arce

I'll be travelling to Venice in May and would like to know if Venice is any more dangerous than other cities in Europe? I'm from N.Y. city and have been in Paris, Madrid and other Europeans cities, and haven't felt threatened. But I wonder if I should out for anything more than the normal dangers of any big city? I've heard that it is very easy to get lost and find yourself in areas that are undesirable.

sandi_travelnut

I have never had a problem there nor have I heard of any rampant issues in Venice. It's a tourist-filled city where you could fall prey to things like pickpockets, I would assume, like any city. I get a newsletter from venice every month that reports news and interesting events (and crimes), and rarely is there violent crime.

Yes it is easy to get lost, and some areas are not as nice as others, but if you stay around the more popular areas you will not find yourself in a slumy, dangerous neighborhood.

Venice is one of several places I actually don't mind getting lost in.

ellenem

Venice is interesting from a NY perspective. Places can seem threatening that aren't because of our visual perceptions and how we relate that to our experience at home. In NY, small dark alleys seem threatening. In Venice, small dark alleys may be a major pedestrain passage to an important location. In NY boarded/shuttered windows indicate an unsafe area. In Venice (and in Italy in general) everyone has heavy shutters that they close when away from home, for security and weather protection--it's almost abnormal to see unshuttered windows at night. I know these were odd perceptions for me my first time in Venice.

It's really like any big city, though, in my estimation, the biggest chance for crime in Venice would be to fall victim to an overpriced bad meal in a touristy location--and somehow that's one's own fault.

kelliebellie

I've walked all over Venice by myself (I'm a 34 year old female) and I've always felt perfectly safe.

baldrick

It's a lot more dangerous where you live than in Venice... So if you've made it in NY until now, don't fear for Venice!
Just watch out for the boats when you cross a canal. Only cross when the lights are green.

Rhea58

In a nutshell- NO!

Been there 3x, last time alone, & as a
female of a "certain age" never
encountered any troubles & I
covered alot of turf.

so go - enjoy -- strike up a conversation w/fellow travelers &
you won't be sorry.

Budman

Make sure your gondola is equipped with life jackets.

Maria_H

Getting lost is part of the fun of wandering round Venice. Even with a map, you sometimes don't believe that some tiny alleyway is the way you need to go! We wandered round for hours and it felt like we explored every little narrow alley in Venice - but we never felt unsafe.

Kate

The biggest danger in Venice is falling in a canal - the water isn't too savoury.

Seriously, one of the great things about Venice is the lack of vehicles - which lessons the dangers considerably of being run over by a taxi or having a vespa rider snatch the handbag from your shoulder.

The toughest thing about Venice can be the crowds, and in any crowded situation, in any major tourist city, pickpockets love crowds, so keep an eye on your valuables.

I really wouldn't feel concerned about getting lost - you will, but enjoy it. Whenever you feel lost down a secluded alleyway, turn the next corner and there'll be a hoard of tourists. You'll never be on your own for long.

You already live in NYC and have visited bigger more scary cities than Venice, so fear not, you'll love it.

Kate
London

Pausanias

Historically, cholera and the plague have caused big time problems. Could happen again.

Do not cross the Doge. Republic indeed. Over the bridge of sighs and you're toast. Casanova escaped. You won't.

Heresy. Traditionally, the town has been very tough on heretics. Do not engage in debate on religious topics.

Bridge battles. Although these have fallen from fashion a revival could be menacing indeed! Imagine hordes of men battling each other for hours with sticks, for fun!! Stay clear if you see one.

Debt. These guys are tough. When the Fourth Crusade couldn't pay the bill, Venice made them sack Constantinople, setting the stage for 1453 and all that.

Gondoliers. They are liable to break into song and demand extra money for the service. See "Debt" above.

Water. It's everywhere. Take suitable precautions.

Holly_uncasdewar

Watch out for the waiters. They're notorious in Venice.

smilinsnoboarder

Taking the water taxi to the island of Murano, getting so caught up in it, and spending too much money there! HA! Just kidding, love it there : )

WillTravel

In all seriousness, some restaurants on the main tourist drag are pretty bad.

cmt

I think it's less dangerous than most because you will not get hit by a car, bus, or truck, and you will not gag on car exhaust fumes. If you get a little lost, you can always find your way eventually, because there are so many signs pointing to major landmarks.

cmt

Oh, I thought of a danger: the pigeons. I like birds, BUT I would not want to be COVERED by pigeons! If you're thinking of eating anything out in the open in Piazza San Marco, beware of the birds.

ira

Hi a,

>I've heard that it is very easy to get lost

Yes

>and find yourself in areas that are undesirable.

Highly unlikely.

DejaVu

Dangers? That you'll spend too much money! ;-)

Yeah, it's really easy to get lost, but that's part of the fun!

suze

Solo female been to Venice twice and never felt at all uncomfortable. It is easy to get lost and you probably will but since I was in the central part of the city it was certainly not anything undesirable. Tons of people everywhere besides.

annabelle2

I've been three times and always felt VERY safe. However, someone made a good comment about the little dark alleyways, the kind many of us from the US would never walk down in a big US city. In Venice, all the hotels I've stayed in, and many of the restaurants I've eaten in, have been down those dark little alleyways. Magical and mysterious but not threatening.

I have been lost each time I've been to Venice and never ended up anyplace creepy.

A few years ago a male friend of mine did feel someone trying to pickpocket him on a crowded street, but the guy fled when he realized my friend was on to him. But that could happen anywhere, not specific to Venice.

suec1

If you sit down for a snack or drink at a cafe on the Piazza San Marco it will be very expensive - you can think of it as an entertainment charge or choose to eat elsewhere! Also be aware that Vencie is a highly addictive travel destination.