Not so long ago, we published a list of the safest countries in the world. But every coin has a flip side, and there are plenty of dangerous places on the map, including in Europe. Here are the 10 most dangerous European cities, according to the current crime index from the Numbeo service. It is based on data from visitors to the site over the last 3 years.

Cities with the highest crime rates in Europe

City Crime index
1. Marseille, France 65.1
2. Birmingham, UK  64.3
3. Coventry, United Kingdom  64.2
4. Montpellier, France 62.4
5. Naples, Italy 62.3
6. Liège, Belgium 60.6
7. Grenoble, France 60.0
8. Paris, France  57.6
9. Malmö, Sweden 56.6
10. Athens, Greece 56.2

Marseille, France

Marseille is not only the second-largest city in France but also the oldest city in the country—its history dates back more than 2600 years. In addition, Marseille is a major port city in France. Its population is more than 850,000.

Birmingham, UK

Birmingham is the second-largest city in the United Kingdom after London, which was once the center of the Industrial Revolution. It is a city of over 1 million people from over 100 countries. Despite its high crime rate, Birmingham is a popular tourist destination and is known for its vibrant culture and nightlife.

Coventry, United Kingdom

Coventry is a city in central England that is located in the West Midlands region. It has a population of over 340,000 people. Coventry is particularly known for its automobile industry.

Montpellier, France

Montpellier is the capital of the Hérault department and the second-largest city in the Occitania region of southern France. It is located 12 kilometers from the Mediterranean coast. The historic city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its narrow streets and medieval buildings.

Naples, Italy

Naples is the third-largest city in Italy, after Rome and Milan. It is the capital of the Campania region, located on the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The population of Naples is more than 1 million. The city is known for its pizza, historical center, and proximity to Vesuvius.

Liège, Belgium

Liège is the capital of the province of Liège in Wallonia, Belgium. It is located on the Maas River, about 90 kilometers east of Brussels. It has a population of about 200,000 people. Liège is home to a number of universities, including the University of Liège, which is one of the oldest universities in Belgium.

Grenoble, France

Grenoble is the capital of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France. It is located at the foot of the Alps, between the Drac and Isère rivers. The population of Grenoble is about 160,000. Grenoble was an important center of the textile industry in the Middle Ages. It was also a major center of the resistance movement during World War II.

Paris, France 

Paris, the capital of France, is one of the most famous and visited cities in the world. Its rich history, cultural heritage, and exquisite architecture attract millions of tourists every year. However, this city is also known for its high crime rate.

You can learn about the not so safe places in the French capital from our guide to the safest and most dangerous neighborhoods in Paris

Malmö, Sweden

Malmö is the third-largest city in Sweden, located in the southernmost administrative region of the country, Skåne. The city is known for its historical attractions, including Malmöhus, an ancient castle, and world-class museums such as the Museum of Modern Art and the Natural History Museum. Malmö is also famous for its beaches, including the beaches at Ribersborg, Sibbarp, Klagshamn and Scaniabadet. The city has a temperate maritime climate and is an important commercial and cultural center. 

Athens, Greece

Athens, the capital of Greece, is located in the southern part of the country on the shores of the Saronikos Gulf of the Aegean Sea. The city is located on the Athenian plain and is surrounded by the mountains of Egaleo, Parnis, and others. The city is known for its historical sites, including the Acropolis, ancient temples, and museums. The city attracts many tourists for its rich history, architecture, and traditional Greek cuisine.

The safest city in Europe is Bern, Switzerland.