Is Sicily Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Being a solo female traveler to Sicily, largely comes with a feeling of safety. Like most places, it generally enjoys a lower crime rate as compared to many international cities. The locals are generally warm, friendly, and willing to help tourists. However, there can be occasional instances of petty theft, primarily related to pickpocketing and purse-snatching, especially in crowded places like markets and public transportation. Also, extra care should be taken late at night in less busy streets or unfamiliar areas. In general, as long as you follow standard safety protocols and stay alert, Sicily offers a relatively safe travel experience.

Safety rating

3.6 /5

Based on 12 experiences from female travelers

3.8 /5

Based on our research and crime data

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How safe is Sicily?

Safety at night:Moderate

Sicily, like many places, varies in safety depending on the area. Tourist-heavy locations and larger cities can potentially be host to petty crime such as pickpocketing, especially during the evening. However, most locals are friendly and the island is generally well-policed. If you practice typical travel safety measures such as avoiding unlit or lonely areas at night, and keeping a close eye on your belongings, you should have a fairly safe experience.

Public transportation:Safe

Public transportation in Sicily is generally safe. Buses and trains are regularly used by locals and tourists alike. However, at peak times they can become overcrowded, and while not common, pick-pocketing incidents can occur. Overall, just maintain a level of awareness of your belongings, as you would when traveling anywhere. Late at night, it is recommended to use reliable taxi services or well-known ride-hailing apps.

Street harassment:Moderate

Sicily, while being a part of Italy with strong character and full of passionate people, generally does not pose significant difficulties when it comes to street harassment. However, it also depends on the particular city and the cultural norms prevalent in that area. You can occasionally encounter catcalling, but the overall attitude towards women is not overly aggressive or problematic. It is still recommended to take the basic precautions such as avoiding poorly lit and isolated areas, particularly at night, and adapting to local dress codes for respect and safety.

Petty crimes:Low

Sicily, like many popular tourist destinations, does have occurrences of petty crimes, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, particularly in crowded areas or public transportation. However, the risk is relatively low if you maintain vigilance over your valuable items. Always remember to be cautious and aware of your surroundings, especially in tourist-heavy regions.

Is Sicily worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.1 /5

based on 12 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.1/5

Safety

3.6/5

Food

4.4/5

Budget-friendly

3.1/5

Family travel

I stay in Sicily for 10 days. It was really relaxant. My favorite moment was when I did a boat tour in Siracus and when i were in the beach of Licata. Sicily is very fascinating for me because there, people sleep the day and live the night.

Posted: August 23, 2025Experienced: June, 2025

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Group travel

I spent a week in Sicily, and overall the food and the experience were really good. The only downside was that, at night, it sometimes felt challenging to feel safe. In Palermo, I noticed more immigrants than locals, and while we went out at night as three girls, I don’t think I would have gone out alone if I had been a solo traveler. There was only one instance where someone tried to approach us, but even that was enough to make me feel hesitant and uneasy. Other than that, the cuisine and culture were amazing—I highly recommend trying cannoli. During our trip, we also visited Cefalù for a day, and I think it’s a must-see, especially if you enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and the overall summer vibe

Posted: August 9, 2025

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Miriam

Germany

Solo travel

Sicily is a beautiful place with everything you can desire. Cities are cultural gems, nature is wild and ancient, the food is absolutely mouthwatering, and the people are as hearty as their pasta. You have Etna, the volcano, which means you can combine mountain hikes and natural wine tasting with beach days and aperitivo time.

Posted: April 16, 2025Experienced: June, 2021

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Group travel

Sicily is a beautiful but expensive place. The food is very good, the Italian food is amazing. Getting around by car is quite an adventure, and it's not very safe. Some cities aren't very safe, and some areas are best avoided. During the day, it's not a problem.

Posted: March 23, 2025Experienced: February, 2025

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Antonia

Austria

Family travel

The visit was so awesome 🥰 Catania and Palermo are very beautiful and fun, also the smaller cities are very beautiful. As an Austrian, it was also for the nicer weather a perfect escape to gain some sunny endorphins 😎

Posted: February 16, 2025