Traveling to Italy is a dream for many, iconic cities, stunning landscapes, world-class art, and delicious food around every corner. While Italy is a safe and welcoming destination, every traveler should know some basic tips to avoid pickpockets, especially in busy areas. With centuries-old train stations, colorful street markets, and legendary tourist sites always buzzing with life, it’s crucial to stay smart and confident, not scared. In this complete guide, you’ll find out how to confidently travel Italy on foot and steer clear of pickpockets, allowing you to enjoy every moment of your Italian adventure.
Where Pickpockets Actually Work in Italy
Most visitors to Italy aren’t victims of theft, but it pays to be aware of the places where pickpockets are most active. These thieves typically target areas thick with travelers and locals rushing from place to place, where distractions are plentiful and bags can go unnoticed for even a few seconds. Here’s what you need to know to keep your belongings safe:
- Rome: The busiest metro and train stations, such as Termini, Cipro (close to the Vatican), and the area around the Colosseum. Crowds on buses 64 and 40, which connect major tourist sites, are prime spots for pickpockets to operate.
- Florence: Around Florence’s Santa Maria Novella train station, as well as the crowded areas surrounding the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio, scams, and theft are reported often.
- Venice: The lines for waterbuses (vaporetti), particularly at popular stops along the Grand Canal, are favorite spots for pickpockets. Tourist-heavy places like Piazza San Marco also require vigilance.
- Milan: Inside and around Milano Centrale station, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and especially while boarding or exiting trams and metro lines through the Duomo and Porta Garibaldi.
- Naples: The Circumvesuviana train to Pompeii and Herculaneum is exceptionally busy and pickpocketing is common. Markets and the Spaccanapoli street, in the historical center, are also areas to be alert.
- Other Busy Locations: Outdoor markets like Rome’s Porta Portese, Florence’s San Lorenzo, and Milan’s Mercato di Via Fauche are busy and attract all kinds of shoppers, including those after your valuables rather than the bargains!
How Pickpockets Operate: Understanding Their Tricks
It’s not usually about brute force or scary situations. In Italy, pickpockets rely on being clever and quick. Their favorite technique is distraction. One simple moment, someone bumps into you, drops change, or asks for directions, while their partner quietly opens your bag or pulls your phone from your pocket. Other examples include:
- The Fake Petition: Someone asks you to sign something and, as you’re distracted, an accomplice goes through your bag.
- The “Accidental” Bump: A crowded subway or marketplace, someone presses close and takes what they can.
- The Lost Tourist: Two or three people approach all at once with a map, asking directions. While you’re helping, someone else reaches your valuables.
- Group Swarms: In cities like Florence and Naples, kids or young people sometimes work together in small groups to surround and distract you.
- Bag Slashers: Much rarer than pick-and-zipper types, but thieves have been known to cut open the bottom of bags in crowded squares.
Knowing how these tricks work will give you the confidence to spot a scam before it happens. Being smart about where and how you carry your possessions is your first and best line of defense.
Step-by-Step: How to Outsmart Pickpockets in Italy
1. Secure Your Essentials
The basics are simple, but you’d be surprised how many travelers get too comfortable in beautiful surroundings and forget them. Here’s what you should do before and during your trip:
- Use a money belt, hidden pouch, or neck wallet for cash, cards, and passport.
- Carry only what you need for the day. Leave your passport and valuables at your hotel’s safe if possible.
- Keep your bag zipped, closed, and in front of you, never hanging behind or off one shoulder in a crowd.
- Avoid carrying wallets in your back pocket or the outer pockets of backpacks.
- If sitting at a restaurant or café, keep your bag in your lap or looped around your arm/chair leg, not on a hanger or the table beside you.
2. Be “Crowd Smart”
Tourist crowds, slow-moving lines, and public transport are where most pickpocketing takes place. When you feel pressed by a crowd or suddenly distracted, think about your pockets and your belongings. Stay alert when:
- Boarding or getting off trains, trams, buses, or waterbuses (especially the Rome Metro, Milan Metro, and Venice Vaporetti).
- Waiting to enter monuments, museums, or markets.
- Walking in tight, enclosed spaces like ancient city alleys where pickpockets can squeeze past you unnoticed.
- People suddenly swarm or block your path, move away and pat your pockets to check your things.
A little awareness goes a long way and lets you enjoy the experience without constant worry.
3. Use the Right Bags and Accessories
A few simple gear choices make a huge difference:
- Choose crossbody bags with strong zippers and wear the bag in front in busy areas.
- Purses with hidden pockets or anti-theft features help discourage opportunists.
- Backpacks are comfortable, but use them carefully. Move your backpack to your chest in crowded spaces or public transport.
- If you’re carrying a camera, use a strap that doesn’t stand out, or tuck it under your jacket when not in use.
For gear recommendations for walking and traveling in Italy, check out curated travel gear at the Italy on Foot Store.
What to Do If You Are Pickpocketed in Italy
Take Action Quickly
If you notice something is missing, stop and compose yourself. There’s a chance the thief is still nearby, especially in busy areas.
- Notify police (Polizia or Carabinieri) straight away. If you’re at a station or airport, look for officers on patrol.
- In many cities, you can start the theft report online, but you must complete and sign it in person at a police station to get an official document. This is important for your travel insurance or for emergencies like lost passports.
- Cancel your bank cards and report your phone stolen to your provider.
- If your passport is stolen, contact your country’s embassy or consulate as soon as possible.
Useful Italian Phrases for Reporting a Theft
| English | Italian |
|---|---|
| I have been robbed | Mi hanno derubato |
| My wallet/phone/bag was stolen | Mi hanno rubato il portafoglio / il telefono / la borsa |
| I need to make a report | Devo fare una denuncia |
| Where is the police station? | Dove si trova la stazione di polizia? |
What Happens Next?
Most police in major Italian cities are used to helping international visitors. Once you report the theft, you’ll receive a copy of the report (la denuncia) which is necessary for replacing documents or making insurance claims. Police will do their best to help, and you may be surprised how quickly things can be sorted.
FAQ: Top Questions About Pickpocketing in Italy
Is Italy safe for tourists?
Absolutely. Violent crime rates in Italy are low compared to most other large tourist countries. Petty theft and pickpocketing do happen in busy centers, but these risks can be managed with smart behavior.
Do pickpockets ever use force?
Rarely. Most Italian pickpockets rely on skill, surprise, and distraction, not violence. If you stay alert and keep your belongings secure, your chances of facing theft are very low.
What’s the best way to carry money and cards?
A money belt or neck pouch under your clothes is safest. Keep only small amounts of cash in more accessible pockets or a crossbody bag for daily use, and don’t flash large bills or expensive items in crowded areas.
Is my hotel or Airbnb safe?
Generally, hotels and reputable Airbnbs are very safe, especially if you use the room’s safe for valuables. As in all big cities, don’t leave items on display near open or ground-floor windows.
Should I be worried about using public transportation?
Italy’s metros, buses, and trains are mostly safe. The biggest risk is pickpocketing when trains are crowded. Keep your bag in front and your hand on it, especially while boarding or leaving.
Italy Travel Safety Tips for Families and Groups
Traveling with friends, kids, or older relatives? It’s easy to keep everyone safe and happy with common-sense steps:
- Agree on a meet-up point in case you get separated.
- Give each person their own small wallet with a little cash, but keep passports and most cards locked up at your accommodation.
- Let kids know (in a calm way) to never hand your bag or camera to strangers.
- Remind everyone to keep purses or backpacks zipped and close by.
- Teach younger travelers to speak up if someone tries to distract the group.
Italy is full of families doing just this every day, so you’ll fit right in!
Trust Your Instincts and Enjoy Italy
The beauty of Italy is best enjoyed when you feel relaxed and in the moment. Keep these tips in mind:
- If someone seems suspicious or tries to distract you, just keep moving without stopping to engage.
- Look out for one another, and check in regularly if you’re traveling in a group.
- Ask hotel staff or local guides about any areas to avoid and don’t hesitate to request help if you need it.
- If you need official tickets to museums, trains, or popular attractions, always use the official sites. For train travel, go through Trenitalia or Italo. For major museums (Rome, Florence, Venice), book through their own websites to avoid unnecessary markups or fraud.
Most of all, remember: millions of people visit Italy every year and have a wonderful, safe trip just by using a little bit of street smarts. Enjoy the sights, the food, and the buzz of Italian life, take care of your belongings, and you’ll bring home only the best memories.