A question I get asked a lot is: is Rome safe for solo female travelers?
It is a question that makes a lot of sense.
The city where I was born and raised is a metropolis, the largest city in Italy and the fourth largest city in Europe.
According to the website Macrotrends, Rome has about 4 million inhabitants.
The city is a destination for immigration from other parts of Italy and the rest of the world.
Those who move to Rome generally do so to work or to study at university.
In addition, Rome is one of the world’s major tourist destinations.
As the capital of Italy, the Eternal City hosts the headquarters of the Italian government and 15 ministries, all located near the historic center.
This causes the city to be constantly policed.
But then:
Is Rome safe for solo female travellers?
If I had to give you a short, sharp answer, I would tell you without delay: Yes, Rome is safe for females traveling solo.
In all my life spent living in Rome, I have rarely felt uncomfortable walking down the street alone even at night.
The few times I have had discomfort was because it was dark, some streets can be badly lit, especially in the suburbs, but there was no real danger, I just don’t like the dark.
If I watch the news or read the newspaper, I definitely find some crime news happening in Rome, it may occur that rapes also happen in Rome, but fortunately, it is rare.
The target victims are usually local women, not travelers.
Rome is a big city, with 22 districts and 35 suburbs.
Certainly, the people who live here are not all saints.
However, if I had a foreign friend who would like to travel to Rome alone, I would strongly advise her to do so, because. the Eternal City is, in general, very safe. There are no areas to avoid in Rome.
Now I would like to talk in more detail about the most common crimes in Rome, the dangers you should be aware of, and things you should do to travel safely.
TIP: Make sure to read my post " 10 Best Places to Stay in Rome for Solo Travelers"
Tips for staying safe in Rome
I just said that I’ve always felt safe in Rome, it’s true, in fact, I’ve never engaged in these behaviors, which I also advise you to avoid:
- getting really drunk and then walking around at night alone in dimly lit areas or areas to avoid
- walking around in clothing that shows my private parts
- going to a club at night (alone), getting drunk, and dancing with someone I don’t know too overtly
- taking drugs
In a nutshell, the best advice that applies to Rome as well as to any other big city is not to take substances that might make you lose control and not to adopt attitudes that might make a stranger think you want to sleep with him when you don’t.
However, I am not asking you to become a nun!
Areas to avoid in Rome
If you are planning your first visit to Rome, you will want to inquire if there are any neighborhoods to avoid in the city.
In my opinion, there are no neighborhoods to avoid altogether in Rome.
Termini neighborhood – is Rome safe for solo female travelers?
For example, let’s take the Termini neighborhood, which many blogs dealing with Rome travel include on their list of areas to avoid in Rome.
Termini is located close to the historic center of Rome and houses the central train station. This means that there are thousands of people passing through here every day.
There is also one of the best food markets in Rome. You will also pass this way if you want to take a train from Rome bound for another city in Italy.
The Termini district is full of restaurants and hotels and borders the university district. It is one of the liveliest areas in Rome.
When we hear that Termini is an area to avoid then we have to interpret it differently.
It probably means that it is an area frequented by homeless people and beggars and those who pass by may encounter them.
But the fact that there are homeless people does not mean that it is a dangerous area for solo female travelers in Rome.
Esquilino neighborhood
Another area in Rome that has a reputation for being dangerous is Esquilino, which borders Termini, San Giovanni, and the Monti district.
When I attended university in Rome, my classes were held in the Esquilino because, in the university district, the classes were not big enough. I attended the Esquilino neighborhood for four years and always felt safe.
It is true that it is a neighborhood where the majority of the inhabitants are foreigners, especially from China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. That must be why it has the ( deceitful) reputation of being dangerous.
When I walk the streets of that neighborhood, I feel like I am taking a stroll in a foreign country. Here you will find some of the best non-Italian restaurants in Rome and also some noteworthy historical landmarks, such as the “magic door.”
The reasons why the local Roman population perceives a neighborhood as unsafe usually have to do with:
- high immigration
- frequency of crime
- drug dealing
- poverty rate
But these are phenomena present in all the safest cities in the world.
After this long introduction, here are the areas in Rome that locals perceive as less safe:
- Esquilino
- San Basilio
- Corviale
- Tor Pignattara
- Torre Spaccata
- Tor Bella Monaca
Most common crimes in Rome against travelers
There is a famous film set in Rome in which the actor Totò manages, through a cute scam, to sell the Colosseum to a tourist.
The film expresses the way of thinking of some locals who find rich tourists a bit naive, and always ready to dig into their wallets.
This is a caricature of reality, however, it tells us something true.
For example, it is confirmed that the bus routes that are normally most frequented by travelers are those where more thefts occur.
It is best to be wary of individuals who want to sell you something in the middle of the street, whether it is, an object, a tour, or a hotel room.
The theft of personal items, valuables, or money is the most common crime that travelers in Rome fall victim to.
So I ask you to be careful when you are in crowded places, whether subway trains, restaurants, or museums. Avoid leaving your valuables or purse unattended.
And absolutely do not keep your money or phone in the outside pockets of your backpack.
Real dangers for travelers in Rome
When we talk about theft we are talking about crimes that would harm you and bore you, but somehow you would get away with it.
There is, however, a danger in Rome that only locals know well and that I want to share with you.
Now that I live in the countryside around Rome, I often go to Rome to see my parents or friends.
Whenever I prepare to go to Rome I also prepare myself psychologically to face what I perceive as the most serious danger in Rome: traffic and, more specifically, the totally aggressive and irresponsible way in which locals drive cars.
This is precisely the most important message I want to share with the solo female travelers visiting the Eternal City:
- be careful of cars, and do not assume that those who drive cars are responsible, because they are not.
Unfortunately, in Italy and in Rome in particular, people drive badly, paying little attention, and not respecting speed limits, and the traffic rules.
It seems that drivers do not realize at all that the vehicles they drive are capable of interrupting lives.
We are talking about 100 road deaths in Rome each year.
There is a popular phrase about Italians attributed to a famous rugby coach who coached the Italian national team:
I want the Italians to play rugby the way they drive: fearless, aggressive, and absolutely unpredictable.
John Kirwan, rugby coach
- So utmost caution when crossing the street, especially at night.
- Also, if you are thinking of driving in Rome and have no experience driving in Italy, I strongly advise you to leave it alone.
Best neighborhoods to stay in Rome
Now that you know that all neighborhoods in town are safe if you want to know which areas in Rome are best for solo travelers, here you go:
- Monti – Rome’s hipster neighborhood. A few minutes away from the Colosseum you’ll find a lively neighborhood with charming old buildings, and a pedestrian area with restaurants, cafes, gelaterias, and pubs. Monti’s nightlife is frequented by locals and travelers alike; it will be easy to make friends here.
- Parione: this very central neighborhood is home to some of the most famous piazza, such as Piazza Navona and Campo dei Fiori.
- Trastevere – This is by far the most popular neighborhood in Rome among travelers. If you’re wondering what area the foodies in Rome hang out in, this is it, along with the Testaccio neighborhood.
- Prati – This trendy neighborhood near the Vatican has important shopping streets (Via Cola di Rienzo and Via Ottaviano), clubs, and coworking places.
- Garbatella -This is a quaint neighborhood with houses and buildings with distinctive architecture, gardens, and picturesque views.
- Ostiense is a neighborhood popular with university students. It features quaint cafes such as Caffè Letterario and Romeow Cat Bistrot, which are among the nicest cafes in Rome.
These were my top five best areas to stay in Rome for the first time (and for solo travelers)
Best places to stay in Rome for solo traveler
If you decide to stay in a hostel, you will have an advantage in terms of meeting other travelers like you, if that interests you.
The two best hostels in Rome are:
- Ostello Bello in the Monti neighborhood, which, as I mentioned, is my favorite neighborhood in the historic center of Rome. Even if you don’t stay right in this area, know that visiting “Rione Monti”, as locals call it, is one of the best things to do in Rome alone.
Check room availability here
- the Rome Hello, near Termini Station, which, you have figured out by now, is a safe and central area from which you can easily reach all the attractions.
Check room availability here.
Best things to do in Rome alone
Traveling to Rome alone, you will get so excited to visit its grandiose monuments.
Rome’s historic center is immense. I’ve counted that there are at least 30 or so landmarks to visit (if you count ancient churches, those are about 900).
You will feel like sharing all this with someone. Then the thing you can do is a group tour with a local guide. That way you can meet other travelers and have a chat.
Local-guided tours then take you to discover the most distinctive neighborhoods.
My favorite half-day tour in Rome is the walking food tour in Trastevere. In addition to discovering the history of the most popular neighborhood in Rome, you will also sample several local delicacies, including:
- Carbonara
- Cured meats
- Cheeses
- Local wine
- Pizza
- Gelato
See here if the tour is available on your travel dates.
Another thing to keep in mind is cozy cafes where you can rest for a few hours between visits to a monument. I counted about 15 cafes in Rome suitable for solo travelers, but in the top 3 are:
- Materia Café in San Giovanni
- Barnum Café in the Parione neighborhood
- Caffé Letterario in Ostiense
Emergency Numbers in Rome
Pinning these numbers down, I hope you never have to use them, but in any case, it’s best to know them.
- 112: Carabinieri armed force. This is the number to dial in case of sexual harassment situations
- 118: Emergency medical service. Call here if you need immediate help and they will pick you up in an ambulance and take you to the hospital.
- 113 Police (responsible for maintaining public order and safety): – you can call them in case of theft or scam
Conclusion
Rome is a very safe city for solo female travelers. By taking the common sense precautions you would take in any other European city, you will always feel safe.
The city is very busy with travelers all year round and is also home to many English-speaking expats.
By hanging out in the historic center, the most popular cafes, and hostels, you’re sure to meet the right people with whom to share fun moments of your trip.
If you have any female friends who might be interested in knowing if Rome is safe for solo female travelers, please share this article with them.
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