Is Florence Safe in December 2026?

Organised teams of two to four individuals operate in Florence's most-crowded tourist zones. One member creates a distraction — dropping something, pushing into the target, thrusting a map or baby at them — while another lifts a wallet, phone, or unzips a bag from behind. A third member may immediately pass the stolen item further down a chain. Victims typically realise only after the group has dispersed. Teams concentrate wherever tourist density peaks.

How to avoid: Wear a cross-body bag kept in front of your body. Store your phone in a front trouser pocket. Be immediately suspicious of any unexpected physical contact in a crowd, especially anyone who "accidentally" bumps you or asks for help with a map. Do not take items handed to you by strangers.

Restaurants in the historic centre — especially near the Duomo — routinely add coperto (cover charge) of €3–8 per person, plus a bread charge. These appear at the bottom of bills and are rarely disclosed upfront.

How to avoid: Ask about coperto charges before sitting down. Many restaurants a block or two from major sights charge no cover.

Scammers lay large printed reproductions flat on the paving stones around Piazza del Duomo and outside the Uffizi Gallery. Tourists absorbed in photographing the architecture step on the prints, which the operator immediately claims are original hand-painted artworks worth €100 or more. The scammer rolls up the print to show a shoe mark and aggressively demands €50 in compensation, blocking the tourist's path and drawing a crowd to create social pressure.

How to avoid: Walk in single file through congested tourist squares and actively scan the ground. If you do step on a print, walk away calmly — do not pay. Offer to settle in front of a police officer, which always ends the confrontation. These prints are mass-produced and worthless.

Promoters outside tourist-area restaurants near the Duomo offer free wine or special menus to draw tourists in. Once seated, cover charges, service fees, and premium pricing appear on the bill not visible on the promoted menu.

How to avoid: Ask for the actual menu with all charges before sitting. Check for coperto and servizio lines. Restaurants that have promoters outside the door typically have the highest markups. Choose places where locals are eating.

Scalpers outside the Uffizi and Accademia galleries sell timed-entry tickets at inflated prices (€40–60 vs the official €20–25), claiming all online slots are sold out. Some sell entirely fake printed tickets.

How to avoid: Book official tickets through uffizi.it or firenzemusei.it well in advance. Ticket offices never run out of all slots simultaneously.