Europe·Italy

Is Rome Safe for Tourists in 2026?

Rome is generally safe for tourists relative to other popular destinations. Our database documents 16 scams, with only 2 rated high severity. Standard travel awareness applies — staying alert in crowded areas and using vetted transport covers the majority of documented risks.

Generally Safe

Overall verdict

16

Scams documented

2

High severity

Overall verdict

Generally Safe

Lower scam risk compared to similar destinations

Scams documented

16

High severity

2

Medium severity

13

Top risk type

Street Scams

Priority warnings

High-severity risks in Rome

These are the most serious documented scams — rated high severity based on frequency, financial impact, and confirmation across multiple sources.

Fake Police Officer Inspection

high

Plainclothes individuals approach tourists claiming to be police officers or anti-fraud agents, often flashing fake badges. They claim to be investigating counterfeit currency, drug trafficking, or illegal vendors in the area and ask to inspect your wallet or passport. During the "inspection," they steal cash or memorize card details. Some now wear fake official vests and pretend to radio their station to appear more credible.

How to avoid: Real Italian police do not conduct random cash inspections of tourists on the street. If approached, refuse politely and insist on being taken to the nearest official police station (questura) to conduct any check. Never hand over your wallet, passport, or any card to someone approaching you unsolicited on the street.

Where: Near Termini Station, Piazza Navona, Campo de' Fiori, and along Via Nazionale — areas of high tourist foot traffic

Fake Vacation Rental Booking Fraud

high

Scammers list non-existent luxury apartments and hotels on booking platforms under convincing names — often referencing famous Rome landmarks like "Via della Vite" or "Spanish Steps." They redirect victims off the booking platform to pay via bank transfer or direct credit card, then disappear. Tourists arrive to find no accommodation exists. In 2025, the U.S. Secret Service and Italy's Polizia di Stato arrested 20 people in connection with this scheme, which defrauded more than 200 Americans alone.

How to avoid: Only book accommodation through platforms that hold payment in escrow until check-in. Never transfer money or provide card details via email, WhatsApp, or direct bank transfer outside the booking platform. If a host requests off-platform payment claiming "platform fees," treat it as a definitive red flag and cancel immediately.

Where: Primarily targets tourists booking online before arriving in Rome — not geographically specific to one Rome neighbourhood

By traveler type

Is Rome safe for you specifically?

Scam risk varies by traveler profile. Different types of visitors face different documented threats in Rome.

Solo travelers

Higher risk

Solo travelers are more frequently targeted because they lack the deterrent of a group. Stay in well-reviewed accommodation, share itineraries with someone at home, and avoid deserted areas at night.

First-time visitors

Higher risk

Unfamiliarity with local pricing, transport, and norms makes first-time visitors prime targets. Read the full scam database for Rome before arrival — knowing what scams exist is the single most effective protection.

Families with children

Lower risk

Families with children are less commonly targeted for scams involving nightlife or bar areas. Standard precautions apply: use vetted transport, keep documents secured, and brief children on not accepting gifts from strangers.

Budget travelers

Higher risk

Budget travelers spending time in hostels, using street food, and booking last-minute tours face increased exposure to accommodation scams, fake tour operators, and currency exchange fraud.

Where risk concentrates

Areas to be cautious in Rome

These locations are specifically cited in documented scam reports for Rome. Exercise heightened awareness in these areas.

Colosseum Fake Ticket and Guide Touts

Along the queue outside the Colosseum's main entrance on Piazza del Colosseo, and on the Via Sacra path between the Colosseum and the Arch of Titus. Touts also redirect tourists toward a separate paid entry point on Via dei Fori Imperiali.

medium

Gladiator Photo Scam

Directly outside the Colosseum's main entrance on the Via Sacra side, and along the Via dei Fori Imperiali between the Colosseum metro stop (Line B) and the Arch of Constantine. A secondary cluster operates near the Roman Forum's Via Sacra entrance.

medium

Pickpockets on Bus 40 and 64

Bus routes 40 and 64 running from Roma Termini westward along Corso Vittorio Emanuele II toward the Vatican. The buses are most crowded — and theft most common — at the Termini boarding stop and at the stops near Largo di Torre Argentina and Piazza Navona.

medium

Taxi from Termini Without Meter

Outside Roma Termini's main exits on Piazza dei Cinquecento, where unlicensed drivers solicit passengers on the pavement before they reach the official white taxi queue. Also active on the Via Giovanni Giolitti side exit.

medium

Restaurant Cover Charge Ambush

Restaurants lining the Via della Conciliazione leading to St Peter's Square, the streets immediately surrounding the Trevi Fountain (Via delle Muratte, Via dei Crociferi), and the blocks around Piazza di Spagna at the Spanish Steps.

medium
Risk breakdown

What types of scams occur in Rome?

Street Scams

Pickpockets, distraction thieves, fake petitions, and street hustles in tourist areas.

5

31% of reports

Restaurant Scams

Inflated bills, hidden charges, tourist menus, and food service tricks.

2

13% of reports

Tour & Activities

Unlicensed guides, fake tickets, bait-and-switch excursions, and ticket scalping.

2

13% of reports

Money & ATM Scams

Card skimming, currency exchange fraud, dynamic currency conversion, and cash cons.

2

13% of reports

Other Scams

Timeshares, fake police, charity fraud, and miscellaneous scams targeting visitors.

2

13% of reports

Taxi & Transport

Overcharging, meter tampering, fake taxis, and transport cons targeting tourists.

1

6% of reports

Accommodation Scams

Fake listings, bait-and-switch hotels, ghost rentals, and check-in fraud.

1

6% of reports

Online Scams

Fraudulent booking sites, phishing, fake reviews, and digital cons targeting travelers.

1

6% of reports

How serious?

Severity breakdown for Rome

2 High — 13%
13 Medium — 81%
1 Low — 6%
Before you go

Quick safety checklist for Rome

01

Before booking any tour or activity in Rome, verify the operator has verifiable reviews on multiple platforms.

02

Street Scams scams are the most documented risk in Rome — review those warnings specifically before you arrive.

03

Use app-based transport rather than street taxis, especially near Rome's main tourist attractions.

04

Keep a physical copy of your passport, travel insurance policy number, and embassy contact in a separate location from originals.

05

If you are approached by someone offering unsolicited help, tours, or currency exchange, politely decline and walk away.

06

Report any scam to local police and to your country's embassy. Even if recovery is unlikely, reports help maintain accurate travel advisories.

Common questions

Is Rome safe — answered

Is Rome safe for tourists in 2026?
Rome is generally safe for tourists based on our database of 16 documented scams. 2 of those are rated high severity. The most common risks are street scams, restaurant scams, tour & activities. Millions of tourists visit Rome safely each year — preparedness is the key differentiator.
Is Rome safe for solo travelers?
Rome has documented scams that specifically target solo travelers. Key advice: stay in well-reviewed accommodation, share your itinerary with someone at home, use app-based transport at night, and avoid isolated areas after dark. Review the full scam list for Rome before traveling alone.
What are the most dangerous areas in Rome for tourists?
Based on documented incident reports, the highest-risk areas in Rome include: Along the queue outside the Colosseum's main entrance on Piazza del Colosseo, and on the Via Sacra path between the Colosseum and the Arch of Titus. Touts also redirect tourists toward a separate paid entry point on Via dei Fori Imperiali.. Directly outside the Colosseum's main entrance on the Via Sacra side, and along the Via dei Fori Imperiali between the Colosseum metro stop (Line B) and the Arch of Constantine. A secondary cluster operates near the Roman Forum's Via Sacra entrance.. Bus routes 40 and 64 running from Roma Termini westward along Corso Vittorio Emanuele II toward the Vatican. The buses are most crowded — and theft most common — at the Termini boarding stop and at the stops near Largo di Torre Argentina and Piazza Navona.. These areas are associated with tour & activities, other scams, taxi & transport incidents.
Is Rome safe at night?
Nighttime risk in Rome is primarily concentrated around bar and nightlife districts, where overcharging, spiked drink incidents, and fake police are more common. Using official or app-based transport after dark and staying in well-lit, populated areas reduces risk significantly.
Is Rome safe for female travelers?
Rome has documented scams that disproportionately target women. General guidance: use verified accommodation with secure entry, avoid sharing ride details publicly, dress in line with local customs to reduce unwanted attention, and keep emergency contacts accessible. Travel communities like r/solotravel and r/TravelHacks have current firsthand reports.
What scams should I watch for in Rome?
The top documented scams in Rome are: Colosseum Fake Ticket and Guide Touts, Gladiator Photo Scam, Pickpockets on Bus 40 and 64, Taxi from Termini Without Meter, Restaurant Cover Charge Ambush. The full database covers 16 individual scams across 8 categories. Reviewing each scam's description and avoidance tips is the most effective pre-trip preparation.
Should I get travel insurance for Rome?
Travel insurance is strongly recommended for any trip to Rome. Beyond scam-related losses, insurance covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and theft — all documented risk categories here. Look for policies that include 24/7 emergency assistance and explicit coverage for mugging or pickpocketing. Compare policies on comparison sites before purchasing.
Is Italy safe to visit in 2026?
Italy as a whole is a popular tourist destination with documented scam activity across multiple cities. Rome specifically has 16 documented scams with a generally safe safety rating. Check the full Italy country guide for a regional overview and safety comparisons across all covered cities.

Editorial note: This safety assessment for Rome is based on 16 verified scam reports in the Before You Go database, compiled from government travel advisories (US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australian DFAT), verified news sources, and traveler reports. Safety conditions change — always cross-reference with current government advisories before travel. Read our methodology →