Is Rome safe for a solo traveller?
On the whole, yes. Violence against tourists is rare; what you mostly meet are pickpockets in crowded places (Termini station, metro line A, busy buses, queues at major sites) and the small scams described in our guide to scams to avoid in Rome. On your own you are a slightly easier target: keep your phone and bag in front of you, and don't leave them on a café table.
The European emergency number is 112. Note down your accommodation's address in Italian.
Where to stay when travelling alone
Choose a lively, well-connected area that is pleasant to walk back to in the evening:
- Monti, near the Colosseum: lively lanes, bars and restaurants, see the Monti guide;
- Trastevere: very lively in the evening, but noisy; see the Trastevere guide;
- Prati, near the Vatican: quiet and residential, well linked to the metro;
- around the Pantheon and Piazza Navona: central, ideal for doing everything on foot.
Hostels offer dormitories (some with women-only dorms), kitchens and organised evenings: it is the easiest way to meet other travellers. Small hotels and guesthouses avoid the single-room supplement that can weigh on a budget. Our guide where to stay in Rome details the areas. Avoid booking a room too close to Termini station if you arrive late and don't know the area.
Eating alone
Nobody is surprised that you eat lunch alone: at a bar counter you can have a coffee, a sandwich or a supplì standing up, and in a trattoria you will be given a table without comment. Ask for a seat at the counter or at a small table. The early-evening aperitivo, with a drink and a buffet, is a good way to have dinner in company: see the guide to aperitivo in Rome. Covered markets and food halls, like the Mercato Centrale at Termini, have counters where you can eat without booking. For dishes to try, see what to eat in Rome.
Sightseeing and meeting people
- Small-group guided walking tours, cooking classes and tastings let you talk with other travellers.
- Book timed-entry sites (Colosseum, Vatican Museums) in advance: see tickets to book in Rome, which also spares you the long queues where pickpockets work.
- Parks such as Villa Borghese suit a quiet stroll or a read.
- For getting around, see the guide to transport in Rome.
Travelling alone as a woman: extra tips
Women travellers mostly report insistent stares, remarks or calls in the street rather than real danger. What helps: walk confidently, don't answer, step into a shop if someone persists. In churches and at the Vatican, clothing covering shoulders and knees is required (see dress code in churches). If someone follows you, go into a bar or hotel and ask for help.
In the evening and at night
The centre is lively late in the evening, but empty lanes and the area around Termini station are less pleasant after midnight. Walk back along busy streets, use an official taxi (white, with a meter) or a ride app rather than a driver who approaches you, and share your location with someone you trust. See Rome at night for districts and night transport hours.
Going further
Before you leave, reread the mistakes to avoid in Rome and arrange travel insurance and a copy of your documents on your phone.
