Is Florence safe to visit? A comprehensive safety guide

Florence, Italy is the capital city of the Tuscany region and is known to be the birthplace of the Opera as well as the Italian Renaissance. For these reasons, it is a center of culture, art and architecture, and there's no place quite like it anywhere else around the world. People visiting Florence can spend their days strolling through art galleries or one of the city's 80 museums, or sightseeing at some of the fantastic churches that call the city home.

Florence is a very popular city for tourists and gets an average of 16 million visitors each year, although back in 2018 a total of 27.7 million people came here. The high season is during the summer and lasts from mid-May to July as well as September; this is a great time to enjoy the warm weather and attend festivals but it'll also be very busy, and you can get much cheaper flights if you travel during the low season. Currently, the population of metro Florence is over 730,000.

We've some great travel tips that'll help you have a safe and fun vacation in Florence. The first one is to store your bags safely in Florence when you go out to explore, and your best option is Bounce. Take advantage of the 24/7 customer support services and reliable protection plan, resting easy in the fact that your belongings are secure.

Is Florence safe to visit right now?

Are you ready to start planning your trip to Florence? First, you'll need to look into the travel restrictions that your own government has to make sure that it's safe for you to go here. Right now there are no advisories for entering Italy and you can consider the country safe for travel. In fact, Italy is in 32nd place on the 2021 Global Peace Index which is a very good score.

The most common crimes include pickpocketing and scams. We'll do our best to prepare you for the scam and pickpockets risk and will tell you about other things that can help you to stay safe, too. If you've traveled a lot before you might already be familiar with these tips, but it's a good idea to read other Florence safety guides as well.

Top petty crimes and scams in Florence affecting tourists

There are a couple of things that you can do to protect yourself while you visit Florence, Italy. Here are the things that you'll need to look out for the most.

Pickpocketing

Florence has a pickpockets risk and you'll should be on guard when you're in busy areas. Petty theft happens most often in public transport hubs like train stations, near tourist spots, or in other areas where lots of people gather. You can help lower the chances of your things being stolen by keeping valuables at the bottom of your bag and owning a cross-body handbag or money belt.

]The best way to keep your things safe is at a Bounce luggage facility.

Transport risks

If you aren't driving yourself around Florence you may need to use public transport and taxis. Those who take taxis risk trouble at times, though, as drivers can be difficult to hail off the street, and it can be difficult to find one late at night. You should avoid getting into an unmarked taxi; make sure that you can clearly see the taxi sign above the roof of the car so that you don't fall for a fake taxi scam.

Taxis are also quite expensive and do not usually accept credit cards or debit cards, so you'll need to have cash with you. Right as you take off, check to see that the meter is running so that the taxi driver cannot overcharge you. Florence is however a very walker-friendly city and that is the preferred mode of transport by many locals.

Scams

As a general safety tip, if a stranger approaches you to offer assistance with your luggage, give you directions, or ask you for help, you should be wary of them.

Some scammers will try to distract you so that someone can steal your things which is why you always need to be aware of what is going on around you. Other scams include fake petitions or "gold ring" scams where somebody will try selling you a gold ring and will put it on you to convince you, and then you won't be able to take it off forcing you to pay for it.

Is Florence safe to travel alone

Since Florence sees so many travelers year round, you'll find plenty of like minded people who are also new to the city. It's a safe city to visit by yourself as long as you use common sense. We definitely recommend that you stay close to the touristy areas if you're solo since there will be more people around and the surroundings are generally safe. It's a good idea to learn how to speak a few Italian phrases or have a translator app on your phone if anything arises.

If you're a woman traveling alone you should consult the Bounce Women Travel Safety Index. It has Italy ranked 23rd, meaning that it is a safe country for women as well. Of course, we recommend being just as careful here as you would in other cities, especially when walking home after dark. For the most part, you'll be perfectly safe in Florence as long as you're aware of your surroundings.

Safest neighborhoods in Florence

When you're exploring Florence you'll want to stick to these neighborhoods where you can walk around freely while feeling safe. These neighborhoods are some of the safest in the city center and beyond.

Duomo

Duomo is close to many of Florence's most popular tourist spots, like the Galleria dell'Accademia, the Museum of San Marco, the Ponte Vecchio, the Basilica of Santa Croce and so much more. You'll definitely be spending time here during your trip.

Campo di Marte

This is another lovely and safe neighborhood in Florence. Its streets have so many hidden gems for you to discover. Soccer fans will want to see Artemio Franchi Stadium.

Santo Spirito

Because it is more of a residential area, Santo Spirito is also very safe. You can definitely find a good hotel here.

Is Florence public transportation safe?

The most convenient way to get around Florence is to walk, but there are also public transit services available. The buses and trams can be used to get from either the Pisa Airport or the Amerigo Vespucci International Airport to somewhere else in the city center, or from one district to another. The public transit services are easy and safe to use.

Important emergency numbers in Florence

Keep emergency numbers close by just in case anything goes wrong while you're out. When in Florence, or any foreign country, you'll also have to know your embassy number.

• National Emergency Number: 112
• Police: 113
• Fire Department: 115
• Medical Emergency: 118

A safe vacation in Florence

Italy is one of the most culturally powerful countries in Europe and every one of its cities are amazing places to visit. Now that you know more about Florence you're ready to have the vacation of your life! These articles might come in handy as well; Where to Stay in Florence: The Ultimate Guide and How to Get Around Florence.