While Paris, Barcelona, and Rome dominate pickpocketing headlines, Prague, Athens, and Lisbon have emerged as Europe’s fastest-growing pickpocket hotspots, with the Czech Police reporting a 23% increase in tourist theft complaints in central Prague between 2019 and 2024, and the Lisbon PSP logging hundreds of incidents on Tram 28 alone each year. These three cities are popular, affordable, and beautiful — but they now require the same vigilance as traditional European pickpocket capitals.
I have explored all three of these cities extensively and watched the pickpocket problem grow in real time as tourist numbers surged post-pandemic. Each city has its own unique risk profile, specific danger zones, and local scam variations. This guide covers all of them.
Prague: The Tram and Bridge Problem
Charles Bridge (Karluv Most)
Charles Bridge is Prague’s most iconic landmark, a 14th-century stone bridge spanning the Vltava River and lined with 30 baroque statues. It is also a 516-meter-long pickpocket corridor. The bridge is pedestrian-only and draws thousands of visitors daily, creating a slow-moving mass of tourists focused on the views and the statues rather than their belongings.
Pickpockets on Charles Bridge work in teams. One person stops to take a photo or asks you to take their photo, blocking the flow. The resulting pile-up creates body-to-body contact, and hands enter bags and pockets. The bridge is most dangerous during mid-morning (10 AM – 12 PM) and late afternoon (3 PM – 6 PM).
Cross the bridge before 8 AM or after 9 PM to avoid the worst crowds and the pickpocket teams that work them.
Tram Lines 22 and 23
Tram 22 runs from the city center through Mala Strana to Prague Castle, making it one of the most tourist-heavy public transit routes in the city. The tram carriages are narrow and frequently overcrowded, and the ascent to the castle involves sharp turns that cause passengers to sway and bump into each other.
Tram 23 follows a similar route. The DPP (Prague Public Transit Company) has installed camera systems and posted warnings, but the cramped conditions make it difficult to prevent skilled pickpockets from operating.
Keep your bag in front of you, zip all pockets, and ideally wear a money belt under your clothing for your passport and cash.
Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square
Old Town Square (Staromestske namesti) is Prague’s central gathering point, home to the Astronomical Clock (Orloj). Every hour, crowds gather to watch the clock’s mechanical figures perform, and this predictable gathering of distracted, upward-looking tourists is a pickpocket magnet.
Wenceslas Square (Vaclavske namesti), a 750-meter boulevard rather than a traditional square, is Prague’s main commercial district. The bottom end near the Mustek metro station is the most crowded and most targeted by pickpockets.
Prague Currency and Restaurant Scams
Beyond pickpocketing, Prague has widespread currency exchange scams. Some exchange offices advertise attractive rates on large signs but charge commissions of 10-15% or use a different (worse) rate for actual transactions. Always calculate the expected amount before handing over cash, and use bank ATMs instead when possible.
Restaurant scams include adding items to your bill that you did not order, charging “cover” fees not mentioned on the menu, and bringing unordered bread/appetizers and charging premium prices. Always check your bill line by line.
Athens: Metro, Markets, and Monastiraki
Monastiraki Square and Flea Market
Monastiraki Square sits at the intersection of several major streets and is the gateway to the Monastiraki flea market, the Plaka district, and the approach to the Acropolis. The square itself is a transit hub (Monastiraki metro station, Lines 1 and 3) and is crowded from morning to midnight.
The Monastiraki flea market, stretching along Adrianou and Ifestou streets, is a dense maze of stalls selling antiques, souvenirs, and leather goods. The narrow aisles and browsing crowds create classic pickpocket conditions. The Sunday market is worst, when vendors spill out onto the sidewalks and pedestrian traffic becomes gridlocked.
Athens Metro System
The Athens metro is modern (Lines 2 and 3 were built for the 2004 Olympics), clean, and efficient. However, pickpocketing has increased as tourism has boomed. Syntagma station (serving the Parliament and Constitution Square) and Acropoli station (serving the Acropolis Museum) are the most targeted.
The metro Line 1 (Green Line), which is older and uses above-ground sections, is more crowded and less monitored than the newer lines. The Piraeus terminal station, where ferries to the Greek islands depart, sees elevated theft rates as travelers carry luggage and island-trip cash.
Plaka and the Acropolis Approach
Plaka, the neighborhood directly below the Acropolis, is Athens’ most touristy area. The narrow pedestrian streets, outdoor restaurants, and souvenir shops create a pleasant atmosphere but also easy conditions for distraction theft. The restaurant table grab (snatching a phone or bag from a sidewalk table) is the most common technique.
The walkway from Plaka up to the Acropolis entrance can be crowded during peak hours (9 AM – 2 PM). The ticket queue and the Propylaia entrance create bottlenecks where pickpockets operate. Visit early morning or buy your ticket online to minimize queue time.
Omonia Square
Omonia Square in central Athens has been undergoing revitalization but remains a higher-crime area compared to Syntagma or Monastiraki. The surrounding streets see more aggressive street crime including phone snatching and bag grabbing, particularly after dark. Avoid walking through this area at night.
Lisbon: Tram 28 and Beyond
Tram 28 (Electrico 28)
Tram 28 is Lisbon’s most famous (and most infamous) transit route. The vintage yellow tram climbs through the Alfama, Graca, and Baixa neighborhoods, passing through some of Lisbon’s most scenic and narrow streets. The carriages were designed for about 55 passengers but routinely carry 80 or more during tourist season.
The rocking motion of the tram on narrow-gauge rails, the steep inclines, and the constant boarding and exiting create unavoidable body contact. Pickpocket teams board at one stop, work the carriage, and exit two or three stops later. The PSP has installed plainclothes officers on some runs, but the volume of incidents remains high.
Tram 28 tips:
- Board at the Martim Moniz terminal (the starting point) to get a seat rather than standing in the crush
- Keep all valuables in a money belt under your clothing — pockets and bags are not safe on this route
- Consider walking the route instead (it takes about 40 minutes and passes through beautiful neighborhoods)
- If you must ride, go early morning or late afternoon to avoid peak tourist hours
Rossio Square and Baixa
Rossio Square (Praca do Rossio) is central Lisbon’s main square and a transport hub. The surrounding Baixa grid of pedestrian streets (Rua Augusta, Rua do Ouro, Rua da Prata) is packed with tourists and street performers. The same distraction techniques used in other European cities apply here: petition scams, fake charity workers, and the spill-and-clean ruse.
Bairro Alto at Night
Bairro Alto is Lisbon’s main nightlife district, with dozens of small bars on narrow streets. After midnight, the streets are packed with drinkers and the atmosphere is chaotic. Phone snatching, wallet lifting, and bag grabbing all increase in these conditions. Keep your phone secure, carry minimal cash, and use a neck wallet for what you do need to carry.
Santa Justa Elevator
The Elevador de Santa Justa, a neo-Gothic lift connecting Baixa to Bairro Alto, draws long queues of tourists. The wait (often 30-60 minutes) in a narrow street creates prime pickpocket conditions. Consider walking up instead — there is a free pedestrian bridge from Largo do Carmo that reaches the same viewpoint.
Essential Gear for All Three Cities
- Money belt: Essential for Prague’s trams, Athens’ metro, and Lisbon’s Tram 28
- RFID sleeves: All three cities use extensive contactless payment infrastructure
- Neck wallet: Great for warm-weather days in Athens and Lisbon
Shop the full collection at Alpha Keeper. For broader European safety tips, read our Europe travel safety guide and learn how to keep money safe while traveling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Prague safe from pickpockets?
Prague has seen rising pickpocket rates as tourism has surged. The Czech Police identify Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, and tram lines 22 and 23 as the worst areas. An Alpha Keeper money belt is strongly recommended for central Prague.
What is the most dangerous tram in Lisbon?
Tram 28 is by far the most pickpocket-prone transit route in Lisbon. The vintage carriages hold only about 55 passengers but are routinely packed with 80 or more tourists. The PSP (police) post anti-theft warnings inside the tram in multiple languages.
Is the Athens metro safe?
The Athens metro is modern and generally safe, but pickpocketing occurs at busy stations like Syntagma, Monastiraki, and Omonia. The Hellenic Police recommend keeping bags in front and not using phones near the doors. Use an Alpha Keeper money belt for extra security.
What are common scams in Prague?
Currency exchange scams (offering terrible rates or counting out wrong change), overcharging at restaurants (adding items to the bill), and taxi meter manipulation are the most common Prague scams. Always check the exchange rate board, review your bill carefully, and use ride-hailing apps.
Is Lisbon safe for solo female travelers?
Lisbon is generally safe for solo female travelers. The main risks are pickpocketing on Tram 28, in the Bairro Alto nightlife district, and at Rossio Square. Stick to well-lit streets at night and keep valuables in a money belt or neck wallet.