Italy is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world, attracting millions of tourists every year! It’s easy to see why: the entire country is a treasure trove of history, culture, and charm. With breathtaking cities like Rome, Venice, and Florence, scenic countryside dotted with vineyards, and stunning coastal stretches like the Amalfi Coast, it’s no wonder Italy is such a magnet for travellers. However, with millions of visitors exploring the country on a daily basis, it’s unsurprising that tourist traps and scams have become a common occurrence. In this post, I would like to share some tips on how to avoid the most frequent scams to have a stress-free stay in Italy.

I want to emphasize that Italy is generally a very safe destination. While you may encounter annoying scams and petty crime like pickpocketing, violent crime is very rare. I lived there for two years and revisit on an annual basis, and I have never had any issues or felt unsafe. The majority of citizens of Italy are kindhearted people who are welcoming and friendly to tourists. Sadly there are some bad apples who will try to swindle money from you but I hope they won’t detract from your holiday in Italy.

Table of Contents

• Pickpocketing
• Street Distractions
• Street Sellers
• Dining Out in Restaurants
• Taxi Scams
• Fake Tour Guides & Skip-the-Line Scams
• Train Station ‘Helpers’
• Fake Designer Bags & “Police” Crackdowns
• Count your Change
• General Tips to Stay Scam-Free in Italy

Pickpocketing

Being pickpocketed can seriously spoil your trip and dealing with insurance claims and police reports can be stressful, time-consuming processes. In Italy’s biggest cities, many pickpockets work in groups on the metro using the distraction technique. Members of the gang distract you by pushing into you during the surge of people entering and exiting at different stops. While you focus on regaining your balance or finding something to hold onto, one of them slips their hand into your pockets. They immediately get off the train and blend into the crowd. However, solo pickpocketers also operate on the train (and buses and trams) so you should be aware of your belongings and surroundings whenever using public transport.

To protect against pickpocketing:

• Keep your bag in front of you, with the opening close to your body. I usually stand with one hand over the opening clasp.
• Considering bringing a money belt or anti-theft bag for extra security.
• Don’t keep your wallet or phone in the back pocket of your jeans.
• If you have a backpack, take it off and rest it on your lap (if seated) or hold it in your arms (if facing).
• Only carry small amounts of cash around with you – look into a bank account which lets you visit ATM/cash machines without incurring charges, so you don’t have to carry all your spending money around with you.
• Put your money and cards in different pockets and wallets, not in just one place.

Street Distractions

Here are some of the typical street distractions that you might encounter in Italy:

• Someone asking for directions and blocking your vision with a map, so you can’t see a hand sneaking into your bag or pocket.
• A street game / exhibition (again, taking advantage of your distracted state). In the main Italian cities, there are lots of street musicians, artists and performers, most of who are legitimate but it is good to be careful.
• A common pickpocketing trick – someone “accidentally” spills something on you (coffee, sauce, bird poop, etc.) or causes a commotion. While you’re distracted, an accomplice swipes your wallet or phone. If someone spills something on you, don’t let them clean it – step away and check your belongings first.
• Someone will approach you with a clipboard, claiming to collect signatures for a charity, petition, or cause (e.g., helping disabled children). Once you sign, they’ll demand a “donation,” sometimes aggressively. Meanwhile, an accomplice might try to pickpocket you. Even if it feels rude, just ignore them and walk away.

Street Sellers

It is a universal truth that when in Italy, street vendors will try persistently to sell you things. Bottles of ice cold water, selfie sticks, scarves, trinkets and souvenirs to name a few. Firmly say “No, grazie” (“No, thank-you”) and keep walking. You will often see vendors trying to sell red roses, usually to couples strolling hand in hand. If you are offered one, don’t accept it unless you are willing to pay for it. Even holding it for a brief moment will result in the vendor badgering you for payment (usually a few euros). If you refuse to pay, they might make a scene to embarrass or pressure you.

An alternative to the red roses is ‘the friendship bracelet’ or ‘friendship ring’ scam. The vendor might offer it as a gift, but once accepted, they immediately put it onto your hand or wrist. Once you’ve worn it, even for a split second, they will try to guilt-trip you into giving them money. I made the rookie mistake of engaging a street vendor in conversation and before I knew it, I had a threaded bracelet around my wrist. After much pleading from him, and rigid refusal from me, he angrily cut the bracelet off with scissors and stormed away. So much for friendship!

Dining Out in Restaurants

One of the greatest joys of travelling to Italy is dining out in its many fantastic restaurants. Hopefully you’ll have a stress-free experience, but here are some common scams to be aware of:

Hidden service fees

Some restaurants, especially near major landmarks, charge outrageous prices for bread, water, or service fees without telling you. I have read countless reviews from tourists who were given bills much higher than expected, or charged for dishes they didn’t order.

If your dish is much larger than expected, or an extra dish arrives at your table that you didn’t order, question it before tucking in. It might be a mistake or even a present from the restaurant staff (listen out for the magic word gratis!). However, it could be a sneaky dish that you will later be charged for. Many restaurants serve limoncello at the end of dinner on the house… but a side portion of fresh oysters probably isn’t going to be complimentary!

If you suspect that you are being overcharged, ask for an English and Italian menu so you can check the prices are the same. If the bill seems suspicious, challenge it politely. In Italy, it is illegal not to be given an itemised receipt. So if you are suspicious about the bill, ask for an itemised receipt and don’t accept a receipt that only shows the total.

Being pressured to tip

You might be wondering “Do I need to tip in Italy?”. The short answer – no. Most restaurants add a ‘coperto’ to the bill. Coperto is short for ‘pane e coperto’ (‘bread and tableware’). It should only be a couple of euros and should be clearly stated on the menu. Even if you decide you don’t want the bread basket offered to your table, you’ll probably need to pay the coperto.

If the restaurant doesn’t include a coperto, and you want to leave a tip, a few euros is a kind gesture but tipping is totally optional. If a member of staff is trying to pressure you to tip or tells you it’s compulsory in Italy, they’re just trying to take advantage and get some extra euros out of you!

No Menu Prices

Some cafes/restaurants don’t display prices and you get hit with an absurdly high bill at the end of your meal. To avoid this, always ask to see a menu with prices before ordering. As a frequent traveller, it’s a personal rule of mine to never order food when I don’t see the price on the menu or can’t ask the waiter or waitress in advance.

DUAL PRICES IN CAFES

This isn’t a scam but it’s something that often catches tourists out. In Italy, it is customary to quickly drink your coffee standing at the bar, rather than sip it slowly and leisurely at a table. If you want to sit down, your order will be more expensive. Cafés generally have two prices for each item – the al banco standing price and the al tavolo table price. Sometimes the difference can be quite ridiculous – like coffees costing two or three times more if consumed al tavolo. This is especially common in cafés around the main piazzas or near tourist attractions. Always check the menu before you order and don’t feel pressured into sitting down if you just want a quick caffeine boost.

Taxi Scams

Taxi drivers are notorious for overcharging unsuspecting tourists. Some taxi drivers refuse to turn on the meter or claim a fixed price much higher than the actual fare. I’ve heard of visitors paying €250 to travel from Fiumicino airport to the city centre. A HUGE rip-off considering all official city taxis have fixed fares within the city limits. A single taxi journey from Fiumicino airport costs €50 and €40 from Ciampino airport. The city centre is classified as anywhere within the Aurelian walls.

Tips for avoiding taxi scams:

• Use official white taxis with a “TAXI” sign and license number displayed.
• Always make sure the meter is running or agree on a fair price before the ride.
• Use taxi apps like Free Now or itTaxi for safer rides.
• Make sure you have small change as well, so the driver can’t claim they don’t have any small notes and coins, and pockets your change.
• If you do use a private taxi firm, ask how much it will roughly cost before getting in. You shouldn’t be charged extra per bag or passenger.

Fake Tour Guides & Skip-the-Line Scams

Near major attractions, scammers offer “exclusive” skip-the-line tickets or guided tours – only for you to be overcharged or left with a fake ticket. Do your research before arriving and use reputable tour companies like GetYourGuide, Tiqets or Viator. If in doubt, ask for recommendations from the staff at your hotel or hostel.

Train Station ‘Helpers’

Nothing screams ‘tourist’ like someone wandering around a train station with a confused look on their face, or spending five minutes pressing buttons on a ticket machine. I have witnessed ‘helpers’ prey on tourists many times. These people don’t work at the train station, they are just opportunists. Be very aware that if someone offers to show you how to buy your ticket, they will probably demand a tip for the “service”. I have seen tourists paying willing, grateful for the assistance, but I have also seen people hand over the cash, looking confused and uncertain, wondering if this is part of the Italian tipping culture. It’s not.

Hopefully these ‘helpers’ will just badger you for some small coins but it could be worse. Someone could steal your wallet or demand a larger tip after helping to carry your bags. Politely decline help and take your time purchasing tickets. Keep hold of your belongings, use a polite but firm ‘No, grazie!’ and ask official train station staff for assistance.

Fake Designer Bags & “Police” Crackdowns

Walking around the city, you will see fake luxury products, like watches and handbags, being sold at knock-off prices. It is common to see fake Gucci, Prada and Louis Vuitton bags, often claiming they’re real at a discount. These are often sold on the bridges and outside metro stations.

Keep in mind it’s illegal in Italy to purchase fake goods, with fines up to €10,000. Sometimes, fake police officers show up, pretend to arrest the vendor, then fine you for buying counterfeits.

Count your Change

Count your change before leaving the shop/till area. This is something I always had to check, especially when shopping in food and street markets. Don’t be embarrassed about slowly & carefully checking that you have received the right amount and question any discrepancies. Once they’ve been caught out, the vendors usually hand over the correct change with a half-hearted (or non-existent) apology.

General Tips to Stay Scam-Free in Italy

• Keep cash/cards in a secure, hard-to-reach place (money belts, zippered bags).
• Be cautious of overly friendly strangers—they may be distracting you.
• Use official apps/websites for taxis, tickets, and tours.
• Making photocopies of your passport, visa and other important documents
• Knowing the emergency telephone number (#112 in Italy)
• Being aware of your belongings and general surroundings at all times.
• Having an offline map downloaded onto your phone so you can navigate your way without data or wifi. I use Googlemaps and Maps.me.
• Knowing how late buses & trains run and having enough cash on you for an emergency taxi ride.
• Always check the price before ordering food, taking a taxi, or buying souvenirs.
• Stay alert in crowds – pickpockets thrive in tourist areas.
• Not leaving your drink unguarded (and making sure you don’t go over your limit)
• Listening to your gut – if a person or situation makes you feel uncomfortable or afraid, get away as quickly as possible.

I hope these tips have been helpful to you! Most people visit Italy without any issues, but being aware of these scams will save you time, money, and stress! To help you have an amazing time in Italy, check out my blog posts about Italy including detailed itineraries, food guides, practical tips and my personal recommendations.

Ciao for now

Izzie, the Curious Sparrow

Photo credit: Skitter Photo / Pexels