Safest Neighbourhoods in Rome (and Areas to Avoid)
Termini — the central hot zone
- Roma Termini: Italy's busiest railway station; Line A and Line B interchange; FS regional rail; the airport bus stops. ~150 million passengers per year.
- The pickpocket density: the highest concentration in the network. Both Line A and Line B platforms; the interchange tunnels between them; the bus terminal exits.
- Polfer (railway police): permanent presence at Termini; uniformed and plainclothes. Response time fast for incidents; pickpocket recovery rate low.
- The surrounding plaza (Piazza dei Cinquecento): visible street-scene (homeless, drug-using populations) immediately outside the station; tense atmosphere in some corners after dark; not particularly dangerous but uncomfortable.
- The Via Marsala and Via Giolitti exits: the more chaotic exits; use the central Piazza dei Cinquecento exit toward the bus terminal.
- The hotels around Termini: many tourists stay around Termini for the rail access. The blocks immediately around the station are noisy and less polished; safe in absolute terms but not the Rome-tourist-fantasy environment.
FAQ
- How do I avoid pickpockets on the Rome Metro?
- Front-pocket phone; cross-body bag with zipper toward your body, not outward; wallet in front pocket; no valuables in backpack outer pockets; hold the bag during platform crush and at door-closing moments; recognise the distraction pattern (woman with sign/baby in front, partner behind). The pickpocket teams hunt the visibly-tourist; looking confident and walking with purpose reduces selection.
Live Rome safety score (updates daily) →