Nothing spoils a holiday faster than the moment you reach for your pocket and realize your phone, wallet, or — even worse — your passport is gone. I’ve witnessed several travelers break down in tears after being pickpocketed, and I wouldn’t wish that experience on anyone, not even my worst enemy.
Italy is a country that captures the imagination—its sun-soaked piazzas, legendary landmarks, aromatic cuisine, and rich history make it one of the most visited destinations on earth. But while you’re gazing at the Colosseum or enjoying gelato in a Florentine square, someone else might be watching you too.
Someone who’s not there for the scenery. Pickpocketing is an unfortunate but common occurrence in many Italian cities, and falling victim to it can ruin your dream vacation. In this article, we’ll explore the most common mistakes tourists make that make them easy targets and how you can stay one step ahead.
Understanding Pickpocketing in Italy
To avoid becoming a victim, it’s essential to first understand the nature of pickpocketing in Italy. This isn’t random or clumsy theft—it’s a calculated and often highly organized operation. Many pickpockets are professionals who have honed their craft over years, often working in pairs or small groups. They use subtle techniques, social distractions, and even sleight of hand to relieve tourists of their valuables without detection. Tourists, distracted by the beauty around them, make easy targets.
The hotspots for such activity are easy to identify. Major tourist attractions like the Colosseum in Rome, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, or Venice’s St. Mark’s Square are prime locations. Public transportation—especially crowded buses and metro lines—are another favorite haunt. Pickpockets strike when you’re jostling with other tourists, struggling with maps, or distracted by performances. They are opportunists looking for the perfect moment when your guard is down.
It’s also important to understand that pickpockets don’t fit a specific profile. They could be men or women, elderly or young, well-dressed or shabby. The person who bumps into you apologetically, the woman holding a crying baby, or the friendly teen asking for directions—any of them could be working as part of a theft operation. The first mistake is assuming you can identify a thief by appearance. You can’t.
1: Wearing Backpacks on Your Back in Crowded Areas
Backpacks may be practical, but they’re also highly vulnerable in crowded environments. In places like Rome’s Termini Station or on a packed Vaporetto in Venice, thieves can unzip a backpack in seconds without the owner even noticing. Some are bold enough to use small blades to silently slice open the bottom of a bag. Tourists are often unaware until it’s far too late.
One of the reasons backpacks are such easy targets is because they’re out of your line of sight. Even bags with double zippers or those made of so-called anti-theft material are not immune. Pickpockets are skilled and fast, and if your valuables are inside a backpack in a congested area, you’ve essentially handed them an invitation.
To protect yourself, wear your backpack on your front when in crowded spots or, better yet, use a cross-body bag with strong zippers and secure clasps. Always keep your hand on the opening when you’re walking or standing still. Even better, consider using a small under-clothing pouch for your passport, credit cards, and cash.
2: Leaving Your Phone or Wallet on the Table While Dining
Outdoor cafes and restaurants are one of the joys of Italy. Sipping an espresso in a sunlit piazza is the perfect way to take in the ambiance. However, many tourists ruin the moment by making the critical mistake of placing their phones or wallets on the table. Thieves look for exactly this kind of opportunity.
Common tactics include distraction techniques. Someone might approach your table selling roses or asking for donations while subtly sliding a magazine or map over your belongings—and lifting them in the same motion. Another method involves a fake stumble or creating a commotion nearby to draw your attention away while an accomplice strikes.
Avoid this by keeping your valuables out of sight and reach. Place your phone in your front pocket or bag with a secure zipper, and never leave your wallet on the table, even for a moment. A great habit is to loop your bag around your leg or the chair back and keep smaller valuables on your person.
3: Ignoring Your Surroundings While Taking Photos
You might be thinking of how to get the perfect shot for Instagram, but so is someone else—just not the kind of shot you had in mind. Tourists immersed in photography make some of the easiest targets. Their attention is fully absorbed by framing, lighting, and capturing the beauty around them.
In cities like Florence or Milan, it’s common for thieves to hover near people taking selfies or photos, waiting for the right moment to strike. A group photo can be even more dangerous. Everyone is distracted, nobody is watching their bags, and the pickpocket simply swoops in. Thieves also target camera bags, which are often slung over shoulders or left unattended while switching lenses.
To avoid this, never put your bag down while taking a photo. If you need both hands, make sure your bag is in front of you or between your feet, looped securely. Ideally, travel with a companion who can keep an eye out while you focus on your photography.
4: Using Open or Easily Accessible Handbags
Many stylish handbags are unfortunately designed with form over function. Tote bags, open-top purses, and shoulder bags without secure zippers make it child’s play for a pickpocket to reach in and help themselves. Worse still are bags that hang loosely off one shoulder or are worn on the back.
A thief walking behind you or beside you can easily slip their hand into your bag, especially if it’s open or has no secure closure. You may not notice the theft until hours later. The chaos of a busy Roman street or a crowded Venetian bridge provides perfect cover.
Invest in a travel-safe bag. Look for options that zip shut and have locking mechanisms. Cross-body bags are better because you can keep them in front of you, making it much harder for someone to access them without your knowledge.
5: Wearing Flashy Jewelry or Flashing Expensive Tech
Wearing a diamond necklace or constantly pulling out the latest iPhone in a public square is like waving a flag at pickpockets. It signals wealth, which makes you a tempting mark. Tourists often make the mistake of thinking they’re safe because it’s daytime or they’re in a “nice” neighborhood.
In Italy, pickpockets often operate in both high-end and touristy areas. Venice, Florence, and parts of Rome are prime examples. Someone watching you from a distance sees the phone you’re holding, the watch on your wrist, and the designer label on your purse, and then waits for you to lower your guard.
Instead of standing out, blend in. Leave your expensive jewelry at home and consider using a less expensive or older phone while out and about. Think practical, not flashy. You’ll still get to enjoy the sites, but you’ll do so more safely.
6: Getting Distracted by Street Performers or Fake Petitioners
Italy’s streets are full of color, from violinists in piazzas to human statues in gold paint. But not every performer is there to entertain. Some are part of pickpocket teams. While you’re watching a juggling act or a dance routine, someone could be quietly unzipping your bag.
Another common scam involves fake petitioners. Usually young people, often women or teenagers, approach tourists with clipboards, asking you to sign a petition for a charitable cause. As you’re distracted, another person may be working your pockets or bag.
The rule is simple: be cautious of unsolicited interactions. Don’t let anyone get too close to you. If someone insists on engaging you, place your hand firmly over your bag or pocket and walk away confidently. Don’t be afraid to say no or ignore them entirely.
7: Assuming Pickpockets Are Always “Sketchy Looking”
One of the biggest misconceptions tourists have is that they can identify a pickpocket by appearance. In truth, many thieves are well-dressed, clean-cut, and look like fellow tourists or locals. Some even carry designer bags or wear expensive sunglasses.
This stereotype leads travelers to lower their guard around people who look respectable. Pickpockets know this and use it to their advantage. In some cases, thieves even work in family-like groups, with a woman carrying a baby while a child does the stealing.
The key lesson here is to judge situations, not appearances. Be alert in all settings, whether you’re sitting next to a teenager in jeans or an elderly gentleman in a blazer. Situational awareness, not suspicion, is your best defense.
8: Falling for Fake “Friendly Locals”
You’re looking at a map, and a friendly local offers help. You’re struggling at the ticket machine, and someone jumps in to assist. While many Italians are genuinely helpful, there are those who use kindness as a cover for theft.
One of the most notorious examples is the “friendship bracelet scam.” A person approaches you with a bracelet, ties it around your wrist before you can decline, and demands money. While you’re arguing or confused, someone else rifles through your pockets.
If someone seems overly eager to help or insists on touching you, be wary. Keep your personal space and politely but firmly decline. If you need help, ask a uniformed official or approach someone yourself.
9: Keeping All Your Valuables in One Place
One of the easiest ways to turn a petty theft into a full-blown disaster is by storing everything in one wallet, purse, or pocket. Many travelers carry all their cash, credit cards, passport, and ID together. This might seem convenient at first, but if that single item is lost or stolen, you’re left with nothing—no money, no identification, and no means to recover easily.
Pickpockets thrive on these jackpot moments. If they grab a purse and find hundreds of euros, three bank cards, and a passport inside, they’ve hit gold. Recovering from such a loss overseas can be complex and stressful, especially with language barriers and unfamiliar systems.
To avoid this, always separate your valuables. Keep your passport in a hotel safe or a secure neck wallet under your clothing. Distribute cash between pockets and bags, and consider using a dummy wallet with a few small bills to give up if pressured. Think of it as digital and physical redundancy—never rely on a single item to carry your essentials.
10: Ignoring Local Warnings or Travel Advisories
A surprising number of tourists shrug off safety advice, thinking they won’t be the ones to fall victim. This false sense of security often comes from visiting a place that looks and feels idyllic. After all, how dangerous can a postcard-perfect square in Florence really be? But ignoring local warnings—whether from signage, travel blogs, forums, or official advisories—is a mistake you can’t afford.
Many regions in Italy issue warnings about pickpocketing hotspots. Hotels often have safety notices, and travel apps now offer real-time alerts. Yet tourists frequently choose to ignore these, especially if they believe they’re seasoned travelers or simply too focused on enjoying their trip to be concerned.
Always pay attention to your hotel staff, tour guides, or official websites. If you’re told to watch your belongings in a particular area, don’t take it lightly. Pickpockets target the exact places where visitors become too relaxed. Staying informed is not about being paranoid—it’s about being prepared.
11: Wearing a Backpack on Public Transport
Italian public transport is convenient and efficient, but it’s also a hunting ground for pickpockets. Buses like Rome’s infamous Line 64, trams in Milan, or Florence’s main buses are often packed tight with tourists. If you’re wearing a backpack and can’t see it, a thief can quietly unzip and remove your belongings without detection.
The crowded environment allows for accidental bumps, and the jostling makes it almost impossible to detect subtle movements. Even small daypacks can be targeted. In some cases, thieves even work in pairs—one distracts you, the other takes advantage of your turned attention.
When using public transport, carry your backpack on your front. Better yet, switch to a crossbody bag or anti-theft sling pack. Stand near exits where you’re less likely to be pressed by crowds, and keep an eye on who enters and exits. Don’t let the rush of boarding distract you from guarding your possessions.
12: Letting Your Guard Down in “Safe” Areas
Many travelers are extra cautious in crowded markets or train stations, only to let their guard down in areas that feel safe—like a quiet museum, upscale restaurant, or church courtyard. Unfortunately, pickpockets know this and specifically look for these “comfort zones,” where tourists least expect danger.
You might be admiring artwork at the Uffizi or climbing the stairs of the Milan Cathedral, and think you’re in a secure space. But these are also locations where people are absorbed in the experience and often leave bags unattended or phones loosely in pockets. Pickpockets rely on that sense of safety to operate without raising suspicion.
The key is to maintain a consistent level of awareness wherever you go. Being cautious doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself. It simply means you keep your belongings secure at all times. Even in places that seem serene, remember you’re still a target.
Mistake #13: Checking Google Maps in the Middle of the Street
Navigation apps are a godsend for modern travel, but pulling out your phone and standing in the middle of the street looking confused is a visual cue that you’re a tourist—and a vulnerable one at that. It signals that you’re unsure of your surroundings, distracted, and likely unaware of people approaching you.
Thieves may use that moment to snatch your phone or even bump into you while an accomplice lifts your wallet. This happens frequently near train stations, large intersections, and popular squares in cities like Naples or Bologna. It takes mere seconds and often leaves the victim stunned.
A better approach is to review directions before leaving your hotel or duck into a café or quiet corner when you need to recheck your route. If you’re in a pair or group, let one person check the map while the others stay alert. This reduces the risk and helps you stay oriented without broadcasting vulnerability.
High-Risk Pickpocket Areas by City
Rome: Termini Station, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Vatican Museums, buses 64 and 40
Florence: Santa Maria Novella Station, the Duomo area, Ponte Vecchio
Venice: Vaporetto lines, Rialto Bridge, St. Mark’s Square
Milan: Centrale Station, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Duomo Square
Naples: Garibaldi Station, historic center, crowded markets
These areas are not unsafe — but they demand more vigilance. Always keep your hand on your bag, don’t wear your backpack on your back in crowded areas, and avoid distractions.
How to Outsmart Pickpockets
- Use anti-theft bags with lockable zippers and slash-proof straps.
- Wear a money belt or hidden pouch for passports and extra cash.
- Carry only what you need for the day.
- Be aware of your surroundings and body space.
- Download apps that help locate your phone in case it’s stolen.
- Use decoy wallets with expired cards or a few small bills.
Simple measures like these often make the difference between an uneventful day and a stressful one spent at the police station.
What to Do If You’re Pickpocketed
If the worst happens:
- Stay calm. Take a breath and retrace your steps if you can.
- Notify your bank to freeze cards immediately.
- File a police report. You’ll need this for insurance claims.
- Visit your embassy if your passport was stolen.
- Use backup payment methods or contact friends/family for assistance.
Having digital backups of your documents and a backup credit card stored separately can help immensely.
Conclusion
Italy is one of the most rewarding travel destinations in the world — a country bursting with art, culture, food, and charm. But like any popular destination, it attracts not just tourists but opportunistic thieves. By avoiding the common mistakes outlined in this article, you significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim.
Traveling smart doesn’t mean traveling scared. It means being one step ahead. Be alert, pack light, dress discreetly, and always trust your gut. That way, your Italian adventure will be memorable for all the right reasons.