Is Naples, Italy Safe For Travel? Everything You Need to Know Before You Go (2023) 

Wondering if Naples, Italy is safe to visit for your next Italian adventure? I’ll give you my honest opinion as someone who loves Naples, and I’ll also share my top travel safety tips to help you enjoy your visit.

Many people choose to skip Naples when visiting Italy because they fear that it is unsafe for visitors. What a shame, it’s a great destination for world travelers!

The city captures many of the top reasons to visit Italy in general. It is a wonderful foodie destination, with restaurants serving up incredible pizza Neapolitans, gelato, and fried pizzas throughout the city. Naples is also delightfully budget-friendly, with prices significantly lower than you’ll find in nearby Rome, Florence, or Milan.

I’ve visited Naples twice in the past couple of years and I wanted to share my thoughts on safety in this Italian city. I fell in love with Naples the first time I visited, and I returned with my dad to share the city with him recently. I have felt safe wandering the streets of Naples during the daytime

*A note to solo female travelers: although I’ve never traveled solo in Naples, I would feel safe doing so as long as I stayed in a busy and central area. If/when I go to Naples solo, I will be sure to book a hotel or hostel in the Centro Storico or Vomero neighborhoods, and I’ll probably try my best to head back to the area near my hotel around sunset.

If traveling solo, Naples is the sort of destination where I’d splurge on a nicer or more central hotel (as opposed to the cheapest acceptable option). I would also personally use taxis or Ubers to get around anytime I felt unsafe walking.

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. 

Is Naples, Italy Safe for Travel?

Yes, Naples is a safe city for tourists to visit, and many people visit the area without incident every year. That being said, you should take precautions while you’re traveling in Naples. 

There are pockets of this big, bustling city that will undoubtedly feel safer than others, so it’s best to practice caution and choose your accommodation carefully. So long as you’re a tourist in tourist-oriented areas, you will likely feel secure. The biggest risk you’ll face as a tourist is likely to be petty crime, so take care to secure your valuables and carefully watch your bags while out in public.

Remember: there is no guarantee of safety in Naples or any other city in the world. This post is intended to give you general information about the safety and security situation that visitors are likely to find in this Italian city. I suggest that you cross reference the information included in this post with official sites, like the US Embassy. 

Is Naples, Italy a safe city at night?

The short answer: not exactly. Although the central, touristy, and heavily populated areas of Naples are relatively safe at night, I would personally avoid traveling after dark. If you travel at night in Naples, you could be a target for crime. 

An advantage of staying in Centro Storico is that the main street is very busy at night and therefore relatively safe. You can grab dinner, sit at a bar, or shop in the busiest areas with relative ease at night. 

If you’re nervous about traveling around Naples, try to travel through the city during the daylight hours and use Ubers/taxis if you need to get around later at night. I’ve included other tips to help you feel more secure during your trip.

Is it safe to walk at night in Naples, Italy?

Somewhat. If you’re in a central, tourist-oriented area, it is safe to walk around Naples, Italy at night so long as you take the necessary precautions. Avoid walking along isolated or overly quiet streets and try to stick to crowded areas. Do your best to keep your phone tucked away and know where you’re going. Pay attention to your surroundings and walk with purpose so that you don’t look lost.

Solo female travelers: use your best judgement and err on the side of caution. If you’re walking along a busy street at night in Centro Storico, you’ll probably be fine. On the other hand, a long walk through the city after dark is probably ill advised.

What is the safest way to get around Naples?

The central areas of Naples are walkable, so if you choose a hotel in Centro Storico you may not need any transit options. So long as you’re traveling during the day and avoiding the most dangerous parts of the city, you can feel secure walking around and using public transit. 

In addition to walking, you can take a taxi/Uber or the metro, which only has a few lines but feels secure, especially during the day. If you need a taxi at an especially late or early hour, you might consider asking your hotel to call the taxi service for you to arrange a pickup ahead of time. 

What does the United States Government say about travel to Italy?

The US Embassy and Consulates in Italy provides services to US citizens while abroad and provides travel information related to safety and security. You can check here for travel and security alerts before your trip for information that will help you to understand the risk levels. 

This information is available for every country you might want to visit outside of the United States. Although this information is provided by the United States government, anyone can access it and use it when evaluating their travel plans. 

Where else can I look for updated, specific information about safety in Naples?

In addition to Googling general safety information about Naples and checking the US government advisories, I would suggest that you also search Google News for the latest information about crime and safety in Naples. Sometimes there are situations that arise suddenly that pose security threats for visitors, like sudden political upheaval, sports-related riots, or natural disasters. 

It’s not possible for blogs like Amber Everywhere or others on Google to continuously monitor the safety situation in any given destination (we’re travel bloggers, not journalists!). I recommend that you always cross reference travel blog posts with official sources. 

Safest Areas In Naples: Where to Stay

These are some of the safest and most secure areas to visit in Naples. In addition to using this list, I’d recommend that you choose a hotel that has great reviews, including comments that specifically mention that the hotel is in a good location. 

📍Vomero

This is my favorite neighborhood to stay in while I’m in Naples. Located on the top of a hill and surrounded by some of the best coffee shops in the city, Vomero is protected from a lot of the hustle and bustle of the Centro Storico. You’ll find tree-lined sidewalks, upscale cafes, and generally relaxed locals in this part of the city. 

📍Centro Storico

The historical center of Naples is generally safe, but you’ll want to choose a pretty centrally located accommodation. Keep an eye on the cues from locals – do they have their phones out, or are they tucked away? Are they keeping their backpacks facing towards the front? Try to do what they do, when you can. 

Another advantage of staying in the Centro Storico is that you can simply walk back to your hotel or other accommodation, instead of having to rely on public transit. 

📍Chiaia

The upscale area of Chiaia is another safe part of Naples that is worth considering when choosing a hotel. This area has some upscale shopping areas, a community feeling, and offers a bit of respite from the hustle and bustle in other parts of the city.

Places I Recommend Avoiding In Naples

Here are some of the places that I recommend avoiding while in Naples. If you’re interested in reading about a few more neighborhoods to avoid, this post offers some additional information. 

❌ Napoli Centrale Train Station

This area is not as dangerous as the others on this list, but you’re more likely to need to visit and transit through this station so I’m including it first. Try to spend as little time as possible in the area near the Napoli Centrale/Garibaldi train station, and try not to arrive too late at night. 

Beware of scams and petty crime in the area, and carefully read reviews (look for 100+ total reviews, including several recent reviews) before using any luggage storage services. Keep one hand on your baggage at all times, and tuck any valuables out of sight. 

❌ Scampia

This area of Naples is quite dangerous due to organized crime and should be avoided by tourists. 

❌ Acerra, Nola, and Marigliano

The areas of Acerra, Nola, and Marigliano are known collectively as the “Triangle of Death” due to the higher rates of cancer connected to illegal waste dumping in the region. Tourists are unlikely to find themselves in Acerra, Nola, or Marigliano, but I’d recommend that you take care to stay as far from these areas as possible. 

Safety Tips for Naples, Italy

Here are some of my top tips for staying safe and avoiding crime while in Naples. Truthfully, I do most of these things regardless of where I’m traveling, but I practice a bit more caution in places like Naples and Bogata than I do in, say, Cork. 

Do not wear flashy jewelry 

Flashy jewelry or expensive-looking electronics can garner a lot of unwanted attention anywhere in the world. Avoid flashing obvious signs of wealth while in Naples by keeping expensive items tucked away. 

I usually take this one step further and dress down a bit when I travel. I store my luggage in a cheap, used duffle bag and choose outfits from retailers like H&M. If given the choice between being a bit underdressed and a bit overdressed, I’ll usually opt for under. 

Pay attention when you’re walking

Avoid wearing headphones or texting while you’re walking through the streets of Naples. You’ll appear to be less of a target if you keep your head up, look alert, and are consistently taking in your surroundings. Anytime you need to look at your phone, try to do so quickly before pocketing it again. 

Be aware of your surroundings

Stay vigilant and notice what the locals are doing. If you notice that everyone is avoiding a certain street or pocketing their phones, try to do the same. Simply being aware of what’s going on around you can help you avoid being a victim of crime when visiting any municipality. 

Walk with purpose

When you’re walking in Naples, try to walk with a purpose – like you have somewhere you need to be and you might even be running a few minutes late. Keep your head up, your phone in your pocket as much as possible, and keep an eye on your surroundings. 

Avoid conflicts with locals and other tourists 

This goes without saying for many travelers, but you’ll always want to be non-confrontational. If you need to advocate for yourself, do so firmly but calmly, and avoid getting into angry tiffs with the people around you. Travel is a good time to let it go and try to go with the flow. 

Don’t feel the need share too many details about your trip

“You don’t have to answer just ‘cause they asked you” – Taylor Swift. 

Sometimes people will ask questions about where you’re coming from and where you’re going while you’re traveling, usually out of genuine interest. Always use your best judgment when deciding whether or not you want to answer these questions and divulge the information. I’ll typically share cities and even neighborhoods, but keep other details vague (“I’ll be in Rome later this week, then on to Milan after that!”). 

If you feel like someone is being overly invasive or generally has bad vibes, it’s perfectly OK to lie to them about your plans or dodge the question. Your close family and friends may need to know where you’re going and when, but strangers do not need this information. 

Leave important or valuable items in your hotel

As a general rule when I travel, I try not to have anything valuable or important on my person if I can avoid it. Not only does it make you less of a target for thieves, but it also reduces the risks of accidentally forgetting a valuable item on the train or in a cafe. 

Count your change

While you’re probably (rightly) more concerned about becoming a victim of violent crime while in Naples, you’re much more likely to be stiffed when receiving change. European cashiers will sometimes intentionally give you the wrong change, which can really add up because of the euro and two euro coins. If you pay with a big bill, take a few moments to count the coins you receive to ensure that you’ve received the correct change. 

Look both ways before you cross the street

Since moving abroad, I’ve become convinced that this is some of the best advice anyone has ever given me. In Europe, cars don’t always come from the direction you might expect. Carefully check for traffic before crossing the street to avoid getting hit or causing an accident.

Avoid empty streets and secluded areas

As a general rule when traveling, you’re safer when there are lots of people around. Try not to wander into streets where you’ll be alone or secluded, as this is when you’ll be most vulnerable. 

One of the best ways to avoid secluded areas is to avoid traveling late at night or early in the morning, when fewer people are out. If you stay in a hostel, you might try to pull together a group if you’d like to explore later in the evening. 

Choose a hotel with safety in mind

If you were traveling in, say, Cork, Ireland, I would tell you to choose any hotel within your budget because the city is very safe. In Naples, however, you will want to consider paying a bit more to be in a safer neighborhood or area. A solo female traveler will probably feel safe in either Centro Storico or Vomero, provided she chooses a nice hotel that is highly rated for its location. 

Keep a close eye on your luggage and bags

If you stop at a cafe for a coffee, do not leave your bags unattended. I like to be physically touching my bags at all times so that I’d notice immediately if one of them started to walk away. I have been known to clip my backpack to my chair or keep an arm looped through the strap for this reason. 

Learn a little Italian

Even knowing a few phrases in Italian can help you stay a little safer. Brush up on the words for “hello,” “do you speak English?” and “thank you” at the very least. Be sure that you have Google Translate or a similar app downloaded and ready to use while you navigate Naples. 

Never leave your drink unattended

This is good advice for travelers anywhere in the world, not just in Naples: always keep an eye on your drink and never leave it unattended. Watch the bartender open or pour your drinks and avoid traveling at night alone while intoxicated. 

Avoid pushy people, they’re usually scammers

In short, the pushier someone is being, the more likely it is that they’re a scammer. Legitimate businesses and tour guides won’t harass you or follow you around. In fact, they may not approach you at all. So, if someone is being aggressive or pushy in Naples, you probably don’t want anything to do with them. 

Once we were cornered by two people who seemed like textbook scammers. They asked us continuously where we were from and what we were doing in Naples without seeming to respond at all to anything we actually said. When they started getting too close, I insisted we move on and, as far as we know, they did not steal anything from us.

Remember: Men do not ask women for help

In the words of one Karen Kilgariff: as a general rule, men do not ask women for help. If they genuinely need help, they’ll ask another man. 

So, if you’re a solo female traveler and a man asks you for help, do not engage with him if you can avoid it. In case of an emergency, you can dial 112 from any phone in Italy. 

What is the emergency number in Italy? 

If you encounter an emergency situation while in Italy, dial 112 from any phone. This line is the equivalent of 911 in the US or 999 in the UK and should only be used in cases of emergency. 

FAQs: Is Naples, Italy Safe?

Generally speaking, Naples, Italy is a safe place to visit for tourists. Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about safety in Naples. 

What are the crime rates in Naples, Italy?

Statistica has a list of the Italian provinces with the highest rates of crime, and Naples ranked 14th with about 3,500 crimes per 100,000 inhabitants. Note that this statistic includes all crime, not just violent crime. 

This source notes that, although theft and burglary is higher in other provinces like Milan, organized crime and mafia activity is higher in the Campania region. In 2018, there were 93 reported mafia-related crimes in Campania. 

To stay safe in Naples, you’ll want to avoid the areas of the city where organized crime is known to occur. Don’t provoke strangers, speak openly about the mafia, or otherwise do anything that might draw unwanted attention to you. So long as you’re acting like a tourist in touristy areas, you should be able to avoid these organizations. 

Is it safe to travel to Naples alone as a woman?

Let me start by stating that I have never traveled alone to Naples. However, I would feel comfortable doing so if I were staying in a decent hotel in a good location that didn’t require me to travel much, if at all, after dark. As a solo female traveler, I would avoid walking alone at night and try to choose a hotel near restaurants I would want to try in the evenings to keep my return simple and quick. 

Is Rome or Naples safer for tourists?

Although I love visiting Naples, Rome will probably feel safer as a tourist (even though Statistica notes that the crime rate is actually higher in Rome). If you’re a solo female traveler and feeling worried about your safety, you may prefer a trip to the wealthier and safer feeling city of Rome. 

It’s always worth noting that you may encounter petty and even violent crime in either city, as no place is perfectly safe. Wherever you go in Italy, be vigilant about your belongings and remain aware of your surroundings at all times. 

Is it worth staying a night in Naples?

Absolutely! Naples is a fabulous place to visit in Italy, and there are plenty of wonderful things to do in this adventurous city. You can shop for artisan umbrellas, eat a Margharita pizza in the birthplace of pizza, and even visit nearby Pompeii. 

Is Naples, Italy a clean city?

No, I wouldn’t categorize Naples as a clean city. In most areas, you’ll find a decent amount of trash and other refuse on the sidewalks. Both times I visited over trash day, when garbage bags were piled high along the streets. 

I’m already in Naples and just not feeling it, is there anywhere I can easily go to get away for a day or two?

If you booked a few days in Naples and want to explore the nearby areas, I’d recommend that you get out of the city and visit Pompeii or Ischia. Pompeii is an easy train ride from Naples and you can easily spend a day exploring these ruins from 79 A.D. Although it’s not as famous as Pompeii, nearby Herculaneum would also be a great place to visit to see evidence of Italian life in the first century.

Ischia, like nearby Capri, is a small island accessible by ferry from Naples. Visiting this little island is like taking a step back in time to yesteryear, where clothing hangs out to dry on windowsills and locals zip around on scooters. Unlike Naples, Ischia feels calm and safe and would offer a bit of respite if the bustle of Naples was overwhelming for you. 

Final Thoughts: Is Naples, Italy safe to visit?

In general, Naples is a great city and tourists should feel comfortable visiting if they follow normal precautions. Although there is some crime in Naples, Italy, petty theft is the most likely type of crime to target tourists. You’ll want to take normal precautions and avoid drawing unnecessary attention to yourself.