Italy : Safety by City
- Bari
- Bologna
- Cagliari
- Catania
- Florence
- Genoa
- Milan
- Naples
- Palermo
- Perugia
- Pisa
- Rimini
- Rome
- Sorrento
- Turin
- Vatican City
- Venice
- Verona
Genoa is the most gorgeous city in Italy, with little narrow streets and its spirit completely different from other cities in Italy.
The best thing that you can do in Genoa is walking around the old city center, the largest in Europe.
It is a genuine Italian city with its own identity and not a tourist trap.
Food is amazing even for the already high Italian standards, and being by the sea is just perfect.
Nightlife is not that thrilling but if you are happy with drinking a beer and hanging out in a square in summer or a bar in winter, you’ll have a marvelous time.
Warnings & Dangers in Genoa
OVERALL RISK: LOW
Genoa is a very tourist-friendly city in Italy. It is very safe and there's no reason to fear anything there, just avoid its many secluded streets after dark.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
Taxis and other means of transportation are, overall, very safe to use in Genoa, but be on the lookout for pickpockets and other petty thieves.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
Pickpocketing and bag snatching does exist, but it's not as common as you would expect. Pickpockets usually lurk around the port area and other tourist landmarks, but you don't have to worry too much.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
Floods are the most common type of natural disasters in Genoa, but they're not too common. Still, be on the lookout and follow the authorities' advice.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
Genoa is relatively safe when it comes to mugging or kidnapping. It rarely happens to tourists, but you should avoid little, narrow streets that Genoa is famous for, late at night.
TERRORISM RISK: HIGH
It is best to stay alert and aware of your surroundings in Italy, since its neighbors, France and Belgium, have been victims of terrorist attacks. However, Italy hasn't suffered from such occurrences.
SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
Since Genoa is a top tourist destination, it is no wonder that people will try to scam you, especially during summer when the number of tourists increases. Double-check the authenticity of everything you want to buy as well as the change you receive and negotiate everything in advance.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Genoa as other popular European destinations, is very safe for women travelers, so no need to worry there. Just don't do what you wouldn't in your own country and avoid the little narrow streets that Genoa is filled with.
So... How Safe Is Genoa Really?
Genoa is mostly very safe and you have absolutely no reason to worry about your well-being while here.
Genoa has some more dangerous areas and some safer, but the city center is a story for itself.
The city center, gorgeous during the day and filled with people walking around, isn’t the best option for roaming during the night alone (actually it’s better going out there with a group).
This is because it’s very easy to find shady groups of people there, especially around the typical narrow streets of Genoa (called “vicoli” there).
The so-called “dangerous” parts of Genoa (but only at night and if you are alone) are as follows: part of the historical Centre (Via Prè, Via San Luca, Via Gramsci, Piazza Caricamento, Via Della Maddalena and Via del Campo ), Cornigliano, Sampierdarena, Certosa, Begato.
Pickpocketing is the most prominent form of crime that represents a threat for tourists, especially since pickpockets often work in teams or are in some sort of a deal with the street vendors.
A similar thing happens with beggars – they work in organizations and because of that begging is pretty common in larger cities of Italy, but tourists are unlikely to experience aggressive beggars.
How Does Genoa Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Genoa | 54 |
| Naples | 66 |
| Milan | 66 |
| Florence | 70 |
| Venice | 74 |
| Rome | 64 |
| Bologna | 56 |
| La Paz (Bolivia) | 52 |
| Sao Paulo (Brazil) | 45 |
| Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | 43 |
| Sofia (Bulgaria) | 73 |
| Siem Reap (Cambodia) | 63 |
| Phnom Penh (Cambodia) | 61 |
Useful Information
Visas
Visa is not required for any stays shorter than 90 days, and members of the EU (Schengen) can stay in Italy for as long as they like. Be sure that your passport is valid for at least six months from your planned date of return to the country you're visiting. However, if you are not sure about your visa status, contact your local Italian embassy for further information.
Currency
Currency in Genoa is the euro, like in most popular European destinations. Sightseeing and visiting all the remarkable landmarks in Bologna can add up to a high budget. Take into account that you'll need about 70€ per day, including accommodation.
Weather
Genoa is located on the western Mediterranean, sheltered by the surrounding hills and mountains. The climate in Genoa is warm and temperate, characterized by winter months that are much rainier than the summer months in Genoa.
Airports
Genoa Airport is an international airport, located some 7.4 km west of Genoa, Italy. It is the most important airport of Liguria and it serves the city and Port of Genoa,
Travel Insurance
Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Genoa, since it covers not only medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.
Genoa Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 9 | 10 | 12 | 16 | 19 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 18 | 13 | 10 |
| Low °C | 2 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 7 | 4 |
| High °F | 48 | 50 | 54 | 61 | 66 | 73 | 79 | 79 | 73 | 64 | 55 | 50 |
| Low °F | 36 | 37 | 41 | 46 | 54 | 59 | 64 | 64 | 59 | 54 | 45 | 39 |
Italy - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Bari | 74 |
| Bologna | 56 |
| Cagliari | 64 |
| Catania | 71 |
| Florence | 70 |
| Genoa | 54 |
| Milan | 66 |
| Naples | 66 |
| Palermo | 58 |
| Perugia | 60 |
| Pisa | 61 |
| Rimini | 62 |
| Rome | 64 |
| Sorrento | 60 |
| Turin | 42 |
| Vatican City | 72 |
| Venice | 74 |
| Verona | 65 |
Historic eateries
You’d be surprised on how pleasant Genoa really is, tourists don’t flock here as much as other places in Italy and that’s why I love this place! I agree that it isn’t a tourist trap, its a city you have to explore and enjoy firsthand. As a foodie, I highly recommend you check the eateries around, they have a lot of history to share.
Genoa is not safe for women!
I visited Genoa for 4 days (01.06-04.06.2022). I normally don’t bother to write reviews but I think this one is important – safety for women.
I do not agree with the statement here that the city is safe for women tourists – it is definitely not! Risk should be changed at least from low -> medium! I was walking from the old port to the royal palace museum with my fiancee and father in law, there is a main street going there but for some reason google maps sent us through a parallel narrow side street. As any other side street in Genoa, it was very narrow and there were flocks of African heritage men on that street and absolutely no one else. They were just staring at us, behaving strange. At some point, 15-20 of those guys were on each side of the narrow street and when we passed through them (my father in law was behind me and my fiancee in front of me), one of those guys started following me/ whistling / singing. I count my father in law and fiancee being two guys as some sort of security (at least I wasn’t alone), yet still the guy on the street came following me (no respect even for the guys together with me). I tried to play it cool and ignore it – I could’t have done anything to get rid of those guys anyways without getting us into more trouble. So this situation was uncomfortable for me but not much better for my father in law and fiancee. Note, this was in broad daylight, very busy tourist area otherwise (main streets and old port very close). I have travelled a lot in Asia, South America and Europe and I have never felt so unsafe (not even in Brazil which in general is not considered safe for women). I am quite sure if I would not have been walking together with my fiancee & father in law, I would have been physically harassed. I was not wearing short dress nor asking for this attention, just looking like an average north-eastern european blonde woman. I advise women to not walk around alone, it is very easy to accidentally end up on one of those side streets which are not safe not even during daylight. I always take precautions (even on my safe home country) but was completely blown to end up in this situation in Italy and during the day!
Women: google unsafe neighbourhoods, avoid those areas and even in “safe” areas don’t go through narrow/quiet side streets.
Note, I am not being racist here, for whatever reason these guys from that street ended up in Genoa, they are definitely not integrated in the society and their behavior towards women is disgusting.
Beside the serious safety concern for women, Genoa is historical and architecture is very grandiose and beautiful. Went to a beach which was very nice as well.
Another comment, the streets in Genoa are not easy to walk, city is on the side of a mountain, streets are either uphill/downhill or need to take many stairs. Google maps doesn’t work well on Genoa, gives either wrong directions or strange paths. I’m young and fit but was struggling. Make sure to check google maps before booking accomodation – ours ended up being on a narrow hillside street (200 m uphill walking each time). Not suitable for people with difficulties to walk.
On the 1st night I fell in love with the city and by the end of the 3rd day I changed my mind. I would not live in Genoa and I wouldn’t travel back there. Unless there is any specific reason, I’d suggest to visit other smaller relaxed cities in Italy.
Historic centre is unsafe
We accidentally booked an Airbnb in the most dangerous part of town without realising – and got followed home by men on our first night. The ‘historic centre’ you mention is beautiful and is central to transport, restaurants and the port. But unsuspectingly unsafe. We went to dinner and we’re walking home around 8:00pm during summer (still light) when we noticed at least two men following us. We stopped to “look” at a shop and they passed us, then noticed we had stopped and waited for us to pass them again. We then “stopped” a second time at another shop, where they again waited for us to leave. We felt really uneasy and unsafe and knew we were being targeted. We waited them out and they eventually left. We took the long way to our apartment but agree with the earlier comment – the historic area listed in this blog is not safe.
Genoa safety is a myth
The same happened us. The idea of Genoa being safe is a myth. Had my bag, cards and cash stolen and the police wouldn’t even come out to our 5 star hotel. Don’t think they are interested in tourism
Avoid walking on streets at night. I was walking back to my Airbnb then i got fronted with an group
of African men. They were waiting for me to mug me. The on guy started whistling behind me and shouted to the other guy “This guy”. Then I realized that I’m in a bad neighborhood and this guys planning to do something to me. They started to follow me and I just luckily was in front of my Airbnb so I opened the door as fast as possible and closed the door before they try to jump me. I almost got trapped and god knows what would be happening to me. Be careful where you book your Airbnb and check its in a good part of the city. Avoid walking at the beach at night. Its not safe!!
NOT SAFE FOR WOMEN!!! Please look out
We also booked an appartement in a place called ‘safe’. Girls please look out, even the places they call safe were really bad. In three hours we were followed by 5 groups of men!! I never felt so unsafe and so scared in my life. We also talked to a police men he said that there are no really safe places in Genau. And the airbnbs are mostly horrible, I have never seen so much mold, dirt and dust in one room..
Not Safe Got Mugged
Genoa is only city in Europe where I was mugged. I was walking alone at noon (in the daylight) through the streets when I was approached by a North African man who took interest in my Ray-Ban sunglasses. He asked if he could try them on, I said no and then he proceeded to follow me until he grabbed my sunglasses from my face and pushed me to the ground and left. The police were nice and I was able to file a police report but I would not go back after what happened.