Italy recorded approximately 1.3 million theft-related offenses in 2023 according to ISTAT (Italian National Statistics Institute), with Rome, Milan, Naples, and Florence accounting for a disproportionate share of incidents affecting the country’s 57 million annual international visitors. Despite these numbers, Italy remains one of the world’s most visited countries for good reason — and with the right precautions, you can enjoy it without losing a single euro.
Having traveled extensively across Italy from the canal bridges of Venice to the chaotic streets of Naples, I can tell you that the country is overwhelmingly safe. The threat is almost entirely petty theft, and it concentrates in specific, predictable locations. This guide breaks down the risks city by city.
Naples: Italy’s Most Challenging City
Naples has the highest property crime rate of any major Italian city, and the difference compared to northern cities is noticeable. The Quartieri Spagnoli (Spanish Quarters), the streets around Piazza Garibaldi and Napoli Centrale train station, and the Forcella neighborhood require heightened awareness.
Naples has a unique risk that other Italian cities do not: scooter-borne snatching (known locally as “scippo”). A rider on a Vespa or similar scooter grabs a phone, bag, or necklace from a pedestrian and speeds away through narrow streets. This is most common in the historic center and along the waterfront.
Naples precautions:
- Walk on the inside of the sidewalk, away from the road, so scooter riders cannot reach you
- Keep your phone in a deep front pocket or a money belt, not in your hand while walking
- Use crossbody bags worn across the front, not shoulder bags that can be snatched
- Avoid the Circumvesuviana train at rush hour — this local commuter line is notoriously crowded and pickpocket-prone
The Circumvesuviana connects Naples to Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Sorrento. While the destinations are spectacular, the train carriages are often standing-room-only and air conditioning is unreliable. Keep your valuables in a money belt under your shirt.
Florence: Art, Beauty, and Bag Snatchers
Florence sees roughly 10 million visitors per year concentrated in a very small historic center. The Uffizi Gallery queue, the area around the Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore), Ponte Vecchio, and the San Lorenzo leather market are the primary theft zones.
At the Uffizi, queues can last 1-3 hours during summer, and pickpockets work the lines just as they do at the Colosseum in Rome. The Ponte Vecchio is extremely narrow, and the crush of tourists crossing the bridge creates ideal conditions for skilled hands.
The San Lorenzo market, stretching from Piazza San Lorenzo toward the Medici Chapel, is dense with leather stalls and tourists haggling over prices. While your attention is on the merchandise, your bag is vulnerable.
Florence’s Santa Maria Novella train station is another hotspot, particularly the underpass connecting the station to the bus terminal.
Venice: Unique Risks on the Water
Venice’s unique geography creates different risks than mainland Italian cities. The narrow calli (streets), packed vaporetto (water bus) boats, and bridge bottlenecks create constant close contact with strangers.
The vaporetto Line 1, which runs the length of the Grand Canal, is the most pickpocket-prone route, especially between San Marco and Rialto. The boats are standing-room-only during peak hours, and the rocking motion causes involuntary body contact that masks theft.
Piazza San Marco itself is packed with tourists from morning to evening, and the areas around the Basilica entrance queue and the Campanile are high-risk. The Rialto Bridge, like the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, is narrow and overcrowded.
Venice tip: Use a neck wallet under your shirt, especially on vaporettos. The constant swaying and crowding make pockets unreliable.
Milan: Fashion Capital, Pickpocket Magnet
Milan’s risk is centered around Milano Centrale train station (one of Europe’s largest), the Duomo area, and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. The metro Lines 1 (Red) and 3 (Yellow) are the most targeted.
Milano Centrale serves high-speed trains from across Europe and is always bustling with travelers. The underground metro connection is the most dangerous section, with teams operating on the escalators and platforms.
The area around the Duomo sees massive daily crowds, and the pigeon-feeding scam (someone places birdseed in your hand, then demands payment for the “service”) has been replaced by bracelet-tying schemes similar to those at Sacre-Coeur in Paris.
Italian Train Travel: Staying Safe
Italy’s train network, operated by Trenitalia and Italo, is extensive and generally safe. The high-speed Frecciarossa and Italo trains have assigned seating and are well-maintained. The risks are on regional and intercity trains where carriages are open, crowded, and unsupervised.
- Keep luggage within sight, ideally between your legs or on the rack directly above your seat
- Lock backpack zippers with a small combination lock for overnight trains
- Store passport and cash in a money belt when sleeping on trains
- Use RFID sleeves for contactless cards (Italy’s card infrastructure is fully contactless)
Essential Gear for Italy
- Money belt: Indispensable for Naples buses, Rome metro, and Florence queues
- RFID sleeves: Italy uses extensive contactless payment infrastructure
- Neck wallet: Great for Venice vaporettos and beach days on the Amalfi Coast
Shop all products at Alpha Keeper. For more European advice, read our Europe travel safety guide and how to keep money safe while traveling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Italy safe for American tourists in 2026?
Italy is very safe for American tourists. The U.S. State Department rates Italy at Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution), primarily due to pickpocketing and petty theft in tourist areas. Violent crime against tourists is rare. An Alpha Keeper money belt eliminates most theft risk.
What is the safest city in Italy for tourists?
Bologna, Turin, and Verona are considered among the safest Italian cities for tourists, with lower theft rates than Rome, Naples, Florence, and Milan. However, every major tourist destination requires basic precautions.
Is the train from Rome to Naples safe?
Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa high-speed trains between Rome and Naples are safe and modern. Regional trains and the Circumvesuviana line around Naples require more caution, as crowded carriages attract pickpockets.
Do I need a money belt in Italy?
A money belt is strongly recommended for Italy, especially in Rome, Naples, Florence, and Venice. Alpha Keeper money belts sit flat under your shirt, keeping your passport and cash invisible to pickpockets on crowded buses and in tourist queues.
What is the most common crime in Italy?
Pickpocketing and bag snatching are the most common crimes affecting tourists in Italy. The Polizia di Stato reports that theft-related offenses far exceed any other crime category in tourist areas.
Are Italian beaches safe for belongings?
Italian beaches, particularly those on the Amalfi Coast and in Sardinia, can see unattended-bag theft. Use a waterproof neck wallet while swimming and never leave valuables on your towel.