Is Venice Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Venice, located in North-East Italy, is one of the most famous cities in the world because it consists of 118 islands where all the main monuments and sights are placed.

What makes it even more gorgeous is the fact that the city is virtually the same as it was six hundred years ago.

The fascinating thing is that there are 56000 residents and 20 million tourists per year.

Boats are the primary mean of transportation and the city offers a huge amount of palaces, towers, squares, and the world-famous Carnival.

Also, a very attractive situation is when pigeons crowd the pavement in St. Mark’s Square and other parts of Venice. 

With its gondolas and unforgettable romantic ambiance, Venice is a city that should be on everyone’s travel agenda.

Warnings & Dangers in Venice

OVERALL RISK: LOW

Despite so many tourists that wander the streets of Venice, it is a very safe city. Like any other touristic place, public transport and crowded areas might be dangerous in terms of thieves. Do not take too much money with you when you are out and use a hotel safe for valuables.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Traffic is dense and pedestrians should take care even at zebra crossings since vehicles do not always stop. Public transports and taxis are very safe in Venice, especially the water taxi. You can always grab a taxi on the street.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH

Wherever there are tourists, there are also numerous pickpockets. They frequently operate in Venice, so there are chances of being pickpocketed. The thieves usually work in groups and one can use a variety of methods to distract your attention, while the other is trying to rob you.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Winter season can cause heavy rainfalls, which can result in some places of the city being flooded and closed. There are reports of several strong earthquakes that happened in Venice. Forest fires are highly dangerous and unpredictable during hot summers.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Mugging and kidnapping are not common in Venice and the risks are very low. Nevertheless, relying on this is not advisable, since the criminal acts cannot be predicted.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

Terrorist attacks cannot be foretold and even though Venice is not under the threat, it is advisable to stay alert. Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Italy, especially in places frequented by foreigners and Venice might be one of them. There have been also reports of cases of domestic terrorism.

SCAMS RISK: HIGH

Major landmarks in Venice are surrounded by the scammers. Some of the scam risks are “gold ring” tricks and fake petitions. Tourists should avoid people who are offering them help with the luggage.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women travelers can come alone to Venice and do not need to worry about their safety at all. Venice is a safe city when it comes to female travelers. However, they need to be cautious even though the risk is low.

So... How Safe Is Venice Really?

Taking into account the fact that Venice is one of Italy’s most important cities and a romantic travel destination, whose 150 canals and 400 bridges are magnificent enough to attract everyone, staying safe while visiting Venice is the most frequent concern of many travelers.

Venice has a reputation for being a relatively safe city, but you should pay special attention to an abundance of pickpockets, so keep an eye on your money, valuables, and passport.

Another risk is swimming since the swimming in Venice canals is strictly forbidden.

Expect to see heavily armed police patrolling the streets, doing its best to make Venice a safe place.

There are numerous reports of pickpockets and scammers.

Nevertheless, do not allow anything to destroy your trip since Venice is definitely worth it.

How Does Venice Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

The travelers who stay less than 90 days in Italy do not need a visa, while EU nationals can stay longer in the country without obtaining a visa at all. You also need a valid passport while you are in Venice.

Currency

The official currency in Italy is the Euro. Italy is considered cheaper than other European countries, but you will still need 70€ per day including accommodation on average. There are ATMs everywhere and credit cards are widely accepted.

Weather

The weather in Italy is hot and dry and the period between June and September is the best to visit Venice. However, it is usually crowded, so those who do not like crowds should visit it in spring or autumn. During the winter months, it can be quite cold and windy. You should know that the lagoon water level occasionally rises above the level of the squares and streets in the colder months and floods them which makes the city closed for tourists.

Airports

Many international airports can be used when coming to Italy, and those are in Rome, Milan, Bologna, Turin, Naples, Pisa and Venice. Venice is served by three airports: San Nicolo Airport on Lido, Treviso Airport, which is 25km from the city and Venice Marco Polo, which is the closest commercial airport.

Travel Insurance

A travel insurance policy is necessary wherever you go and you should pay attention to whether it covers not only medical problems but also theft and loss of personal items.

Venice Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Italy - Safety by City