Is Naples, Italy (Napoli) Safe For Solo Female Travelers?
I’m not gonna sugarcoat it: Naples has a pretty bad rap as one of the least safe cities in Italy.
When I was doing research for my Italy trip this past fall, I kept coming across forum after forum advising against visiting the city and to be honest, it made me pretty nervous. Naples was the first stop on my journey and I didn’t want to be stuck in an unsafe city without knowing the language, culture, or having any connections.
Luckily, I found that Naples (Napoli) was fine.
As a solo female traveler, the highly contrasted streets and commotion were definitely a little jarring at first, but to be honest, it actually reminded me a lot of New York.
So, is Naples, Italy safe for solo female travelers?
I’d say yes! But as always, it’s important to take the normal precautions when traveling…in the post below, I’ll talk a little more about safety in Napoli as well as a few tips that I kept in mind when planning my itinerary.
Crime in Naples, Italy generally falls under two categories: petty crime + the mafia
As a tourist, the one that you should be more concerned about is petty crime (aka muggings and pick-pocketing). While the mafia (known as the “camorra” in this region) does cause some problems for local businesses, they’re pretty unlikely to have any interaction with tourists.
So here are a few safety tips to keep in mind when traveling in Naples, Italy as a solo female traveler.
1. Keep your wallets and bags close to your body
I wore a light jacket and a raincoat because it was rainy season in Italy and just kept my valuables in the pockets of that inner jacket but if you’re using a purse or fanny pack, keep them under your outerwear or tucked under your shoulder. I’ve heard things about people scooting by on vespas and snatching bags out of tourists’ hands, so just make sure that your items are firmly tucked away.
2. Don’t walk alone at night (especially in certain neighborhoods)
As a solo female traveler who really doesn’t care for nightlife, I usually aim to be back in my accommodation just after sundown. In Naples however, I stayed in Spaccanapoli and felt safe enough to frequently step out at night to buy snacks. As a general rule of thumb though, try not to walk alone at night. Avoid dimly lit streets and narrow alleyways. Stay out of the areas around Museo and Garibaldo Square. Exercise additional precaution when walking through the Spanish Quarter. Where you choose to stay has a huge impact on your safety so check out this guide on where to stay in Naples.
3. Walk fast and in a clear direction
As someone who grew up in New York, one of the most valuable lessons that I learned was that walking fast and with intentionality made me less of a target. Stay aware of your surroundings and if you’re using Google Maps to help you navigate, step into a shop or somewhere safe to check your directions.
4. Stay out of the streets
This is kind of silly to mention but never have I ever seen as insane drivers as in Napoli. They truly speed down the street in those vespas so stay safe but walking on the sidewalk and as close to the buildings as possible.
5. Avoid Scampia, Forcella, and San Giovanni a Teduccio
It’s unlikely that you’ll need to visit these neighborhoods anyway but just note that they’re some of the more dangerous ones.
Racism Against Asians in Naples, Italy?
With the rise in Asian hate these past few years, one thing that I was really concerned about in Italy was racism. My experience in Naples was fine though. Nobody yelled anything hurtful or treated me any differently. I think the biggest concern is the language barrier but if you speak English or a bit of Italian, you’ll be fine.
That’s it! Pretty straight forward, right? Just stay alert, be aware of your surroundings and you’ll be fine. I actually really loved Naples and found the locals to be raw and charming. They’re direct and while not the *most* friendly, they kind of gave me the same vibe as New Yorkers – busy doing their own thing but if you ask, they’re not going to be deceitful or intentionally mean.
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