As in any tourist place. I decided to write this post after some tourists from some of my groups have been robbed in the Cinque Terre. Even though each time, with each group, I had repeated a million times to watch out for pickpockets and they were robbed anyway …

In 2026, Cinque Terre remains a high-target area for pickpockets due to its massive tourist density and narrow, crowded infrastructure. While the five villages themselves are relatively safe compared to Rome or Milan, the train stations (especially La Spezia and Monterosso) and the regional "Cinque Terre Express" trains are prime operating grounds for petty thieves. The "bottleneck" effect at train doors and on the steep stairs of the villages creates perfect "distraction" opportunities. Thieves often work in small groups, where one person creates a stall (like dropping an item or asking for directions) while another reaches into an unzipped bag or back pocket. Visitors are advised to use crossbody bags with locking zippers and to remain hyper-vigilant during the frantic boarding process of the regional trains, which are often packed to capacity during the peak summer months of 2026.