Is Milan safe? Neighborhoods to avoid and where to live

Discover why Quarto Oggiaro, San Siro, Corvetto, and Centrale are areas to avoid in Milan, and explore other general safety tips for living here.

Ellie

8 minute read

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Updated on 20 May 2026

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Living

Milan is a safe city for students and young professionals, but Quarto Oggiaro, San Siro, Corvetto, and some central areas near the station have higher rates of petty crime, worth knowing before you choose a neighborhood. Nonetheless, Milan is still one of the best places to live in Italy. With plenty of work and study opportunities, choosing to move to the Italian fashion capital is a no-brainer. Here is what you need to know for general safety measures.

Key takeaways:

• Milan ranks as one of the safest cities in the world.
• The highest-crime neighborhoods are Quarto Oggiaro, San Siro, and Corvetto, where petty crime and drug-related incidents are most common.
• Central areas, including Stazione Centrale, Chinatown, and Duomo, carry an elevated pickpocketing risk, especially after dark.
• Milan is generally safe at night, though Via Padova, Baggio, and Viale Monza require extra caution.
• Night buses depart the city center every 30 minutes, offering a reliable way to get home safely.

There are 2 data points you want to look at: safety index and crime rate. According to the World Population Review, Milan is one of the safest city in the world, with a safety index of 78.1. The composite safety indices means the city has a very good personal security, digital safety, health infrastructure, and environmental stability. On the flip side of the coin, the city tops the national crime rate ranking despite being a relatively safe city. This crime rate data in Milan counts 7,000 reported offenses per 100,000 residents. But more importantly, knowing the type of crime, who it typically targets, and where it happens will give you more context.

In Milan, theft is by far the most common offense. According to official city data, Milan recorded 87,736 theft cases, compared with 3,367 robberies and 2,083 reported injuries. The Il Sole 24 Ore criminality index confirms that street theft and petty robbery make up the vast majority of Milan's reported offences, However, Milan's homicide rate is very low, at 0.5 deaths per 100,000 people, compared with 4 per 100,000 in New York City. This means the crime you're statistically likely to encounter is someone taking your phone on a crowded metro, not a physical confrontation.

What's more is that 30% of all reported thefts in major Italian cities, including Milan, are targeted at tourists. Once you live in Milan, you are targeted far less frequently, generally because you move with purpose and know your area better.

So Milan is a safe city overall, just some areas in Milan neighborhoods you want to avoid or be more cautious in.

The neighbourhoods with the highest crime levels in Milan are Quarto Oggiaro, San Siro, and Corvetto. These areas have a higher prevalence of drug-related and petty crimes.

Quarto Oggiaro

Quarto Oggiaro lies far northwest of Milan's city center. It's the northern part of this neighbourhood that you should avoid. Especially be careful around the area of Milano Quarto Oggiaro train station, where most of the crime occurs. Although violent crime is uncommon, theft, pickpocketing, and drug use are present in this area.

The Italian government built a lot of social housing in Quarto Oggiaro to accommodate migrants from Southern Italy. However, since the 50s, social housing hasn't been upgraded, and high unemployment rates persist. Nevertheless, there're ongoing initiatives to create employment opportunities and reduce crime.

On the other hand, the southern part of Quarto Oggiaro, towards the Franco Verga public park (Parco Pubblico Franco Verga), is notably safer and closer to the centre of Milan. This area can be a great option if you're looking for affordable accommodation in Milan! Rooms here regularly come in below the city average, and a studio around €1,000 per month. If you study at Politecnico di Milano's Bovisa campus, it's worth knowing the campus sits just one S-Train stop away, making this one of the shortest and cheapest commutes available at that price point.

San Siro

The neighbourhood of San Siro lies to the west of the centre and is where you'll find the San Siro Stadium. Like many European football stadiums, the area can feel unsafe, with alcohol-related crimes occurring on game days.

The stadium is beside Via Harar* road, which divides this neighbourhood in half. North of Via Harar is an affluent area with villas, greenery, and celebrity homes. South of Via Harar is a less developed area with petty crime, concentrated in public transport stations. It's best to avoid walking there alone at night and to be aware of your surroundings.

Like most of Milan, violent crime is scarce in the South of San Siro. Mainly, you'll hear of occasional robberies or scams. Rooms in the southern sector average around €380 to €900 per month, noticeably cheaper than almost anywhere closer to the centre, though the tradeoff is a neighbourhood that locals frequently describe as degradato (run-down).

To help you to budget properly, we have analyzed the cost of living in Milan in our guide so you know what to expect across rent, food, and transport.

Corvetto

Corvetto lies southeast of Milan's centre and is generally a decent neighbourhood to live in. But like other neighbourhoods mentioned, there's some minor crime near the metro station and in the southern part of the district close to Piazzale Gabriele Rosa Park. Petty crimes like pickpocketing occur in this area, so avoid walking alone at night and don't linger around the metro station if possible.

Porta Romana is its neighbor in the south of the centre and is a favourite among Bocconi students and young professionals alike. It's safer and quieter than you'd expect for somewhere so well-located, well-lit at night, and full of good local infrastructure. Expect to pay around €610-€1,080 per month for a room.

If you want a similar vibe with even more going on, Porta Venezia is located just northeast of the center and is another strong option worth comparing.

As with any big city, parts of central Milan can have a higher crime rate. The dangerous areas in the centre of Milan are Central Station (Centrale), Chinatown and Duomo. Central Station and Chinatown are less safe in the evening with drug-related crimes, solicitation and alcohol-related crimes. Avoid walking alone at night to stay safe, especially in isolated streets. If you prefer, there're night buses leaving the center every 30 minutes.

Even though the crime rates during the day are low, all 3 areas are popular spots for pickpockets. Centrale gets noticeably sketchier after midnight, with drug-related activity concentrated north of the station axis. During the day, heavy military and police patrols keep things manageable, but if you're arriving on a late-night train, stay alert and head straight for your onward transport rather than lingering.

If you want to skip the guesswork entirely, Città Studi, Brera, Porta Romana, and Bicocca are the most practical and safe options for international students and young professionals settling in Milan.

Città Studi is the most student-centric spot in the city. Home to Politecnico di Milano's main Leonardo campus and Università degli Studi di Milano, the whole area runs on student life. Libraries, affordable bars, copy shops, and a lively but calm street energy make it a genuinely comfortable place to settle. Rooms average around €170 to €990 per month, which is higher in the outer areas but reflects just how in-demand it is.

Brera is one of Milan's most beautiful neighborhoods and as safe as it looks. It's central, walkable, with police presence, and constant people passing by. The trade-off is price: rooms here average around €630-€985 per month. Porta Romana and Bicocca are the more affordable, quieter residential neighborhoods, but almost entirely free of the petty crime like in central or tourist-heavy areas. The rooms range from €200 to €1,080 per month.

But selecting the right neighbourhood can be a challenge when deciding where to live in Milan. That's why we have compiled the best neighborhoods in Milan for you, taking into account the pros and cons of each.

Generally, Milan is safe at night. With that in mind, there are certain areas where you should exercise more caution, like Via Padova, Baggio, and Viale Monza. You can rely on Milan's public transport to get around the city at night, so you don't have to worry about getting home when you're enjoying Milan's exciting nightlife.

To stay safe in Milan, it's essential to be vigilant while using public transport and around stations in the city centre. Because of the high foot traffic, pickpockets get away quickly, and you won't even realize they're robbing you.

Here're 7 tips for staying safe while you kickstart your new life in Milan:

1. Get to know your neighbours. People who have lived in your neighborhood for a while will tell you the truth about the area and what parts to avoid. You'll also have a dependable person close by in an emergency. If you can't meet your neighbors, check out your neighborhood's Facebook group.
2. Search homes for rent in Milan via a reliable and safe platform, and you'll easily avoid rental scams.
3. Buy an Italian SIM card. You'll always have data and a signal, should you need to contact someone in an emergency.
4. Be mindful of your home; have you locked the windows and doors? Many robberies occur because a door or window was left unlocked.
5. Familiarise yourself with your tenant rights and ensure you understand your rental contract completely before signing.
6. Avoid lingering in or around stations. Most crimes occur near public transportation stations.
7. Learn about the usual scams so you know when to avoid them. If you're being offered something for "free", given a "fixed rate" for a taxi, or asked to make a donation, you might be getting scammed.

Emergency numbers to save before you arrive in Milan

You should know what numbers to call in case of an emergency.

In Milan, there're a few numbers to call:

• 112 (free service) for all emergencies
• 113 for the police
• 118 for medical emergencies
• 115 for the fire brigade

Sure, Milan has some crime, like any big and popular city. However, there's no need to fear living in any part of the city as none are too dangerous to avoid altogether. These areas are often more affordable and have a worse reputation than the reality of living there. It's always good to be safe, but don't let fear stop you from living the dream in Milan.

Is Milan dangerous compared to other European cities?

Milan is one of Italy's safest cities and compares favorably to other major European capitals. Most crimes are non-violent, such as theft, fraud, and pickpocketing, rather than serious or violent offenses.

Is Milan safe for solo female travellers?

Multiple travelers who've spent time in the city consistently describe it as one of the more comfortable European cities for women traveling and living alone. Despite petty theft in crowded tourist spots and the need for a bit more caution after dark, violent crime targeting women is rare. Also, Milan's night buses run every 30 minutes from the center, which makes getting back without a solo walk through quieter streets straightforward.

Is Stazione Centrale safe at night?

The area around Stazione Centrale carries a higher risk after dark, with drug-related activity and solicitation reported in the vicinity. Avoid walking alone on isolated streets nearby and use the night bus service, which departs every 30 minutes from the city center.

Is Milan safe for international students?

Milan is a practical and generally safe city for international students. Petty crime, particularly pickpocketing near metro stations and tourist-heavy areas, is the main risk. Staying on well-lit streets, using reliable housing platforms, and getting to know your neighborhood significantly reduces that risk.

What are the most common scams in Milan?

The most common scams target people near transport hubs and tourist areas. Watch out for unsolicited "free" gifts, unofficial taxi flat rates, and strangers offering help at ATMs or ticket machines. These are the most frequently reported schemes affecting newcomers.

Is it safe to use public transport in Milan at night?

Milan's public transport is generally reliable and safe at night. Night buses operate every 30 minutes from the center, making it a practical alternative to walking through less familiar areas after dark.