Because of its reputation as a dangerous city, you want to know the neighborhoods to avoid in Charleroi for your next stay in Wallonia.

Well, in this article you will see that it is important to qualify the insecurity of this city by evaluating its crime level in 2024.

In addition, you will find the list of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Charleroi and the safest ones to stay in.

How dangerous is Charleroi?

Although Charleroi is known to be the most dangerous city in Belgium, recent statistics show that this perception is exaggerated:

• The latest figures published indicate that Charleroi recorded 6 criminal acts, which is lower than Cork (9 498), Antwerp (14) or Brussels (16 631)
• Crime in Charleroi decreased by 9,2% between 2014 and 2022. And in 2023 and 2024, statistics on the level of crime are not available.
• The real risk of being the victim of a violent crime in Charleroi is at the same level as that of Mons and lower than that of Liège.

However, according to the Numbeo website, in 2024 theCharleroi crime index is 63.62, which is high. According to this ranking, Charleroi is one of the most criminal cities inEurope.

The most dangerous neighborhoods in Charleroi

Charleroi has variations in terms of safety depending on the neighborhood. Here is an overview of the neighborhoods and areas considered more dangerous in Charleroi:

1. Le downtown and more particularly the Lower Town : Although the city centre is the economic and cultural heart of Charleroi, the Lower Town concentrates a significant proportion of crime, particularly pickpocketing and assaults.
2. Charleroi-South station area : This area is one of the most dangerous in the city.
3. Poor neighborhoods like Couillet ou Montignies-sur-Sambre, are also more affected by delinquency.
4. Marchienne-au-Pont : This municipality, located on the outskirts of Charleroi, faces significant crime problems.

Safest areas in Charleroi

Although Charleroi has some more problematic neighborhoods in terms of security, there are also areas where crime is lower and where you can feel safe:

• The Arcades district : Located north of the city center, this residential area is renowned for its tranquility and security.
• Montigny-le-Tilleul : This town on the outskirts of Charleroi is a good place to live, far enough from the city centre to avoid its nuisances.
• Gerpinnes : Also outside the center, Gerpinnes is a quieter area.
• Marcinelle : This municipality, to the west of Charleroi, is one of the safest areas in the urban area.
• Gilly : This district, to the south-east of Charleroi, also benefits from a better reputation in terms of security.

Neighborhoods to favor for tourists

For a tourist stay in Charleroi, the most recommended area is the city center. It is the liveliest area, with the concentration of tourist attractions and the best served. However, the city center has some areas of insecurity, particularly in certain streets (Rue Neuve and its surroundings) and in the Lower town.

The Lower Town of Charleroi is located in the southern part of the city centre, along the Sambre. It is bordered to the north by Avenue des Alliés, Boulevard de l'Yser, Boulevard Jules Audent and Boulevard Emile Evreux.

To avoid any risk of insecurity, I recommend that you choose a hotel in a safe area outside the city center of Charleroi.

I particularly recommend the Van der Valk – Hotel Charleroi Airport. In fact, this hotel is located about a 10-minute drive from the city center, in a quieter area near the airport.

Safe tourist attractions in Charleroi

Despite the security challenges, Charleroi has many interesting tourist attractions to visit during the day:

1. Beaux-arts museum : Located in the city center, this museum houses a rich collection of works of art.
2. The Cazier Wood : This former mining site, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to two museums on industry and glass. It is an important place of memory that offers an immersion into the industrial history of the region.
3. The Castle of Monceau-sur-Sambre : This magnificent 18th century castle, located in the Monceau-sur-Sambre district, offers an ideal setting for a peaceful visit.
4. The Préalle Park : This large urban park, located in Gilly, is an ideal place to relax and enjoy nature in complete safety.
5. Museum of Photography: Located in a former Carmelite monastery, this museum presents permanent and temporary collections dedicated to photographic art. It is one of the most important photography museums in Europe.
6. Belfry of the Town Hall : Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this 70-metre-high Art Deco belfry offers a beautiful view of the city.

Header image attribution: Christophe Vandercam, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons