Pickpocketing is an unfortunate reality in many of the world’s most popular travel destinations, and Europe is no exception. As tourists prepare for their vacations, experts are warning travelers to be on high alert in some of the continent’s busiest attractions. A study by Quotezone.co.uk, a UK-based travel insurance comparison company, has ranked Europe’s top tourist destinations according to the likelihood of pickpocketing incidents.
Italy tops the list as the most heavily pickpocketed country in Europe, according to the European Pickpocketing Index. This ranking is based on the number of mentions of pickpocketing in online reviews of each country’s top five tourist attractions. Italy, France, and Spain emerged as the top three countries where tourists are most likely to fall victim to pickpockets.
Italy Is The Top Destination for Pickpockets in Europe
According to the study, Italy is the country with the highest proportion of pickpocketing incidents, with 478 mentions for every million British tourists visiting its top attractions. Popular destinations like Rome, Milan, and Florence see the most incidents, making it crucial for visitors to stay vigilant in these cities.
Rome, in particular, was flagged as a hotspot for pickpocketing. The iconic Trevi Fountain, which draws thousands of tourists every day, had the highest number of theft mentions in visitor reviews. The Colosseum and the Pantheon, two of Rome’s most famous landmarks, also ranked high for reported incidents of pickpocketing. Tourists should be especially cautious when navigating through the dense crowds at these sites, as distracted travelers can become easy targets for thieves.
Milan’s Duomo di Milano and Florence’s Gallerie Degli Uffizi were frequently mentioned in online reviews for pickpocketing incidents. These world-renowned cultural sites attract millions of visitors each year, creating ample opportunities for thieves to operate unnoticed. Travelers are advised to keep their belongings secure and avoid carrying valuables like expensive jewelry when visiting these busy locations.
France and Spain Are Other Hotspots
France and Spain also ranked high on the European Pickpocketing Index, coming in second and third, respectively. In France, all five of the top tourist attractions monitored by the study were located in Paris. The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Notre Dame are bustling hubs of activity that attract large crowds, making them prime locations for pickpocketing. The study revealed that there are 251 mentions of pickpocketing per million British tourists visiting France’s top attractions.
Spain’s Las Ramblas in Barcelona is notorious for pickpockets, contributing to its ranking as the third most dangerous country for theft. Like Italy and France, Spain’s top tourist spots are crowded, making it easier for thieves to take advantage of distracted visitors.
On the other end of the spectrum, Ireland ranked as one of the safest countries, with only seven mentions of pickpocketing per million visitors. While tourists may feel more at ease in Ireland, experts recommend that travelers remain cautious no matter where they are in Europe.
