Wondering how to be safe in Rome or if Rome is a safe city?
Rome IS a safe city.
But there are things that you can do to help make you feel even safer.
I hear this question a lot, "Is Rome a safe place to visit?"
I think that question pertains in part to local crime like pickpocketing, as well as to the remote possibility of a terrorist attack.
For a time, people were asking if Rome was safe because of how hard Italy was hit by the Coronavirus pandemic.
My stock answer, without trying to over-simplify, is that Rome is a pretty safe city.
For a capital city.
While it’s beyond the scope of this website for me to speak about possible terrorist attacks, I will say that I think Rick Steves put it best in this well-thought out Q&A about not letting fear take over and make us change our lives.
I don’t mean to downplay the possibility of a terrorist attack happening.
But I can’t, and hope you won’t, let fear of this remote possibility stop us from doing the things we want to do.
I’d group the different ways to be safe in Rome into these categories:
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I realize that most people are worried about pickpockets when it comes to saftey in Rome.
And we'll get to that.
This may be surprising, but I believe the best way to be safe in the Italian capital is to avoid hurting yourself.
The way most people hurt themselves is simply by being distracted and not being aware of their surroundings, which could be applied anywhere, not just when they're traveling.
Be careful about these:
Late night taxi for women:
Whether you are out late drinking or not, there is a special taxi service for women: Call 0635701 between 1am and 5am, and a cab will show up as quickly as possible, and wait to make sure you get inside safely, especially helpful for solo female travelers.
Rome does have a nighttime public transport service but this isn't always reliable.
I am not preaching.
There are lots of bars and nightclubs in Rome where people party, and that's normal.
I sure did when I was in school.
I am not saying don't party!
But be safe, just as you would at home.
Always go out with a friend and watch out for each other.
If you are visiting Rome alone, and want to go out and meet new people, exercise caution and try not to overdo it on the alcohol, and drink plenty of water.
Only accept drinks in a safe environment, use your common sense about when you've had enough and never leave your drink unattended.
I say all this because unfortunately, being drunk is one of the most common ways for people to have accidents.
Rome has had incidents of hospitalizations and even deaths due to alcohol so please be careful!
Remember, if you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated.
It’s very easy to get overheated in Rome in summer.
You're walking a lot, the cobblestones can get super hot, and you may not realize how dehydrated you are.
Here's my page with simple steps you can take to stay cool in Rome.
One way to look after yourself in hot weather is to ensure you apply sunscreen and wear a hat, and carry water with you.
It’s easy to find drinking fountains in Rome, but when it's really hot, it’s better if you carry a water bottle with you.
I often see people running across a street when they think no traffic is coming.
Sometimes this is at a crosswalk, against a red light.
Sometimes this is just at a random spot in the street where someone feels like crossing, even if vehicles are in plain sight.
Both of these activities are dangerous.
An easy way to be safe in Rome is to simply follow traffic and pedestrian rules, especially in certain areas which are extra busy, such as around Termini station.
I have seen many people bump into other people and even walk out into traffic, while taking selfies or looking at their phones.
You can easily hurt yourself if you're too absorbed, so to stay safe in Rome while walking around, just be aware that Rome traffic can be intense.
Drivers can be aggressive so as a pedestrian or cyclist, you need to stay alert.
If you drive in Rome, especially on a bicycle or moped, be ultra cautious and obey all traffic signs.
Many other drivers don’t, and sometimes make right turns from the left lane, run reds, etc.
If you ride a bicycle around Rome, you should also use a lot of caution when riding in traffic.
Always stay far to the right.
Go slowly so you can brake quickly if you need to.
When you see cobblestones ahead, slow down and be prepared for a bumpy ride.
I say this on all my pages about what to expect in Rome each month.
I say this when I tell you what to pack for Rome.
I cannot stress enough how important it is to wear comfortable shoes.
The wrong shoes can cause painful blisters, aching feet or worse.
And flimsy shoes can easily break and leave you shoe-less in the middle of a big, busy city.
As someone who travels a lot, and who also hikes a lot, I can tell you that taking along my own well-stocked first-aid kit gives me enormous peace of mind.
Most of the time, I don't need it.
But it's nice to know it's there.
Traveling alone?
Rome is a great city for solo travelers to explore, with lots of places to meet people and options for dining alone.
With relatively low levels of petty crime, follow the common sense tips on this page and you should have a fantastic trip!
Pickpockets don't generally have any interest in physically harming anyone.
They want to steal and get away quickly.
Being the victim of a pickpocket would likely still put a damper on your trip and can make you feel vulnerable and unsafe.
So how can you avoid being pick-pocketed?
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How can you avoid con artists?
This is another low-risk possibility but just be street-smart.
Here are a few examples:
Also, always remember to clear cache and log out of any devices you use that are not yours, such as a common computer in a hotel lobby.
While you are at pretty low risk for identity theft, you should exercise caution where your credit cards and passport are concerned:
No matter what season you visit Rome, here are 4 essential things we recommend never leaving home without:
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First of all, you should know the emergency numbers to call:
If you do not need emergency medical help, you can also visit an Italian pharmacy or an English-speaking doctor in Rome for assistance.
If you are American or Canadian, you can sign up with the Smart Traveler program that allows your embassy to contact you for emergencies or other warnings.
Here is the link to the American Embassy.
Here is the link to the Canadian Embassy.
The Italian Government website has travel information for all visitors, including details of general emergencies and your nearest embassy.
If you are staying at a hotel or someplace with a reception, find out if the reception is open 24/7 and if not, make sure to find out the hours.
Find out how to reach your hotel, both physically, and also by phone, so if you get lost, you can make your way back.
If you are staying at a B&B or apartment without a reception, make sure you have a phone number of someone to contact in case of emergency.
Make sure you know the address and how to find it if you get lost.
Pay attention to your surroundings and be aware of the pitfalls of traveling, but relax and have fun.
Limit your vulnerability rather than your travels.
Leave precious valuables at home and wear your money belt on the road.
Most people in every country are on your side.
If you exercise adequate discretion, aren't overly trusting, and don't put yourself into risky situations, your travels should be about as dangerous as hometown grocery shopping.
Don't travel afraid — travel carefully.
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