Is Naples Safe For Tourists?

The biggest question for any visitor to southern Italy

Where Darcy and I live, about two hours south of Naples, we often hear that Naples is unsafe. And when we mention that we're headed there, either for something official or to visit, we are often blessed by the people in our town—mostly people over the age of sixty. It doesn't matter that Naples is a thriving city that has done a lot to separate itself from its storied past, it was once the kidnapping capital of the world (for a few years in the nineties) and people in the south still think of Naples as the place you go to when you want to be kidnapped.

A statue of Dante lovingly glaring at all of Naples.

So, let's take a look at Naples and answer that giant question:

Is Naples safe?

Very simply, yes.

So why does it get such a bad rap?

Well, Naples is home to the Camorra, a centuries-old organized crime gang (older than both the more famous Cosa Nostra (or "Mafia") in Sicily and the more powerful 'Ndrangheta in Calabria). They're often involved in scandals around illegal dumping and are responsible for soaring cancer rates in a number of small communities around Naples and southern Italy. Surprisingly, that doesn't make it to the tourist brochures.

This being said, they don't typically bother tourists. That is mostly done by pickpockets, snatch-and-grabbers, and people in this vein.

In fact, according to data collected by the newspaper Il Sole 24 (link here:https://lab24.ilsole24ore.com/indice-della-criminalita/classifica/#), Naples isn't even in the Top 3 for thefts, those being Florence, Milan, and Turin. Of course, all data like this needs to be taken with a grain of salt since this doesn't include unreported thefts, only reported thefts.

So, what's the deal with pickpockets in Naples?

Of course, if you're a tourist in Italy (and Naples, specifically), the crime to really be concerned with is pickpockets.

Anecdotally speaking, and this is both in my experience and the experience of other travelers, tourists, and residents, pickpocketings are far more common than muggings. Darcy and I were once mugged at gunpoint in the States (Savannah, Ga), which is such a rare occurrence for people in Italy, it's often not even in their minds when they go out at night. In general, muggings, whether by knife or gun, are incredibly uncommon in Italy.

Which means, it's more common that someone might snatch your bag as they ride past on a Vespa or bike, or that they'll pickpocket you in a crowd or on a Metro.

How to prevent yourself from being pick-pocketed

Unfortunately, being a pickpocket in Italy is a great way to make a living. It's a classic "build it and they will come" situation, but for crime. Tons of people, massive crowds, a low police presence except for major areas, and easy getaways.

When Darcy and I visited Venice for the Carnevale, we saw a number of bags left unattended, camera bags with lenses hanging out, phones sticking out of purses, and sometimes wallets just left on tables next to people as they were eating and drinking.

And while Italy is, generally speaking, an incredibly safe country, there are definitely people who lack morals. And possibly more so, lack the opportunity, until it's presented to them.

To be clear, this isn't an attack on the victim or blaming them. The quote "this is why we can't have nice things" enters my mind any time I hear about a pickpocket or thief in Italy. Because for every ninety-nine people who will stop the bus, run out, and hand you back the wallet that fell out of your pocket, there's the one who won't.

Are there any other crimes to be aware of?

Other crimes, like murder, thankfully, happen on such a rare occasion in any part of Italy that it typically makes front-page news when it happens, unlike where we're from (Savannah, Ga) where it's commonplace.

If you're a solo female traveler, unfortunately, you need to be more aware and on your toes than a solo male traveler since we live in a world that's systemically broken. Crime against solo female travelers (or female travelers in general) isn't drastically worse in Italy than anywhere else, but that isn't to say it doesn't exist or is always reported.

If you're traveling to Naples by yourself, it's good to stay aware of your surroundings.

And, like anywhere, if you're in a situation that makes you feel uncomfortable, just leave. We always say that it's better to offend someone and leave than stay and get hurt.

So, is Naples safe? With all this crime?

Genuinely, yes. Just as safe as any other major city in Italy, and arguably safer than Milan. If you're looking for a home base to explore Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, or Sorrento, Naples is a fantastic choice. And so is Salerno.