No advisory against travel
“This travel advice also covers Vatican City. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe.”
Updated 2026-10-07T11:59:55Z
Full advisory →Personalize report nowTailor this report to you.Next: age, gender, group size preference…Next: the latest news and insightsNext: one click, 5 seconds, no costStart now7 districts
Is Catania safe? 🇮🇹
Italy · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Catania scores 71/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Catania is a city with moderate safety concerns for visitors, primarily related to petty crime and environmental hazards. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (moderate risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Catania 🇮🇹
Italy · Assessed 13 October 2026
71
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime63/100FairCrime index 48.9 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment55/100FairMixed
Advisories75Good
Stability77Good
Health84Good
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 2026-09-29T04:08:45.526643-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Mugging & robbery risk
Moderate risk
62
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
High risk
58
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
45 / 100 (Mixed)
45
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
312k residents
80
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
0.6 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Italy0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
98
Robbery / mugging
ModerateWhile violent crime is not a major concern, mugging and robbery risk exists, particularly in less-trafficked areas or at night.
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing and bag-snatching are common in busy tourist spots, markets, and on public transport.
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed
55/100
Reported feel45Mixed
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
Numbeo data indicates a mixed sentiment, with residents and visitors expressing moderate concern about crime and safety, particularly when walking alone at night.
Catania is a city with moderate safety concerns for visitors, primarily related to petty crime and environmental hazards.
While Catania has a low homicide rate and generally good air quality, visitors should be aware of opportunistic crime, particularly pickpocketing in crowded areas. Volcanic activity from Mount Etna can disrupt travel, and protests can occur.
Recent developments
- Oct 2026Mount Etna eruption led to the lifting of a UK travel warning for Italy.— Türkiye Today
- Jul 2026Mount Etna erupted, causing flight cancellations at Catania Airport and stranding tourists.— Facebook
- Aug 2026An American tourist died from lightning strike on Mount Etna.— The Weather Channel
- Jun 2025The Guardian described Catania as a city undergoing reinvention after being previously crime-ridden.— The Guardian
Common scams
- Distraction theft, where a perpetrator bumps into you or spills something on you to create an opportunity to steal your belongings.
- Overcharging by taxi drivers or at tourist-oriented establishments.
Full briefing
Catania presents a mixed safety profile for travelers. While official data indicates a low homicide rate and good air quality, local sentiment and recent incidents highlight areas of concern. The Government of Canada advises exercising a high degree of caution, and the UK Foreign Office notes that no travel can be guaranteed safe.
Opportunistic crime, particularly pickpocketing and bag-snatching, is a significant risk in crowded areas like markets and on public transport. Visitors should remain vigilant and keep valuables secure. While violent crime is less prevalent, muggings can occur, especially in less-trafficked areas or after dark. Be aware of your surroundings and avoid walking alone in poorly lit or deserted locations.
Environmental factors also pose a risk. Mount Etna is an active volcano, and its eruptions, as reported in July and September 2026, can cause significant disruptions, including flight cancellations at Catania Airport. Travelers should monitor local advisories and airport updates. Additionally, October can bring strong winds and heavy rain, with a flood alert noted in Italy, though not directly in Catania. Petty scams, such as distraction theft, are also reported.
Was this Catania, Italy report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 7 Catania districts for visitors: 1 safer, 5 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Catania safety map.
LibrinoavoidThis district has been historically associated with higher crime rates and social issues; visitors are advised to avoid it.
Centro Storico (Historic Center)cautionHigh tourist traffic makes it prone to pickpocketing; exercise vigilance, especially around markets and crowded areas.
Piazza DuomocautionA central hub, busy with tourists and locals, increasing the risk of petty theft and pickpocketing.
San CristoforocautionKnown for its vibrant street life but can have higher instances of petty crime; be aware of surroundings, especially at night.
PicanellocautionA residential area that can experience opportunistic crime; maintain awareness of your surroundings.
San GiorgiocautionA more peripheral district; while generally safe, it's advisable to be more cautious, particularly after dark.
Ognina-Aci CastellosaferGenerally considered a safer, more affluent coastal area, though standard precautions against petty theft are still advised.
07 · After Dark
Is Catania safe at night?
76% of people in Italy say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).
While violent crime is not a major concern, mugging and robbery risk exists, particularly in less-trafficked areas or at night.
After dark, be most careful around Librino, Centro Storico (Historic Center), Piazza Duomo, San Cristoforo. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Catania safety FAQ (2026)
Is Catania safe right now (2026)?
Catania is a city with moderate safety concerns for visitors, primarily related to petty crime and environmental hazards. While Catania has a low homicide rate and generally good air quality, visitors should be aware of opportunistic crime, particularly pickpocketing in crowded areas. Volcanic activity from Mount Etna can disrupt travel, and protests can occur. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Is Catania safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Catania report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Catania should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Librino as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Catania (2026)?
- Distraction theft, where a perpetrator bumps into you or spills something on you to create an opportunity to steal your belongings.
- Overcharging by taxi drivers or at tourist-oriented establishments.
How does Catania compare with other places in Italy (2026)?
Catania ranks #9 of 9 Italy destinations we've assessed, scoring 71/100. See the Italy safety overview for the full list.
How is this catania safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 14+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
More Italy reports
6 reports
Nearby destinations
4 reports
Similar safety profile
4 reports
Keep exploring
Raw data: catania.json (CC BY 4.0).