Safest cities in Italy
37 cities with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04
What official travel advice warns about
Terrorism
- Terrorism in ItalyTerrorist attacks in Italy cannot be ruled out.
Events in Israel and Palestine
- Italian authorities have increased security around some Jewish community sites due to events in Israel and Palestine. Stay aware of your surroundings, stay away from demonstrations and follow the advice of local authorities.
Political demonstrations
- Demonstrations can happen with little or no warning in cities. Avoid any protests, political gatherings or marches.
Crime
- Stolen PassportsBe aware that if your passport is stolen, you cannot use a police report to leave Italy. See our lost or stolen passports guidance
- Public transportTake care on public transport, in crowded areas and in city centres, including main train and metro stations.
- Theft from carsThefts from parked cars is common across the country. Avoid leaving luggage in your vehicle, even out of sight in the boot, for any length of time.
- Drink spiking and alcoholDo not take drinks from strangers or leave your drinks unattended. Victims of spiked drinks have been robbed and sometimes assaulted. Alcohol and drugs can reduce your vigilance, making you less in control. If you drink, know your limit. Drinks served in bars in Italy are often stronger than those in the UK.
Laws and cultural differences
- Personal IDUnder Italian law, police can stop you at any time to carry out an identity check or your date of entry into the country. Carry photo ID with you at all times. The police will normally ask for your full passport if you are stopped while driving.
- Illegal drugsIllegal drugs, including cannabis, carry severe penalties. You should expect a long jail sentence and heavy fines for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including when transiting through airports.
- Public transport regulationsIf you buy a ticket from a kiosk or machine, you must validate it on public transport before you start your journey. Officials patrol public transport and will issue an on-the-spot fine if you do not have a validated ticket. Some buses and trams accept onboard contactless payment.
- Tourist taxMany major cities in Italy impose a small tax on tourists. You must usually pay this tax at your hotel as it is unlikely to be included in your holiday booking. The rate of tax varies from city to city and can depend on the star rating of the hotel. Hotels often ask for payment in cash. Make sure you get a receipt. For more information, check with…
- Venice access feeIf you are visiting Venice, you may need to pay an access fee. See when access fees apply, exemptions and how to make a payment.
- Public offencesSome Italian towns and cities have specific laws, and you could be fined for breaking them. For example, there may be laws against:
Winter sports
- Get advice on weather and avalanche conditions before you travel and familiarise yourself with local skiing laws and regulations.
Outdoor activities and adventure tourism
- Swimming and beachesEvery year, people drown in the sea, lakes and in swimming pools in Italy.
- Swimming poolsAlways supervise children. Keep small children within arms-reach in and around swimming pools, even if they can swim or there is a lifeguard present.
- LakesTest the water temperature before swimming in a lake. Cold water shock can be extremely dangerous and overwhelm even the strongest swimmers. See Met Office tips on staying safe.
- BeachesTake care when swimming in the sea. Always supervise children and keep small children within arms-reach. Some beaches may have strong undercurrents.
- Adventure sportsHiking, mountaineering and other adventure sports have specific risks.
Transport risks
- Road travelIf you are planning to drive in Italy, see information on driving abroad and check the rules of the road in the RAC’s Italy guide. The guide lists driving regulations and other legal requirements you need to be aware of.
- TaxisOnly use officially licensed taxis, which have a taxi sign on the roof and a company name and number written on the side. Call a taxi, order one from an app or pick one up from an official rank.
- Transport strikesTransport strikes are often called at short notice. You can find information on the Ministry of Transport website (in Italian).
- Pedestrian safetyTraffic can be busy, fast and chaotic, especially in the larger cities. Take care when crossing roads. Pedestrians should cross roads at a crossing. You can be fined for crossing the road if you are within 100 metres of a pedestrian crossing but do not use it. Drivers do not always stop, even though they are required to. The green pedestrian…
- Traffic restrictionsYou need a pass to drive into the historic centre of many Italian cities in a private or hire car. You can buy a pass from most car hire companies. The boundaries are usually marked with the letters ZTL in black on a yellow background. If you pass this sign, your registration number is likely to be caught on camera and you will be fined if you do…
Extreme weather and natural disasters
- WildfiresWildfires are a risk during the extended summer months. They are highly dangerous and unpredictable. Check the latest alerts and weather forecast and follow advice of local authorities if you’re considering travelling to affected areas. Take care when visiting or driving through woodland areas and report fires to the emergency services.
- FloodingHeavy rainfall is common throughout Italy in winter, which can cause local flooding. Monitor local media, weather reports and follow the advice of local authorities in affected areas.
- EarthquakesMany parts of Italy lie on a major seismic fault line, which means that minor tremors and earthquakes happen regularly. Learn more about what to do before, during, and after an earthquake.
- VolcanoesThere are several active volcanoes in southern Italy. National emergency planning is in place for the Phlegraean fields, an area that remains active experiencing regular tremors.
Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for Italy, updated 2026-08-11 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →
Country figures
- Homicide rate
- 0.57 /100k2024
- Income inequality
- Gini 34.32023
- Human development
- HDI 0.9152023
- Income
- $62,870/yrGNI per capita PPP
- Road deaths
- 5.3 /100kWHO, 2019
- Political stability
- 71/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
- Rule of law
- 68/100WGI, 2024
- Corruption perceptions
- 53/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
- Natural-hazard risk
- 3.1/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Women, Peace & Security
- 0.81GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
- Air quality
- 14.3 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
- Safe drinking water
- 97%of population, 2024 · WHO/UNICEF JMP
- Healthcare capacity
- 4.2 doctors /1k3.1 hospital beds per 1,000
Natural hazards
- Earthquake
- 7.7/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Flood
- 6.3/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Tsunami
- 6.1/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Drought
- 2.3/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.
Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Italy (as of 2025).
How Italy compares
| Measure | Italy | World median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 0.6 /100k | 2.4 /100k | −1.8 /100k — better for Italy |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 34.3 | 35.2 | −0.9 — better for Italy |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.915 | 0.763 | +0.152 — better for Italy |
| Road deaths | 5.3 /100k | 15.4 /100k | −10.1 /100k — better for Italy |
| Rule of law | 68/100 | 52/100 | +16/100 — better for Italy |
| Corruption perceptions | 53/100 | 39/100 | +14/100 — better for Italy |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 14.3 µg/m³ | 19.7 µg/m³ | −5.4 µg/m³ — better for Italy |
| Natural-hazard risk | 3.1/10 | 3.8/10 | −0.7/10 — better for Italy |
| Measure | Italy | Europe median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 0.6 /100k | 1.0 /100k | −0.4 /100k — better for Italy |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 34.3 | 30.6 | +3.7 — better for Europe median |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.915 | 0.907 | +0.008 — better for Italy |
| Road deaths | 5.3 /100k | 5.8 /100k | −0.5 /100k — better for Italy |
| Rule of law | 68/100 | 74/100 | −6/100 — better for Europe median |
| Corruption perceptions | 53/100 | 57/100 | −4/100 — better for Europe median |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 14.3 µg/m³ | 11.2 µg/m³ | +3.1 µg/m³ — better for Europe median |
| Natural-hazard risk | 3.1/10 | 2.5/10 | +0.6/10 — better for Europe median |
Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.
All 37 cities, safest first
- Rome84.8 · #236 worldwide
- Acilia84.8 · #237 worldwide
- Naples83.9 · #421 worldwide
- Milan83.9 · #422 worldwide
- Turin83.9 · #423 worldwide
- Palermo83.9 · #424 worldwide
- Genoa83.9 · #425 worldwide
- Catania83.9 · #426 worldwide
- Bologna83.9 · #427 worldwide
- Florence83.9 · #428 worldwide
- Bergamo83.9 · #429 worldwide
- Busto Arsizio83.9 · #430 worldwide
- Cagliari83.9 · #431 worldwide
- Caserta83.9 · #432 worldwide
- Bari83.9 · #433 worldwide
- Verona83.9 · #434 worldwide
- Brescia83.9 · #435 worldwide
- Pescara83.9 · #436 worldwide
- Padua83.9 · #437 worldwide
- Messina83.9 · #438 worldwide
- Prato83.9 · #439 worldwide
- Trieste83.9 · #440 worldwide
- Mestre83.9 · #441 worldwide
- Modena83.9 · #442 worldwide
- Livorno83.9 · #443 worldwide
- Parma83.9 · #444 worldwide
- Taranto83.9 · #445 worldwide
- Pioltello83.9 · #446 worldwide
- Reggio Calabria83.9 · #447 worldwide
- Foggia83.9 · #448 worldwide
- Gallarate83.9 · #449 worldwide
- Salerno83.9 · #450 worldwide
- Reggio nell'Emilia83.9 · #451 worldwide
- Garbagnate Milanese83.9 · #452 worldwide
- Como83.9 · #453 worldwide
- Bolzano - Bozen83.9 · #454 worldwide
- Rimini83.9 · #455 worldwide