Is Italy Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Italy is generally a safe destination for solo female travelers. It offers a rich cultural experience with friendly locals and has a low crime rate against tourists. However, minor precautions should be taken as petty crimes like pickpocketing and bag snatching can occur in crowded areas. Night travel in certain cities may warrant more caution. Women should dress modestly to respect local cultural norms, especially in religious sites. While locals often speak English, knowing some basic Italian language could prove helpful.

Safety rating

4.3 /5

Based on 537 experiences from female travelers

4.5 /5

Based on our research and crime data

3.8 /5

Based on 766 experiences from local women

Italy is currently ranked #65 safest country for solo female travelers, with an overall safety rating of 4.3 out of 5. Check the full ranking.

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How safe is Italy?

Safety at night:Safe

Italy is generally quite safe for travelers, including solo female travelers. Although the crime rates are low, be sure to take the usual precautions. Stick to well-lit, populated areas when walking alone at night especially in larger cities such as Rome or Milan. There might be pickpockets and other petty crimes, but violent crime is extremely rare. Always be aware of your surroundings and avoid deserted areas or neighborhoods reputed to be unsafe.

Public transportation:Safe

Public transportation in Italy is generally very reliable and safe. Buses, trains, metros, trams, and ferries are widely used by locals and tourists alike. Pickpocketing could be a concern, particularly in crowded buses or trains in major cities and popular tourist locations. It's advisable to stay aware of your belongings at all times. Nonetheless, instances of violent crime are rare.

Street harassment:Moderate

In Italy, especially in bigger cities like Rome or Milan, you might experience some level of street harassment ranging from unwanted verbal attention to occasional cat-calling. However, most locals are respectful and if you express discomfort or ignore it, they usually back off. While this might be uncomfortable, it often doesn't go beyond a mere annoyance in most cases.

Petty crimes:Moderate

Italy, like most places, does experience petty crimes. Travelers should be aware of pickpocketing incidents, primarily in crowded city centres and public transportation. Crimes such as bag snatching and cell phone theft can occur. However, with vigilance, precautions, and awareness of your surroundings, your trip to Italy can still be very safe and enjoyable.

Is Italy worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.6 /5

based on 537 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.5/5

Safety

4.3/5

Food

4.6/5

Budget-friendly

3.4/5

Rome, Solo travel

It was a very nice experience but I did not feel safe and secure to walk alone at night. Maybe in the center yes but not in other areas. I enjoyes visitig different places and found beautiful parks around.

Posted: July 12, 2025Experienced: March, 2025

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Aziza

Germany

Milan, Group travel

traveled to Milan, Italy with a friends, and we booked a hotel for our stay. Unfortunately, the person at the reception wasn’t very welcoming. Maybe it had to do with the high number of tourists – it felt like the locals were a bit overwhelmed. But overall, the trip was really amazing! The food was delicious almost everywhere – except at Starbucks, of course. In local cafés and restaurants, everything tasted great, and the prices were much lower compared to Germany, which was a nice surprise.

Posted: July 7, 2025

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La Verna, Solo travel

I walked from Rimini to La Verna. It took me 5 days. I felt very safe while trekking in the woods and thorough the countryside. I've met a snake, a couple of hares and a hedgehog. Medium difficulty of the trail

Posted: July 4, 2025Experienced: September, 2024

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Rome, Solo travel

I went to Rome by train. Stayed at my boyfriend's. We went to the city centre for a drink, saw the Colosseum. It was very hot and full of tourists. At least there are fountains to fill the bottle of water

Posted: July 4, 2025Experienced: June, 2024

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Venice, Solo travel

I solo travelled to Venice (F28) and it was one of the best weeks of my life! I stayed at Anda Hostel in Mestre which was very clean and had a mini club downstairs, plus it’s only a couple of minutes onto the island from there. The only issue is that it can be a bit noisy sometimes. There are so many beautiful sites to see, boat trips to do and history to take in, everywhere you walk feels like a storybook. (Or that episode of Doctor Who). I was slightly disappointed with the food in Venice but it was alright. Very easy to do day trips to places like Bologna and Florence too.

Posted: July 4, 2025

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Julia

Poland

Bari, Family travel

I was in Bari for one day. And I didn't swim in the sea because it was cold. I felt safe. I rented a cool apartment on booking.com and was delighted with the host. Highly recommended!!! https://secure.booking.com/app_link/myreservations.en.html?stid=325542&bn=4697326006&aid=332731 I didn't have time to do a lot, but I'll tell you what was in my plans: 1. Local ice cream: https://maps.app.goo.gl/DSkzwpmeJHPH9J467?g_st=ipc (Since 1880, the art of homemade gelato has been handed down for generations); 2. The Bari Fish Market (Mercato del Pesce) is a kingdom of fresh fish and seafood, where local chefs and gourmets find the best ingredients for Apulian cuisine. The counters are bursting with the catch brought by fishermen straight from the sea: octopus, squid, shrimp, mussels and much more. Traders are eager to tell you how to properly cook seafood; 3. Orecchiette Caserecce - the street. Every morning, the housewives of Bari go out into the street with their workbench and, using a few precious ingredients: water, flour and skill, begin to prepare pasta. 🍝 4. Alberobello is a town 60 km from Bari. It is world famous for its unique tiny houses that look like fairy-tale gnome dwellings. These small white stone buildings with a gray conical roof are called trulli. You will not find such houses anywhere else in the world.

Posted: June 28, 2025

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Is Italy safe for women?

Safety index

3.8 /5

Based on 766 local experiences

Crime index

2.4 /5

Based on 766 local experiences

Bologna

I would feel safe to walk alone at night in Bologna but only in very few areas. Overall is a safer cities rather than Milan for example. However, if you walk with your host or with other women then is better :)

Posted: July 12, 2025

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Rome

It really depends on the zone you're visiting. On train station or public transport you could be easily robbed in the daylight, or suspiciuosly assaulted (touched, petted) o followed or catcalled, and the same can happen in turistic areas. I would say you have to be attentive and conscious of the situation to avoid that. The periferical zones and train stations as well, at night can be fairly dangerous, i make sure to never be alone, or to have pepper spray with me. It's totally doable, and nothing ever happened to me beside being catcalled, but I personally can't stand the fear if i'm not in my neighbourhood

Posted: July 11, 2025

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