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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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8 reasons why you should visit Austria’s Klagenfurt this summer

Swim in crystal-clear water, enjoy the mountains, eat Kasnudeln, and dance at the local festivals. Here is what you have to do while visiting Klagenfurt.

8 reasons why you should visit Austria’s Klagenfurt this summer

The capital of the Carinthian region, Klagenfurt, is a great place to visit, especially during summer.

The city is not only beautiful and lively but is also located near Lake Wörthersee and many impressive mountains.

Here are eight things that you have to do while visiting.

Swim in the lakes in the area 

Klagenfurt’s full name is actually Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, reflecting its location next to the beautiful, crystal-clear lake.

Wörthersee is one of Austria’s most popular lakes. It is also known for being one of the country’s warmest alpine lakes, with temperatures reaching up to 28°C. This offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy swimming, sunbathing, sailing, stand-up paddling and wakeboarding. 

The lake hosts many different Strandbäder (designated swimming area), where you pay a small fee to enter and can use all the facilities such as changing rooms and sunbeds.

Many places around the lake also offer opportunities for you to lay out your towel on grass or on docks completely for free.

Apart from Wörthersee, there are also other beautiful lakes around, reachable either by bike, car, or public transport. Some of the lakes that you should definitely not miss out on are Ossiacher See, Faaker See, and Millstätter See.

A man sits on his wakeboard on Lake Wörthersee. Photo by Maxi am Brunnen on Unsplash

The beautiful mountains 

Klagenfurt is a great place to be if you are a mountain lover. 

Some of the largest mountains in the area are the Karawanks, Nock Mountains, and Dobratsch.

The Karawanks are located south of Klagenfurt and form the natural border between Austria and Slovenia. Here, you will find many different hiking trails, including the long-distance Karawanken Trail, known for its spectacular views. You can also find climbing spots such as the Stol and Košuta peaks, offering routes for both beginners and experienced climbers.

The Nock Mountains are located northwest of Klagenfurt in Nockberge National Park. Here, you can enjoy well-marked trails, mountain lakes, and great views.

Dobratsch is a mountain peak and nature park near Villach, a smaller city close to Klagenfurt. Dobratsch Nature Park offers various hiking routes, including the popular Gipfelhaus trail to the summit.

If you want to go for a hike without leaving the city, you can enjoy the hilly area around Kreuzbergl, a hill located near the city centre of Klagenfurt. Here, well-maintained trails take you to smaller ponds, churches, and great viewing spots. 

READ MORE: Four Austrian national parks worth paying a visit

Try Carinthian food 

Carinthian food is definitely something worth trying.

The most popular dish is probably Kärntner Kasnudeln, which are pasta dumplings filled with a mix of cheese, potatoes, and herbs like mint or chives. The dumplings are made with a special crimping technique that most Carinthians learn at an early age.

Ritschert is a popular stew made with barley, beans, and smoked pork or sausage. It is a comforting and filling dish, perfect for getting re-energised after a day spent outside in the mountains.

Another typical dish is Reindling, a sweet cake filled with cinnamon, sugar, and raisins, often served during Easter.

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by @gregg3400

Enjoy the festivals 

Klagenfurt and its surroundings offer a lot of different festivals and events during the summer.

One of the most famous is the Carinthian Summer Music Festival, which attracts famous artists from around the world.

The performances take place all over the city and around the lake, where you can enjoy everything from classical music pieces to contemporary interpretations.

This year, the festival takes place from July 2nd to August 29th

Another highlight is the Altstadtzauber festival, where the historic city centre of Klagenfurt comes alive with music, dance, and local cuisine.

At this festival, you can enjoy traditional folk bands, live performances and some freshly grilled vegetables and meats.

The festival takes place from August 8th to 10th.  

Villach Kirchtag is a traditional festival held annually in Villach, which is half an hour away from Klagenfurt by train.

This year, the festival goes on from July 28th to August 4th and offers days filled with live music, artistic performances, amusement rides, and traditional local cuisine and beverages.

Here, people dress up in dirndl and lederhosen, drink local beers, and enjoy Carinthian food.

At the festival, you can meet both locals from the region and visitors from everywhere and together enjoy dancing on the street to different kinds of music all night long.

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by 79. Villacher Kirchtag (@villacherkirchtag)

A paradise for outdoor sports 

Klagenfurt is an amazing place for those who love outdoor sports.

The lakes and mountains offer opportunities for hiking, biking, and climbing during the warmer months and for skiing during the colder months.

The region is known for its well-structured bike and hiking trails, which are well-marked and easy to follow. You can easily bike to different lakes in the area and also travel between Klagenfurt and Villach along the beautiful Drau River.

Cycling around Lake Wörthersee is one of the most popular activities in the area. The paths around the lake are wide and well-marked, and there are many designated picnic areas with tables and benches.

Outdoor climbing is also possible without going far from the city. Just by the lake, you will find Klettergarten Töschling, where you can enjoy many different routes suitable for all skill levels.

READ ALSO: The four best cycling routes in Austria

Great places around 

Klagenfurt is located near the borders of Slovenia and Italy, which makes it a perfect place to be if you enjoy travelling to these countries as well.

Tarvisio is the closest larger Italian city and a great place to go if you want to enjoy Italian food and mountains. Many people from Klagenfurt travel to Tarvisio to buy Italian groceries or to enjoy a pizza. Nearby, you can also visit beautiful and famous lakes, such as Lake Fusine.

If you prefer to visit Slovenia and its stunning landscapes, a trip to Triglav National Park is highly recommended. Here, you will find tall mountains and great hiking and climbing opportunities.

If you prefer to stay in Austria and around Klagenfurt, places worth visiting include Pyramidenkogel, a wood tower that is one of the tallest wooden structures in the world. You can walk on a spiral staircase to its top and enjoy great views of the lake and surrounding area.

Another nearby attraction worth visiting is Hochosterwitz Castle. Located southeast of Klagenfurt on a steep hill, it is famous for its impressive medieval architecture and is considered one of Austria’s most well-preserved castles.

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Hochosterwitz Castle (@burghochosterwitz)

The local market

Klagenfurt’s local market is a must-visit, especially on Saturdays.

The market is called “Benediktinermarkt” and is located in the heart of the city. Here, locals and visitors gather to enjoy prosecco in the sun, some food and sometimes live music.

The market offers long rows of stalls where you can buy fresh products, regional specialities, and artisanal goods.

During the summer, the market alsoorganisese performances, live music, and DJ, and is a popular place for meeting up with friends.

Relax at Lendkanal 

Lendkanal is a famous canal in Klagenfurt. When you go from the city centre to the lake, the most comfortable path for biking or walking runs alongside the canal.

During the warmer months, the canal is a popular place for gathering, enjoying cold drinks, and finding shade under the nearby trees. 

Popular cafes like Café Lendhafen and Café Hafenstadt offer outdoor terraces directly overlooking the canal. In summer, they also host events such as outdoor cinemas.

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Robert Sauseng (@rs254)

READ MORE: Nine unmissable events in Austria in summer 2024

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