Is Sicily safe in 2024? Crime, Mafia, Tourist Scams and Travel Safety Tips For Travellers and Expats

⚠️ Sicily is generally a safe place, but like any destination, there are things to know and to watch out for to ensure your holiday won't be spoiled or ruined. In this video we will help you discover what crime is really like in Sicily, give you a few safety tips and list common scams, so you can recognise them and avoid them!

00:00 - Is Sicily Safe?
00:28 - Crime and Mafia
01:18 - Violent Crime
01:48 - Safety Tips
01:54 - Car / Bike Theft
02:11 - Pickpocket Hotspots
02:44 - Beach Safety
03:16 - Train Stations
03:40 - Mafia Encounters
04:30 - Common Scams
04:49 - Taxi Scams
05:29 - Mirror Scam
05:53 - Accommodation Scam
06:16 - Neighbourhoods to avoid
06:45 - Small Streets
07:10 - Common Sense
07:38 - Best Food in Sicily

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Credits and attribution:

Music: Jimena Contrera, Incompetech

Stay safe by JP

[CherylToth-xp]

I travelled solo all over Sicily as a elderly woman. Felt safe always although streetsmart and careful at night. It's a great place

[Pincopalin]

I’m British and love Sicilia. Visited many times and can confirm everything you said is true. …and that food to die for!..

[EtneoMappingAnimation]

As a Sicilian, I thank you very much for this video.
Sicily has gained a bad name due to events now in the past, as you said the mafia has nothing to do with tourists but has influence in more lucrative businesses (drugs, prostitution, public procurement etc.) and for violent crimes or pickpockets we are much safer than other common tourist destinations.
(un)fortunately Sicily is a bad place only for residents but not for tourists.

[jerrylane]

Hi, thank you, this is the first time someone is talking about Sicily in the right way . I love Sicily and Palermo, I have been there several times and every time i discover something new and beautiful, of course, there is some criticism regarding safety but is the same you can find in other part of the planet . Is NY more safe than Palermo ? I don't think so . Use your common sense and you'll be safe and happy with art, colture, food, people and everything else .

[otam]

Safer than the rest of world trust me.

[arlindstublla]

Me and my family visit every summer Siracusa and I must say I have never met such friendly people...they even go above and beyond to assist my disabled brother! And I almost never felt "insecure" or threatned, really amazing place

[DihggyDuhggy]

Just came back from a 4 week road trip in Sicily.
Such a Wonderful place.
Never felt uneasy. From Palermo to Syracuse to Salemi . Big and Small towns a like were just fantastic

[edoardobarsotti]

I visit Sicily three times per year for family reasons. Here are the most dangerous things in terms of personal safety: 1- driving (they disregard basic rules and common sense, especially in Palermo and Catania); 2- crossing the road even on the crosswalk (see point 1); 3- start a diet (it's impossible). As for the rest, nobody will harm you.

[arturos]

Really brilliant video. Easy to watch, smooth, informative. Thanks 😊 Made me want to visit Sicily again

[sarc]

I work there regularly and stay in Catania. I've never had a one lick of trouble, except on the job and engaging w/local labor. Half your materials will disappear, so plan to spend 1.5X ANY estimate or quote.

[luceinbattaglia]

Greetings and appreciation from Taormina Sicily. I always think my town is the only place all over the world where you can leave your kids on the main street and be sure nobody will touch or do anything bad to them!

[lotharfrohnapfel]

Thanks for the tips delivered with humor 😊

[antoniotorcoli]

Scams and thefts are present of course. But violent crimes are rare in Sicily and Italy in general. Homicide rate in Italy is 0, 5, one of the lowest in the World.

[jeswaner]

Well it's not like I just found my dream home there, and have been looking at all the ways I can move to Sicily... this was perfect time- See you soon! 🤣

[cobbe.l]

The rear view mirror scam happened to me TWICE - one year and then again the next on the highway between Syracusa and Catania. I did not stop but I took my phone and pretended to call someone. I also have a dashcam and when they saw the two, they took off at high speed. They did do quite a bit of damage to my van when they threw something at it to make me believe I hit their wing mirror. This year they even had a young child standing between the two front seats.

[terronator]

It's just as safe and unsafe as the rest of the world. Mafia exists in sicily, mafia exists in Italy, mafia exists all over world, just named differently.
Pickpocket exists also in Milan, maybe more over there.
I'm Sicilian.

[anne]

Been living in Sicily for a few decades now and find it to be very safe!!

[ΚΩΣΤΑΣΚΟΥΡΤΕΣΗΣ]

❤ ΚΑΛΗΣΠΕΡΑ ΣΤΗΝ ΣΙΚΕΛΙΑ ΑΠΟ ΑΘΗΝΑ, ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΤΗΑΝΚS A LOT !!! BUONA SERRA. ❤

[vincentkrause]

My first Time in Palermo, my classmate got robbed in the bus...

[arianmagyar]

As a DBZ fan I really appreciate the shirt. Great video!