Is Italy Safe? (2026 Edition)

Is Italy dangerous? If you listen to the internet, you might think you will get pickpocketed the second you land in Rome.

But in reality, Italy is actually safer than the US, the UK, and even France. Here is a breakdown of how safe Italy really is, what you should watch out for, and how to have an amazing trip. Because what you think you should be worried about is probably not the real risk.

How Safe Is Italy?

From a crime perspective, Italy is very safe. Based on crime index data, where higher numbers indicate more danger, Italy ranks 46.9. That is safer than the UK at 48.3, France at 55.4, and even the United States at 49.2.

So why does Italy sometimes feel more dangerous to some?

It’s mostly due to “micro-crime.” Getting mugged at gunpoint in Florence is extremely rare, and guns are uncommon in Italy. What does occur is petty crime, but even that happens less often than many people expect.

News and social media often exaggerate reality. Take Naples, for example. For decades, it was seen as the poster child for crime. Today, however, it is experiencing a major cultural renaissance. Is there petty crime? Yes. Is it the mafia-ridden danger zone from the movies? Absolutely not. In fact, some tourist spots that feel the safest, like the Duomo in Milan or the Trevi Fountain, actually have a higher risk of pickpockets than a quiet backstreet in Naples. If you’re on a tour or have a guide, they can also help keep you safe by steering you away from riskier areas.

How to Stay Safe

There are a few things to keep in mind when visiting a busy tourist destination, not just in Italy but in general, to stay safe.

First, be aware of your surroundings. Treat crowded areas like you would in your own town. This is especially important in busy spots or on public transit, particularly the metro during peak hours, where pickpockets thrive. To avoid being targeted, do not keep your wallet in your back pocket or anywhere it can be easily grabbed. Avoid storing it in your backpack as well. If you carry a purse, make sure it stays zipped and secure.

Second, don’t carry all your cash. Keep just a few euros on hand and leave the rest in your hotel safe. Credit cards are widely accepted, so there’s no need to walk around with large amounts of cash. When sitting at a café or having a coffee, never leave your wallet, purse, or phone on the table or in an easily accessible spot. These tips aren’t just for Italy; they work anywhere in the world.

Common Scams to Avoid

Street scammers are very common, especially in busy areas such as train stations, major attractions, and crowded streets. If you see people playing card games or other gambling games on the street, they are scammers, so do not get involved. Gambling on the street is also illegal and could get you into trouble.

If an older woman approaches you, asking for money or offering to read your palm, keep your distance. She is probably a gypsy and quicker than she appears. She may try to distract you and pick your pocket.

If someone offers you a gift, like a rose or a friendship bracelet, politely say no, thank you, and move on. These items are never truly free. Once a bracelet is on your wrist, you may be harassed for money, and the person can become quite pushy. Similarly, avoid street vendors selling fake bags, wallets, or belts. Buying counterfeit items is illegal, and the quality is usually poor, making it a waste of money.

Lastly, if you need to use an ATM for cash, only use machines at established banks. Avoid random machines inside stores or cafés, as they may not be legitimate or could charge high fees. If you need to convert US dollars to euros, services like Wise offer the same rates as banks, which can save you a lot of money. They even provide a Visa debit card that works in Italy, and the cost is minimal. It is one of the most affordable services available and is used regularly by many travelers.

What to Do If You’re a Victim of a Micro-crime

If you’ve been a victim of theft or another crime, you should report it to the closest local police station, Carabinieri, or Polizia di Stato. They might not speak perfect English, so you may need to use a translation app. They will issue a Denuncia, or a denunciation. This is an official police report. You must have this paper for your insurance claim and for getting an emergency passport at your embassy. If your credit card is stolen, you should immediately call your bank and block the card before anybody can use it.

Now this is a very important pro tip. When you travel, not just in Italy but anywhere in the world, keep a copy of your passport in a safe place. Maybe keep a copy on your phone and one in your hotel room. In case you lose it or it gets stolen, a photocopy will help you immensely. On the same note, always protect your phone with a password or PIN. That way, if it gets stolen, no one can access your contacts, passwords, credit cards, or documents stored on it.

Emergency Number

In case of emergency, dial 112. This number works across the European Union and is free from both mobile phones and landlines.

Solo Female Travel and Night Safety

If you are a woman traveling in Italy, the most common thing you’ll deal with is “catcalling” or pappagallismo. It’s annoying, but rarely dangerous. As a rule of thumb, stay in busy areas where other tourists are. When you book your hotel, avoid those in rough areas, like around major train stations.

Italy has a very late-night culture. Families are out with strollers at 11:00 PM, and this “eyes on the street” culture makes it feel very safe. However, the rule of thumb remains: stay where the people are. Avoid the immediate areas around major train stations, such as Termini or Milano Centrale, late at night. They tend to attract a rougher crowd once the commuters go home. Stick to the Piazze where the locals are having their Aperitivo. If your hotel is in a less desirable area, avoid walking there late at night and take a taxi.

Watch Your Step

Some Italian cities, like Rome and Naples, are thousands of years old and built up in layers. For that reason, the street pavement can be very uneven. You should always be careful when walking to avoid tripping.

In many areas, this is far more dangerous than micro-crime. Wear comfortable walking shoes and avoid walking in sandals, flip-flops, or high heels to reduce the risk of tripping and injury.

Traffic Awareness

It is no secret that Italian drivers are very aggressive. For this reason, you should be particularly careful when crossing the road in big cities. Scooters, motorcycles, mopeds, and bicycles are everywhere, even in pedestrian-only areas, so don’t assume you are safe, but stay aware. Be very careful when getting out of a car or a taxi. Pay close attention when opening the door because scooters might zip by very close.

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Tap water in Italy is some of the best in Europe, especially in Rome. The city is filled with Nasoni, big iron fountains that run 24/7 and are fed by cold mountain water. Use them. It’s eco-friendly and free. Tap water is perfectly safe to drink all over the country, even though Italians never drink it for some strange reason. At restaurants, coffee shops, and bars, tap water is never served, even if you ask for it.

As in any other country, there are rare cases when tap water in Italy is not safe to drink. In those cases, you will see a sign that says “Acqua non potabile.” This is very common on trains and in some public toilets. Other than those few instances, feel free to fill up your water bottle at your hotel before going out to explore.

Is It Safe to Swim in the Sea?

Yes, it is perfectly safe to swim at pretty much any beach in Italy. If a beach has chairs for rent (lettini in Italian), it usually has a lifeguard on duty. If you want to go swimming at a secluded beach without any tourists, you should be careful because there most likely won’t be any lifeguards.

Recently, jellyfish have become more common in the water. These are not life-threatening, but they will still hurt if you get stung. To be safe, ask the lifeguard if there are any jellyfish in the water that particular day. Also, if you decide to go swimming in an area with a lot of rocks, watch out for sea urchins. If you accidentally step on one, it will hurt, and the needles will get stuck in your skin. So be careful.

The Italian sun is also deceptive. Because of the sea breeze, you won’t feel yourself burning until it’s too late. Bring your sunscreen and apply it often. This is very important when you are out exploring, not just at the beach. Also, bring a hat to cover your head and stay hydrated.

Is It Safe to Rent a Car?

It is totally safe to rent a car in Italy and drive around. Some areas, like the Dolomites or the rolling hills of Tuscany, are best enjoyed by car.

However, there are places where we strongly advise against driving. The Amalfi Coast is one of them. The road is very narrow, very windy, and in the summer it gets really busy with buses and cars. For that reason, it is much better to take an organized tour.

We also recommend avoiding driving in cities, not because it is dangerous, but because you might enter a ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato or Limited Traffic Zone), and the fines for doing so are quite steep. Parking in big cities like Rome, Florence, or Milan is also limited and not easy to find, so it is better to leave the car at the hotel and use public transit or walk.

Are Hospitals in Italy OK?

Italy has an excellent healthcare system, even though Italians love to complain about it. For EU citizens, Italian hospitals are free. For non-EU citizens, it is recommended to have travel insurance, even though hospital fees are not super expensive.

For example, a couple of friends of ours were traveling in Italy when one of them got pneumonia. He had to be hospitalized for two weeks and had several tests performed. In the end, the total bill for two weeks was less than €5,000. The only problem they faced was that the hospital took several months to send the final bill, and their insurance company kept asking them for it.

Doctors and nurses at public hospitals do speak English, so do not worry too much about language barriers. If you have travel insurance, and you should, always follow your insurance provider’s instructions before seeing a doctor or going to the hospital, unless it is a real emergency, to avoid being denied a claim.

We hope this guide answered most of your questions about safety when traveling to Italy. If there is anything else you would like to know, feel free to leave a comment. We always enjoy hearing from readers and doing our best to help.

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Ciao!