Is Rome Safe? An Honest Guide for American Travelers (2026)

Yes, Rome is safe for most visitors: the US State Department rates Italy at Level 2 of 4 (“exercise increased caution”), and the risk that actually hits tourists is pickpocketing on crowded buses and at big sights, not violent crime.

Stay in Monti, Trastevere, Prati or the historic center, keep your phone out of back pockets on buses 64 and 40, and book Colosseum tickets only on the official site. Do that and the city is as manageable as any big American downtown.

The honest answer: safe, but pickpockets are the real tax

The State Department’s Italy travel advisory sits at Level 2 because of terrorism risk, and it notes that petty crime is common in tourist areas and on public transportation. The UK government agrees: crime levels are generally low, but pickpocketing is higher in city centers and at major attractions.

Rome does log a lot of crime for an Italian city: Statista put it at 6,074 felonies per 100,000 residents in 2023, second behind Milan, and most of that is theft. For perspective, the 2024 Global Peace Index ranked Italy 33rd and the US 132nd.

On August 24, 2026, Rome declared the area around the Colosseum, the Imperial Forums and Colle Oppio a security “red zone” until December 24, 2026, with a stronger police presence after a summer of street crime, according to ANSA. The existing red zones around Termini station and Esquilino were expanded at the same time.

If you are still weighing the trip, see whether Rome is worth visiting on a first trip to Italy.

Neighborhoods to stay in, and areas to avoid after dark

Monti, the Centro Storico around the Pantheon and Piazza Navona, Trastevere and Prati near the Vatican stay busy into the evening and feel comfortable at night for most travelers.

The area people complain about is the surroundings of Termini station after dark, especially the side streets and Esquilino blocks toward Piazza Vittorio. It is not a no-go zone, but expect drug dealing, aggressive panhandling and people sleeping rough. If your train arrives late, use the main Piazza dei Cinquecento exit and take a taxi from the official rank.

A cheap hotel near Termini saves money but costs you peace of mind at 11 p.m.

Scams that actually happen in Rome

– Colosseum tickets. In August 2025 Italy’s antitrust authority fined CoopCulture EUR 7 million, part of nearly EUR 20 million in penalties over bot-hoarded Colosseum tickets resold at markups, per Finestre sull’Arte. The official seller is now ticketing.colosseo.it, where a standard 24-hour ticket costs EUR 18 (about USD 20).

Ignore anyone outside offering “skip-the-line” entry. – The bracelet trick. A friendly man ties a “free” friendship bracelet on your wrist, then demands money. Keep your hands in your pockets and walk on. – Gladiator photos. Costumed men near the Colosseum pose with you, then ask for cash.

If you want the photo, agree on a price first. – Fake taxis. Unlicensed drivers wait in airport arrivals. Official taxis are white with a roof sign, and Fiumicino runs to the center at a fixed fare that sources put at EUR 48–55 (USD 54–62).

I converted prices at USD 1 = EUR 0.89. – Distraction teams. Someone asks for directions or “drops” something while a partner works your bag.

Getting around safely: buses 64 and 40, metro and taxis

Buses 64 and 40 Express run the same core route from Termini to the Vatican, passing near the Roman Forum. That earned them the nickname “Pickpocket Express.” Thieves work the doors during boarding and exiting, and backpacks with easy zippers are prime targets.

Wear your bag on your front, keep your phone in a front pocket, stand away from the doors, and buy tickets on your phone in advance. Metro Line A gets the same rush-hour crowds. Much of central Rome is faster on foot anyway, and our 3-day Rome itinerary groups sights so you rarely need a bus at all.

At night, use a white licensed taxi from a rank or a taxi app, and check that the meter is running. If you are heading out to the Castelli Romani or Tivoli, most day trips from Rome run on regional trains, which are generally safe but worth watching your bags on.

Solo and female travelers

Rome works well for solo travelers, including women alone; Trastevere and Monti have people on the streets until late. Expect some catcalling and persistent men at bars, and a firm “no, grazie” usually ends it. The UK Foreign Office warns about drink spiking in Italy, so don’t accept drinks from strangers or leave yours unattended, and take a taxi rather than walking alone near Termini late at night.

What to do in an emergency

Dial 112, Italy’s single emergency number, which routes you to police, ambulance or fire, according to Italy’s official tourism site. The direct lines are 113 for State Police, 118 for medical emergencies and 115 for fire.

If you are pickpocketed, file a police report (a “denuncia”), which your insurer will want. For a stolen passport, contact the US Embassy in Rome. Before you go, buy travel insurance with theft and medical cover and enroll in the State Department’s STEP program.

Who should think twice about Rome

Rome is not for travelers who hate crowds and constant low-level vigilance. If that is you, skip July and August; our guide to the best time to visit Rome explains why spring and late fall are calmer. Travelers with limited mobility should know that cobblestones, scooters and narrow sidewalks are a bigger everyday hazard than crime.

Everyone else can relax and focus on the best things to do in Rome. Nonstop flights from New York take roughly 8 to 8.5 hours, and US passport holders still enter visa-free for short stays; ETIAS has not launched yet.

Where to stay

– Monti: Walkable to the Colosseum and Forum, with wine bars and trattorias. Best for first-timers. – Trastevere: The liveliest evenings in Rome. Best for couples and solo travelers, though it can be noisy. – Prati: Calm, residential and close to the Vatican. Best for families and light sleepers.