Is Cologne Safe for Women? Crime Rate in Cologne

cologne is a very friendly city, the people are really nice and always helpful. it’s not a ‚polite‘ vibe, they just start to talk to you randomly, you can always ask for help or meet new friends :))))

In the heart of Cologne are many homeless people. You don‘t have to worry about the homeless people as they just want money. If you can, try avoiding eye contact. In the past few years many homeless people started taking drugs. Well they took drugs before but not that many took them. Now it‘s all over Neumarkt (where you go to when you want to buy clothes or eat nice food). If you feel uncomfortable, police is always near you. Because some homeless people often get into fights. But you don‘t have to worry about that. Overall I‘ve been never harassed.

It's overall safe and the people are nice. It depends on who you are around and also the context, sometimes I don't feel secure as a women alone in the dark, but it is all relatively safe depending on your context. BIPOC Women & Muslim women with hijab will have different experiences for sure!

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.

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).

Group travel

Cologne is a very touristy city. Consider your travel date if you want to avoid the crowds. During my short one-day trip, I visited the Lindt Chocolate Museum, the Cologne Cathedral, which you can't miss, and the shopping streets. I recommend heading away from the city center if you want to feel more immersed in the city.