How can I avoid getting mugged in Italy?

How to avoid pickpockets in Rome, Italy
  1. If you don't need it, don't bring it. Have you – for reasons known only to yourself – brought a big wad of cash? ...
  2. Be aware of who's around you. ...
  3. Carry your bag in front. ...
  4. Zip it up. ...
  5. Don't use your back pockets. ...
  6. Refrain from wearing a fanny pack. ...
  7. Trust your intuition.




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Who do pickpockets target? Pickpockets look for distracted and unaware travelers. “That's not to say that anyone can be prey, but if you're engrossed in your phone, you're less attentive to what's going on around you,” said Maria Pasquale, a Rome-based travel journalist and author.

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While crossbodies are purses that are hard to pickpocket, make sure to keep them in front of you at all times when you're out and about. That way, you'll be able to see your valuables, no matter where you are!

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Your clothes are a dead giveaway. The stereotype is true: American tourists stick out like a sore thumb when they travel, making them prime targets for pickpockets. Instead of throwing on a T-shirt to rep your alma mater, try to dress like the locals.

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How To Avoid Pickpockets When Traveling In Cities
  1. Be Extra Aware In Certain Areas.
  2. Don't Let Looks Fool You.
  3. Know Common Pickpocket Scams.
  4. Leave Valuables Locked In Your Hotel.
  5. Look Like A Local.
  6. Wearing A Money Belt To Avoid Pickpockets.
  7. Invest In A Pickpocket Proof Bag or Pickpocket Proof Wallet.


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Signs That a Restaurant Is Definitely a Tourist Trap
  1. The menu is written in multiple languages and paired with country flags. ...
  2. The restaurant is open for dinner at 5:00 p.m. ...
  3. The restaurant offers dishes that aren't typical to the region.
  4. There's someone on the street waving you inside. ...
  5. The site rating is in the window.


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How To Avoid Sticking Out Like a Tourist in Italy
  1. No Cappuccino After 11:00AM. By far, this goes down as the number one rule in the Italian handbook. ...
  2. Cheese And Seafood Do Not Mix. ...
  3. Don't Out Think The Room. ...
  4. Embrace the Culture and Customs. ...
  5. Choose Your Words Wisely. ...
  6. Speak Italian!


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The safest and most convenient style of bag is a crossbody bag that you wear from one shoulder to the opposite hip. A thin flexible wire embedded in the strap makes it slash-resistant to thieves who cut bag straps and then run off with the bag.

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In Italy, cash is still preferred in most restaurants, cafes and other establishments, although credit and debit cards are becoming more widely used throughout Italy and are an increasingly convenient way to pay for things. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, although American Express is not.

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One of the most readily available sources of personal information is your purse or wallet, and a thief can do plenty with the contents. Your credit cards, debit cards, checkbook, and home information can give a criminal valuable material to work with, especially in terms of making a quick buck through account fraud.

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Your bag or backpack is probably the most vulnerable area that pickpockets love to target. Backpacks are especially vulnerable because you can't see if someone is trying to get into it.

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Las Ramblas, Barcelona, Spain How to avoid it: It may sound simple but make sure that all of your valuables are tightly zipped away in a bag or purse when you're in tourist areas. Zips on bags should also face inwards where possible. Las Ramblas is the worst spot in the world for pickpockets.

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A tote bag, on the other hand, may have thin straps, but it also has two straps, so even if a thief manages to cut one, they won't be able to snatch the whole bag in one go!

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