Is Florence safe?
Very safe for violence. Pickpocketing around the station, Duomo and Ponte Vecchio is the main concern.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-05-22.
- Homicide rate in Italy: 0.6 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Italy: 5.3 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 113 · Ambulance 118 · Fire 115 · All emergencies 112.
Safety in Florence at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Pickpockets on buses and in crowds at the Duomo and Santa Maria Novella; occasional bike-mounted bag snatching. |
| At night | The center is lively and fine until late; some streets near the station feel rougher after dark. Taxis are a safe option. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women. Occasional catcalling; the station area and parks are best avoided late at night. |
| Other risks | Summer heat above 35°C; Cobbled streets and cyclists on narrow lanes; ZTL driving fines in the historic center |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Unlicensed drivers offering rides at the station or airport
- Street sellers pushing bracelets or 'free' gifts for money
- Restaurants near the Duomo with high cover charges and no printed menu prices
Take care
- Santa Maria Novella station and Cascine Park at night
- Crowded buses and tram lines in summer: pickpockets
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Validate paper bus and regional train tickets before travelling or face on-the-spot fines.
- Driving into a ZTL limited-traffic zone triggers camera fines, often billed later through your rental company.
- Sitting on monuments, wading in fountains or eating on landmark steps can bring fines in Rome, Venice and Florence.
How Florence compares in Italy
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Venice | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Amalfi Coast | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Lake Como | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Cinque Terre | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Positano | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Sardinia | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Capri | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Siena | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Matera | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Lecce | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Lucca | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Rome | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Florence | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Milan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Sicily | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Tuscany | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bologna | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Verona | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Pisa | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Sorrento | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Lake Garda | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Turin | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Puglia | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Dolomites | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Taormina | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Palermo | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Catania | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bari | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Genoa | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Naples | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Florence safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women. Occasional catcalling; the station area and parks are best avoided late at night.
Is Florence safe at night?
The center is lively and fine until late; some streets near the station feel rougher after dark. Taxis are a safe option.
What is the crime rate in Florence?
Pickpockets on buses and in crowds at the Duomo and Santa Maria Novella; occasional bike-mounted bag snatching. Nationally, Italy records 0.6 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Florence?
Police 113 · Ambulance 118 · Fire 115 · All emergencies 112.
More about Florence
Going to Florence solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Florence meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Firenze Turismo
- Trenitalia
- Aeroporto di Firenze
- AOU Careggi
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.