Is Milan Safe for Solo Travelers in 2023? How to Be More Safe.

Imagine my surprise finding out that a friend’s friend was mugged three times in Milan while sipping cocktails in a bar… in Milan. The first time the thieves took his watch, the next his phone, and after that, I’m not sure. The worst thing is that the thieves pulled a knife on him—material things are replaceable, but your life is not. I’m not sure why my friend’s friend had such an unfortunate stroke of luck, but it’s good to be aware of these things. Luckily, you asked, “Is Milan safe?” earlier than I did.

Milan is a generally safe city, but like all big cities, there are pockets that you want to avoid. And as always, there is a chance of pickpocketing and scams. Like any travel destination, it’s important to know how safe it is. It’s always good to prepare and be cognizant of less safe areas. You should be aware of your surroundings no matter where you go. So, is Milan safe? And more specifically, is Milan safe for solo female travelers?

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Historical and Current Data on Milan’s Safety

Is Milan Safe? At Night — Milan at night

Milan is one of the most popular destinations in the European Union, bringing in over 8 million visitors in 2019! It’s Italy’s business capital and the world’s fashion capital, attracting many within and outside of Italy. Not only popular as a travel destination, Milan is also home to 3+ million residents, making it one of Italy’s largest cities. However being a famous tourist destination has its disadvantages, including increased risk of crimes, pickpocketing, and scams. But here are the concrete facts about crime and safety in Milan. I always like to have a mix of data and personal anecdotes about a city before I go. The numbers only tell a small part of the picture, but nonetheless good to know.

A Quick Dive into Milan’s Safety Records Over the Past Years:

In 2020, Milan had the highest crime rate per province in Italy, with 4,866 cases per 100,00 individuals. But in the larger picture, Italy’s total number of crimes, violent crime, property crime, and drug-related crime has decreased significantly from 2014 to 2020 according to Statista. However, hate crimes in Italy have increased from 2014-2021.

In terms of safety indexes, Numbeo reports Milan has a safety index of 49.57 and a crime index of 50.43. Numbeo is the world’s largest cost of living database and is also a crowd-sourced global database of quality of life data. According to them, a crime index between 40 and 60 is a moderate level of crime. The higher the safety index number, the more safe it is. So, Milan is right in the middle for both crime and safety. However, The Economist’s safe cities index ranks Milan as 71.3, which is above average safety according to their scale. They define their Safe Cities tool as “a global, policy benchmarking tool developed to measure urban safety.” However, they only rank 60 cities on their scale.

From these numbers, I deduce that Milan is a relatively safe city, which does have petty crime here and there. Violent crime seems to be rare and on the decline. In my opinion, as long as you use general street smarts you can get anywhere with no particular risk.

Comparing Milan to Other European Cities

Compared to other European cities, Milan has ranked average safety and average crime, using Numbeo’s scale. Milan is city number 139 out of 351 cities, where 1 has the highest crime and lowest safety. Here’s a small table with some popular European cities and their crime and safety indexes.

City	Crime Index	Safety Index
Paris, France	57.5	42.5
Athens, Greece	56.1	43.9
Dublin, Ireland	52.8	47.2
Rome, Italy	51.4	48.6
Barcelona, Spain	51.1	48.9
Milan, Italy	50.4	49.6
Stockholm, Sweden	45.8	54.2
Glasgow, Scotland	45.3	54.7
Berlin, Germany	43.9	56.1
Florence, Italy	40.0	60.0
Cardiff, Wales	37.5	62.5
Oslo, Norway	33.3	66.7
Amsterdam, Netherlands	28.0	72.0

Is Milan Safe: My Experience as a Solo Female Traveler in Milan

There is no perfect safety guide. All this information should be taken with a grain of salt and compared with other experiences. At the end of the day, you won’t truly know until you experience a destination for yourself. But hopefully, this helps shed light on what the general vibe is on Milan’s safety for tourists. And, this is my personal experience traveling to Milan as a young, Asian-American woman.

Night Experiences in Milan: Is it safe to walk in Milan at night?

I arrived in Milan around 9 PM and took the metro to my Airbnb. The metro itself was fine, mostly just people commuting back home from work or dinner. It was very “normal”, everyone kept to themselves and the cars were clean. However, after exiting the metro I had to walk to my accommodation in the Navigli district. The streets were quite bare and it was dark outside, so I felt that I had to be more aware of my surroundings. Especially when pulling my carry-on suitcase that drew some attention towards me. Passersby didn’t pay too much attention to me, maybe a quick glance and that’s it. For the most part, that was the most “unsafe” I felt because I felt like I was an obvious target, especially walking at night by myself. But once I got to my Airbnb, I felt totally safe.

Other times I walked alone at night included going home from a bar meetup with friends, and from dinner. All those times, I felt fine but made sure to be aware of my surroundings. Especially at night, I don’t think it’s wise to let your guard down, especially when commuting to and from places. I never felt like I was going to be attacked, but also knew that there was a (very slim) chance of it happening. I just practiced common sense safety tips and that’s all I think is necessary. All in all, I felt pretty safe, just making sure to be smart and alert.

Day Experiences in Milan

Milan during the day is totally fine, especially during mealtimes when there are tons of people out and about. The tourist areas are also bustling with people, so you never feel in danger. In crowded places, though, I just made sure to stow my valuables in a hard-to-reach area of my body (ie. jacket inside pocket, in my cross-chest cling bag, etc). It’s really easy to blend into the crowd, too. My main concern, if any, is having scammers approach me and try to pickpocket or bribe money out of me. But it’s easy to dodge scammers if you know what to look for, which I’ll share in a later part of this article.

As a whole, Milan is a city where I would exercise normal caution—common sense safety tips are enough when exploring around. Milan is pretty safe for female solo travelers and men don’t harass you on the streets. But if you’re curious about what the best places to solo travel are, check out the top 20 I recommend (and have personally been)!

Areas of Milan: The Good and The Areas to Be Cautious

The Safe Zones

Popular tourist spots and busy neighborhoods with lots of activity are generally pretty safe. More eyes means fewer chances of something happening to you. Here are areas of Milan that are known to be safer hubs:

Brera: I’ve heard this is the “safest area” of Milan, where many rich Milanese and rich tourists roam around.
Centro Storico: The city center where the Duomo and Galleria live. There is a high police presence in the heart of Milan (downtown) so the chances of violence happening are very, very slim. You won’t fear for personal safety, but because central Milan attracts a lot of tourists, pickpockets, and tourist scams are the main concern here. So, protect your items!
Porta Venezia (LGBTQIA+): This is a popular area where locals like to go for a drink and to browse art museums! It’s Milan’s LGBTQIA+ district, with lots of gay bars and safe spaces. Its proximity to Centro Storico and local crowds make it a great place to explore. Many tourists overlook this area, so you’ll also get a local feel.
Porta Romona: A quiet and laidback neighborhood known for being hipster central.
Navigli: I stayed in this part of Milan and it was quite okay! It’s known for its nightlife so there are always people out and about, but it’s described as having hidden bars and restaurants in the shadows… Which means people can also hide in the shadows (lol). Sometimes you feel like you turn a corner and don’t know what’s next, especially late at night when there’s no one around. Avoid Via Gola here!
Isola: I heard this part used to be dangerous with regular police raids, but now it’s one of the trendy areas with new boutiques and bars. It boasts great nightlife and vintage shops selling designer goods.

Areas to Approach with Caution

Here are some known neighborhoods where it’s advisable to be more cautious, especially during the night.

Quarto Oggiaro: One of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Milan with the highest crime rate. It’s on the outskirts of Milan, so unless you are a local or have business there, tourists don’t find themselves headed to Quarto Oggiaro. It’s often on local news for crime and other less-than-nice events.
Corvetto: Corvetto frequently appears on local news for crime and violence, and it doesn’t help that it is also situated around a central metro station. I recommend avoiding Piazzale Luigi Emanuele Corvetto, especially when it’s dark outside. However, this is also located in the Southwest outskirts of Milan, so there’s no reason to venture out there.
San Siro: This area is near the stadium, with lots of green spaces. However, it’s said to have an invisible wall, with the northern side being affluent and nice, and the southern side being desolate and more dangerous. However, it’s said to be an invisible wall because the occupants on either side rarely intermingle with each other.
Milan Central Train Station at night: People using drugs and drunks often congregate here at night, so exercise caution if you’re headed there. I’ve also seen some people with shifty eyes, looking for a target that is not paying attention and/or has valuable items on them.
Giabellino-Lorenteggio: This area is known for drug trafficking and public housing that has poor infrastructure.

Streets to Avoid

Via Gola: Via Gola’s major problems are drug dealing and housing abandonment, with only half of its housing units occupied.
Via Padova & Viale Monza: These streets after the Loreto metro station are notorious for being “dangerous”, however, it’s also the home of of many Milanese foreign immigrants. It’s an authentic, vibrant community that is multiethnic. But two things can be true at once, and it is also an area that hosts underground activities like prostitution, drugs, etc.

Transportation in Milan: Is it Safe?

Public transportation in Milan is safe, and most of the population uses public transport to get anywhere. Locals use it, so you shouldn’t be scared to use it, either! Milan buses, trams, and metros are very well connected and you can get literally anywhere with a combination of the lines. It’s clean as well, and pretty reliable. The only concern is the medium pickpocketing risk which is widespread in crowded cars or buses, and also in crowded stations during rush hour. Use sensible precaution and awareness as you would in any other big city and you will be fine.

Taxis and Ubers are also trustworthy and safe in Milan, but there are some things to note. Ubers in Italy have higher hurdles to pass when entering the market, including a set of licenses any taxi driver in Italy needs before driving customers. As a result, Uber in Milan (and Italy, really) is expensive, easily costing double what it normally would. It’s viewed as a convenient and more luxurious way of traveling around.

Taxis are cheaper than Uber, but there are quite a number of taxi scams, which also happen in other big cities worldwide. The most common is when the taxi driver “forgets” to turn on the taxi meter and charges you more than what the meter would have said at your destination. Another is gaslighting you into thinking you handed them less money than you did (this really only happens with cash). The last is giving you the wrong amount of change (also with cash). Stay vigilant and make sure you get the correct amount of money!

Petty Crimes in Milan to Avoid

When wandering around a new city, you become an easy target for pickpocketers and scammers trying their luck to make a quick buck. Especially solo female travelers, who already have to be hyper-aware of their surroundings. But how can you avoid something you don’t know exists? Here are some petty crimes in Milan to avoid:

Pickpocketing: Pickpockets generally move swiftly and discreetly and their motive is to steal fast and quiet. As a result, pickpockets target people on crowded public transport lines, where tourists are unsuspecting or distracted. Around crowded tourist areas you’ll find people asking you to sign petitions and once you are distracted, their accomplice will pickpocket you.
Luggage carrying: In areas that have lots of tourists and a steep incline or stairs, people will offer to carry your luggage up the hill or stairs. Once you make it to the top, they’ll aggressively ask you to pay them, often withholding your luggage until you pay.
Taxi cab scams: I mentioned this in the last section, but some drivers will try to make more money off you either by leaving the meter off or giving you the wrong change.
Rose scam: Mostly directed towards couples and women, someone will offer you a rose for “free”, but once you accept it they will ask you for money. If you try to give it back, they refuse.
Ticket helpers: Near central train stations or metro stations, there will be people offering to help you buy a train or metro ticket. They’ll either hover around the entrance or around the ticket machines and once they help you, they’ll ask you for a tip. They’ll follow you around until you do, so do not let them help you!

My Experience with Petty Scams in Milan

Bracelet scam: I was walking towards Sempione Park from Sforzesco Castle when someone approached me and offered me a “free” friendship bracelet. The person was carrying at least 15 bracelets on them, which dangled from their arm. Luckily, I knew better, said no, and walked away without looking back. But if you accept the bracelet, just like the rose scam, the person will ask you for money and will follow you aggressively until you do. However, I think the bracelet scam is worse because the person will tie the bracelet to your wrist and you’ll be forced to pay if you can’t get it off. With the rose scam, you can drop it and walk away.

Safety Tips and Precautions

Here are some safety tips I use whenever I go to a large European city, especially one that is known for pickpockets:

Trust your gut: If you feel that something or someone is off, don’t keep heading in that direction or towards that person. It’s important to listen to your intuition when something feels off.
Blend in: Obviously, it’s hard to blend in if you are a minority (me, an Asian woman in a crowd of Italians, haha) but dressing appropriately and understanding local customs helps you not draw unnecessary attention. Wear what you want, but the less attention you draw and the better you can blend into a crowd, the lower the chance of someone messing with you.
Don’t wear flashy expensive items: The friend’s friend I mentioned in the beginning was wearing a very expensive watch, which made him a mugging target. Leave the expensive jewelry and accessories at home, including well-known brand-name purses and watches.
Be aware of your surroundings: That’s it. Don’t look at your phone when walking, be aware in crowded areas, and keep your valuables close to your body and hidden. I only carried my phone, portable charger, and card wallet with me in Milan and used my beloved leather sling bag to hold it all.
Never leave stuff unattended: If you’re sitting outside at a restaurant, don’t leave your phone or wallet on the table! That is easily swiped by someone walking by.
Never leave stuff in a car: My cousin did a road trip across Europe and unfortunately had their car belongings stolen in Italy. If possible, get to your accommodation and leave your belongings there before driving to get dinner or visit an attraction. It’s just not worth having your car broken into and having everything stolen.

Other Personal Safety Tips

Keep your phone charged: Nowadays, I use Google Maps on my phone to get around. Without it, I’d be running around like a chicken without its head. I’ve been in close situations where I’m on 5% battery but need to navigate to my destination. It’s also good to have a working phone for contacting friends, family, or local emergency numbers in case something goes wrong. I always bring a portable charger with me, now.
Know your limits: Everyone wants to indulge in the Milanese tradition of aperitivo and after-dinner drinks; I love a nice cocktail on the Navigli canals! However, it’s important to know your limits. Alcohol dulls your motor skills and senses, which makes you vulnerable. So, avoid consuming large amounts of alcohol unless you are in a safe environment.
Secure accommodations: Stay in reputed areas and check reviews before booking. The last thing you want to deal with is a bad accommodation.
Tell someone of your whereabouts: I always text my parents the location and addresses of where I am staying. I also have a spreadsheet of my itinerary that I can easily share with close friends and family as well.
Don’t ask strangers to take your photo: Now, this is a hard one because I solo travel and want someone to document my travels! My mom is constantly telling me to never ask strangers to take my photo (but I do it anyway, sorry Mom) but it’s always a good idea to be strategic about who you ask. I usually ask waiters or security personnel to take my photo because I know they won’t run off with my phone. I’ll also ask other tourists because there’s a lesser chance they’ll steal my phone, as well. They’ll also probably want a photo back, too!

Emergency Numbers to Know in Milan

In case you find yourself in an emergency, here are essential numbers to know when in Milan:

112 (free service) for all emergencies
113 for the police
118 for medical emergencies (ambulance)
115 for the fire brigade

If you’re unsure which number to call, always call 112 first, and the call operator will handle who to send or call next.

So, Is Milan Safe for Solo Female Travellers?

In conclusion, Milan is relatively safe for solo female travelers. Milan ranks average for safety and crime against other cities in the world. Like any big city, there are pockets you want to avoid, but as a whole, dangerous crime is on the decline in Milan and Italy. You most likely won’t run into situations that compromise your personal safety, and more likely run into tourist scams or attempted pickpocketing. For solo female travelers, exercising normal street smarts and awareness is enough when visiting Milan. Always be cautious in the evening time, especially around central metro or train stations, and walk in well-lit and heavy foot traffic areas. No destination is truly safe, as there is always the chance of crime or bad luck. The best we can do is prepare, be aware, and practice good safety tips.

Now that you know the safety in Milan, here are the 10 Must-Do Things to Do in Milan, especially if it’s your first time going. Happy travels!