Poland is a country of 38 million people in Central Europe.
It borders Russia, Ukraine, Germany, and Lithuania, as well as the Baltic Sea.
Once considered a poverty-stricken, blighted country, Poland now has the 6th largest economy in the European Union.
There’s a high standard of living, with low inflation rates, and they offer free university education and free healthcare for all citizens.
Poland has one of the most diverse environments you’ll find in Europe.
From the beaches on the Baltic to the mountains of Carpathia, with wetlands and deserts in between, it’s a great place to be outdoors.
The world’s biggest castle can be found in Poland, as well as the oldest restaurant in Europe (opened in 1275).
Steeped in history, a visit to Poland will allow you to tour everything from ancient castles and religious landmarks to the Auschwitz state museum (the site of the infamous Nazi death camp).
When planning a visit to any foreign country, it’s important to research safety and crime.
So how safe is Poland?
The answer is, it’s one of the safest countries in the world.
It’s got a score of 25.2 out of 100 on the Numbeo crime index.
The homicide rate is also among the lowest in Europe.
In 2022 there were 507 murders, most of which were connected to domestic disputes or drugs.
Poland credits its low crime rate to a strict incarceration policy.
Violent criminals are arrested, not allowed out on bail, and when convicted stay in prison for many years.
All of these facts are not to say Poland doesn’t have its share of crime in some places.
It’s just not comparable to other countries.
For example, the most dangerous city in Poland will be nowhere near as dangerous as the most dangerous city in, say, the United States.
Read on for a list of the 10 most dangerous cities in Poland.
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10 Most Dangerous Cities In Poland
10. Poznan, Poland
Located on the Warta River in western Poland, Poznan is home to several universities and is the cultural and business center for the area.
With a population of 529,000, it’s Poland’s 5th largest city.
While the overall crime rate is low at 24, there are many incidents of non-violent crimes like theft, drug dealing, and vandalism.
Visitors should keep cash and jewelry out of sight and be especially careful in crowded areas.
9. Warsaw, Poland
Warsaw is the capital of Poland and is home to 1.7 million people.
Several prestigious universities make their home in the city, including The University of Warsaw and Chopin University of Music.
It is a World Heritage City due to the many cultural sites that are over 400 years old.
Visitors to Warsaw are treated to beautiful sites like cathedrals and palaces.
There are many museums and galleries, a lot of green space, and food and shopping galore.
The crime index score for Warsaw is 25.8, which is quite low.
Violent crime is almost nonexistent, but there are the occasional carjackings and assaults.
Like any other large city, tourists in Warsaw are sometimes subject to pickpockets, purse snatching, and theft.
When visiting, use common sense and be aware of your surroundings.
8. Sobotka, Poland
Sobotka is a small town of approximately 6,800 people in southwestern Poland.
Despite its small population, it’s diverse and has many attractions for visitors.
Several churches and palaces can be toured, along with museums, mountains to hike, parks, and even indoor skydiving.
While you don’t need to worry yourself with a violent crime while in Sobotka, there is an issue with theft, scam artists, and pickpockets.
So, like anywhere else, stay off your cell phone, walk with purpose, and be suspicious of strangers coming up to you.
7. Bytom, Poland
One of the oldest cities in Poland, Bytom is also the largest industrial city in southern Poland.
It’s also diverse in its entertainment offerings.
A visit to Bytom could take you to shopping malls, the opera, museums, Go Karts, or gaming centers.
There’s something for everyone, including a bit of crime.
Bytom has some problems with theft, car break-ins, vandalism, and verbal harassment.
Visitors must be aware while in busy areas.
Keep your belongings close and look for suspicious people.
6. Kalisz, Poland
The oldest city in Poland, Kalisz, dates back to the 2nd century.
There are numerous historical churches, parks, theaters, and museums to visit.
With its population of 105,300, it’s also home to a large aqua park for summer fun.
Kalisz has a crime index score of 29.4, which means you have a very low chance of being a crime victim.
Residents report some vandalism and break-ins, and tourists mostly need to worry about petty theft.
Use common sense and you’ll be fine in Kalisz.
5. Gdańsk, Poland
A port city on the Baltic Coast makes Gdańsk a great place to visit.
It is also home to the largest castle in Poland, 2 great museums, and tons of ancient architecture.
Let’s not forget the beach! Considering the rather large population of 470,600, crime is surprisingly low at 31.5 per 100,000 people.
Travelers should be careful in crowds and near stations.
Pickpockets and scammers work in pairs, and these crimes have increased in the past 2 years.
You should avoid the neighborhoods of Dolne Miasto and Orunia at night.
4. Chorzow, Poland
Chorzow is located in southern Poland and has a population of 105,200.
It’s best known for having the 2nd largest sports stadium in Poland, which hosts many sporting events but also cultural and musical events as well.
There are several ancient churches, sculptures, and other structures that are sure to be of interest as well.
With a crime rate of 40.2 per 100,000 people, you are most likely to be a victim of theft or vandalism here.
There’s also a chance that you could be the target of a racial, ethnic, or religious assault.
Though tourists are rarely the target.
3. Wroclaw, Poland
Located in Western Poland on the Oder River, Wrocław is home to over 20 universities.
Best known for its market square, the town also has a Jimi Hendrix Festival each year.
They also have a great nightlife, with plenty of clubs and bars.
Wrocław does have a moderate crime rate of 40.3, which means you should be on guard for things like theft, harassment, and scams, but nothing life-threatening.
The college students are known to get drunk and rowdy and maybe hurl some insults and name-calling, but that’s about it.
2. Łódź, Poland
Located in central Poland, Łódź was once the textile center of the area.
The textile mill is now used as a cultural arts center for a population of approximately 696,000.
It’s best known for Piotrkowska Street, a 3-mile stretch of markets, vendors, and shops.
The overall crime rate in the city is 42.7 per 100,000 people.
The latest statistics reported for Łódź were a total of 48,784 crimes.
Of those, 45 were homicides, 417 were robberies, 6,129 were thefts, and 4,848 were break-ins.
Your main worry on a visit to this city is petty theft and, sadly, harassment based on religious or ethnic affiliations.
1. Zakopane, Poland
This resort town lies at the base of the Tartas Mountains and has a year-round population of just 27,200.
It’s known for being the highest elevation in Poland as well as for its delicious smoked cheese.
People from all over Europe travel here to ski, ice skate, ski jump, horseback ride, and mountain climb.
It’s a great place to relax and has a vibrant Main Street that’s closed to vehicles, so you can peruse the vendors and shops at your leisure.
Due to its resort status, there are quite a few opportunistic thieves and scammers that prey on visitors.
It’s the large number of petty crimes that gives Zakopane the highest crime index in Poland at 43.7.
Be cautious of pickpockets, do not talk to strangers that come up to you out of the blue, and keep your belongings close to you.
5 Safety Tips For Traveling In Poland
- Be careful around landmark areas and transit stations. Pickpockets and scammers often set up shop in these places.
- Guard your credit card information at all times. Never give information over the phone. A common scam is calling your hotel room and pretending to be the hotel manager.
- Avoid dark and deserted areas at night.
- Be careful when taking taxis. Many of the drivers try to cheat tourists by changing prices after the ride.
- Look out for fake police officers. This is a common scam in Poland. People will pose as officers and attempt to extort money. Learn what the current uniform looks like.
Poland Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Poland Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to go to Poland with everything happening in Ukraine?
You’ll have no problems traveling to and getting around Poland because of what’s happening in Ukraine.
You obviously are best to stay away from the border.
Can I drink on the street in Poland?
Many people think that, because of Poland’s drinking culture, it’s free for all.
It’s not.
If you are caught with alcohol outside of permitted areas, you will be heavily fined on the spot.
Should I learn some Polish before visiting?
You absolutely should.
Not only to get around easier, but the Polish people recognize that their language is not the easiest.
They will appreciate and respect that you’ve made an attempt.
