Is Milan safe?
Safe with normal care for a big city. Pickpockets and some rough spots near the central station are the main issues.
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 Milan at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Pickpocketing on metro lines 1 and 3, trams and around the Duomo; theft near Centrale, Porta Garibaldi and Navigli late at night. |
| At night | Metro runs until about midnight (1 am on weekends). Central areas are lively; use taxis or FREENOW for late trips. |
| Solo women | Generally safe for solo women. Be careful around Centrale and Stazione Garibaldi late at night and stick to lit streets. |
| Other risks | Winter fog and traffic; Summer heat above 33°C; Transport strikes announced days ahead |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Bracelet or 'free gift' sellers around the Duomo demanding money
- Unlicensed taxis at stations and airports; use official ranks or apps
- Pickpocket teams distracting you with petitions or maps
Take care
- Milano Centrale and its surrounding streets at night
- Crowded metro lines 1 and 3: pickpockets
- Corso Como and Navigli after midnight: thefts and drunk crowds
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 Milan 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 Milan safe for solo female travelers?
Generally safe for solo women. Be careful around Centrale and Stazione Garibaldi late at night and stick to lit streets.
Is Milan safe at night?
Metro runs until about midnight (1 am on weekends). Central areas are lively; use taxis or FREENOW for late trips.
What is the crime rate in Milan?
Pickpocketing on metro lines 1 and 3, trams and around the Duomo; theft near Centrale, Porta Garibaldi and Navigli late at night. Nationally, Italy records 0.6 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Milan?
Police 113 · Ambulance 118 · Fire 115 · All emergencies 112.
More about Milan
Going to Milan solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- ATM Milano
- Milan Airports (SEA)
- Trenord
- Comune di Milano
- 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.