Do you want to visit the “Cité Ardente” and are you wondering about safety in Liège, which neighborhoods to avoid?

Liège, a charming Belgian city, is full of lively neighborhoods and tourist attractions. However, like any big city, there are places that may be less safe than others.

Although Liège is a generally safe and welcoming city, there are some areas where it is best to exercise caution.

Here are the best neighborhoods to stay in while visiting this charming Belgian city.

Is Liège a dangerous city?

Like Brussels , Liège has a relatively high level of insecurity and crime.

Indeed, the crime index in Liège is 60,69 out of 100, which is considered high. This index places Liège among the least safe cities in Europe.

In fact, according to Numbeo's 2024 ranking , Liège is the 7th most crime-ridden city in Europe out of 130 cities ranked.

In comparison, Liège is more dangerous than Paris , Athens or Turin.

What are the neighborhoods to avoid in Liège?

Of course, the level of insecurity varies depending on the neighborhood. Indeed, there are certain neighborhoods that have a higher risk of crime and violence and others that are safer.

According to the sources cited at the end of the article, the main dangerous districts or those to be considered with caution in Liège are the following:

• Sint-Niklaas et Bressoux-Droixhe are considered the most dangerous areas of the city.
• Saint Leonard is a neighborhood with a strong presence of drug trafficking. It is one of the main deal points in the city.
• Saint-Gilles is also a problematic neighborhood, with a significant presence of drug addicts in the evening.
• Le Carré (see below) also faces problems of insecurity although police measures have been put in place.
• Outremeuse is also a neighborhood with a bad reputation.
• The surroundings of the Liège-Guillemin stations are also to be avoided. This area is known for its crime problems, including thefts and muggings.

The red light district of Liège

Liège is also known for its red light district (the Carré). It is located in the city center mainly around rue Souverain-Pont.

Despite this district and its activities being legalized in Belgium, the red light district of Liège remains a place to avoid for families and more conservative visitors.

Especially since late at night there can be incidents related to alcohol and violence. The police have put measures in place to improve security, but caution and caution should be exercised in this area.

Which area for a tourist stay in Liège?

As in all large cities, there are safety problems in certain areas but this does not mean that the entire city is unsafe. The majority of Liégeois appreciate their neighborhood and feel good in their city.

The most touristy district is the historic center or “historic heart of Liège”:

• It concentrates the main tourist sites and monuments of the city: The Place du Marché and its Perron, the Palais des Princes-Évêques, La Collégiale Saint-Barthélemy, rue Hors-Château, the Archéoforum and numerous museums.
• You will find a wide variety of restaurants, cafes and shops in the center, which is ideal for tourists wanting to enjoy local gastronomy and shopping.

To discover this beautiful district, here is a very interesting guided tour of Liège .

Is the historic center a safe neighborhood?

The feeling of insecurity has increased in recent years in the center of Liège. In fact, nearly 49% of residents noted and mentioned a deterioration in security in a recent survey.

But fortunately, the historic center of Liège is not one of the most dangerous areas of the city. Of course, you will have to avoid the Carré, the Saint-Léonard district and isolated or poorly lit streets at night.

The area around Liège-Guillemins station can also be a little less safe, especially at night.

Which hotel to stay in Liège?

To avoid the inconveniences and insecurity of the historic centre, I advise you to stay at the Van der Valk Hotel Liège Congres.

Indeed, it is located in Bovarie Park right next to the Palais des Congrès and just 10 minutes on foot from the historic center of Liège.

View this hotel on Booking.com

Sources: Rankings, statistics, AI, press articles: rtbf.be , 7sur7.be , liege.be , police.be/statistiques