Is Hamburg Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

The city of Hamburg has a well-deserved reputation as Germany’s Gateway to the World.

It is the country’s biggest port and the second-busiest in Europe.

It is also Germany’s second-largest city with a population of over 1.8 million.

Hamburg is an excellent tourist destination, and many visitors come to the city every year.

There are many landmarks in the city worth to visit: Speicherstadt – the city warehouse; HafenCity – is a new waterside quarter; Elbphilharmonie – is Hamburg’s tallest inhabited building; Planten un Blomen – 47 hectares of gardens, lawns, ponds, greenhouses, and botanical plantations.

There are also a lot of museums, Houses of worship, theaters and a lot of cultural and fun events for a year.

Warnings & Dangers in Hamburg

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

In general, Hamburg is quite safe. If you follow the usual safety measures and monitor your things - you will not get into trouble. Mass crowds and demonstrations are best avoided. Keep track of pockets in crowded places.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Hamburg has a lot of public transport: from buses to boats. They are considered safe. However, watch your pockets. Taxis are reliable, and you can call them through the app on your smartphone or a unique stop sign.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

Pickpockets are not so common, but in tourist places and crowded places, there can be quite a lot of them. The usual precautions will protect you from this risk. Be careful with beggars or those trying to distract you.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

Although this does not happen often, Hamburg may be flooded from time to time due to the spill of the river. Examine the situation for this risk before you visit this city.

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

There are almost no armed severe robberies here. In addition, the police quickly respond to all cases of this kind of crime. Do not walk around the city late at night, and especially when drunk. Do not carry a lot of cash and precious things.

TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM

Terrorists can carry out attacks in Hamburg, as terrorist attacks are not uncommon in Europe. You should be vigilant and follow the advice of local authorities. Avoid mass gatherings and demonstrations — especially religious and political subjects.

SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM

The most common fraud in Hamburg is SMS and email newsletters, where fraudsters want to receive your data and your bank card details. Such activities usually rarely concern tourists. However, you should be on the lookout for such an opportunity.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women traveling alone can feel quite safe in Hamburg. However, you should follow the usual precautions. Do not walk late at night in the remote and dangerous areas of the city. Return home by taxi if it is already late at night.

So... How Safe Is Hamburg Really?

Generally, Hamburg is a safe city.

The level of crime here is low to moderate.

Most crimes concern petty theft, things from car stolen, vandalism, and robbery.

There is also a little problem with drugs in the city.

The usual precautions should be observed against pickpockets, especially in crowded situations and along with the tourist and shopping areas.

The Reeperbahn area of the city is fewer safe than others.

But there are a lot of police patrols in that area.

You should be aware that prostitutes offer their services on the sidewalk and can be very persistent, even holding on to you and coming after you a few steps (until they begin to another’s spot).

Reeperbahn train station can be very crowded on weekends, especially at late hours with groups of drunk people causing conflicts.

Try to avoid any contacts.

Do not leave your personal belongings unattended: in most cases, they may not be touched; however, do not seduce small thieves once again.

Tap water is very clean and safe to drink, even to prepare food for infants.

If you relax on one of the beaches of the city, be careful in the water.

Passing ships sometimes raise quite large waves, which can hurt you if you are sitting right by the water.

Jumping into running water is also not recommended.

How Does Hamburg Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

You can enter Germany without a visa if you stay for less than 90 days. If you are EU nationals, you can stay in the country as long as you want. A valid passport is a must.

Currency

The Euro is the official currency for Germany. A sign is €; code: EUR. The euro is divided into 100 euro cents.

Weather

The best times to visit Hamburg for ideal weather are June to mid-September. Average temperatures in Hamburg vary greatly, and the weather feels cold for about half of the year and otherwise excellent with a little chance of rain or snow throughout the year.

Airports

Hamburg Airport is the international airport of Hamburg, the second-largest city in Germany. It is located 8.5 km north of the city center. It services international and domestic flights.

Travel Insurance

The travel insurance policy is a must when visiting a foreign country. Make sure you got it before starting your journey, the customs officer may ask for it.

Hamburg Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Germany - Safety by City