🛡️Safety Guide Florence

Always keep bags and wallets secure and close to your body, especially in crowded areas like the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi Gallery queues, and the San Lorenzo Market. Pickpocketing is common.

On ATAF buses and the Tramvia, keep your belongings in sight and secure. Pickpockets often target distracted passengers during boarding or alighting, particularly on busy lines.

While admiring masterpieces, remain conscious of your surroundings. Distraction tactics are common near major attractions and at outdoor café tables. Avoid leaving phones or wallets unattended.

Exercise caution in less-lit or quiet areas of the Oltrarno, beyond the main thoroughfares, and Cascine Park after sunset. Stick to well-trafficked, illuminated streets.

Florentine drivers can be assertive. Always use marked crosswalks ("strisce pedonali") and make eye contact with drivers before stepping into the road, even if you have the right of way.

Avoid walking with your phone out and visible, especially near busy streets or while waiting for public transport. Snatch thefts from motorini are rare but can occur.

Ensure all doors (including shared building entrances) and windows are properly locked, especially if your apartment is on a lower floor. Use all available locks, even when home.

If out in bars, particularly in areas frequented by students like Santo Spirito or Sant'Ambrogio, never leave your drink unattended. Always buy your own beverages.

If a situation feels uncomfortable or suspicious, remove yourself. Your intuition is a powerful safety tool, especially when navigating unfamiliar places.

Knowing phrases like "Aiuto!" (Help!), "Lasciami in pace!" (Leave me alone!), or "Dove sono i Carabinieri?" (Where are the police?) can be crucial in an emergency.

Near Ponte Vecchio or the Duomo, people may try to tie a "free" bracelet on you or offer a rose. Once on, they demand payment aggressively. Firmly decline and walk away.

Individuals, often near major attractions, might approach you with clipboards asking for signatures for a "charity" or "petition." This is usually a distraction for pickpocketing or to demand money.

Someone might "find" a gold ring near you and ask if it's yours. When you say no, they offer it to you, then demand money for their "kindness." It's a common trick.

Always ensure the taxi meter is on and visible at the start of your journey. If not, ask. Unofficial taxis or those without meters might charge inflated rates, especially to newcomers.

Before using an ATM, especially in less secure locations, check for any unusual attachments on the card slot or keypad. Use ATMs inside banks during opening hours if possible.

At train stations like Santa Maria Novella, individuals might offer to help with your bags, then demand excessive payment. Politely decline and handle your own luggage.

A person might intentionally bump into you, causing their camera or phone to "fall" and "break." They'll then demand compensation for the damage they caused themselves.

Only engage with licensed tour guides (they wear official badges). Avoid individuals offering "cheap" tours on the street, as they might be unregulated or lead to scams.

In bustling markets like San Lorenzo or Sant'Ambrogio, always count your change carefully, especially when paying with larger denominations. Mistakes, intentional or not, can happen.

Anything offered for "free" in high-tourist areas, be it a flower, a small souvenir, or a piece of art, almost always comes with an expectation of payment or is a distraction.

Dial 112 for all emergencies (Carabinieri, Police, Fire, Ambulance). This is the integrated European emergency number and works throughout Italy.

For non-urgent matters, theft reports (e.g., after pickpocketing), or lost items, contact the Polizia di Stato by dialing 113.

For serious medical emergencies requiring an ambulance, you can also directly call 118, although 112 is the primary number for all services now.

Look for the green cross sign. Pharmacists (farmacisti) can offer advice for minor ailments and non-prescription medications. They can also direct you to an emergency doctor.

For non-urgent medical issues when your regular doctor is unavailable (nights, weekends, holidays), seek out a "Guardia Medica." Locations vary; search online or ask at a pharmacy.

If you're an EU citizen, ensure you have your EHIC for access to state-provided healthcare on the same terms as Italian citizens. This is crucial for emergencies.

Non-EU residents should secure comprehensive private health insurance. Familiarize yourself with your policy's emergency contact numbers and coverage details before arrival.

Know the location of major hospitals like Ospedale di Santa Maria Nuova or Ospedale Careggi. In a true emergency, an ambulance will take you to the nearest appropriate facility.

Always have copies (physical and digital) of your passport, visa, EHIC or insurance details, and emergency contacts separate from the originals.

If staying long-term, register with the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN) at the ASL Toscana Centro. This grants access to Italy's public healthcare system and a family doctor.

Learn phrases describing symptoms or needs, like "Ho mal di testa" (I have a headache) or "Mi sono fatto male" (I hurt myself). It helps speed up care.

Always lock your apartment door with all available bolts, even if you are just stepping out for a moment. Florence's older buildings sometimes have less secure doors.

Don't buzz people into your building unless you are expecting them. Always ask who it is through the 'citofono' (intercom) before granting access to strangers.

While Florence is generally safe, areas like Novoli (especially late at night, near the university) or parts of Rifredi can be less bustling than the historic center. Choose wisely.

Only rent through reputable agents or platforms. Understand your "Contratto transitorio" or "Contratto per studenti universitari" and ensure it's registered to avoid scams.

If returning home late, especially if your apartment is on a quiet street in areas like San Niccolò, share your location with a friend or family member for peace of mind.

If you notice anything unusual or feel unsafe in your building or neighborhood, report it to the Carabinieri (112) or Polizia di Stato (113). They appreciate vigilance.

Familiarize yourself with your building's fire escape routes and the location of fire extinguishers. Older buildings may have less modern safety infrastructure.

Keep valuable items out of sight from windows, especially if your apartment is on a ground floor. This reduces the temptation for opportunistic theft.

If your apartment door lacks a peephole, consider asking your landlord to install one. It allows you to identify visitors before opening the door.

Getting to know your neighbors can create a safer living environment, as they can look out for your apartment and offer local advice.