Area's to Stay out of in Rome

A better approach might be to focus on where you should stay, rather than what to avoid. And for that there are plenty of guidebooks that will recommend hotels, Rick's books included. Presumably they're not throwing you to the lions!

Hi Greg. I agree with Mike. My husband and I went to Rome for the first travel we ever did outside the USA. I was nervous about safety. As long as you wear your money belts and don't weight yourself down with shopping bags and such, any area that RS suggests is more than safe. Read RS's books, they say it all. Anything you really don't want to lose, leave at home. There are pick-pockets, but we never had a bout with one. And Rome does quiet down at night. There wasn't one night where we were disturbed from our sleep.
Enjoy!

Rome is really quite safe--as a single woman I have never had a problem during the day. The only time I've ever been uncomfortable/unsafe feeling was around Termini late at night after a late train caused me to get in at a ridiculous hour. Lots of others have had no problem in this area, though, even at night. I prefer to stay around the Vatican/Trastevere--it is a bit further out than Termini/closer to the Forum but has always felt more local to me somehow.

I don't know what you have been told about Rome but it is a very safe city. I feel more nervous living and walking the streets in the USA. Italy in general is very safe - pickpockets is about all you have to worry about. People do not have guns as they do here in the states. Don't worry, have a good time and you'll see that safety in Italy should not be an issue. Have Fun!!

I agree with Kim. I find Rome very safe but do avoid the Termini area. It's not that I feel threatened its just a vague uncomfortable feeling. I tend to stay in the Pantheon/Spanish Steps/Trevi area and love it.I also feel very safe walking the streets alone at night to and from a restaurant or shopping. Relax and I'm sure you will enjoy. Just keep your wits about you.

North of Termini is OK. It's to the south that some people think is a little uncomfortable. Compared to any large American city, however, Rome is far more safe.

My sister and I stayed in one of Rick's recommended Rome hotels (Du Torri) and felt safe and comfortable walking everywhere from there. We took the hop on hop off bus and saw a lot of areas, and I didn't see one where I would not feel comfortable walking around.

I was lost on my first night in Rome. I went out the wrong door of the station and ended up on wrong street. I ended up to the south on the west side of the termini. I walked around for about over an hour before I recieved directions to a tram to take me back to the termini. I didn't know how far I had wandered. I never felt unsafe. I even had someone ask me for directions in Italian.

I never felt in danger. Well, I take that back, the only time I felt in danger was when I had to cross the Via di Santa Bibiana that came out from under a railroad track bridge, I thought I was going to die. But for as for walking around after dark, around 9pm till around 10:30pm, I felt fine. I ended up over by the Parco di Traiano

The other side of the station, east, felt more seedy to me and I am glad I didn't get lost over there on my first night.