Street Scams in Florence, Italy
Pickpockets, distraction thieves, fake petitions, and street hustles in tourist areas. Below are the street scams scams reported in Florence — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Mykonos, Barcelona, and Krakow.
Last updated: April 2, 2026
2
Street Scams Scams
11
Total in Florence
How it works
Men near the Uffizi Gallery and Ponte Vecchio force bracelets onto tourists' wrists or hold their hand, claiming it is a gift or blessing. Once on, they demand €10–20 and become hostile if refused.
How it works
On and around Piazza della Repubblica and the pedestrian stretch of Via dei Cerretani, small crews run three-card monte and shell-game tables using a folding board or suitcase top. Planted accomplices in the crowd place winning bets loudly to draw real tourists in. The game is rigged — the target never wins — and losses of €20–100 per round are common. A lookout monitors for police and the crew disperses in seconds.
See all scams in Florence
11 total warnings across all categories