Updated on October 15, 2024
6 of the safest cities in Germany
Taken as a whole, Germany is a very safe country with fairly strict gun laws and a relatively low homicide rate. But not every place in this country of more than 80 million people is equal in terms of personal safety. Like everywhere else in the world, cities in Germany tend to attract more criminality, even if we’re only talking about petty theft.
Even among German cities, some are safer than others. In this guide, we’ll take you on a tour of six of the safest cities in Germany. These also tend to be some of the best cities to live in, and we’ve included some information about what makes them such secure and pleasant places to call home.
The hometown of Lederhosen and the Oktoberfest may embody some of the most common German stereotypes. But with the lowest crime rate among cities of more than 200,000 citizens, there’s nothing stereotypical about just how secure Munich really is.
The main risk you may face here has to do with the local drinking culture. Think again before trying to keep up with the locals, or you may significantly increase the risk of injuring yourself! Oh, and heads up: Once the evening is over, you’ll need to take a cab or a suburban train home, as the subway is closed at night.
Surrounded by vineyards, botanic gardens and castles, Stuttgart exudes some truly fairytale-like energy. Between the annual Weindorf Festival (Wine Village Festival) and regular exhibitions at the Staatsgalerie (State Gallery) and Kunstmuseum (Art Museum), there’s plenty to see and enjoy throughout the year.
So, the fact that Stuttgart features among the safest cities in Germany only adds to its attractiveness. You can walk alone without any concern, though come nightfall you may want to avoid certain areas, such as the Schlossgarten.
With an impressively low crime rate, Dresden is one of the safest and best cities to live in Germany. You can walk around on your own and explore the city’s stunning architecture and vibrant cultural scene and nightlife. Of course, it’s always a good idea to take basic precautions, such as keeping an eye on your belongings and locking your bike before leaving it unattended.
Mainz is a beautiful gem on the Rhine that’s known chiefly for its wine. It’s also one of the safest cities in Germany. As a mid-sized city with a population of around 200,000 people, Mainz greets visitors with an unmistakable sense of community and familiarity.
The crime rate in Mainz is also quite low, with violent crime being particularly rare. The city has a well-funded police force to keep residents safe, and it boasts a good public transportation system that makes it easy to get around at night.
Braunschweig is another mid-sized historic city, located in Lower Saxony and home to the Volkswagen Autostadt museum dedicated to all things Volkswagen. It consistently ranks among the top ten safest cities in Germany and is also safer than average in the Bundesland of Lower Saxony.
Braunschweig has a good public transportation system, a good job market and a relatively affordable cost of living. So, if you’re looking for a German city that keeps you safe, look no further!
Nuremberg (Nürnberg) is located in the beautiful state of Bavaria and is home to about half a million residents. As the center of the German Renaissance, it was once home to many artists. Today, it’s probably most famous for its Christmas Market (Christkindlesmarkt). The city is relatively affluent, which may explain its lower crime rate. It is family-friendly and very safe in most areas of the city.
The six cities in our list feature among the safest destinations in all of Germany. In any of these cities, you can generally walk around safely and enjoy everything the local culture has to offer. However, a certain amount of precaution is always recommended around busy places and in dark corners — if only to avoid falling prey to pickpockets!
