No advisory against travel
“This travel advice also covers Vatican City. Wildfires in Italy There is a high risk of wildfires during the summer in Italy as temperatures continue to soar.”
Updated 2026-07-14T09:26:30Z
Full advisory →Is Bologna safe? 🇮🇹
Italy · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Bologna scores 84/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes — Bologna is safe for visitors, though pickpocketing and occasional protests demand vigilance. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Bologna 🇮🇹
Italy · Assessed 29 July 2026
84
/ 100
Yes — generally safe
Safer than ~91% of countries
What drives this score
Crime85/100GoodCrime index 48.8 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment84/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories72Good
Stability75Good
Health85Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for Italy: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-07-13T14:53:10.4800879-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Homicide rate
0.6 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Italy0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
98
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging and armed robbery are rare for tourists; incidents are isolated to peripheral districts after dark.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing is common near Bologna Centrale, Piazza XX Settembre and busy bus routes during peak summer hours.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
Drought
Drought is on going in Albania, Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Belarus, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Spain, France, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Montenegro, The Republic of North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Russia, Sweden, Slovakia, San Marino, Ukraine, , · ~400 km away
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
84/100
Reported feel78Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Travelers report feeling generally safe walking during daylight; night‑time confidence drops slightly in less‑touristed neighborhoods.
Yes — Bologna is safe for visitors, though pickpocketing and occasional protests demand vigilance.
Bologna scores 84/100 on composite safety, with low homicide and violent crime rates, solid infrastructure, and strong health capacity. Recent protests over a police‑custody death have sparked unrest in the city centre, but these events remain localized and do not target tourists. Visitors should stay alert in crowded spots and on public transport.
Recent developments
- Jul 2026Police clash with protesters after a man died during arrest attempt; demonstrations spread across Bologna— Reuters
- Jul 2026Outcry over death of Moroccan man in police custody leads to nightly protests in city centre— The Guardian
- Jun 2026National rail security alert affecting Bologna Centrale station; heightened police presence— Brussels Morning Newspaper
- Jun 2026Ground‑handling staff walkout at major Italian airports, causing flight delays but not affecting ground safety— Travel Tourister
Common scams
- Friendship‑bracelet pickpocket scam
- Taxi overcharge / fake‑meter scam
- Street‑vendor counterfeit‑goods scheme
Full briefing
Safety Briefing
Bologna is one of Italy’s safest large cities, with a composite safety index of 84 / 100 and homicide rates comparable to Japan and Switzerland. The city’s violent‑crime score is high (85 / 100) and the overall risk of mugging or armed robbery against visitors is low; such incidents are typically confined to peripheral districts after dark and are rarely directed at tourists.
The most salient current threat is a series of protests that erupted in July 2026 following the death of a Moroccan man while in police custody. Demonstrations have taken place in the historic centre, especially around Piazza Maggiore and the vicinity of Bologna Centrale, and have occasionally escalated into clashes with law enforcement. While these protests are politically motivated and not aimed at travelers, they can create crowded, unpredictable environments. The dossier notes a separate rail‑security alert in June 2026 that increased police visibility at the main train hub, a normal response to heightened alert levels.
Pickpocketing remains the primary concern for visitors. Recent travel guides consistently flag Bologna Centrale, the bustling Via Indipendenza corridor, and the popular Piazza XX Settembre area as hotspots, especially during the peak summer tourist season. Scams include the “friendship‑bracelet” distraction technique, overcharging taxi drivers who use fake meters, and street‑vendor schemes selling counterfeit goods. Travelers are advised to keep bags zipped and front‑facing, use licensed taxis or reputable rideshare apps, and store valuables in hidden pouches.
Overall, visitors feel safe walking during daylight, with a consumer‑sentiment score of 78 / 100 indicating mostly positive experiences. Night‑time confidence is a bit lower in less‑touristed neighborhoods, but the historic centre remains well‑lit and heavily patrolled. By staying alert in crowded spaces, avoiding poorly lit peripheral districts after dark, and following the practical tips above, travelers can enjoy Bologna’s rich culture, cuisine, and academic atmosphere with minimal safety concerns.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 5 Bologna districts for visitors: 1 safer, 3 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Bologna safety map.
Saragozzaavoidreported gang activity and recent violent protests
Centro Storicocautionsafe by day but pickpocket hotspot after dark
Bologninacautiongenerally safe but occasional night‑time disturbances
Borgo Panigalecautionhigher petty‑theft rates near industrial zones
Portico di San Vitalesaferwell‑lit, police‑patrolled, low crime
07 · After Dark
Is Bologna safe at night?
76% of people in Italy say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).
Mugging and armed robbery are rare for tourists; incidents are isolated to peripheral districts after dark.
After dark, be most careful around Saragozza, Centro Storico, Bolognina, Borgo Panigale. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Score by traveller type
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Bologna's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight84
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight84
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight84
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight84
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight84
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight84
09 · Questions
Bologna safety FAQ
Is Bologna safe for tourists right now?
Yes — Bologna is safe for visitors, though pickpocketing and occasional protests demand vigilance. Bologna scores 84/100 on composite safety, with low homicide and violent crime rates, solid infrastructure, and strong health capacity. Recent protests over a police‑custody death have sparked unrest in the city centre, but these events remain localized and do not target tourists. Visitors should stay alert in crowded spots and on public transport. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Which areas of Bologna should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Saragozza as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Bologna?
- Friendship‑bracelet pickpocket scam
- Taxi overcharge / fake‑meter scam
- Street‑vendor counterfeit‑goods scheme
How does Bologna compare with other places in Italy?
Bologna ranks #6 of 9 Italy destinations we've assessed, scoring 84/100. See the Italy safety overview for the full list.
How is this Bologna safety score calculated?
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
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4 reportsBrowse the Italy safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: bologna.json (CC BY 4.0).