A new study has found that some of Europe’s most popular tourist spots are unfortunately accompanied by some of the worst pickpocketing statistics on the continent, reports Euronews.com. According to the study by a travel insurance company, Italy came out on top, with the highest proportion of all countries on the continent, followed by France and Spain.
A new study by British travel insurance company QuoteZone has revealed that many popular European destinations are hotspots for pickpockets. The researchers analyzed the proportion of mentions of pickpocketing in visitor reviews of the top five tourist attractions in each European country.
Italy came out on top, with the highest proportion of all countries on the continent, followed by France and Spain.
Italy’s pickpocketing hotspots are spread across the much-visited country
Although many cities and towns in Italy attract hordes of visitors throughout the year, Rome was considered the most “dangerous”. Overall, QuoteZone found there were 478 mentions of pickpocketing for every million British visitors to Italy’s top tourist attractions.
The Trevi Fountain, emblematic of the capital, came out on top in this country-specific ranking. The architectural masterpiece from the 18th century records an impressive average of 1,000 visitors per hour. Tourists throw around €1,000,000 into its waters each year – but it’s important for visitors to be aware of the crowds as they throw in their change.
Also in Rome, the ancient Colosseum and Pantheon have proven to be hotspots for pickpockets. Outside of the Eternal City, Milan’s Duomo di Milano and Florence’s Gallerie Degli Uffizi were also reported to have the highest volume of stolen personal items in Italy’s online travel reviews.
The worst places in France for pickpocketing are all in its capital.
France is an extremely popular destination for tourists from around the world, with Paris consistently being one of the most visited cities worldwide. Unfortunately, the research found that the city has the second highest number of mentions of pickpocketing in all of Europe, with 251 per million visitors.
All five of the top attractions monitored are in Paris – and the famous Eiffel Tower was, perhaps unsurprisingly, considered the most at risk for theft from tourists. Other places in the French capital where you have to be very vigilant are the Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris and the Musée d’Orsay and Louvre museums.
Paris will be busier than ever this summer as it hosts the 2024 Olympics. If you’re visiting, make sure to be extra careful with your bags and personal belongings in the large crowds around the city.
Spain and Germany are equally bad for pickpocketing. Despite attracting quite different types of tourists, it found that both Spain and Germany each recorded 111 cases of theft per million visitors.
Barcelona is notorious for pickpocketing, so it’s no surprise that Las Ramblas tops the list. One of the busiest pedestrian streets in Europe, Las Ramblas is notorious for its thefts, many of which take place while visitors are watching one of the many street performers there.
Also in Barcelona, the hugely popular Basílica de la Sagrada Familia is a must-see, and outside the city, the Plaza Mayor and Prado National Museum in Madrid are highlights, as well as the unique Alhambra palace in Granada.
In Germany, you need to be vigilant at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. The 18th-century monument is known as one of the city’s most iconic monuments – but the capital is home to four of the areas most affected by pickpocketing.
Berlin’s Reichstag building, the East Side Gallery and the Holocaust Memorial are also potentially dangerous for theft, especially during busy times.
Outside the capital, Munich’s Marienplatz is where you need to make sure you keep an eye on your belongings.
Amsterdam is home to all the most dangerous robbery areas in the Netherlands. Amsterdam’s famous Red Light District is one of the most popular destinations for tourists in the entire Netherlands. It is also where tourists are most likely to be pickpocketed in the country.
Its location in the city center probably plays a role in this situation and could be changed as Amsterdam authorities consider moving the neighborhood out of the busy center.
With 100 mentions of theft per million visitors, other popular attractions to watch out for in the Netherlands are all in its capital. The Anne Frank House, Vondelpark, Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum are all extremely popular – and come with the danger of pickpockets.
Greg Wilson, founder and CEO of Quotezone, says that while it’s unfortunate that so many attractions in Europe are at risk, there are steps you can take to ease the worry.
“It is essential to remain vigilant at all times, leave valuables such as expensive jewelery in a hotel safe and always travel with a secure cross body bag with zips to secure phones and wallets or even a money belt “, he recommends.
“Try never to leave personal belongings unattended as travel insurance companies require travelers to take ‘reasonable care’ and may reject insurance claims for theft if items have been left alone,” adds Wilson. “It’s also important to remember to get a police report for the loss or theft of an item if you’ve been robbed, as this will support your insurance claim.”
