bag on the table and snatched the phone unnoticed. Do not leave your phones on tables when going out or keep an eye on them!
I kind of like Berlin’s structured system. You can choose the best district according to what kind of criminals you want to meet. Pickpockets, shoplifters, muggers, vandals, arsonists, drugdealers, corrupt politicians, gangs, rapists, gangrapists. You name it, they have it. Berlin also holds the world record for most people getting murdered in a Christmas market.
I’ve grown up in Berlin and have witnessed several majorly traumatic events. When I was 16 out and about drinking with friends, we were approached by an aggressive gang(tried to deescalate from our side, they didn’t care), who later chased us and stabbed one of our group. He was severely injured but made a recovery. A few years later I was celebrating new years with friends at Friedrichshain park, and we were stupid enough to stay until late at night, when we were the only people in sight. Another gang of 20 men (probably high on coke) must have heard us, came and immediately escalated the situation, beating up all guys from our group, fracturing teeth among other injuries. they also tried to mug us but we’d buried our valuables in the sand when we saw first signs of aggression. I, having witnessed a stabbing without provocation before, assumed they would again pull knives and kill my friends. I was completely convinced they’d leave my friends to bleed out and die. So, Berlin is definitely safer than many other places in the world, yet you DO need to be careful where you spend your time late at night, especially on holidays where more people are out drinking and high on drugs. I stopped traveling alone at night after the first incident. I don’t really leave my district at night unless I’m with a friend or partner. edit: another story. a man once tried to sexually assault me at a construction site just off a very busy street, where I’d gone 10 seconds earlier to pee. He grabbed me by the wrist and wouldn’t let me go, and didn’t believe me when I said I had friends waiting for me.
When I lived in Rummelsburg somebody broke in while I was 3 days in Sweden. They left our bikes but took everything that fits in a small car. Kitchen knifes, laptops, box with electronics. Harddrive with work relates things on in worth of 80k…. Bad part is we didn’t have backups outside of the apartment and they took everything. Good thing is thief got caught in a stolen car with Some of our stolen goods including the harddrive. He sits in prison for 5+ years now. Other crimes also could be tracked back to him.
Since the article is very optimistic and I had experience myself and with my friends, ill share it: I got assaulted physically and verbally this week on a bus full with people. I was at the last seat center seat of a bus going from Hermanplatz to Baumschulweg (M41), at 10:20 in night, the bus was 70% full, a guy fell on me and sat next in front side seat, he wasnt wearing a mask and was looking like he is a problem, i asked if he is fine and this came out to be my biggest mistake. That guy assaulted me verbally first before throwing punches on me and throwing my stuff, breaking my headphones and attempted to break my phone. I was in shock, he threw me out of my seat and people around started yelling at him too, i went of the bus and 2 people did try to talk to me and help. I went to police station (which was 50 meters from this incident), and made a complaint. The situation is so common in that area as I learnt from the police. To be honest I never thought that in a bus full of people it would happen. The guy wasn’t looking shady from his appearance but apparently turned out to be a psycho. For me the learning was to never ever be emphatic with anyone who looks like he/she needs help, calling a cop is way better idea when u r in a safe spot. Eventually i respect that police was available and I had no issues in reporting the crime. But the toll on my mental health from this gave me deeper harm than the physical assault and damage to my belongings. Im happy to be alive because that person looked like he could pull of a knife from his pocket.
☆Great article my “freund”☆ I was in the US Army stationed in Berlin 1989-91. As a Military Policeman (MP), I worked Checkpoint Charlie. During this time, crime was pretty low. Our attention was looking at the Russian and East German Soldiers. Always love perusal your articles and of course subscribed. ☆ “Danke und Chus”☆
I lived in Berlin my whole life and I honestly hate it. But that’s just because I don’t like big cities. However, I am a woman and even as a minor I was harassed by strangers multiple times, which isn’t fun. I would say that the U-Bahn is one of the most dangerous places (especially for women), but that’s just personal experience. Everything else is mostly fine 🙂
Lived in Berlin for 2 yrs (1992-94), went out a lot at night w/ friends (i.e. Tresor). At first, was literally terrified to be on my own, even early evening, I’m a southern girl from Texas, but w/ time, realized no one really cared & everyone just minded their own business. Saw unaccompanied little old ladies taking the Ubahn at 9pm. Worst thing that ever happened was perusal drunken teenagers getting sick at the bus stop & getting yelled at for crossing an empty street on foot late at night on red.
lived in Berlin for a few years. Mostly spend my time in Wedding, Neukölln and Friedrichshain. I always was told to be careful especially in those quarters but never felt uncomfortable even at night. The worst thing ever happening to me was that a local “park herbalist” ran away with a few bucks without giving out his product. And that’s just such a classic tourist scam where you’re almost to blame yourself if it happens to you. I sure do… Also, I a want to point out that the perception of danger by one also just might be freedom to yourself as no one bothers you while you’re having a beer and casual hangout in the park, which in some conservative village might already be enough to have the cops be interested… Growing up in a rural, conservative area i personally found moving to bigger cities and especially those with “bad reputation” more safe and actually liberating…
Visited Berlin four times as a tourist, not a single crime witnessed or even a little scare to myself. Next tuesday i’m going again for four days and my hotel is EXACTLY at the hotspot in Schöneberg… we’ll see. If you want some advice, i’ve travelled alone around Europe quite a bit and something that has always served me well is being very aware of my surroundings and SHOWING it. And if you take a picture take a quick look at everyone around you immediately after. Bad people will always target distracted and unaware people, don’t be one of them. And FFS don’t get any of your belongings unsupervised for a single second, no matter where you are.
You oversimplified the organzised crime scene quite a bit. You do have the Vietnamese and Russian mob here, and a few biker gangs like Hells Angels or Bandidos who control some parts. Berlin has a basically still an east west divide when it comes to crime. In West Berlin you have Arabain, Turkish, Kurdish Clans and in the East you have other gangs.
I live in Berlin since 4 years and generally feel very safe and free, day & night! Of course it depends a bit which areas you’re at.. As a girl I feel a bit less save in Neukölln or at Kottbusser Tor for example because I’m catcalled a lot. At night when I’m by myself I avoid parks and dark, lonely streets, but in case I always bring a pepperspray (which I never had to use). It happened once that I was followed by a guy in bright daylight after leaving a club, but luckily the bouncers stepped in. Another time I was followed at night at Ostkreuz station (could loose him easily, but if I hadn’t I’d asked for help or called the police). Considering the 200+ times I’ve taken public transport or walk the streets by night I would still call Berlin very safe, but it can’t hurt to be street wise, aware of your surroundings and your radar on for crazy people 😀
I visited Berlin two years ago, prior to covid. Its a nice city, however my Airbnb accommodation was in a very Turkish area. It looked run down and rough. Once outside though it was a very nice place. I had a tour of the Reichstag and other places. There was this huge bunker near checkpoint Charlie with around 80 rooms, full of different details on the Nazi era. Great place.
I have never been pickpocketed, but after having lived several years in different large cities, I have become very cautious about my belongings. If I sit in a bar/restaurant. I always have my hand bag in my lap/on me, would never leave a phone on a table or so. In the u bahn / on the city I keep the bag in front of me and immediately think my wallet will be stolen if i would by mistake have the bag zipper facing to my back 😁 . Even though I have not had anything stolen yet, I guess it will happen at some point and try to have my valuables in different places (different bank accounts, different banks, limits to withdrawals, leave one credit card at home when going out, store phone number to block credit cards / sim cards in different places….) The scariest thing happening to me in Germany (lived there 2 years) was some guys on a regional train in southern germany that attacked my Chinese-Canadian friend for being foreign. Fortunately he was an ex militar and got help from other guys in our group. The scary thing was that nobody in the carriage did anything and nobody left the get help from the staff. Everybody just ignored the situation 😯
Worst things that happened to me in Berlin… once someone tried to rob my mobile phone and once someone tried to kidnap and rape me. Several tries to rape me can be left aside. Friends and people I knew got it worse. Some rapes which weren’t even reported because the amount of sentenced proofed rapists decreased and even if they got sentenced, the judgement was more like a joke. For this being several times re-traumatized? 1 guy got shot by someone who already threatened him before and when he reported the threatening the police, he didn’t get help. A few girls vanished and in one case they finally got the killer last year after almost 20 years. One girl got hanged by her brother-in-law and the police said it’s suicide until he also killed his wife. A woman I knew suddenly vanished and when this got reported the police they didn’t do anything for months. Then they found her chopped body pieces. She didn’t want to lend a friend 50€. A father of a friend got killed by a homeless man he knew when he offered him a warm place to sleep. I can list more, but what is most interesting to me is, that most victims are female. I don’t want to know what maybe didn’t even become part of the statistics.
I lived in one of the apartment buildings at Kotbusser Tor for a little while. I never had any trouble. The main thing is don’t look like a target. In Berlin that mostly means don’t wear nice clothes, or brightly colored clothes. I did see several ladies of the night and purveyors of mind altering substances, but I don’t consider those crimes so they didn’t bother me. I lived on Rigaer Strasse too and the pubs there are filled with old lefties – very interesting conversations to be had there for sure.
As someone working in Berlin authorities, I can’t agree with you. The numbers are not anything reassembling reality. For example: the numbers for “Tötungsdelikte” / homicide cases can’t be compared. It’s because Berlin counts almost every attempted homicide / murder as “Gefährliche Körperverletzung” / assault / bodily harm – as long as the victim doesn’t die. The argument is “Rücktritt vom Versuch” / resigning from the attempt: “He stabbed him just three times, why not until he was dead? He only shot him in the arm – so why didn’t he fire more shots until the victim was dead? He resigned from the attempt, so it’s no homicide. And we deal with cases like this daily. 40 cases per month would be more realistic, but still not close. It’s just a game of numbers, but if count this in consideration, Berlin is as safe as Detroit.
Im planning on coming to Berlin, becoming an international student (apply to some universities) and hopefully live there. From what i heard, great social programs, powerful economy with low cost of living compared to other European cities like Paris, London, Amsterdam etc (which is very helpful) and overall a safe place. Thanks on making this article dude and i love your accent.
In 2017, I was walking down Curvystrabe near Gorlitzer park after going to an ATM, about 7pm when from 10 meters away, three men asked “Do you have any cigarettes”, and I said quickly “I don’t smoke”, they sprinted towards me, and began their attempted mugging, I took a number of hits and one king hit to the chin. I’m 6ft 4, and managed to elbow one of them so hard in he head he fell off me and broke free of the other two and began sprinting for my life, they tried to out run me by taking different sides of the street but I burnt them off. I sprinted to some drug dealers, got a cab, returned to my hostel bleeding, and decided I wouldn’t let that bother me and went to a Justice gig and spent two days in Katerblau it was great haha! Love Berlin and it is really rare to have an experience like that!
I was only once in Berlin in 2019, I loved it! And I went to Kottbusser Tor (as I was going to Schneiders Laden), I noticed the shady vibes but didn´t see or didn´t happened nothing to me or my friend! We even walk around the place, through Kottbusser Str. to the Hard Wax record store and came back again to the U-Bahn station… I have great memories of Berlin!
Visited Berlin in 2018 solo, felt pretty safe and I did go to some of the night life…that said be careful as pick pocketing is huge, even the hotel I stayed told me to be careful and it was 4 star hotel. And every other uber I got was very sketchy driver, from ignoring all the street signs to speeding to offering to get me substances (lol), so take regular taxi as my German friends recommended is safer and not that much more expensive. Just my two cents, but definitely visit Berlin its an awesome city.
Superwitzige Idee mit der Live-Schalte zu Ivan! Aber ich glaube, wenn die Kamera noch n bissel länger unscheinbar in der Gegend rumgestanden hätte, hätten wir zufällig auch noch bissel live-Kleinkriminalität gesehen. 😁Übrigens, das mit den brennenden Autos überrascht jetzt ja wirklich nicht mehr, wenn man sich n paar articles von dir gegeben hat 😆
I came from São Paulo (Brazil) and live near Alexanderplatz, that in comparison don’t look so dangerous for me, BUT one of ours bikes was stolen from the subterranean garage once, when the build’s door was broken for some days… And some scammers and creepy guys spoken to me and some friends near the station, and in Bergmannkiez too.
You are really awesome and that short clip of you and NALF made my day!!!! Quick question what about motorcycle thefts, here in south Florida i had three motorcycles stollen, it was a Suzuki GSX-750 taken right in front of a restaurant 😫that wss my only set of wheels at the time😞 I’m definitely getting that VPN!!!!!
I had a brawl breakout in front of me on the u-bahn a few years ago. It was between 5 palestian guys and 4 or 5 German soccer hooligans. One of them started spraying pepperspray right in front of me, which was a new experience, suddenly not being able to breathe, haha.. it was an odd thing to see one person after another start chocking as the pepperspray drifted down the carriage!! People were quite freaked out until they knew what it was!
That gold coin was on loan from a private collector, so the museum must’ve had to pay back the value of the coin to that person. Frankly, it was ridiculous to have a modern coin from 2007 in a museum that is supposed to be collecting items of historical value and items of expert artistic craftsmanship. Now it’s a financial burden for nothing.
Having seen Turkey, Ukraine and France, generally Berlin didn’t look creepy. I spent 4 days in Berlin, and on my second day i was mugged and robbed by two pakistanis right behind the east side gallery, one of them stood really close to me and made a gesture like he’s pulling out the knife, swearing to god that he will kill me, no one intervened:) Although it probably was a bluffing, it was kinda hard to risk my health for 100 fucking bucks. I didn’t go to police, because i had not so much time, plus spending all night with police would likely lead to nothing. So noteworthy to say, that many cases go unreported. It was the first time i got robbed. I was a bit shocked it happened in a very crowded place. Currently i live in Poland and it’s super safe here, thank god Poland did not let in african and middle eastern refugees.
Ik this is a somewhat old article, but when i arrived in Berlin as a tourist for the first time, i was suprised how people drive in the streets, some people have no respect for Red and green light, this one dude ignored the light being red and people were crossing, but he just kept driving and almost took me and my parents down
Love your articles! I was living in Berlin in 2019-early 2020 but didn’t find you until afterwards. Planning to move back there next year, so it’s nice to watch and still feel connected to Berlin in the meantime. Are you actually planning a trip to the States, or was that just an offhand comment? I was born and raised in Los Angeles, and while I never really feel unsafe here (even though a lot of people consider it to be a dangerous place), I did still feel noticeably safer while living in Berlin. There are not a lot of places anywhere in the States where I could walk around alone as a woman at 3am and feel as comfortable as I did in Berlin. That being said, cringing at the number of comments to this article which are thinly veiled racist comments about the crime in Berlin.
Hate to burst your bubble. Those 8 Arab clans, you know, the small army of 10 000, they all have guns. Go ask them how difficult it was for them to get it. I will buy you a Paulaner for everyone that got their gun the way you would have to. Those gun laws you speak of, they are for you. Not the criminals.
Living here now in Berlin for 3 yrs & never felt unsafe! Being an American who has lived in Baltimore & NYC, “unsafe” areas mean serious crime & keep out, but here it’s about petty theft & I keep a closer eye on my stuff. As a woman I have extra awareness on the street, but that’s nothing unusual. The crazies don’t have guns here, yay!!!
“All the crazy people here they don’t have guns”.. Hahaha! Actually that’s a good point, happens the same thing here in my country (Bolivia), almost impossible to own a gun, very extrict laws.. If you have a gun here, there’s two possible escenarios, the first one, if it’s a modern or military grade weapon, that means you are a member of the drug cartel, in which case you’re probably rich, so you won’t be robbing people or you won’t be hurting other persons who don’t have anything to do with your game (like the other cartel). The second case, if it’s your standard neiborhood psycho who wants to hurt you, probably the gun that he will use is a World War 1 peace of crap pistol, rusty, malfunctions everywhere, that will blow the hand of the gunslinger if he tries to shot you with it. So in both cases you’ll be safe 😎
I live in Munich and have been to Berlin several times. Never felt threatened. Did not think Alexanderplatz was dangerous, it seems like a cool place for young people to hang out. One thing I noticed, there are lots of beggars, especially in the U-Bahn and S-Bahn trains. I guess they have come from East Europe. At the Hauptbahnhof there are signs and announcements telling you not to give them money. Mind you, London is bad for that as well.
I got my brand new bike stolen right in front of my apartment last year in october. Bought myself a new one in spring, another “cool” one…and it got stolen first weekend of october this year, in Oranienstrasse next to Kottbussertor 🙁 Other than bike thefts and perhaps pickpocketting, I have never heard of bad things happening.
I grew up in Canberra, and well…. There’s gangs, drug addicts, sketch people, neighbourhoods, places, people, everywhere. I’ve never had any negative experiences, and that’s coming from someone whose lived in a capital city for 11 years. The point is, you have to be careful anywhere you go, and you shouldn’t be careless as to what you do.
went home drunk and left my old falling apart bike outside the astro bar in the simon dach strasse unlocked. Went back the next day. Of course gone. That was the worst thing in 2002. The rest of what your talking about. Never heard of. Since then sounds like things are crazy. Never happened in the day. Used to be able to leave your bag in Yaam with no worrys. When i was leaving Berlin from my apartment on frankfurter tor some one stole my stuff from the abstall kammer. Thats when I knew things had changed. Maybe I was just living under a carpet.
While being inside the one of the most dangerous countries in the world, my Russian Saint Petersburg has 134 murders (and attempted murders) and 68 rapes (also with attempts) for 5 millions ppl. I think, this rating is incorrect for this analysis since most of the topics are like “nuclear weapon”, “weapon selling” and stuff. There’s so much danger here, so we park bikes outside of the house for the whole night, i did park it for hours without a lock with no consequences
I’ve never been to Berlin, but if those crime statistics are accurate, crime is very low. I was born, raised and still live in the New York City area. Back in the 70s and 80s NYC was truly a dangerous place. In 1990 there were 2245 murders committed in New York City. The worst thing I’ve personally seen in NYC? The attack on the World Trade Center.
Murders, kidnappings, rapes, threats, name-calling, femicide, xenophobia, pushing, harassment… there are many types of violence. Many people associate cities with many fire-brother deaths with other types of violence. But, a city can have a high homicide rate and few robberies or just the opposite.
9:20 – your old crashed car is already in Poland or Czchia as “almost new car from German pensioner” 😀 11:24 – yeah, such doors have almost all buildings from late 19th century or first years of 20th century even here in Prague, most od people already upgraded their doors at least with those locks with pipes going up and down (similar system as in some cloth closets), it’s still not that good, but better than nothing. And most of doors have chain so when you open when someone is knocking on your door, he can’t attack you and open your door that easily. i.ceskestavby.cz/clanky/odstavce/23550-556511-1_127987458915.jpg BTW, you should always lock your rear wheel, not front, it’s super easy to remove front wheel and get rest of your bike, you can use 2 locks, one for lock your back wheel and second to lock your front wheel to frame, that’s how I do that when I have to let my bike somewhere for longer time. Funny story: My father once lost key from his old crapy destroyed bike when he was shopping, so he just let it there and didn’t care much about that, when we went there after like week, it was still there, but someone cuted lock and put that bike to different place because it was occupying place in bike parking zone, nobody stole that. 😀 But that was in small city, I see many locked bike frames without wheels and seddle or just locked front wheel even in Prague. 😀
So just talking rape here for a second. What about the under reporting of it? Germany has a large issue with rapes not being reported and a pretty weak legal stance. It was only in 2016 that they removed the need to physically fight off ur assailant for it to be considered rape. So before that being drugged or frozen in fear would mean it wasn’t rape. Or there’s also the issue of those under 14 cant even be charged criminally. As with the gang rape that hit the news a while back. I’m not saying that Berlin isn’t still safer then other major city’s just wonder your thoughts on this particular issue
I used to consider Berlin pretty safe – especially compared to London. However, it’s not even close to perfect safety. It’s not so difficult to see junkies – not only in the ZOO station area. I have never lived in Berlin so I have only a ‘tourist perspective’. I have nothing against Alexanderplatz, but Kotti scares the hell out of me. I loved how you presented it. Common sense is the best weapon. Yes, not everybody understands the importance of common sense :/ On the bright side – I love Prenzlauer Berg and I find it the safest area in the city.
I was living in Bayreuth for two years, and recently moved to Essen. People warned me that it is dangerous and blla blla. Truth is, i only received these warnings from Germans. Objectively said, the standards of German people for safety are quite strange to me. As long as noone stops me in the street with a weapon, i dont call that place dangerous. If the streets are dirtier than some other city, or if some weed dealers frequent the city center, that does not mean the city is dangerous. I have been to Berlin once for some days, did not saw anything dangerous.. though chaotic yes.
being a teen living in the outskirts of Berlin, i can pretty much confirm that i never witnessed any crime happening, even when staying out all night in areas that are known to be a bit less comfortable. however (in my opinion), police brutality is a pretty big issue, especially if you’re bipoc and/or participating in leftist demonstrations. it’s not uncommon to get your bones broken with no option of reporting the person responsible. broken bones or a few nights in the hospital are of course nothing compared to police brutality in the US (for example). thx for the great article and stay safe 🙂
I feel like this is nothing compared to American city crime. I can’t even believe I’ve never been mugged considering how much clubbing I did for like 15 years straight. Just a few years ago my car was stolen right out of my driveway and that kind of thing happens all the time around here even as the cheapest run down property costs half a million.
In highschool a friend of mine while out with other classmates got stabbed and the other guys who tried to protect the girls got beaten up pretty bad at U Bahnhof Johannisthaler Chaussee. I’ve encountered a couple of guys harrassing women in the streets, even getting handsy with them or trying to hit them. One time some young guys were harrassing a Döner shop owner and he chased them away with the big knife they use to cut the meat. When I was working near Treptower Park I honestly never felt safe as a women. Not in the mornings or evenings due to the amount of intoxicated people coming out of the clubs at 8 am or due to the large encampement of squaters/ leftist group near my office. It always smeled bad, people were drunk or on drugs even in the morning and would chat you up/ try to stirr shit when you move past them. A couple of years the camp got shut down due to them accidentally starting a fire that spread. In the last 5-10 years I also encountered a lot of gropeing on the trains and busses. I always thought this would be something, that might happen when I am in my teens but instead it happend more when I got to my 20s and 30s that I suddenly felt a guy scooths ever closer to my seat and put his hands on my thighs or under my butt/ groping it when I stood on the train. Most of those incidents happend on the U6 though so I don’t know if it’s just that line in particular. When they were repairing it and they used busses as replacement I had a guy rub one off on my thigh in a packed bus.
When I look at that index, Austria being 5th?! Seriously. It’s my home country, and I know so many austrians, including my family, which is already scared to go to Vienna, especially alone. Always have someone with you when you go to Vienna, because criminality is so high. And it’s 5th???! My family was born in Vienna and we moved to the country side because it’s not the best place to live, even though Vienna is/was beautiful.
Most of those crimes in LA aren’t commited with guns that that perpetrator walked into a store and bought tho, most are ” ghost guns ” not on the registry that have come from other countries or they are stolen from their legitimate owners that are on the registry, and honestly, a good amount of those murders aren’t guns at all, lots of fights happen here that end in stabbing or bludgeoning ( beating ) someone to death with a blunt object or even feet and fists. The days of our grandparents where you settle a score by whoever gets knocked out or knocked down first are gone. Yes, there is alot of rage here. 😂 I think alot of people here aren’t accustomed to not getting what they want, are used to being on extremes, and logic isn’t tough enough.
I think zurich is far more dangerous than berlin. I lived one year drunk in berlin and not a single problem (peharps one once with a stupid drunk in the ubahn but at the end nothing) …two years as a student in zurich and just problems…i did my bachelor in avoiding fights and stupid persons…then normal if you live as a criminal you get problems also in the smallest village of the world…but for me the safety of a city is given by the probability persons will give you problems without any reasons and berlin is pretty safe from that point of vieuw (well need to admit i went at night in asenheide and was scared…but you can live berlin without going at night in asenheinde…) probably in berlin crimanls have other worries than disturbing people, in the specific case, me. And we are talking of cities where people dont need to take a gun for stealing you 20 euro, and if you have problems with organized crime then is your fault. In any case, the worst city i lived in, not that count, was london, there i also hadnt real.problems, but the entire atmosfere was really black, you really could feel persons were fucked up, there i walked also nervous on my way
Broo you are such a cool guy, as a Latin I would recommend not to use the word AMERICAN to refer people from USA, think that AMERICA is a continent and some people could get upset when you use that word to refer a person from that country only, the same goes for NORTH AMERICAN because Canada and Mexico are part of it. I hope you find this comment cool, this was just with the purpose of inform you the feeling of some of us and how we will appreciate it if some people start to change this. Thank you bro for the content and cool afternoon !!! By the way if one day you pass by Brno (Czechia) let me know! more than welcome bro!
in a nutshell: don’t come in contact with the underworld. If you pay attention to that, then you’re 90% safe here. And 98% safe if you look like a middle eastern or southern european guy (believe me that works). And a litte tip: be chilled and behaive like that. The bad guys gonna smell you from 3 km away if you’re not having a cool appearance
For 2 years I was every business day entering and leaving Kottbusser Tor through Reichenberger str. Ubahn entrance. The worst Ubahn entrance you can imagine, one might say. Nothing to be scared off I can say. But I wouldn’t like my children to be there around, that is for sure. Basically lots of drug addicts around and just weird people. But deffinately not a “No Go Zone”, like some bullshit media tries to imply. Police is there in a matter of seconds if anything fishy is going around, and yes it goes around lots of fishing activity, so Police is visiting this place often. Still love the vibe of the place. Every Berling district have its own specific vibe, and Kotti is one of its kind