Is Catania Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Catania is generally a safe city for solo female travelers. Like in any urban areas, it's essential to practice usual travel safety precautions. Street crime can occur, but typically it's petty like bag-snatching or pick-pocketing, so always keep an eye on your belongings, especially in crowded areas and tourist locations. Also, it's safer to avoid less crowded and dimly lit areas at night. Public transport is reliable and safe. Overall, navigating the city during the day is quite secure and comfortable, and the local residents are friendly and hospitable.

Safety rating

3.3 /5

Based on 6 experiences from female travelers

3.5 /5

Based on our research and crime data

2.2 /5

Based on 3 experiences from local women

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How safe is Catania?

Safety at night:Safe

Catania can be largely safe to walk alone at night, as it is a bustling city with people frequently out in well-populated and well-lit areas. However, like in any city, it is always a good idea to remain cautious and aware of your surroundings, especially in less crowded areas. A general rule of thumb is to stick to places where there are other people around, avoid unlit streets, and where possible, avoid flashing expensive objects such as jewelry or camera equipment.

Public transportation:Safe

Public transportation in Catania, is generally considered safe and reliable. Buses, trams, and metros are popular modes of transport. Meanwhile, taxis are heavily regulated, ensuring passenger safety. However, it's advised to remain vigilant of pickpockets during peak travel times or in crowded buses and stations. So overall, it's quite a safe experience.

Street harassment:Low

During your travels in Catania, you may experience occasional unwanted attention or remarks, especially in crowded places or during late-night walks. However, compared to many other places, the levels of street harassment are relatively lower. As always, it is recommended to stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings. Catania is generally a welcoming and friendly city with a good sense of respect for women travelers.

Petty crimes:Low

Catania is a relatively safe city with a low risk of petty crimes. However, as in any other city, it is advised to remain vigilant, especially in crowded areas and at night. Typical petty crimes are pickpocketing and purse snatching, often carried out by adept thieves who target tourists. Always keep your belongings secured and close to you.

Is Catania worth visiting?

Overall rating

3.6 /5

based on 6 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.1/5

Safety

3.3/5

Food

3.9/5

Budget-friendly

3.3/5

Emily

United Kingdom

Group travel

I went with a small group of friends and we had a great time! Food and drink is cheap and the people are overall friendly. The centre of catania is lively at night too and there are quite a few cocktailbars. There's loads of culture and history to check out too and I would defo recommend doing a boat trip🤩

Posted: January 4, 2025Experienced: June, 2024

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Solo travel

Catania was everything I hoped Italy would be ! The food was excellent, not extensive at all compared to northern Europe. The city is quite small si it is not overwhelming at all and you can really feel like you can take your time !

Posted: June 27, 2024

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Karolina

Poland

Group travel

Catania is a fun place to visit, especially with a friend. In May they have a Corri Catania charity 5K run that’s only 5€ and you get a t-shirt and a bag. Also, the running path checks out all the best spots in the city. For restaurants, I recommend: - Al Vicolo (huge, amazing pizzas) - Savia (arrancini) - Don Peppinu (pistachio cannoli) Also, be sure to do an Etna tour nearby and see the Naxos beach, a great experience 😊

Posted: May 28, 2024Experienced: May, 2024

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Autumn

Malaysia

Solo travel

Catania is safe for female travelers, although the locals don’t speak English, they are very kind and helpful if you asks around. I have Google translate with me all the time :) The expenses are average as long as not going for luxury dining, I spent between €2 to €10 for a meal, about €100 for hotel with breakfast (shared with my travel buddies, so €25 per night) The transportation is convenient and the timetable is accurate, you can always refer to Google map to find the public transport schedule and prices. Catania town is pretty place to visit, if you would like to visit beaches, Giardini Naxos and Taormina is a good place to go, taking bus it costs €6 from CTA airport to GN and €7 to Taormina, prices are shown at the airport before you buy the bus ticket. The place is generally safe at night especially during summer, enjoy the visit!

Posted: May 21, 2024

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Natalie

Sweden

Solo travel

Did visit Catania alone for 3 days, I love the place. So much nice people and nice things to see! Would definitily travel back there! The food is absolutly the best i have tried. Stayed in a 3 star hotel in the city of Catania. Very clean and nice hotel.

Posted: June 26, 2023Experienced: July, 2022

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Marija

Republic of Serbia

Group travel

Catania is only good because of Mount Etna. Two days in the city are enough, because it really serves as a starting point if you are in the south of the island. I didn't feel safe at all, even though there were three of us. Too many dark streets, even though we were ten minutes away from the center, unpleasant looks, really quite unsafe. What's great are the trains in Italy. 🤗 You can go anywhere and it's fast. Taormina nearby is worth seeing, Syracuse's old town is magical, and Palermo remains a wish for me, as I was only there for a day.

Posted: April 26, 2023Experienced: October, 2022

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Is Catania safe for women?

Safety index

2.2 /5

Based on 3 local experiences

Crime index

3 /5

Based on 3 local experiences

Maria

I mean just try to avoid all the surrounding near to the train station and the harbor, the areas around the cimitery and you will be fine. Best areas where to stay in summer are all the line coast, and in winter the center (via etnea, via gemmellaro and so on).

Posted: July 23, 2024

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Not very safe, need to pay attention to bulgars, especially in desolate parts of the town. It is not very safe, especially for women, to walk alone in the night, be sure to always have company. There are some safe places, especially downtown but secondary streets may be more dangerous

Posted: March 6, 2024

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Meet locals in Catania

Nat

About Me

Hi there! I am Nat from Brooklyn NY and I am currently living in Italy and trying to get as much traveling as I can. I appreciate and love meeting new people and sharing experiences with different cultures. I have lived abroad for many years and I am also happy to host people in my area and share my home and town with them.