If you’re looking for the safest cities in Italy to visit, here’s a guide to help you.
The beautiful Italy, as enchanting as it is, has its share of issues when it comes to safety. Petty thievery remains to be a major concern in Italy, along with the fact that the Mafia originated in Italy as well as the ever-present active volcanoes.
Is Italy safe? There’s a lot of information out there about Italy that could make you wonder. That’s why we put together this list of Italy’s safest cities to help you plan your visit.
Italy Travel Safety Tips
Before we get to our list of the safest cities in Italy, here are a few tips to keep in mind when traveling to any part of Italy:
1. Sunscreen is essential.
Keep your skin safe from the sun, so make sure you have at least a couple of tubes in your luggage. When the sun is at its most intense during the day, seek shelter or apply sunscreen liberally.
2. Take care of your property in tourist spots.
Pickpockets have an easier time snatching victims when there are more tourists ink a certain location. A money belt will help you avoid becoming a target.
3. Be an “invisible” tourist.
Pickpockets can easily recognize a visitor in a throng, so try to avoid looking like a tourist in popular tourist areas.
Learn a bit about the local language as well as customs and etiquettes. Dress appropriately to avoid getting singled-out. Also refrain from always displaying your camera and selfie stick.
These are some of the things you could do to keep from looking like a tourist.
4. Always carry your bag.
In public places, make sure you keep your bag slung over your shoulder or neck or arm. When dining, have the bag on your lap. Even if you leave it on the floor, you’re leaving yourself vulnerable to theft. Holding your stuff on your lap while you eat or drink is a better option.
5. Don’t show off your money and valuables in public.
In a country like Italy, where there are a lot of pickpockets, so this is extremely important advice. Don’t show off your money or valuables in public because you never know who is looking.
6. Avoid the Roma community at all costs!
Not to judge, but this advice is given by relatives and friends who have fallen prey to these groups. People from the Roma community are notorious pickpockets and scammers who prey on unsuspecting travelers.
Also, avoid huge groups of children selling candy and approaching you.
911 in Italy
The national emergency number in Italy is 113, which is toll-free from any phone. Dial this number if you need the Italian State Police. For medical emergencies, you can call 118.
However, since 2017 you can also call by the European emergency number 112 for the other Italian Police force called the Carabinieri. This number is generally used for police/fire/medical emergencies .
Safest Cities in Italy
Here are 13 safest cities in Italy to travel to.
1. Bari
The Adriatic port city of Bari is also the capital of Puglia, a region in southern Italy. A headland between two bays, Bari is home to the historic village of Barivecchia, which is like a maze. Some of St. Nicholas’ relics are housed in the pilgrimage site’s 11th-century Basilica di San Nicola, which is tucked away in a winding alleyway.
With its 19th-century architecture, pedestrian-only shopping sections, and the Murat quarter to the south, Bari is a popular destination for tourists.
For the most part, Bari is a safe place to visit and live, despite being close to areas that rank low in the safety index. Tourists just need to practice the usual safety precautions for a hassle-free trip; but generally, this port city is often on the list of safest cities in Italy.
2. Bologna
An ancient metropolis in the Emilia-Romagna region, Bologna is regarded as Italy’s gastronomic hub.
Consider this hidden gem when planning a vacation to Italy to enjoy the country’s rich culinary tradition. Authentic ragù bolognese may be found here, as well as the freshest prosciutto di parma and Parmigiano Reggiano, which has been dubbed the “king of cheeses.”
Bologna is one of the safest cities in Italy, even for solo female travelers. You’ll feel safe as you stroll around the city’s historic core, and take in the various medieval and Renaissance-era structures and towers, including the Two Towers, the city’s most iconic landmark.
Other noteworthy attractions in Bologna include the Gelato Museum and the Carpigiani and the Medieval Civic Museum, which shows some of Bologna’s finest examples of medieval architecture.
3. Florence
The city of Florence, the Tuscany region’s capital, is home to many Renaissance masterpieces.
The Duomo, a cathedral with a Brunelleschi-designed terracotta-tiled dome and a Giotto-designed bell tower, is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Michelangelo’s David sculpture, meanwhile, is on exhibit in the Galleria dell’Accademia that every visitor must see. Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus and da Vinci’s Annunciation, on the other hand, are on display at the Uffizi Gallery.
Florence is also one of the most attractive and safest cities in Italy that you can explore on foot, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a peaceful and relaxing vacation. Renting a car and exploring the Italian countryside will allow you to take advantage of some fantastic day trips from Florence.
4. Genoa
Genoa (Genova) is the capital of the Liguria region in northwest Italy and a major port city. It has played a crucial role in the marine trade for many years.
With its black-and-white striped front and frescoed interior, the Romanesque Cathedral of San Lorenzo dominates the old town. A bronze fountain and the Teatro Carlo Felice opera theatre lie in Piazza de Ferrari, a massive plaza with narrow alleyways that connect up to the city’s great squares.
This beautiful port city is a great place for both tourists and those who want to live here. Just avoid the city’s quieter streets after dark, and you won’t have to worry about safety.
5. Milan
This shopping mecca is a fashionista’s dream come true. The cosmopolitan city of Milan is a haven for everyone who loves Italian clothes and design, on par with Paris, New York, and London. It is also one of the safest cities in Italy for single travelers from all over the world to get about!
If you’re looking for lavish shopping with gorgeous arched glass windows and mosaic flooring, don’t miss the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. In addition to the gothic cathedral and the 15th century Castello Sforzesco, one of Europe’s largest fortresses, the Quadrilatero della Moda shopping district is also a must-see.
6. Padua
© Didier Descouens | Wikimedia Commons
The Veneto region of northern Italy is home to the gorgeous city of Padua. The 1303–05 Scrovegni Chapel frescoes by Giotto and the massive 13th-century Basilica of St. Anthony are two of the city’s most famous landmarks. The Basilica, with its Byzantine domes and artwork, houses the remains of its patron saint.
Padua is one of the safest cities in Italy, according to the FBI’s annual Safe Cities Index. Aside from tourists, students from the University of Padua, founded in 1222, fill the city’s old town’s arcaded streets and fashionable cafés.
However, there are several areas to avoid such as the Stanga/via Venezia in the Centro Giotto region and around the city’s main train station (Stazione di Padova). Try not to call attention to yourself to stay safe.
7. Ravenna
While Emilia-Romagna region’s Ravenna served as the capital of the Western Roman Empire from 402-to 476 AD, its influence persisted long after the fall of the Romans. Although Ravenna is one of the smallest cities on this list, its mosaics are some of the most famous in the world. Despite its cultural significance, few tourists visit Ravenna, hence the city’s petty crime rate is minimal.
Since tourism is such an important part of the local economy in Ravenna, the police department here is pretty strict when it comes to enforcing the law. Even if they are alone, women should feel comfortable when visiting.
8. Rome
When it comes to a modern metropolis that is also steeped in thousands of years of history, Rome has it all. The Colosseum, Roman Forum, and the city’s predominately classical architecture are just a few of what makes Rome a top tourist hub. Rome is also home to the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, delicious cuisine, beautiful parks and gardens, world-class art, and burgeoning film industry.
Rome remains to be one of the safest cities in Italy to visit despite the petty crimes targeting tourists. If you are heading this way soon, just be careful of scams and thefts.
9. Siena
Tourists and locals alike flock to this little Tuscan enclave known for its arts and architecture. Amid picturesque countryside, Siena, perched atop three hills, exudes a cozy village atmosphere. The burnt orange hue of the city’s structures and stones inspired the name “Siena” for the Crayola crayon color.
The city of Siena is a highly secure place to visit. The city’s crime rate is very low, thanks to the city’s well-lit streets and regular police patrols. The most common threat is a brawl between inebriated revelers. Petty crimes like vandalism also do occur from time to time.
10. Sorrento
On the Sorrentine Peninsula in southern Italy, Sorrento is a seaside town that overlooks the Bay of Naples. Sprawled out on an expanse of land that separates it from the busy marinas below, this town is noted for its panoramic water views and piazza dotted with coffee shops. Many little streets lead to the Chiesa di San Francesco, an ancient 14th-century church with its peaceful cloister.
Sorrento is a generally secure destination, and one of the safest cities in Italy to travel to. Just keep your belongings safe and out of sight while riding the bus or in crowded tourist locations, as fraud and pickpocketing are rampant in any part of Italy.
11. Turin
Turin is surrounded by the Western Alps, which are located in Piedmont. Art Nouveau and Neoclassical buildings abound in this storied metropolis. The 16th and 18th centuries saw the construction of many of Turin’s public squares, castles, gardens, and palazzi, including the Palazzo Madama. Even then, crime has been quite low in Turin.
Due to its lower cost of living and milder weather than the south, Turin is a popular destination for Italian retirees. There are also fewer tourists in the city, which lowers the crime rate.
12. Verona
One of the most romantic cities in Italy is Verona, the setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. There are also several Roman sites in Verona, Italy, which make it feel like a mini-Rome. As an example, the Arena di Verona, a replica of the Colosseum in Rome, was constructed in the first century. However, since it is better kept and less crowded, it remains to be one of the most spectacular ancient structures in Italy.
Verona may be one of those places frequented by tourists, but it is a safe city with low rates of violent crime. Just be on the lookout for con artists and pickpockets.
13. Venice
There’s no other city quite like Venice. More than 100 tiny islands dot the Adriatic Sea, and the city’s Grand Canal connects them all.
Venice is regarded as one of the safest citiesin Italy, and an excellent choice for your next vacation.
The 12th-century St. Mark’s Basilica, the city’s most sumptuous landmark, is located in the center plaza – the St. Mark’s Square. If you want to see Venice’s most important history museum in one of its most beautiful buildings, Doge’s Palace is an absolute must-see. The Venetian Carnevale, Italy’s premier Mardi Gras event in late winter, is the best time to experience Venice’s cultural side.