Is Milan safe for tourists? 2024 safety report and advice from a Milan local

If you’ve been on TikTok over the past year, you might’ve come across some viral videos showing people trying to pickpocket others in Milan, making the city seem a bit intimidating. But as someone born and raised here, I’m here to give you the real story.

Long story short: yes, Milan is a safe city in my opinion! 

To give you some perspective, the only time I was ever robbed was when I dozed off sunbathing in Parco Sempione, leaving my phone out on the grass. Not my best move I guess.

In this post I’ll break down what safety in Milan actually looks like, with the latest crime stats from September 2024, plus my personal insights as a local (and as a woman who’s often out alone, even at night). 

You’ll also find tips on staying safe, choosing the best areas, and enjoying your trip without stress. With some basic precautions, you’ll find Milan to be a welcoming and enjoyable city. 

Don’t let social media scare you away, let’s dive in and get you ready for a great visit!

Is Milan dangerous? 

Milan is an amazing city and one of the most important in Europe, so as you’d expect, it’s big and busy, with 1.37 million residents and over 8.5 million tourists each year.

Like any big city, Milan faces some crime—mainly theft and pickpocketing—but it’s far from dangerous. You’ll see plenty of TikToks showing pickpockets in Milan, and Italian media tend to add to the drama because it does have the highest number of reported crimes in Italy. 

To me, that’s a bit exaggerated.

I’m a woman often going around the city alone, nights included, and I feel safe in Milan. But that’s my opinion, let’s have a look at some numbers so you can decide for yourself if it’s safe enough!

Milan is safer from theft than some other European cities that you may have visited. For example, it is 35% lower than Barcelona and 25% lower than London. However, there’s of course still room for improvement, as theft rates are a bit higher in Milan than in Paris.

And what about violent crime? 

Milan’s homicide rate in 2024 is a low 0,5 per 100K people per year. This means the risk of being killed is less than half that of London and Paris, and about one-fifth of Barcelona’s. 

The contrast with U.S. cities is even more striking because of the very strict gun regulations we have in Europe.

The risk here is minimal: your chances of being killed in Italy are 91.5% lower than in the USA. To give you an example, Milan’s homicide rate is about one-tenth of New York’s rate.

If you don’t believe me or these numbers, you can believe these words by the president of the court of Milan:

Pickpocketing is the most common crime affecting tourists 

Most tourists don’t have any problems and if they do it’s typically just minor issues like pickpocketing. Annoying if it happens on holiday, but not life-threatening.

Here’s how to stay safe (but it’s really just the same as you’d do in any big city):

• Keep your belongings close: crowded areas are a dream for pickpockets
• Skip isolated areas at night if you’re alone
• Leave unnecessary valuables at your hotel and if you do have them with you, be discreet. Some high-profile thefts target expensive watches, but just use common sense really. I wear normal gold jewelry daily without issues and I do work in one of the “worst” neighborhoods in the city.
• Withdraw cash at bank lobbies instead of street ATMs for extra security.
• Avoid letting anyone get too close to you with excuses; some may be trying to pickpocket you. This includes kids, so stay aware!
• Never carry items in your pockets or leave you bag/backpack open, especially on public transport. 
• Don’t leave phones on tables or bar counters. A friend got his phone stolen this way when someone used a card trick to swipe it right under his nose.

For a secure and stylish option to keep your stuff safe, I love the viral UNIQLO crossbody bag. It’s super affordable and I’ve never had issues with anyone trying to open it because it stays super close to my body and it’s basically impossible to open it without me noticing it. 

If you’re in Milan without a secure bag, there are two UNIQLO stores here (here’s an excuse for some shopping, you’re welcome!).

Bottom line? Milan is a safe, wonderful city to explore. Just be smart, keep an eye on your things, and enjoy everything it has to offer! It’s just another big city so no need for extra stress, you’ll be fine with a bit of common sense ☺️

Common scams 

Milan isn’t a place where you need to worry too much about scams, but there are a couple of things to watch out for:

1. Ticket Machines

If someone offers to “help” you buy train or metro tickets or even pay for parking, you should probably decline. They’ll often guide you through the process but ask for a “tip” afterward.

If you do need help, find someone around you who seems like a local and ask them directly. Ticket machines here are pretty easy so I’m sure you’ll be good to go on your own but, as always, trust your gut. If someone feels a bit off, they probably are.

2. Free gifts in Piazza del Duomo

You might see people in Piazza del Duomo offering a “free” thread bracelet. Once it’s tied to your wrist, they’ll ask for money.

A firm “No, grazie” (no, thank you) or “Non lo voglio, grazie” (I don’t want it, thank you) while walking away usually does the trick but they can be a bit persistent, so just keep moving and don’t worry too much. In general, avoid accepting “gifts” from strangers, as it almost always comes with a catch.

3. Taxis

They are pretty reliable, though not super cheap. I’ve never had issues with drivers not using the meter (it does happen in Italy) but if you’re unsure, you can always ask if it’s on when you get in.

For extra peace of mind, you can use Free Now. It’s my favorite taxi app and I use it all over Europe. It will show you the final price right before booking and will charge your card directly so no surprises and no risk of overcharging!

Emergency numbers

In Italy the emergency number is 112 (actually, all over Europe).

When you call, you’ll be connected to a central service that can handle any type of emergency (medical, police, fire assistance… anything really) without needing an Italian phone number or a prefix before dialing. 

As long as your phone is connected to any available network, you’ll be able to reach help by calling 112. It’s basically our version of 911!

Common questions about safety in Milan

Is Milan safe at night? 

I’d say Milan is about as safe as any major city. 

Do I go out alone in the evening? Sure, I do. I live here, so I’m often out solo and to be honest, I feel totally comfortable doing so. 

It’s all about using common sense: stick to well-lit, busier streets, especially if you’re not super familiar with the area. If Google Maps brings you to a dimly lit alley, just take a slight detour and stay on the main roads. 

Some neighborhoods where I don’t feel 100% comfortable at night include:

• Corvetto
• Gratosoglio
• Quarto Oggiaro
• Giambellino
• Lorenteggio
• San Siro
• Via Padova
• Barona
• Via Gola

As for the Central Station, it does have a reputation for being a bit sketchy after dark, but don’t panic. I’ve arrived there plenty of times at night and never had a problem. Just grab a taxi if you’re arriving late and you’ll be just fine. Maybe don’t book your hotel and avoid taking a late-night stroll around there if you can, it’s probably best.

And hey, if you’re ever feeling uneasy anywhere in the city, trust your instincts and call a taxi. It won’t break the bank and your safety and peace of mind is much more important! 😊

Is it safe to drive in Milan? 

Safe? Definitely. Easy? Well… let’s just say it depends (and yes, I’m saying that with a classic Italian hand gesture!).

Here’s the deal: if you’re used to navigating narrow streets with lots of traffic, you’ll probably handle it just fine. But if you’re used to wide roads and easy parking, Milan’s city center might be a bit of a shock, especially in winter (for some reasons traffic is way worse around Christmas). 

Parking here is… let’s call it a challenge. Honestly, I’d rather walk half an hour than look for parking in the city center!

Plus, keep in mind that Milan has strict regulations about which cars can enter certain areas. For the historic center you’ll need a paid daily permit, too (check out Area C regulations here) but there are also places where you can’t drive at all.

I have heard so many bad stories from tourists, mainly from the US, who had problems with ZTL (zona traffico limitato – limited traffic zones). You just can’t go in there with your car, and unfortunately if you do, it could take even a year before they communicate you the fine and it’s not going to be cheap. 

So, is it safe to drive here? Yes. But easy and convenient? Not so much. 

Personally, I rely on Milan’s excellent public transport. The only time I might drive is by using a car-sharing service if it’s late at night and I don’t feel like walking, and even that’s rare for me.

Is Milan safe for solo female travellers?  

Yes. Overall, Milan is safe for solo female travelers in my opinion.

I’m a woman and I’ve been going out alone here since high school, so I get it. While it’s not the safest city in the world, I wouldn’t be too worried.

As I mentioned above there’s been some chatter about safety in Milan recently, especially for women, but personally I’ve never felt seriously unsafe. Just be aware of your surroundings, stick to well-lit areas at night and avoid obvious risks as you would in any big city in the world. 

A quick note on cat-calling: it’s not super common, but it does happen. I totally get that it’s very annoying, but unfortunately it’s best to ignore it and just keep moving. 

What is the safest area in Milan?

For safety and a good vibe overall, I’d stick close to the city center. The “real” city center is traditionally what we call the Cerchia dei Navigli, but a few nearby neighborhoods are actually even better for tourists. 

Here are my favorite areas to stay in Milan: 

• Brera
• Porta Nuova
• Isola
• Porta Venezia
• Porta Romana

Each one is very well connected with the metro and public transport so it’s super convenient for exploring the city (especially if you only have 1 day in Milan), but it is also aesthetically pleasing, has fun nightlife, offers great breakfast spots and feels safe.

I have to tell you, I often see these 3 areas as top recommendations on other sites but in my opinion they are such a bad choice:

• Stazione Centrale: it’s convenient for day trips since it’s right by the main train station but I’d avoid walking around here at night if you can. Just a couple of metro stops or a short taxi ride away, you’ll find much nicer spots to hang out.
  
• Duomo: crazy busy during the day but terribly empty at night. It’s not unsafe, but I personally prefer a bit more life around me in the evenings.
  
• Tortona: not a safety issue, but it’s a hassle to get to by public transport and parking always take forever. Not the most convenient if you’re short on time and maybe only have 24 hours in Milan, unless you’re here for Fuorisalone, in that case, Tortona is the place to be. 

Is Milan’s public transport safe?

Absolutely! I use it every single day and have never had any issues. 

Just keep an eye on your belongings, as with any big city, especially in crowded areas. All the usual advice about being mindful of pickpockets applies here, but overall, Milan’s public transport is safe and reliable.

In conclusion, is it safe? 

In my opinion, yes, Milan is safe! 

Don’t let crime reports discourage you. It’s true Milan has Italy’s highest crime reports, but I’ve never felt seriously unsafe here (unlike in some other places in Italy). High reporting rates partly reflect Milan’s trust in the legal system, which isn’t as common everywhere. To keep it in perspective, Milan has lower homicide and theft rates than cities like London or Barcelona. 

For a solo trip, choose a good neighborhood, avoid dark alleys, and trust your instincts, just as you would anywhere! 

Milan is an amazing city and it really is worth visiting it. There are so many amazing things to do and it’s the best base for incredible day trips in northern Italy.

I’m sure you’ll have a beautiful time here, enjoy it!