Pickpocketing can only be considered a little theftbut it can potentially ruin any traveler's vacation.
Although travelers may lose a little extra cash, thieves can also make off with more important items like passports or expensive jewelry.
By now, most people are aware of pickpocketing: 87% of tourists believe they need to take steps to protect their valuables during their trip, according to a March 2024 company survey UK-based travel insurance company. Quote area.
Unfortunately, remaining vigilant isn't always easy when visiting popular – and busy – tourist destinations and getting caught up in the excitement of travel.
“European cities are renowned and popular tourist destinations for tourism, with the recent increase in holidaymakers expected to continue throughout 2024, unfortunately this also makes them one of the dangerous areas for pickpocketing ” said Tiffany Mealiff, travel insurance expert at Quotezone, in a statement. .
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As people prepare for their big summer trips, Quotezone has revealed the European destinations with the worst pickpocketing in its recently released European Pickpocketing Index. Researchers analyzed the number of mentions of “pickpocketing” or “theft” on travel review sites for major European destinations compared to the number of visitors to that country. They also looked at the destination's most popular tourist sites, like the Pantheon and the Duomo di Milano Colosseum in Italy, to identify the worst pickpocketing areas.
Mealiff recommends travelers invest in anti-theft accessories like money belts or shoulder bags. Valuables, such as electronics, expensive jewelry, and important documents, should be left in the hotel safe when someone is traveling. If a traveler is the victim of pickpocketing, go directly to the police station to file a police report.
Read below to see the European countries with the most mentions of pickpocketing per million visitors in April 2024, and the tourist hotspots with the most mentions of pickpocketing.
10. Ireland – 7 mentions, worst neighborhood: Guinness Storehouse
9. Poland – 18 mentions, worst neighborhood: Central Rynek Glowny Square in Krakow
8. Greece – 19 mentions, worst district: Acropolis Museum
7. Türkiye – 21 mentions, worst area: Sultanahmet District
6. Portugal – 58 mentions, worst area: Alfama
5. Netherlands – 100 mentions, worst neighborhood: Red Light District
4. Germany – 111 mentions, worst district: Brandenburg Gate
3. Spain – 111 mentions, worst neighborhood: Las Ramblas
2. France – 251 mentions, worst neighborhood: Eiffel Tower
1. Italy – 478 mentions, worst district: Trevi Fountain
Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at kwong@usatoday.com.
