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VIENNA

Reader question: Is Vienna a safe city to visit?

This is a frequent question for visitors to Austria or those looking to move to the capital. To find out more, we took a closer look at the crime figures in Vienna, and the city’s reputation for safety.

An evening view of Vienna.
The Red Cross is opening more homeless shelter places after a string of attacks on homeless people in the city. Photo: Jacek Dylag

Vienna is regularly named as the world’s most liveable city due to affordable rent, strong infrastructure and a high standard of healthcare.

Austria’s capital city also has a reputation as being one of the safest cities in the world, but what is the reality? Is Vienna really as safe as it is rumoured to be?

Here’s what you need to be aware of when exploring Austria’s capital city.

READ ALSO: What happens when a foreign national gets arrested in Austria?

Crime rates in Vienna

After two years of falling crime rates during the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, it rose by almost 17 percent in 2022 with 168,303 crimes reported. This includes everything from violent crime to pickpocketing and scams.

However, the overall crime rate was still below the 2019 figure of 173,574 crimes. Crime has also significantly declined in the past decade with 212,503 reports filed in Vienna in 2013.

Pickpockets

The Vienna State Police says tackling pickpocketing is a high priority for 2023. This comes as official figures show reported pickpocket crimes in Vienna increased by 24.5 percent in 2022, compared with 2021.

As a result, the Vienna police force has vowed to deploy more uniformed and civil law enforcement officers in public spaces in 2023.

Like in all big cities, pickpocket hotspots include popular tourist attractions, busy areas and public transport. Pickpocket crimes are also often reported at the city’s annual Christmas markets and in the city centre.

Crime hotspots

Sociologist Kenan Güngör describes Vienna as “a very safe city”, but there are still some districts that are more associated with crime than others. 

Examples include the Praterstern or Keplerplatz in Favoriten, which has one of the highest crime rates in the city (and the highest population). 

A reputation for crime in these areas is mostly due to drug dealing and groups of men, often from migrant communities, gathering, according to an article in Der Standard.

Especially for women these districts can lead to some concerns, particularly following the rape of an 18-year-old in a public toilet in the Praterstern in 2022, although such crimes are rare in Vienna.

READ ALSO: Vienna tops ranking of world’s most liveable cities – again

Strikes/protests

Like many other cities in Europe, Vienna has been targeted by environmental protesters in recent years. This action mostly disrupts traffic routes and is typically peaceful.

However, in March, police used pepper spray to break up a demonstration at the European Gas Conference after protesters tried to block roads leading to the hotel where the event was taking place.

And earlier this year, strike action by transport workers in Germany and Austria caused disruptions for commuters and travellers as many flights and train services were cancelled. 

Violent crime

Last year, 27,240 violent crimes were reported, according to official police figures. 

Almost 57 percent of the violent crimes committed were preceded by a relationship between the offender and the victim. As in previous years, knives were the most frequently used weapons. 

During 2022, 16 homicides were recorded (five men and 11 women were killed), of which three remain unsolved, police said. There were 365 reports filed for rape (2019: 323) and 1,244 cases of robbery. 

Bank robberies continue to be rare in Vienna, with only three cases recorded last year.

LGBTQ+

Vienna was recently named as one of the world’s most LGBTQ+-friendly cities by Time Out – a ranking voted for by LGBTQ+ travellers.

Austria’s capital is also home to the Rainbow Ball (Regenbogen Ball), a black tie waltz that marks the unofficial start of Vienna’s gay calendar. All proceeds raised at the event go to the LGBTQ+ community.

But despite the general acceptance of the community in Vienna, police arrested three people on suspicion of plotting a terror attack during the Vienna Pride event in June.

Speaking after the arrests, Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, from Austria’s State Protection and Intelligence Directorate (DSN), said: “In our democratic society, hate and terror have no place.”

READ ALSO: ‘A spy paradise’: Austria confirmed as a location for global espionage

Espionage

For decades, rumours have swirled that Vienna is a global hub for spies – mostly due to its location in the centre of Europe and the country’s neutrality. But is Vienna really a city of spies?

Some reports suggest that, yes, Austria’s capital city is in fact the espionage capital of Europe. A recent Financial Times article even described Vienna as the “Wild West” of spying.

And earlier this year, Austria’s opposition parties tried to criminalise espionage in Austria, further reinforcing Vienna’s reputation as a spy hub. Currently, if the target of spying is not the Austrian Federal Government, the authorities are not required to take action.

So far, a vote on the legislation has been suspended twice by the government, although it may take place later this year following a consultation between legal departments. 

In the meantime, a western intelligence official told the Financial Times: “If they changed the law, they’d have to try and enforce it — and the fact of the matter is, they probably can’t.”

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VIENNA

8 exciting events taking place in Vienna in July 2024

July is a lively month in Vienna, and you can enjoy a great variety of different events. From Vienna's film festival at Rathausplatz to international music and a climate festival, here's what you can visit this month.

8 exciting events taking place in Vienna in July 2024

July is one of Vienna’s liveliest months, with different events taking place all over the city.

Here, we list eight interesting happenings you should not miss out on.

Filmfestival Rathausplatz

This film and cultural festival will be held at Vienna’s town hall (Rathausplatz) from June 29th to September 1st.

Here, you can enjoy outdoor screenings that offer something for everyone. The program includes classic movies, recent blockbusters, documentaries, and opera and ballet performances.

In addition to the screenings, the festival also offers live bands, performances, DJs, and food and drink stalls.

The festival is free of charge, and you can check out the program here

 
 
 
 
 
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Vienna Popfest

This annual four-day-long pop music festival takes place at Karlsplatz, this year from July 25th to 28th.

The event celebrates contemporary pop music with performances by upcoming and established artists from Austria and beyond. 

You can enjoy a diverse range of musical styles, including indie pop, electronic, and experimental music. 

The festival is free of charge, and you can find out more about it here.

ImPulsTanz – Vienna International Dance Festival

ImPulsTanz is one of the largest contemporary dance festivals in the world. It takes place in Vienna every year, and this summer, you can enjoy it from July 11th to August 11th.

One of the highlights of ImPulsTanz is its extensive workshop program, which gives dancers of all levels the opportunity to train and learn from world-class instructors.

In addition to the workshops, the festival also offers dance performances, lectures, exhibitions, and discussion panels with famous dancers and choreographers.

Secure your ticket and read more on their website.

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by ImPulsTanz Festival (@impulstanz_festival)

Brazilian music with Djavan

On July 16th, Djavan, a Brazilian four-time Latin Grammy winner, singer-songwriter, and composer, will perform at Vienna Konzerthaus.

Djavan’s performances are inspired by Brazilian music traditions, and he mixes elements of Samba, Bossa Nova, and MPB (popular Brazilian Music).

Djavan is known as an icon in the Brazilian music scene. He is famous for his distinctive voice, unique style, and energetic live performances.

You can buy your tickets here

READ MORE: Train travel in Austria: The best day trips from Vienna

Theater im Park

From June 25th until September 20th, you can enjoy the cultural festival Theater im Park.

You can experience various cultural performances, including cabarets, theatre plays, music performances, and concerts.

The festival takes place in the Belvedere Gardens in Vienna, where you can enjoy the historical Belvedere Castle and its large, beautiful gardens.

You can check out the different performances and buy your tickets here.

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Theater im Park (@theater.im.park.am.belvedere)

Exhibition: Proud to be pride

The exhibition ‘Proud to be Pride’ highlights LGBTQIA+ rights and takes place at the Museum of Applied Arts until September 1st.

Here, you can experience a wide collection of LGBTQIA+ posters with bold designs that support diverse expressions of identity.

The exhibition aims to send a visible signal of acceptance, tolerance, and openness. 

Find out more and buy your tickets here.

Kultur Sommer Wien

This is an open-air cultural festival with free admission in Vienna.

The Vienna Symphony Orchestra opens the festival on June 27th and 28th in Prater, and the events take place until August 11th.

During the festival, nine pop-up stages across the city will host various performances, including cabaret, literature, music, dance, theatre, and contemporary circus.

Find out more here.

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Kultursommer Wien (@kultursommerwien)

Klima Biennale Wien

Enjoy the last weeks of this climate festival which goes on until July 14th at various locations all over Vienna.

The festival explores how art, design, architecture, and science can contribute to creating a sustainable and liveable future while also considering the impacts of climate change.

The festival offers a wide range of performances, exhibitions, talks, concerts, and workshops.

If you want to participate, you can buy a festival pass at various locations, for which you pay as much as you like. You can, for example, buy it at the Museum Hundertwasser.

READ ALSO: 8 Austrian festivals you need to go to this summer

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