4 areas to avoid in Vienna if you want to live here

Before you find housing in Vienna, it’s important to check if the Vienna neighbourhood you want to live in is considered safe.

Jale

3 minute read

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Updated on 27 Sep 2024

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Living

Vienna, the capital of Austria, is known for being a very safe city to live in. But, as with any major city, there’re certain areas where it's best to be cautious, particularly at night.

Before you find rental homes in Vienna, it’s important to check if the Vienna neighborhood you want to live in is considered safe. Let’s find out which areas to avoid in Vienna.

If you want to live in Vienna, you can rest assured that, overall, it’s a safe city to live in. The city consistently ranks high on global safety indexes and is known for its low crime rates. Even at night, most of the central and best neighborhoods in Vienna are safe and full of people enjoying a night out or commuting.

In 2023, Mercer ranked Vienna as the safest city in the world.

Since the risk of violent crimes is extremely low in Vienna, you won’t have to worry about crimes such as assault, kidnapping, harassment, or armed robbery. Even minor offenses such as pickpocketing, petty theft, and trespassing are rare.

This is because the city maintains efficient law enforcement, proactive community policing, and a strong focus on crime prevention.

But some parts of particular neighborhoods are best avoided at night, especially when alone.

Favoriten

Favoriten, located in the southern part of Vienna, is a large, diverse district with both residential and commercial areas. The neighborhood is excellent for renting affordable apartments, especially for students and young professionals. Although Favoriten is generally safe during the day, some crimes, such as theft and catcalling, happen in some areas.

Reumannplatz is a popular and bustling central square in Favoriten. But because it gets very crowded, be cautious of pickpocketing and secure your personal belongings. Some alleys and parks in Reumannplatz are poorly lit, so you might feel uneasy at night.

Another street to be careful of is Favoritenstraße. It’s a major street in Vienna that stretches from the city center to the Favoriten district. While the central part of the street is bustling and safe, you can encounter drunk people in areas closer to the Favoriten district, particularly at night.

Also, if you plan to live in Favoriten, avoid Gudrunstraße (particularly its northern part) and Quellenstraße when alone at night. Both areas have secluded and unlit streets.

Hernals

Situated in the northwestern part of Vienna, Hernals is primarily a residential district known for its charming neighborhoods and affordable rent prices. But, in certain areas, particularly around Ottakringer Straße, occasional incidents of theft and vandalism happen. It’s advisable to stay in well-lit areas and be cautious when walking alone in secluded streets at night.

Ottakring

Ottakring, situated in the western part of Vienna, is a diverse district known for its vibrant atmosphere. Most of Ottakring is safe. But areas around the Ottakring U-Bahn station and Gürtel Street are sketchy. Especially at night, you might encounter drunk people or people fighting. Avoid unlit streets, and take public transportation or taxis instead of walking alone during late hours.

Simmering

Located southeast of Vienna's city center, Simmering is primarily a peaceful district with residential areas and green spaces. But there’re areas, such as the Gasometer complex and the outskirts of Simmeringer Haide, where it's better to be safe than sorry at night. Try to avoid walking alone, especially in dimly lit places, and remain aware of your surroundings.

Vienna is a very safe city to walk in at night, with well-lit streets and plenty of foot traffic in popular areas. But remember that individual experiences can vary. So, taking safety precautions like walking with others, sticking to well-lit streets, or using well-traveled routes can help ensure personal safety.

What to do if you feel unsafe

If you feel unsafe in Vienna, call one of the 24/7 emergency numbers below.

1. Don’t compromise your safety for a cheap apartment when you search homes for rent in Vienna. Use this guide to pick a safe yet affordable neighborhood. If possible, walk around the neighborhood at different times of the day to see if you feel safe.
2. Choose a well-lit street if you rent accommodation in neighborhoods like Favoritenstraße and Gudrunstraße.
3. If you end up renting accommodation in Gürtel or any areas mentioned above, try to find a place close to public transportation so you don’t have to walk a lot to get home at night.
4. Send your location to your friends or family when commuting at night.
5. Get acquainted with your neighbors. Knowing people around you will make you feel safer.