Hi,

I would like to know if it is safe to visit Venice, Florence and Roma during evening? If so, is there any places we should avoid?

We are going the two first weeks of October if that's doing any difference.

Thanks!

I don't recall ever feeling threatened in any area of either Florence or Venice after dark. I think that with common sense, both cities are quite safe. I can't comment on Rome.

Hi Alex,

Yes, it is safe.

Stay out of dark alleys.

Don't talk to strangers.

Keep your purse close to your body.

In case of trouble, yell "fuoco" (fire).

Well any major city will certainly have some areas to avoid at night but in general Italy (and most of Europe) seems a lot safer than most large American cities, especially at night. I just returned from a solo trip that included Florence and Venice and I was out walking around till 11:00pm or so and never felt the slightest bit afraid. I don't know about October but in the summer there are people out enjoying the weather, street music, etc. I didn't do Rome this trip but two years ago I was there with my husband and two daughters and we were out till fairly late and also felt safe. Now I'm talking about mostly touristy areas, I'm sure there are seedy areas on the outskirts but you probably won't be going to those areas anyway.

I travel mostly in summer or March (which would be more similar to October) and have been to much of Europe and never felt unsafe, even at night, even on public transportation. This is not to say you don't see homeless people, occassional drunks and rowdies, etc. but if you use normal caution you should be fine.

We wandered about until around midnight in both Venice and Rome. We were actually lost in Rome for about a half hour. Never felt unsafe. I suspect there may be neighborhoods in Rome that could be iffy late at night, but we didn't encounter any walking around the downtown.

I agree with the other posters. We were in Florence and Rome this March. Even though its not really "tourist season", there were still plenty of people roaming the streets at night. We always stayed on the main, or more well-lit, roads and avoided dark alleys. I don't recall ever feeling unsafe.