Is Florence Safe? What the Statistics Say

Famed for its Renaissance art and architecture, Florence is one of Italy’s most iconic destinations. But like any touristic city, questions about safety often arise. Is Florence a safe city for visitors and locals? The answer, in short, is yes — or at least as safe as you might reasonably expect from a popular tourist destination of almost 1 million residents.

Here’s what the statistics say.

Is Florence Safe? The Key Takeaway

Yes, Florence is very safe, especially when compared to Italy’s busier metropolises like Rome, Milan, and Naples. You rarely hear about any major or violent crime in the Tuscan capital. Instead, the main concern in Florence is petty theft, such as pickpocketing, particularly in crowded tourist areas like Piazza del Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio, and near the main train station, Santa Maria Novella. Yet because Florence’s historic centre is small (505 hectares / 1,250 acres), you’ll find a concentrated police presence in the vicinity of its main sites.  

Crime Statistics in Florence

The latest data from Statista shows that Florence has the 3rd highest crime rate in Italy, behind Milan (1st place) and Rome (2nd place). In 2023, Florence recorded 6,060 felonies per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to Rome’s 6,074 and Milan’s 7,116.

Crime rates in Italy in 2023, broken down by provinces/cities. Source: Statista.

Superficially, this might sound scary, but it’s worth putting this into context. First, more than half of these crimes were theft (31,353 reported incidents) with others broken down into non-specific crimes (7,554), online scams (7,307), property damage (6,994), bodily harm (1,382), robberies (1,351) and threats (1,021). 

One slight cause for concern is that pickpocketing has doubled in the last year (1,034 reported cases), causing Florence to feature among the “blacklist”, following Milan (eighth overall in the Quality of Life survey) and Rome (35th). However, all this talk of blacklists distracts from the fact that Italy still ranks as the 33rd safest country in the world according to the 2024 Global Peace Index Report, ahead of the UK (34th) and USA (132nd). 

Even when it comes to organised crime, Italy fares pretty well, ranking 40th out of 193 countries in the Global Organised Crime Index (OC Index). But this measures organised crime, and while Italy is historically notorious as the birthplace of the Mafia, political and judicial efforts from the 1970s onwards have purged this poison that once corrupted Italian society and its body politic. Some notorious mafia gangs remain, but they are mostly in the South of Italy (Camorra in Campania, and the 'Ndrangheta in Calabria).

Overall, Florence’s crime rates are nothing to be alarmed about. Be aware of your surroundings, use a healthy dose of common sense, and you can be confident your trip will go without issue.

Is Florence Safe at Night?

Yes. Even at night, Florence’s historic centre is one of the most walkable areas in Europe. Its pedestrian-friendly streets — through which cars cannot drive because of this strictly enforced ZTL (zona a traffico limitato) — are generally safe for nighttime exploration. Florence’s popular nightlife neighbourhoods like Oltrarno, Sant’Ambrogio, and the area around the Duomo are well-lit and not too far from attractions with a police presence. 

However, avoid isolated alleys or poorly lit areas, particularly if walking alone. It’s always a good idea to plan your route in advance and let someone know your expected return time. Walking with friends or in groups adds an extra layer of safety and comfort. 

Is Florence Safe for Women?

Florence is safe for women, including solo female travellers. The city’s social and cultural environment is generally respectful, and women often report feeling comfortable navigating Florence’s streets, museums, and attractions.

That said, as in any destination, it’s important to remain aware of your surroundings. Overly friendly strangers or unwanted attention can occasionally occur, particularly in bars or clubs. To minimize risk:

• Stay in well-lit and busy areas at night.
• Consider using taxi apps for late-night travel.
• Trust your instincts and avoid interactions that feel uncomfortable.

Top Tip: Women in need of a taxi between 10pm and 4am have priority access and a 10% discount through Florence’s Taxi Rosa. Book your priority taxi by calling +39 055 439 000 (easily remembered by tacking on two zeros to the usual taxi number).

If you’re travelling solo, you might want to consider monastery stays as a safe and secure budget-friendly accommodation option. 

Road Safety in Florence

According to ISTAT, the National Institute for Statistics, Florence is safer than Rome, Milan, Turin, Genova and Naples in terms of road accidents and road deaths. In 2022, Florence registered 2,476 road accidents and 9 road deaths — more than Rome, which recorded 11,798 accidents and 124 deaths — while in 2023 Florence registered 2,530 road accidents and 16 road deaths — ahead of Rome’s 11,320 and 121 respectively.

Florence is, of course, a much smaller and more pedestrianised city than Rome or Milan, and so visitors should nonetheless be vigilant when walking or taking transport around the city. But walking around the historic centre — where most cars are not allowed — should be perfectly safe. Just make sure to listen out for silent electric taxis, an increasingly common phenomenon. 

Florence's city centre is heavily pedestrianised, making it safe for tourists.

Common Scams and How to Avoid Them

Like any major tourist city, Florence has its fair share of scams, but they are all relatively minor. Here are the main scams to watch out for:

• Fake tickets or unauthorized guides: Stick to official ticketing platforms and tour operators to avoid being overcharged or misled. All our guides for our Florence Tours are fully licensed, and both our Uffizi Tour and Accademia Tour include official timed entry tickets. 
• Street vendors and distractions: Be cautious around vendors who seem overly pushy, as this is sometimes a tactic used by pickpockets. One common scam around the Piazza del Duomo and Uffizi is for scammers to put down famous art prints and insist that passers-by have stepped on them, and therefore need to buy them. If this happens to you — and you have not in fact just left a giant gelato footprint on a fake Mona Lisa — keep walking, and don’t engage. 
• Overpriced restaurants: In densely touristy areas, some restaurants charge inflated prices. Check menus and reviews before sitting down. Please also bear in mind that in Italy it is normal for cafè prices to differ depending on whether you’re consuming at the bar or sitting down to savour. 

Emergency Contacts and Resources

Should you encounter any issues while in Florence, here are some important contacts:

• National Emergency Number (Police, Ambulances, Firefighters): 112
• Police: 113
• Medical Emergencies: 118
• Fire Department: 115
• US embassy: (+39) 055 266 951

Plan Your Florence Trip with Carpe Diem

Planning a trip this summer? Carpe Diem has you covered. We offer a range of tours and experiences for everyone from first-time visitors to seasoned travellers.

First time in Florence? Taste your way through the Tuscan capital on our Florence Food Tour and treat yourself to an immersive tour of Florence's Renaissance city centre through our Florence Walking Tour!

Looking to meet like-minded travellers in a fun, safe environment trying traditional local drinks and hearing scandalous stories? Try out our Tipsy Tour of Florence.