Is Cologne Safe for Women? Crime Rate in Cologne

Safety rating

Safe
3.9 /5

Women living in Cologne consider the safety level to be relatively high, with an overall safety rating of 3.9 out of 5.

Crime rating

Low
1.9 /5

Women living in Cologne consider the crime rate to be relatively low, with an overall crime rating of 1.9 out of 5.

Violence rating

2.5%

On average 2.5% percentage of women in Germany have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner at some time in their life, according to OECD Data.

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Crime & Safety Statistics

Based on 54 experiences

Safety rating:

3.9/5Safe

Safety walking alone after dark:

3.4/5Moderate

Safety using public transport:

3.9/5Safe

Crime rate:

1.9/5Low

Worries of being sexually harassed:

2.2/5A bit worried

Worries of being sexually assaulted or raped:

1.7/5A bit worried

Worries of being physically attacked:

1.8/5A bit worried

Worries of home broken and things stolen:

1.2/5Not at all worried

Worries of being mugged or robbed:

1.5/5Not at all worried

Worries of being kidnapped or murdered:

1/5Not at all worried

How safe is Cologne?

I think Cologne is, all in all, a safe city. I wouldn't worry that much, than usual, during the day or in central areas like the Altstadt and around the cathedral. There are usually plenty of people around, and public transport feels secure, even though they've got some big problems with punctuality. There are some areas where it’s smart to be a bit more cautious, particularly at night, but there's a noticeable police presence—especially during festivals—which helps with crowd control and safety. I would say that the police are generally trustworthy.

Posted: April 21, 2025
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Lili

Lili

I feel safe going around the city without having to constantly be cautious about the surroundings, also late at night. I have never accoutered any tourist trap in the city also. Public transport is well connected and pickpocketing rarely happens (as far as I know).

Posted: April 18, 2025
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Marcel

Marcel

I mean, it's safe if you came from South America, but I think because of the multicultural people here, men can be like "persistent", it's very common that hospitality can be confused with flirting hospitality= just a simple smile

Posted: April 13, 2025
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Despite a few drug addicts and alcoholics, especially some high people screaming inside trains, it's overall a pretty save city! Police is usually just around the corner, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.

Posted: April 11, 2025
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Ellen

Ellen

In Cologne it depends on the areas where your are around. In the inner circle it is save at most places. Never the less I‘d use an Uber or cab to get around at night when I don‘t know my surrounding.

Posted: April 6, 2025
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The city of Cologne is, in my opinion, quite safe. I'm more familiar with the left side of the Rhine, and I've never really felt in danger. I know that sometimes the area around the train station can be intimidating, but there are always law enforcement officers, so there's nothing to worry about :). I would just suggest maybe avoiding certain neighborhoods like Kalk.

Posted: March 28, 2025
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Savanna

Savanna

Cologne is overall pretty safe, normal precautions are advised. But, I have only rarely experienced trouble in the last 8 years of living here. Germans rarely catcall, if ever. Typically only during Karneval and generally while partying are the men more sexually aggressive.

Posted: March 26, 2025
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Ariana

Ariana

Nothing special to say. I feel safe because I’m walking around areas. I know the people and place and a location and I just tried to avoid the places that I shouldn’t go, especially just by myself as a woman.

Posted: March 25, 2025
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It's a very safe city in general! I do not feel scared walking home alone lost of the time. Of course, a night in the center there are sometimes some weird people, but nothing too dangerous. Watch out for scammers near the Cologne Cathedral!

Posted: March 23, 2025
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Jas

Jas

Cologne is a rather loud city that’s also alive at night. Due to the amount of people that are always around, I feel quite save. Also, the awareness for standing up for people in distress is pretty high I would say. So, of course, like everywhere in the world, there are people who have bad intentions on their mind, but there are also always people who’d lend a hand.

Posted: March 10, 2025
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Is Cologne worth visiting?

Travel rating

4.4 /5

based on 17 experiences from female travelers

Solo travel

For me it was a little difficult, sometimes I felt alone and had no one to go out with, there aren't that many things to do and they don't have festivals or as much street music as I expected there would be, the people are friendly but they don't make much of an effort to include you, unfortunately the first day I arrived I had a very persistent experience in terms of xenophobia but nothing went wrong.

Posted: April 14, 2025Experienced: March, 2025
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Solo travel

I felt safe. You can see the churches around, there are 12 of them. It's nice to see the botanical garden, grab some Kölsch and stroll around the river. I stayed at Novo Hotel. I walked mostly on foot but it's easier if you rent a bike or go by bus.

Posted: March 10, 2025Experienced: February, 2025
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Meet locals in Cologne

Celine

Celine

About Me

Your local girl from cologne, currently in her master's, hating German public transport 👍

Speaking

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Ružica

Ružica

About Me

Hi there! I'm international student in Germany, using every opportunity I can to travel and explore new places. Very spontaneous and always up to new experiences

Speaking

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Safety in Germany

Frequently asked questions

Is Cologne safe?

Women living in Cologne consider the safety level to be relatively high, with an overall safety rating of 3.9 out of 5.

Is Cologne safe to walk alone at night?

Women living in Cologne consider walking alone at night to be moderately safe, with an overall safety rating of 3.4 out of 5.

Is public transport safe in Cologne?

Women living in Cologne consider public transport to be relatively safe, with an overall safety rating of 3.9 out of 5.

What is the crime rate in Cologne?

Women living in Cologne consider the crime rate to be relatively low, with an overall crime rating of 1.9 out of 5.

What is the risk of being sexually harassed in Cologne?

Women living in Cologne consider the risk of being sexually harassed to be relatively low, with an overall risk rating of 2.2 out of 5.

What is the risk of being sexually assaulted or raped in Cologne?

Women living in Cologne consider the risk of being sexually assaulted or raped to be relatively low, with an overall risk rating of 1.7 out of 5.

What is the risk of being physically attacked in Cologne?

Women living in Cologne consider the risk of being physically attacked to be relatively low, with an overall risk rating of 1.8 out of 5.

What is the risk of burglary in Cologne?

Women living in Cologne consider the risk of burglary to be very low, with an overall risk rating of 1.2 out of 5

What is the risk of being mugged or robbed in Cologne?

Women living in Cologne consider the risk of being mugged or robbed to be relatively low, with an overall risk rating of 1.5 out of 5.

What is the risk of being kidnapped or murdered in Cologne?

Women living in Cologne consider the risk of being kidnapped or murdered to be very low, with an overall risk rating of 1 out of 5