Italy is a hugely popular holiday destination, with nearly 60 million tourists travelling within its borders each year. In terms of safety, Italy is a mostly safe place to travel, with tourist infrastructure and essential services readily available if anything goes wrong. There are, however, a few things to keep an eye out for when visiting.

Safety in public places

The main thing to be aware of in Italy is petty theft. These small-scale crimes, including pickpocketing and bag snatching, mainly occur in crowded tourist hotspots in Rome, Florence and Venice. Be vigilant about your belongings and leave expensive watches or jewellery at home.

If you happen to travel on the Circumvesuviana train network between Naples and Sorrento, be vigilant. Beggars and pickpockets regularly frequent this route, and often the trains are standing room only, making it easy for petty theft to occur.

There are also quite a few scams that tourists may find themselves caught in. Some locals in high-touristed areas sell counterfeit leather goods and ‘designer’ products, so be wary of what you are buying – if you are found purchasing counterfeit items, you could be fined thousands of euros!

Beggars are a widespread problem throughout Italy, notably older Romani women who may be carrying young children. In the vast majority of cases, they are part of a large syndicated network of beggars and are being exploited – hardly any money is going to the beggars themselves. Babies are often sedated to prey on tourists’ guilt, and if you do begin to interact and don't give money, beggars may become aggressive. If you wish to give to charitable causes in Italy, do your research before you arrive and only donate to reputable organisations.

Many travellers who haven’t been to Italy think the Mafia is a huge problem in the region. This is largely incorrect – although there is Mafia activity in Naples and Sicily, in particular, it almost never involves travellers.

Natural disasters in Italy are irregular but do occur and can be dangerous. There are three main active volcanoes around the country – Mt Etna in Sicily, Mt Stromboli on the island of Stromboli, and Mt Vesuvius near Naples – and if eruptions occur, they can disrupt travel plans. Venice is prone to flooding, especially in early winter (November-December), when rainfall is high and the lagoon swells at high tide. Low-lying areas in Venice, such as Piazza San Marco, often flood at high tide, so follow local warnings when travelling during this time.

Safety as a solo or female traveller

Normal safety precautions exist for travellers who are visiting Italy by themselves. When walking at night, keep to well-lit, high-traffic areas. Be wary of non-legitimate taxis and take normal safety precautions if using ridesharing services in Rome and Milan.

Women may attract unwanted attention and catcalling from local men, especially at night in Bologna, Florence and Milan, yelling out ‘ciao bella’ ('hello beautiful') to receive a response. Ignoring the situation and walking away will almost always stop the catcalling.

Read more about solo travel with Intrepid

Tips for staying safe in Italy

  • Don’t advertise wealth with excessive jewellery when in public
  • Be aware in busy markets, piazzas and on public transport
  • Watch your belongings in busy tourist areas
  • Beware of beggars

Is Italy LGBTQIA+ friendly?

Is water safe to drink in Italy?

Find out more about current travel alerts

Click here to return to Italy FAQs

Our tours in Italy

8 Days From 1850

Travel to Italy on a tour from Rome to Amalfi and explore the best of the region....

14 Days From 2358

Immerse yourself in classic culture, history and incredible sights on this Best of...

10 Days From 2702

Travel to Italy and savour the many flavours of this gastronomic haven on a journey...

8 Days From 1152

See the best of Italy – Venice, La Spezia, Cinque Terre, Florence and Rome – in eight...

8 Days From 2858

See the majesty and beauty of Italy’s Renaissance gems on an eight-day Premium tour...

Tailor-Made trips

Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary

8 Days From 1890

Mountains, forests and beaches – soak up the spectacular scenery of Italy’s Amalfi...

8 Days From 1737

See Italy in the cooler months, hitting Rome, Florence, Pisa and Bologna before...

8 Days From 2795

Spend eight unforgettable days hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc, setting off on a circuit...

8 Days From 2070

Explore the traditional delights of Italian cuisine while travelling through the...

8 Days From 2788

Discover the culture, history and beauty of Italy’s Puglia region on an 8-day Premium...

8 Days From 1910

Explore the Dolomites on an 8-day small group hiking tour which explores multiple lakes...

8 Days From 1825

Encounter the picturesque hills and olive groves of Tuscany on this cycling adventure...

10 Days From 2050

Take a tour through Italy’s less-visited southern region, absorbing the beauty of...

9 Days From 2213

Explore the beautiful cities, mountains and waterfalls of Slovenia and Croatia on a...

8 Days From 1775

Walk into a world that's a play of colourful houses and blue sea as you amble between...

4 Days From 659

Set sail along Italy’s Amalfi Coast in four days with Intrepid, cruising to the scenic...

4 Days From 626

Sail Italy’s Amalfi Coast from the colourful village of Procida, through ancient worlds...

10 Days From 1415

Travel from Split to Venice in 10 days, stopping at Zadar, Plitvice Lakes National Park...

7 Days From 1314

Sail Italy’s Amalfi Coast, exploring the Bay of Naples, Capri, Amalfi and Procida...

15 Days From 3290

Visit Spain, France and Italy on this European adventure. Discover gothic architecture...

10 Days From 1926

Discover the secrets of Calabria 10-day adventure visiting Civita, Pollino National...

15 Days From 1955

Discover Central Europe on this 15-day journey from Germany to Italy. Start in Berlin,...

15 Days From 1598

Explore charming Central Europe from Germany to Italy on a 15-day trip through Berlin,...

8 Days From 1580

Visit Italy and tour through the countryside of Umbria. Travel to Italy's sacred sites...

15 Days From 3570
21 Days From 4585
16 Days From 5400

Discover the wonders of Slovenia and Croatia on a 16-day Premium adventure down the...

8 Days From 1790

From the ruins of Rome, to the ancient city of Pompeii and the seaside delights of...

8 Days From 1686

Visit Venice, Cinque Terre, Pisa and Rome on an exciting 8-day family holiday through...

24 Days From 5565

Travel to Pompeii, Amalfi, the Aeolian Islands, Taormina and Mt Etna on a tour from...

17 Days From 3895

Kick off this Roman holiday in Rome, the heart of Italy. Live history as you explore...

8 Days From 1349

Pamper the appetite and treat the senses on this exquisite journey through Italy’s Lake...

36 Days From 6540

Visit Spain, France, Germany, the Czech Republic and Italy plus a host of secrets in...

29 Days From 4188

Spain, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary,...

10 Days From 2916

Discover Sicily in the heart of the Mediterranean on this 10-day Premium journey that...

16 Days From 5296

Explore the beautiful cities, mountains and waterfalls of Italy, Slovenia and Croatia...

23 Days From 7862

Explore the beautiful cities, mountains and waterfalls of Italy, Slovenia and Croatia...

22 Days From 3042

Discover Central Europe’s most romantic cities on a 22-day trip travelling through...

19 Days From 2376

Experience Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Montenegro, Serbia,...

26 Days From 3506

Set out from Hungary and discover the cultures and cuisines of Serbia, Montenegro,...

17 Days From 2640

Enjoy a European tasting platter on this 17-day trip including Split, Ljubljana,...

17 Days From 5886

Spend 17 days exploring all of Italy from Palermo to Mount Etna, to Rome and Venice...

24 Days From 10695

Spend 24 days exploring Italy in depth from Sicily to Puglia and on to Tuscany - you'll...

17 Days From 7110

Explore the best of Sicily and southern Italy - including Palermo, Mount Etna, Pompeii...

15 Days From 5727

Spend 15 days exploring Italy on this Premium Trip that visits icons like Rome, Venice,...

8 Days From 1700

Take a trip to southern Italy and explore the best of Sicily including Catania, Mount...

17 Days From 3760

Discover the secrets of Calabria and the highlights of Sicily on this 15-day adventure...

15 Days From 3765

From the canals of Venice to the ruins of Rome, and beyond wandering the ancient city...