How safe is Italy for travelers?

Safety and the most common scams

While violent crime in Italy is rare, opportunistic petty theft is common in high-traffic tourist zones. Travelers must maintain situational awareness and guard against common schemes:

• The "Bill Swap" Taxi Scam: A scheme where a driver accepts a €20.00 or €50.00 note from a passenger and, using a sleight-of-hand trick, swaps it for a €5.00 note, claiming the passenger underpaid. To prevent this, passengers should explicitly state the bill’s denomination when handing it over, or pay exclusively with a credit card.
• The "Broken" Credit Card Terminal Scam: Drivers or merchants may claim their POS card terminal is broken to force a cash payment. Travelers should show their credit card prior to boarding or making a purchase; if the merchant refuses, they should find another operator.
• The "Friendship Bracelet" and Rose Scam: Street vendors approach tourists at major monuments (such as Milan's Duomo or Rome's Colosseum), placing a braided thread bracelet on their wrist or offering a rose as a "free gift". Once accepted, they aggressively demand payments ranging from €5.00 to €10.00. Travelers should firmly decline and refuse to let vendors place items on their person.
• The "Closed Attraction" Scam: Unauthorized tour operators stand near major entry lines (such as the Vatican Museums or the Colosseum) and falsely inform travelers that the main ticket office is closed or that the site is temporarily inaccessible. They then attempt to upsell overpriced private tours. Travelers should ignore these statements and proceed directly to the official entry gates.
• Pickpocketing Hotspots: Organized groups operate on crowded public transit vehicles, particularly Rome’s Metro Line A, Milan’s Metro Line M1, and on express airport rail links. Thieves often use distraction tactics, such as crowding doorways, dropping coins, or spilling liquids to distract travelers while an accomplice accesses their pockets or bags.
• Areas to Avoid: Plazas surrounding Roma Termini and Milano Centrale can be insecure after 22:00. Travelers should avoid poorly lit side streets in these areas.
• Official Security Advisories: The US Department of State recommends that travelers enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive localized security alerts, and maintain digital, off-site copies of passports and travel documents.