Is Rome safe for solo travel?

As a solo female traveler and ‘slowmad,’ I recently spent an entire 1.5 months living in Rome – alone. I LOVED it. Rome has long been one of my favorite cities in the world, and one I continue to return to over and over again. So, is Rome safe for solo travel? Based on personal experience, it’s a strong YES from me. 

Of course, as in any big city, there are certain precautions you should take. I’m outlining my top safety tips for solo travelers to Rome in this post so you can be prepared.

Planning your trip? Use my go-to resources:

• Accommodations: booking.com
• Travel Insurance: SafetyWing
• Tours & Excursions: Viator
• Flights: Skyscanner
• City Pass: Go City

Is Rome Safe to Travel Alone?

Rome is a wonderful destination for solo travel in Italy, and a personal favorite. This guide will help you stay safe so you can enjoy the Eternal City in peace.

Is Rome Safe For Solo Female Travellers?

Yes. In fact, Rome is one of the cities where I feel safest as a solo female traveler. It’s a great destination for those newer to solo female travel as well for this reason.

Is Rome Safe At Night?

Yes, generally. There are place I’ve visited where I do not recommend walking alone at night, but Rome is not one of them. Rome is quite lively at night, just as it is during the day. 

As long as you stay in areas with other people around and steer clear of neighborhoods to avoid, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t go out for an evening meal, gelato and a stroll.

What Should I Avoid in Rome?

There are a fair amount of tourist mistakes to avoid in Rome. From a safety perspective, in short, you should avoid being out alone near the Termini station area at night. 

You should also avoid attempts from strangers who talk at you as you walk by. This might happen in the areas around the colosseum. I’ll discuss this more below, under common scams to avoid in Rome.

Is Rome Friendly to Tourists?

Yes. Rome is a humongous tourist destination, and many locals work in the tourism industry. As long as you’re respectful and kind, Rome is certainly friendly to tourists.

Top 10 Best Safety Tips For Solo Travel in Rome

As beautiful and enchanting as Rome is, it can also feel chaotic. There are a lot of people in Rome at any given point, both tourists and locals. While Rome solo travel is great, here are some safety tips you should follow. 

1. Don’t fall for common scams

Definitely trust your intuition and err on the side of not engaging in any conversations that feel iffy to you, as a solo traveler. That said, there are a couple common scams I can specifically forewarn you about. 

One is, when taking a taxi always make sure they start the meter. I’ve personally never had an issue with a taxi driver in Rome trying to scam me by not running their meter, but it happens. 

To be extra conscious, you could let a potential taxi driver know where you want to go and ask upfront how much it will cost before you get in. Or, call an Uber instead. 

Another common scam is when a street vendor tries to force you into a purchase. They might approach you and quickly put a bracelet on your wrist for example. They might make it seem like a gift, but then they will start asking you to pay for it. They can become quite forceful. 

My best tip is — do not engage. Avoid eye contact with anyone who tries to call out to you as you’re walking along. Be prepared with a firm ‘no grazie’ if it’s needed and just keep walking swiftly to your destination. 

I have visited Rome 5 times and never had an issue with this myself, but I’ve seen others get caught up in it. You don’t need to be overly polite to strangers, nor overly rude. Simply keep walking and be firm in your verbal decline if it’s needed. 

Most major tourism destinations have this problem. At the end of the day, people are just trying to make their living. But especially as a solo traveler, avoid getting caught up in scams like these.

2. Avoid walking deserted streets alone at night

As I mentioned, Rome is actually safe to walk around in at night. Coming from Chicago, I actually feel much safer walking in Rome at night than I do in Chicago. Still, it’s a good idea to do your best to avoid walking any deserted streets alone at night. 

There are many smaller alleys and streets in Rome so it might be inevitable to walk some of these alone, especially if you’re trying to get to your VRBO rental. But do your best to avoid it and if not, stay alert and walk swiftly from point A to point B.

3. Limit alcohol consumption

This is just good sense for any sort of solo travel. It’s important to keep your wits about you, especially as a 4. Avoid being a target for pickpockets

The biggest safety or crime concern in Rome is pickpocketing. In fact, I once witnessed someone take my friend’s phone right out from her pocket in Rome! 

That was an unusual situation where we were all stuck in one place — including the thief — and she managed to get her phone right back. But the point is, when you’re surrounded by thick crowds there are plenty of opportunities for pickpockets to get their job done unnoticed. 

So, what can you do to avoid getting pickpocketed? For one, travel with the right kind of purse. I swear by my TravelOn anti-theft cross-body purse. It has slash-resistant straps, RFID protection and the added benefit of looking pretty plain. 

But simply having the purse isn’t enough. It’s also about how you carry it. I always keep this purse on my front rather than side or back, and anytime I’m traversing thick crowds I put a hand over it. No one is getting to that thing without me knowing about it. 

For men, do not carry your wallet in your back pocket. Or any pocket for that matter. Consider an anti-theft fanny pack or travel money belt to wear under your shirt instead.

Finally, don’t take your purse or your backpack off. When you’re sitting down for a meal, keep it on or keep an arm or leg looped through a strap. Be hyper-vigilant about keeping your stuff guarded.

5. Don’t carry around important documents

Make copies of your important documents, like passport, and carry the copies around instead of the originals.

Keep the originals safely back at your accommodation, either in a safe or locked in your luggage. I also recommend keeping a bit of extra cash, and an emergency credit card there. 

This way, in the unfortunate circumstance that you are pickpocketed, you don’t lose everything. 

6. Get Travel Insurance

As a frequent traveler who knows just how easily the unexpected can occur or how easily things can go wrong, purchasing travel insurance is now a no-brainer for me. 

There are two types of travel insurance I recommend — personal articles insurance and emergency health insurance.

Personal articles insurance covers your valuables in case of theft, and you might already have this without knowing about it. Check with your homeowner’s or renter’s policy to see whether you’re already covered. 

If not, I recommend buying this insurance through Lemonade. Renter’s insurance is $5 for a monthly subscription through Lemonade, which covers your personal property in and out of your home. 

Next, I also recommend emergency travel health insurance. I use SafetyWing. I’ve had several unfortunate health issues while traveling that would have cost me way more without insurance coverage.

Even if you think you’ll be fine, this is not a risk worth taking to save a few bucks. It could end up really costing you in the long run. 

7. Learn Basic Italian

No matter where you’re traveling to, solo or not, it’s a good idea to learn some key phrases in the local language. Not only is it polite, it gives the impression that you’re more in the know and less of a tourist with no bearings. 

Here are some key phrases to know in Italian:

Hello – Ciao
Goodbye – Arrivederci
Please – Per favore
Thank you – Grazie 
Yes – Si
No – No
Where is the bathroom? – Dov e il bagno?
How much does it cost? – Quanto costa? 
Do you speak English? – Lei parla inglese?
The bill – il conto 

To learn more, explore a resource like Duolingo or Pimsleur.

8. Get a sim card for your phone

Having a working phone in Rome as a solo traveler is a huge bonus, and it’s easy enough to set up. You can purchase a prepaid sim card for your unlocked phone when you arrive at the airport or at a shop within the city. 

Prefer to have a working phone as soon as you land? Go with an e-sim option that you can set up in advance. Airalo comes highly rated.

9. Know emergency numbers

While your chances of needing them are low, it can’t hurt to be aware of the emergency numbers in Rome. Where in the US we would dial 911, in Rome you should dial 112 in case of emergency. 

10. Stay in safe areas

While Rome overall is safe, it has its safer and less safe areas as any big city would. When choosing your accommodations, stay in safe areas as a solo traveler. You might find more affordable options in less desirable locations. 

For example, when I first visited Rome I once stayed in a sort of sketchy area near the Termini station because it was more affordable. While I was traveling with a group at the time, it still did not feel the safest. 

Staying in other areas of Rome might cost more, but is well worth it for your safety as a solo traveler.

Where To Stay In Rome When Traveling Solo

So, where should you stay for your solo travel Rome edition? There are plenty of great hostels to choose from, if you prefer a more social scene.

There are also some amazing hotels. For a shorter trip, I recommend a hostel or hotel. For a longer stay, you might be more comfortable renting an apartment through VRBO. 

Here are a few recommendations for where to stay in Rome when traveling solo:

✅ Budget Hostel: Art Atelier Borgo

This comfortable B&B includes an Italian breakfast in the price. Located near the Vatican and one of the nicest neighborhoods in Rome, Prati, Art Atelier Borgo is about a 20-minute walk into the city center of Rome. 

Solo travelers in particular rate a stay at Art Atelier Borgo very highly.

👉 Click Here To Book Your Stay At Art Atelier Borgo

✅ Mid-Range: Kolbe Hotel

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For amazing architecture, a garden restaurant and proximity to the colosseum book your stay at Kolbe Hotel. Guests love that the location is so central while also being quit and cozy. 

👉 Click Here To Book Your Stay At Kolbe Hotel Rome

✅ Luxury: The Pantheon Iconic

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Live it up in the lap of luxury by booking your stay at The Pantheon Iconic Rome Hotel, part of the Autograph Collection. You’ll be in a prime location, steps from the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. 

Enjoy a Michelin-starred restaurant on site, and The Divinity Terrace Lounge Bar for rooftop views of historic Rome.

👉 Click Here To Book Your Stay At YellowSquare Rome

How To Get Around Rome By Yourself

My absolute favorite way to get around Rome is walking. Rome is a very walkable city, and you can see so much on foot. If you’re able to, I recommend walking as much as possible in Rome. 

You can also take advantage of the bus system in Rome, which I’ve found to be reliable. Be sure to buy bus tickets in advance (usually from a Tabachi or from the metro station), and to validate your ticket as soon as you’re on board. 

Finally, Uber is also an option in Rome as are taxis. I highly recommend having Google Maps on your phone as it will chart out route options for you via walking, public transportation or car.

Is Public Transport Safe in Rome?

Yes, public transportation is safe to take in Rome. I’ve taken both the buses and the trains and felt perfectly safe. As always, be vigilant with your belongings. 

Rome Neighborhoods to Avoid

There are not many neighborhoods near central Rome that you need to worry about actively avoiding. The main one to avoid or be extra cautious around is the area around Termini as mentioned above.

Generally, avoid the outskirts of Rome at night, which includes neighborhoods like: Tor Bella Monaca, Tor Pignatarra, San Basilio and such. 

Rome Crime Rates

To get a sense of the Rome crime rates compared with other cities around the world, click here. This will offer you some perspective, but the main takeaway is that Rome’s crime rates are similar to what you would expect of any big tourist city. 

By following the tips outlined in this guide, you are well equipped for safe solo travel to Rome.

Final Thoughts: Is Rome Safe For Solo Travel?

All in all, as an experienced solo traveler in Rome let me assure you that Rome is safe for solo travel. Follow these tips and go have a wonderful visit to the Eternal City!

And, check out this guide on top tips for how to plan a solo trip to help things go as smoothly as possible. 

For even more Rome travel tips, check out these guides: 

• Rome Foodie Guide
• 54 Tourist Mistakes to Avoid in Rome
• 17 Best Vatican Tours to Experience in Rome