Is Lake Como safe?
Very safe. The main risks are pickpockets on crowded ferries and trains in peak season, and steep, narrow roads.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 5/5, very safe.
- 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 Lake Como at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Occasional pickpocketing on ferries and in Como's center; theft from parked cars and unattended bags at beaches. |
| At night | Quiet and safe; most villages empty by 10 pm and late transport is limited, so check the last ferry or bus. |
| Solo women | Very comfortable for solo women. Villages are calm; plan transport home in advance after dark. |
| Other risks | Sudden summer storms on the lake; Slippery trails and steep stairs; Strong winds can halt ferries |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Taxi boats quoting inflated prices without a printed rate
- Restaurants adding high cover charges near ferry piers
Take care
- Narrow lakeside roads: buses, cyclists and scooters share them
- Trails after rain: slippery steep paths
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 Lake Como 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 Lake Como safe for solo female travelers?
Very comfortable for solo women. Villages are calm; plan transport home in advance after dark.
Is Lake Como safe at night?
Quiet and safe; most villages empty by 10 pm and late transport is limited, so check the last ferry or bus.
What is the crime rate in Lake Como?
Occasional pickpocketing on ferries and in Como's center; theft from parked cars and unattended bags at beaches. Nationally, Italy records 0.6 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Lake Como?
Police 113 · Ambulance 118 · Fire 115 · All emergencies 112.
More about Lake Como
Going to Lake Como solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Navigazione Laghi
- Trenord
- ASST Lariana
- 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.