A new study has unfortunately revealed that some of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations are also closely associated with the continent’s worst pickpocket statistics.
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As you’re about to jet off for your summer vacation, it’s important to remember that, unfortunately, not everyone you meet while traveling is going to be a nice person.
A new study by UK-based travel insurance company QuoteZone has revealed that many popular European destinations are hotspots for pickpockets.
The researchers looked at the frequency of pickpocket mentions in traveller reviews of the top five tourist destinations in European countries.
Italy topped the list with the highest rate across the continent, followed by France and Spain.
Here we will explain what you should pay special attention to and how to stay safe.
Italy’s pickpocket hot spots are scattered throughout the tourist-heavy country.
While many cities and towns across Italy attract large numbers of tourists throughout the year, Rome has been found to be the city with the most pickpockets.
Overall, QuoteZone found that there were 478 mentions of pickpockets for every one million British tourists visiting Italy’s top tourist destinations.
The capital’s iconic Trevi Fountain topped the country ranking: an 18th century architectural masterpiece, it attracts an average of 1,000 visitors per hour.
Tourists throw around 1 million euros into the waters every year, but it’s important to be mindful of the crowds when tossing your coins.
And in Rome, the ancient Colosseum and the Pantheon were found to be particular hotspots for pickpocketing. Outside of the Eternal City, Milan’s Duomo and Florence’s Uffizi Gallery were also reported as the most common locations for stolen personal belongings by online travel reviewers in Italy.
The most pickpocket-prone places in France are all in the capital
France is a hugely popular travel destination for tourists from all over the world, and Paris consistently remains one of the most visited cities in the world.
Sadly, studies show the city experiences 251 pickpocket attacks per million visitors, the second highest rate in all of Europe.
The top five tourist attractions monitored were all located in Paris, with the world-famous Eiffel Tower, perhaps unsurprisingly, found to be at highest risk of tourist theft.
Places of particular concern in the French capital include the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral, the Musée d’Orsay and the Louvre.
Paris is expected to be busier than ever this summer due to the 2024 Olympic Games, so if you’re visiting, be sure to take extra care with your bags and belongings when in the city’s crowds.
Spain and Germany have equally bad pickpockets
Spain and Germany were found to each have 111 theft incidents per million tourists, despite attracting very different types of tourists.
Barcelona is notorious for pickpockets, so it’s no surprise that La Rambla tops the list.
Las Ramblas, one of Europe’s busiest pedestrian streets, is notorious for thefts, many of which occur while tourists are watching the street performers that flock there.
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Also in Barcelona, the hugely popular Sagrada Familia church is a must-see, while outside the city, popular attractions include Madrid’s Plaza Mayor and Prado Museum, and Granada’s unique Alhambra palace.
The most popular pickpocket spot in Germany is Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate. The 18th century monument is known as one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, but there are four areas in the capital that are most prone to pickpocketing.
Berlin’s Reichstag building, East Side Gallery, and the Holocaust Memorial are also at risk of theft, especially at busy times.
Outside of the capital, Munich’s Marienplatz is a place where you need to be very careful with your belongings.
Amsterdam is the most pickpocketed place in the Netherlands
Amsterdam’s famous Red Light District is one of the most popular destinations for tourists in all of the Netherlands – and it’s also the place in the country where tourists are most likely to become victims of pickpockets.
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Its location in the city center is likely a contributing factor, and this may change as Amsterdam authorities consider relocating the area out of the downtown area.
In the Netherlands, where a reported 100 out of every 1 million visitors are robbed, other popular tourist spots that need vigilance are all in the capital.
The Anne Frank House, Vondelpark, Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum are all hugely popular but come with the risk of pickpockets.
Quotezone founder and CEO Greg Wilson said it’s unfortunate that many of Europe’s tourist attractions pose a risk, but there are steps that can be taken to alleviate concerns.
“It’s important to remain vigilant at all times, store valuables such as expensive jewelry in your hotel safe and always travel with a secure, zippered cross-body bag to hold your phone, wallet and money belt,” he advises.
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“Travel insurers ask travellers to take ‘due care’ and you should never leave your belongings unattended as this could result in your theft claim being rejected,” Wilson adds. “It’s also important that if you are pickpocketed, you remember to obtain a police report of any lost or stolen belongings, as this will support your insurance claim.”
