Is it dangerous to walk at night in Italian cities?

Avoid dark streets but generally the Italian cities are very safe. Europeans tend to eat much later so there is far more traffic on the sidewalks and streets at 10 pm than in any US city. I would not be concerned but I am not on the streets at midnight. I think it is fine but your experience may be different.

Have never felt unsafe in any Italian city during the evening darkness. Just use good common sense and be aware of your surroundings and you should be ok. Truthfully, I feel safer at night in European cities than cities in the U.S.

Generally very safe, much more so than in the US.

But are you a boy or a girl?

If you are a girl traveling alone, I just recommend to be careful at or near train stations very late at night. Lots of male vagrant migrants who are likely to molest you.

Is it dangerous to walk at night in Italian cities?

Yes, absolutely.

Every time I walk in Italian cities after dark, there's a serious risk of pasta and red wine, followed by a chance of gelato. Even though I try to be careful, it seems I am victimized regularly. 🙄

David, Thank you for your willingness to share your pain. I to have been a victim of seductive Italian cooking, and delicious red wine while out at night in Italy. The worst part is Stockholm Syndrome sets in and the next thing you know your enjoying yourself!

Sorrento Syndrome.

"Lots of male vagrant migrants who are likely to molest you." ?

There's a lot to attend to in your question, jyung. I take your question seriously. Will you be alone? How far away is your hotel? If you are a female, there are more inherent dangers. Can you investigate the area during the day, first? I do not trust any place at night if I am alone, have to walk in dark areas that are sparsely populated, etc. I'd definitely check out the area during the day, and if it didn't feel secure, I'd have the last restaurant call a cab for me.

Also realize that not all cities are the same anywhere, not in Italy, not in the US, not anywhere. And all cities have good parts and bad parts, you have to be savvy enough to figure out the difference and act accordingly.

Lindy, I am a solo traveler.

Yes. Lots of 'vagrant non Italian males' in major Italian cities who often harass young women who are alone. It doesn't mean they will do harm, but they might make you feel uncomfortable.

However, more dangerous than the occasional annoying harassing of females, is the surge of micro-criminality (more often than not involving migrants who seek to make a living with a variety of expedients), most notably with the art of 'borseggio' (pickpocketing) or 'furto con strappo' ('theft with snatch' of purses, watches, and especially mobile phones).

Just to give an idea, in the province of Milan, pop. 3.2 million, (the most dangerous city in Italy on a per capita basis), so far in 2023 there were 2218 snatchings, and 33163 pickpockets (but only 20 murders).

In the province of Florence, pop. 1 million, (the 5th most dangerous city in Italy per capita) there were 539 snatchings, and 5116 pickpockets (but only 6 murders).

The victims of this micro-criminality were in many cases visitors (especially in Florence).

So, although violent crime is rather rare (and actually even decreasing), and crime in general is less prevalent compared to the US, nevertheless no visitors should let their guard down nowadays, it doesn't matter if during the day or night, because a lot of small crime takes place daily, and often at the expense of tourists, especially in cities that are famous tourist destinations (although there are very few auto thefts in Venice, not sure why). In Florence, the majority of the aforementioned small crimes (thefts) happen in the historical center, therefore not necessarily in the less desirable neighborhoods at the periphery of the city.

https://lab24.ilsole24ore.com/indice-della-criminalita/

are they worse than Paris? I can handle Paris. Are Italian cities worse than that so-called unsafe city with lots of thieves?

Lindy, I am a solo traveler.

We know that, We need to know if you are male or female, and your approx age. It might also help to know where, if anywhere, you've traveled alone before.

I like to travel solo for a lot of reasons. If I am walking around at night and I am unsure of whether or not what street I want to stroll, if I see a local lady pushing a stroller with her baby I don't worry about my safety any more than normal. I do wear a whistle on a chain around my neck when in Italy. J

I am a male and pretty strong.

This is both a valid and a challenging question. I live in Portland Oregon USA and most of my transportation is via foot or bike. There are some parts of our city where I feel uncomfortable after dark and some parts I avoid completely and ride a longer route home at night because it doesn't feel very safe at all. There are other parts of the city where I move freely at all hours (though of course something could certainly happen, but I hope you KWIM).

When we were in Milan last year, walking through a large park in the middle of the afternoon, there was a group of folks clearly 'up to no good'. That was the most 'sketch' encounter we had during our 10 day trip in northern Italy -- and we were out after dark on many occasions.

If it were me, I'd sign up for that evening tour but then I'd ask either at the hotel or at the tourist info booth about general safety in the evenings compared to during the day. And about the part of the city you are in. I think you'll get more specifics about if doing an activity is a good idea or a really risky one from folks who really know where and when you'll be somewhere.

If your food tour is in the historical center of the city, and your hotel is also in that area, it’s generally very safe. I’m a female who travels solo on some of my trips, and I have enjoyed food tours. I also like to walk around in the evenings because so many locals and tourists are out enjoying the evening passeggiata. I am very safety conscious. If in doubt, step into a restaurant or shop and call for a taxi.

On the other hand, I never switch cities after dark. I won’t go to a train station or ride a train at night. And that would apply to any country.

Of course, must be with many other pedestrians in European cities at night. Otherwise, NO.

Why are you afraid of city switch after dark? Train stations generally are very crowded. I think

I switch cities very often, and I always take the train in the morning after an early breakfast. I like to walk from the train station to my next hotel or B&B in the daylight. I rarely take a taxi.

In the evenings, I like to enjoy being in the general neighborhood of my hotel, having a nice dinner outdoors or going to an evening concert and enjoying the local ambiance of the city.

I am an older female who continues to practiced safety when traveling for work and now for vacation. Neither my husband nor I would be happy if I was to ignore normal safety precautions for women traveling alone. I see from a later reply that you are a man, so maybe you’ve never considered the difference.

I spent about 3 weeks in Rome and some additional time in Naples and Sorrento earlier this year, between mid-February and mid-March. I was traveling solo as a 71-year-old female. At that time of year it would be difficult not to be out after dark, as I was most nights. I walked around a lot, sometimes on relatively deserted streets. I never felt nervous, but I live in a big city (where I try not to be out after dark). What did cause me problems were the problematic sidewalks on many streets in Rome. Lots of rough pavement, and not always street lighting adequate for avoiding hazards. The conditions probably wouldn't be much of an issue for someone with better balance than I have.

My vision is also not normal, so I avoid arriving in a new city after dark if possible. It's often hard to locate a hotel at night; I frequently stay in small hotels that don't have large neon signs that are easy to spot. I agree that in Venice, especially, finding your way around after dark can be challenging. I wouldn't want to do it with luggage.

I'm also a larger male and travel solo much of the time. I've walked around many Italian cities at night and have never experienced any problems. I generally try to choose well lit streets with other pedestrians on them. I'm rarely out walking after about 22:00 so I don't know what conditions are like after that.

I see you are a strong male. That makes a big difference and therefore I would say you can probably rest assured that you will be safe in most circumstances.

Of course everyone would be safe in the major pedestrian areas where there are lots of people out and about till late at night. However women and senior citizens (of any gender) are often the target of people with bad intentions, especially if tourists who may not be fully aware of surroundings, therefore those individuals should exercise more cautions, especially in more secluded streets (particularly at night).

Traveling between cities at night aboard a high speed train is not dangerous. High speed trains are, like airplanes, expensive modes of transportations, therefore only people of a certain socioeconomic stature use them. While traveling on those high speed trains you are very safe.

However stations (and the immediate surrounding areas), at least in major cities, have always been magnets for the scum of society. That was true 40 years ago when I was serving at Firenze Santa Maria Novella station, often on duty at night, but it is even worse nowadays. I don’t know why trains stations have always attracted the worst a city has to offer, but that’s what it is. Therefore as you walk out of the train late at night, in search of your hotel, be alert. Also if you were a woman traveling alone I would strongly recommend to avoid regional (commuter) trains late at night. Since you are a strong male, you have less to worry compared to women or the elderly.

The food tour should be no problem, you are with a group and they take you around to well-known areas, plus you are with a local. I found they took really good care of us whenever we have done a food tour, even staying with us to make sure we had a taxi back to our lodging. City to City move at night is another story, like a PP mentioned the area around train stations can be sketch, but I think as long as you just get a taxi straight away to your lodging (don't try to walk) you should be fine. Just have your bearing before you get off the train (all your luggage secured and no open zippers) and walk with a purpose, head held high and no nonsense look on your face (There is another name for this face but I don't want to get banned).

are they worse than Paris?

Not in my opinion. As a strong male, if you maintain an awareness of your surroundings, and follow your instincts, you should be fine.