Go, but pay attention.
No major changes since yesterday.
Governments, one trip
What they're telling their own citizens about Italy
The real score
The breakdown
See it from your perspective
Go, but pay attention.
The general Sketch Score, unweighted for any specific traveler.
Don't fall for it
Scams to know
Station Touts
Individuals at train stations may offer unsolicited help with ticket machines or ATMs to extract money or cheat you. Avoid seeking help from random people and do not let them guide your transactions.
Ticket Machine Distraction
A helper may advise paying with notes, then use a beggar as a distraction to steal your returned cash while claiming the machine gives little change. Ignore unsolicited assistance at ticket kiosks.
Drunken Pickpockets
In areas like Ponte Vecchio, thieves may approach you pretending to be drunk and friendly to lower your guard before snatching belongings. Maintain distance from strangers acting in this manner.
Don't do this
Laws that jail tourists
Prostitution
Prostitution is illegal in Italy. Engaging in this activity is against the law.
Staying healthy
What to watch out for, health-wise
Active notices
- • Global Measles
Vaccines
Required: Yellow Fever
Recommended: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Measles, Rabies, Tick-borne Encephalitis
Source: CDC Travelers' Health →Getting in
What you'll need at the border
The visa policy of the Schengen Area is a component within the wider area of freedom, security and justice policy of the European Union. It applies to the Schengen Area and Cyprus, but not to EU member state Ireland. The visa policy allows nationals of certain countries to enter the Schengen Area via air, land or sea without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Nationals of certain other countries are required to have a visa to enter and, in some cases, transit through the Schenge
Source: Wikipedia →Real, not invented
Terrorism
Terrorist attacks in Italy cannot be ruled out.
Source: UK FCDO →From people who've been there
Local know-how
Staying safe
- •For emergencies, call 113 (Polizia di Stato - State Police), 112 (Carabinieri - Gendarmerie), 117 (Guardia di Finanza - Financial police force), 115 (Fire Department), 118 (Medical Rescue),…
- •If you're not sure which number to call, you can call 112 and explain the emergency. The operator will forward your call directly to the relevant department.
- •Alternatively, you can download the WhereAreU App through which you can call 112 (even if you can't talk) and they will know your exact position through your phone's GPS.
- •Italy is a safe country to travel in like most developed countries.
- •Crime: Violent crime rates in Italy are low compared to most European countries.
- •You should exercise the usual caution when going out at night alone, although it remains reasonably safe even for single women to walk alone at night.
Staying healthy
- •Italian hospitals are public and offer completely free high-standard treatment for travellers in possession of an EHIC (EU/EEA citizens) or GHIC (UK citizens).
- •Italy has a four-colour code of urgency, red being the most immediate (assistance is given without any delay) and white being the lowest (anyone with a red, yellow and green code will pass before you).
- •Water: While safe to drink, the tap water (acqua del rubinetto) in some peninsular parts of Italy can be cloudy with a slight off taste.
- •Rome, in particular, has exceptional pride in the quality of its water.
Adapted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA — edited by travelers, not us.
Right now
In the news the last few days
- Tuscany rocked by strong earthquake as people flee buildings in Pisa and Lucca2026-08-04
- Pisa earthquake : Panic in city filled with Brits as Italy rocked by another tremor | World | News2026-08-04
- Sudden earthquake shocks holidaymakers in southern Spain2026-08-03
- Benidorm hit by sudden earthquake as southern Spain suffered extensive damage2026-08-03
Real talk
What travelers actually say
Italy is generally safe from violent crime, but solo female travelers face specific risks of harassment and physical boundary violations even in broad daylight. In cities like Naples, narrow streets off main thoroughfares can leave you vulnerable to unwanted physical contact, such as forced hugging or kissing, even when crowds are within sight. Perpetrators often operate with accomplices who observe the interaction without intervening. Relying on bystanders is a gamble, as they may remain passive or dismissive during an incident. While safety precautions are standard practice, they do not guarantee immunity from predatory behavior, and the instinct to freeze during an assault is a common, documented reality.
“I (F21) am traveling alone and was walking today in Naples and in a narrow street that didn't have many people (in spaccanapoli though so very close to the crowds) and a man kind of gestured to hug me as I was walking on the street opposite him and then just came at me, hugged me (wouldn't leave me for a bit) while saying things in Italian and then just kissed me on my cheek, but like very close to my lips
— r/travel
“After the guy kissed me, he started talking to his friend in Italian who was further away, and the friend just looked at me awkwardly then laughed.
— r/travel
“I don't even think people around me would've done anything as I've seen so many stories where no one helps a woman when something like this happens.
— r/travel
Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
C / F / L · 230V
Driving side
right
Emergency
police: 112 / ambulance: 112 / fire: 112
Tipping
Tips (la mancia) are not customary in Italy but are offered when a special service is given or to recognise high quality service. Most restaurants, except those in Rome, have a price for the service coperto and waiters do not expect a tip; however, they will not refuse one. In cafés, bars, and pubs it's not uncommon to leave the change, saying to the waiter or to the cashier tenga il resto - "keep
SIM / Data
The mobile phone market developed in Italy as early as 1993, so reception is guaranteed in the whole of the country, including far off the coast, the tallest mountains, and the smallest villages. 4G internet connectivity is available from all major Italian carriers.
Cash vs. Card
Italy phased out the one- and two-cent coins in 2018, rounding prices to the nearest five-cent increment.
Zoom in
13 Italy cities on SKETCH.WORLD
Real, resident-submitted Numbeo crime data at the city level — the same national picture above, with crime swapped for what people who actually live there report.
Show the receipts (9 sources)
- us-state — observed 2026-09-09
- uk-fcdo — observed 2026-09-09
- ca-gac — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-political — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-policeTrust — observed 2026-09-09
- cdc-health — observed 2026-09-09
- wikivoyage — observed 2026-09-09
- reddit — observed 2026-09-09
- lgbtq-legal-wikipedia — observed 2026-09-09