Pickpocketing is a serious issue in some places. While elaborate scamming or other types of petty theft can be a safety concern for travelers, a majority of stealing happens in close range and quickly. This is rumored to be especially true in Europe, which is a hot spot for tourists. Its thriving tourism industry regularly brings in a fresh batch of unsuspecting visitors so it is no surprise that pickpocketing is on travelers’ radars as they plan their travel abroad.

European tourist pickpocketing has become a major problem, which has led to travelers pinpointing safe European countries and non-safe ones. There is even a more recent study in which people are giving their input on the situation. With insight from recurring travelers to Europe and locals, potential travelers can use this information to help plan or reconsider their travel to Europe. Check out the places to be mindful of while in Europe with the worst pickpocketing. 

What Places Have the Worst Pickpocketing in Europe?

Learn about the places with the worst levels of pickpocketing in Europe. pictured: an area of Poland with a bustling crowd
Photo credit: freestocks

The European Pickpocketing Index, a study by UK insurance price comparison platform Quotezone, reveals the rankings for pickpocketing across the continent. The results were determined with visitor reviews of popular attractions. Based on traveler review sites, Quotezone calculated the number of mentions of some words. Mentions of words like “stolen” or “pickpocketing” were the focus of the analysis. This was compared to the number of visitors and where the most popular tourist spots were in the area. 

Logically, places with high numbers of visitors ranked the highest for pickpocketing in Europe. Visitors naturally want to avoid petty crime, but the threat is nearly everywhere many travelers go. Luckily, there are ways to avoid theft abroad like cross-body bags and anti-theft money belts. Travelers should seriously consider the rankings while not allowing them to put a damper on their travel plans. 

As of April 2024, Italy had the highest number of mentions of pickpocketing. Here are the country rankings and related famous sites with the worst pickpocketing: 

  1. Italy: Trevi Fountain 
  2. France: Eiffel Tower
  3. Spain: Las Ramblas 
  4. Germany: Brandenburg Gate 
  5. Netherlands: Red Light District 
  6. Portugal: Alfama 
  7. Turkey: Sultanahmet District 
  8. Greece: Acropolis Museum 
  9. Poland: Krakow’s Rynek Glowny Central Square
  10. Ireland: Guinness Storehouse
Europe, safety, travel safety