Europe
Is Italy safe?
L2Exercise increased caution
Is Italy safe?
Safe for solo travelers with normal care. Violent crime against visitors is rare; pickpocketing in Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan and Naples is the main problem.
Key facts
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-05-22.
- Homicide rate: 0.6 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths: 5.3 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 113 · Ambulance 118 · Fire 115 · All emergencies 112.
- Solo women: Generally safe. Expect some catcalling or persistent attention; take care around big train stations late at night.
Risks, scams and laws
Main risks
- Pickpockets on metros, buses and at crowded sights
- Rail and transport strikes (sciopero), usually announced days ahead
- Summer heatwaves in cities, especially July and August
- Earthquakes and volcanic areas in the centre and south
Common scams
- Friendship bracelets or 'free' roses that then demand payment
- Unlicensed taxi touts at stations and airports; use official ranks
- Restaurants near big sights without printed prices
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.
Safety by place 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 |
| Bergamo | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Lake Maggiore | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Abruzzo | 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 |
| Syracuse | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Cagliari | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Umbria | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Rimini | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Calabria | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Naples | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Italy safe for tourists?
Safe for solo travelers with normal care. Violent crime against visitors is rare; pickpocketing in Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan and Naples is the main problem.
Is Italy safe for solo female travelers?
Generally safe. Expect some catcalling or persistent attention; take care around big train stations late at night.
What is the emergency number in Italy?
Police 113 · Ambulance 118 · Fire 115 · All emergencies 112.
Safety by place
Sources
- World Bank: intentional homicides
- US State Department travel advisory
- Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa portal
- Consulate General of Italy in New York: Digital Nomad Visa
- European Commission: Entry/Exit System
- Trenitalia
- World Bank open data
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.