Together with my Milanese husband, I have lived here for several years. We’ve been together for 35 years. Incredible how time flies when you’re having fun!
I thought I’d share a few recommendations on how to stay safe in Milan and answer a question many visitors ask: is Milan safe? It is wise to take care in any big city — but I also want to be clear: I have personally never had any truly scary experiences here. Maybe because I follow the precautions Simone taught me early on.
Milan is a very livable city, and perfectly safe when you take the usual precautions and don’t leave your common sense at home.
I remember clearly, as if it were yesterday, my first impression arriving from a tiny little town in Norway to a metropolis with millions of people. I was very naive and trusting, so Simone had to give me a crash course in city safety: how to behave and think when living in Milan. I’ve tried to condense his lessons here. So here we go.
Simone, born and raised in Milano, gave me his top pieces of advice for staying safe, originally meant for me, his fiancée. I think they are still perfectly valid today, 35 years later.
Safety Tips for Staying Safe in Milan
- Don’t walk home alone after dark — especially if you are a woman. Take a taxi and ask the driver to wait until you are safely inside the building. They are always happy to do this. You can ask in Italian: “Per favore, può aspettare qui finché non sono entrata nel portone?”
- Watch out for pickpockets — especially in crowded places like Milano Centrale station, Piazza del Duomo, and on public transport: metro, buses, trams, and trains. Keep your wallet inside your jacket in a zipped pocket. Hold your handbag tucked under your arm with one hand over the zip in any crowd. We had a friend visiting from New Zealand and even though we had told him about the risk, his wallet was stolen twice in the same week, both times inside Centrale. It can happen to anyone.
- Dress modestly — I know this isn’t politically correct, and yes, you should be able to wear whatever you want. But the truth is, you will be safer and less harassed if you opt for longer skirts and less cleavage. I learned this the hard way. One of the first days after I arrived in Milan I went for a walk in broad daylight wearing a miniskirt I thought nothing of back home in Norway. — every lorry driver and many men on the street felt entitled to make vulgar comments. When I got home, Simone was shocked that I had thought it wise to go out in that outfit and gently explained that what felt perfectly natural back home was simply not a wise choice for
- Leave gold jewellery at home — necklaces and bracelets can easily be snatched. Our daughter Sara had this happen to her in the metro. As the doors opened at a stop, someone tore her necklace off and ran. The chain hurt her neck as it broke. But far worse than the physical pain was the feeling of violation and helplessness that followed.
- Never leave your drink unattended in nightclubs and discotheques — we have heard of people being drugged, not in Milan specifically, but it happens in cities around the world. This is good advice everywhere, honestly.
Tourist Traps
- Avoid restaurants with photos of the dishes on the menu — these places target tourists and rarely offer authentic Milanese food or good value.
- Check Google reviews before eating or drinking near the major sights — bars and restaurants facing the Duomo or other famous landmarks are often overpriced and disappointing. A two-minute check can save you a very expensive, mediocre meal.
Conclusion
So, is Milan safe? In most cases, yes. Milan is a large city, so it helps to stay aware and use common sense. If you stay alert, follow a few simple precautions, and avoid tourist traps, you can explore Milan comfortably.
Our family business, Town Homes Milano, offers both short-term stays in Milan and mid-term living. Both locations are very central — just 800 metres from Milano Centrale station and perfect as your home base for exploring northern Italy. We are looking forward to welcoming you into one of our homes in the heart of Milan.
