Italy : Safety by City
- Bari
- Bologna
- Cagliari
- Catania
- Florence
- Genoa
- Milan
- Naples
- Palermo
- Perugia
- Pisa
- Rimini
- Rome
- Sorrento
- Turin
- Vatican City
- Venice
- Verona
You probably already know that the smallest country on Earth by both size and population is Vatican City.
It is located within Rome, Italy and has less than 1000 inhabitants.
What you need to know about Vatican City is that you can tour it in one day.
You should not miss St. Peter’s Square located in front of St. Peter’s Basilica,
The square has two beautiful fountains while St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest and one of the best-known churches in the world which can accept 400000 people.
Usually, people who come to Rome decide to tour the Vatican and see both cultural and religious artifacts, as well as vast collections of world-class art.
We assure you that you will not be disappointed if you come there.
Warnings & Dangers in Vatican City
OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
The best suggestion we can give you when it comes to overall safety in Vatican City is to know where you are going before leaving your hotel, as well as to carry your backpack or purse close to your body and keep it closed.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
If you plan on taking a taxi from the airport to the hotel, you are advised to take only those that have a sign on the roof and make a deal about the price of the ride. Stay watchful on buses, as you might be robbed there.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
If you think someone is following you or trying to rob you, you should react wisely and call the police. The pickpockets tend to attack tourists as they are easy prey.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
Generally speaking, whole Italy, as well as Vatican City, are located in the area where earthquakes are a normal occurrence.
MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
There is a risk of being mugged, and if you notice that someone is following you, you should change direction, cross the street, or enter an open store or restaurant. Violent crimes are rare in Vatican City.
TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
When terrorism is in question, you cannot be safe wherever in the world you go, as nobody can predict where and when they might attack. When it comes to domestic terrorist groups, their attacks are not against tourists.
SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
It is crucial that you do not leave food or drinks unattended at any time as you can easily become a victim of spiked drinks. Those victims tend to be robbed and sometimes assaulted.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Women spend holidays in Vatican City without having to worry about their safety. The streets are full of people by late at night and as long as you do not attract too much attention, you will remain safe.
So... How Safe Is Vatican City Really?
If your safety is your main concern when traveling to Vatican City, we can provide some advice for your trips.
You should read our article and find out all the possible dangers and suggested actions in case of a risky situation.
Besides the possibility of earthquakes, which are frequent throughout Italy, another natural disaster that might happen is forest fires.
There is a great risk during the extended summer months and those forest fires can be really dangerous and unpredictable.
If you need to visit those parts of the country which are affected, you need to consult the local authorities.
No matter if you act wisely or not, you cannot predict what might happen to you, so you should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you travel, which you will find useful in case of emergency.
If you act in line with the local laws and customs, you will not encounter any problems with authorities.
You have to respect the monuments and do not eat or drink next to them.
Throwing litter on the street and buying illegal goods from street sellers may lead to you being fined.
Act wisely so as not to get into trouble.
How Does Vatican City Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Vatican City | 72 |
| Naples | 66 |
| Milan | 66 |
| Florence | 70 |
| Venice | 74 |
| Rome | 64 |
| Genoa | 54 |
| Belize City (Belize) | 37 |
| La Paz (Bolivia) | 52 |
| Sao Paulo (Brazil) | 45 |
| Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | 43 |
| Sofia (Bulgaria) | 73 |
| Siem Reap (Cambodia) | 63 |
Useful Information
Visas
The only way to enter the Vatican city is from Italy. What you will need to have is a valid passport. Some countries out of Europe might need to meet other requirements to be allowed to enter Italy.
Currency
The currency of Vatican City is the Euro. In 2000, the government adopted the euro as its official currency. ATMs are available for tourists as well as residents to take the money.
Weather
Vatican City has a temperate climate, with rainy and snowy winter months, while the summers are hot and dry. The best time to visit it is September and October.
Airports
Considering the fact that Vatican City has no airport, but only a heliport used when Vatican officials visit the city, tourists can use the nearest airport - Rome Ciampino Airport in Italy.
Travel Insurance
No matter how safe the country you are going to is, you can never know what kind of accident might happen to you. That is when travel insurance comes into play.
Vatican City Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 11 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 23 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 26 | 21 | 16 | 12 |
| Low °C | 2 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 15 | 12 | 8 | 4 |
| High °F | 52 | 54 | 59 | 64 | 73 | 82 | 86 | 86 | 79 | 70 | 61 | 54 |
| Low °F | 36 | 36 | 41 | 45 | 54 | 63 | 66 | 66 | 59 | 54 | 46 | 39 |
Italy - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Bari | 74 |
| Bologna | 56 |
| Cagliari | 64 |
| Catania | 71 |
| Florence | 70 |
| Genoa | 54 |
| Milan | 66 |
| Naples | 66 |
| Palermo | 58 |
| Perugia | 60 |
| Pisa | 61 |
| Rimini | 62 |
| Rome | 64 |
| Sorrento | 60 |
| Turin | 42 |
| Vatican City | 72 |
| Venice | 74 |
| Verona | 65 |
Visit the Sistine Chapel
As with any public place we should not litter anywhere, its unfortunate to see some tourists fail to follow this common courtesy. Anyhow, its their issue if they end up facing the police, which does happen. The Sistine Chapel is gorgeous and is definitely something you should see first hand, considering that is the pope’s residence.
Unique experience
As a huge art fan, Vatican City was a must and I’m so glad I had the inspiration to visit it before the pandemic hit. It was everything I hoped for and more. If you’ve already traveled to more than two or three foreign countries then you already know the bare minimum safety protocol. I say bare minimum because this is what you’ll need in Vatican City.
Walking around distracted might leave you with one or two valuables less so be aware of pickpockets. This is the first thing our travel agent recommended and we did just that; tbh, I do the same no matter where I’m traveling. I can’t imagine how a policeman, no matter the city I’m in, can find the phone that was swindled off me during my short stay in that city. Also, filing police reports is never fun so just be careful and you’ll be fine.
Famous landmarks like Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica attract a lot of people aka you will waste a lot of time queuing to see one or the other but it’s well worth the effort.
If visiting during the summer lightweight linen clothing, ankle length and no midriff in sight, just like the article states, is ideal as the weather is hot and rather uncomfortable if you’re like me and can’t stand the heat. If you’ll be there during the colder months then jeans and a long-sleeved blouse would be the solution. You don’t have to dress like the pilgrims, just use your common sense.
Being such a small city exploring it on foot is the best and only solution. As for the food, all I had was a light salad but their local, Italian cuisine has a lot to offer.
I found the city safe, pleasant, friendly, a rather unique cultural experience that everyone should add to their list.