Is Rome safe? Areas to avoid in Rome as a student and young professional

Discover Rome neighborhoods to avoid, learn common scams and pickpocket hotspots, and get practical safety tips and housing recommendations for students and young professionals.

Ellie

11 minute read

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Updated on 25 May 2026

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Living

Rome is safe to live in, but 4 neighborhoods like Esquilino, San Basilio, Corviale, and Tor Bella Monaca, as well as some areas in the central part, have higher crime rates. Are you moving to Rome to work or study at a university? So to be extra safe, here're some parts of the city to avoid, why, and what you should do.

Key Takeaways

• Rome ranked 30th safest city globally, and the vast majority of crime is petty theft rather than violent crime.
• The 4 neighborhoods to reconsider for long-term stays are Esquilino, San Basilio, Corviale, and Tor Bella Monaca.
• For students, Esquilino is cheap and central, but it gets sketchier the closer you are to Termini station.
• Corviale and Tor Bella Monaca is far from the city centre with poor transport links.
• Pickpocket hotspots in the central areas of Rome are Vittorio Square, Tiburtina Station, and Ostiense Station.
• Browsing verified listings on a trusted platform means you can filter by neighborhood and sidestep rental scams.

When searching for a new home, learning which neighborhoods to avoid is essential. The most crime-ridden neighborhoods in Rome are Esquilino, San Basilio, Corviale, and Tor Bella Monaca. Looking at the map, the first thing you notice is that these 4 areas aren't clustered together. They're spread across very different parts of the city, so each poses different risks.

Esquilino is right in the center, immediately east of Termini station. It's the only one of the four you might end up in by accident when living in Rome, simply because it's central, has the best access to public transportation in Rome, and looks affordable on paper. The other three are all peripheral. San Basilio is in the northeast, a quiet residential area about 17 minutes from Termini by Metro B. Corviale is out in the southwest, with that famous 1km concrete block and farmland on one side. Tor Bella Monaca is on the far eastern edge of the city, past the ring road, closer to Tor Vergata. Corviale, San Basilio, and Tor Bella Monaca are places you'd only end up in if you specifically searched for cheap housing there. If those neighborhoods work for you, nonetheless, identify which streets to treat with more caution and which alternative areas are available nearby.

You can read our guide to cost of living in Rome and see if you can go cheap on rents or your lifestyle.

1. Esquilino

Esquilino is close to the city center and the Termini Train Station. Its central location and large immigrant population are 2 reasons why Esquilino is a popular place to settle.

However, Esquilino's central location also makes it ideal for pickpockets, scammers, and thieves. Many Romans believe this area has the highest crime rate in Rome due to the high level of petty theft. Termini Train Station, in particular, is a hotspot for petty crime. It's wise to be cautious around the station and to avoid the back of the station, particularly at night__.

There are also plenty of knock-off designer products sold in this area. If you're caught buying knock-off designer goods, you and the seller may be fined.

Better alternative: Monti is Esquilino's immediate neighbour and a significant upgrade in terms of feel, safety, and livability. It's walkable, well-lit at night, and has a genuine village-in-the-city character. Rents in Monti are cheaper, around €500–€850, compared to rents in Esquilino at €600-€1,300. For students who need the same Metro A access without direct contact to the sketchy station, Monti is a good alternative.

2. San Basilio

A little further from the center lies San Basilio. This district is quiet compared to other parts of the city and boasts beautiful street art, unique shops, and plenty of bars and cafés. This suburb also has lots of nature and is close to farmland.

Because of its distance from the center, there aren't many tourists in this area. So there are fewer petty crimes like pickpocketing or theft. However, drug-related crimes and prostitution are common in this area, making it generally uneasy to walk around at night. It is also not very student-friendly because there are few affordable supermarkets, lively bars, cheap cafes, study spots, and places to hang out with friends.

Better alternative: Nomentano is on the same Metro B line. Renting in Nomentano costs around €400–€1,270, and gives you a walkable neighborhood with cafes, supermarkets, and a strong international community.

3. Corviale

Corviale is best known for the 1 km-long residential building (one of the world's longest). Although it was built in the 1970s to accommodate Rome's growing population, it's now home to many squatters. Petty theft, pickpocketing and drug use are very prevalent in this area. Although there have been plans for "urban regeneration" for Corviale for a few years, it remains one of Rome's more unsafe parts.

Luckily, Corviale is quite distant from the centre and doesn't offer much housing. So avoiding this area will be very easy.

The transport situation is also not ideal. The only realistic link to Termini is the hourly N98 bus, which takes 36 to 40 minutes each way. Although it's a striking place to visit once for its beautiful agricultural farmland, it's not somewhere you would want to start your Roman life.

Better alternative: Corviale is technically part of the wider Portuense district, but as you move closer to the city center along Via Portuense, the neighborhood is safer, quiet and as plenty of local bars, supermarkets, and cafes. Rooms here are around €430-€1,250. Trastevere is also a good alternative for students and young professionals, thanks to its international atmosphere and transport links. Rooms here are around €600-€865.

4. Tor Bella Monaca

Similar to Corviale, Tor Bella Monaca has several abandoned apartment buildings. Squatters usually occupy these buildings, and petty crimes, drug use and prostitution are widespread in this area. However, initiatives have begun to reduce crime, increase employment, and make the area feel safe. Locals of Tor Bella Monaca say the area has a wonderful community. But for now, it's not a friendly neighborhood for students and young professionals.

Tor Bella Monaca is avoidable as it sits outside the city centre and isn't well connected to public transport. The only scenario where it might make sense is if you're enrolled at Tor Vergata University on the eastern periphery. Even then, the irregular street layout, dark alleyways, and open drug activity around the social housing towers make it tough to live here. Most students who look into it once tend to look elsewhere quickly.

Better alternative: Pigneto has rents that are still budget-friendly for students, around €600-€770, is on the Metro C line, and is a safer neighborhood than Tor Bella Monaca.

Even if you don't live in the center, knowing what areas to be more careful in will protect you from petty crimes.

The more dangerous parts of central Rome are Vittorio Square, Tiburtina Station, and Ostiense Station. These parts are a pickpocket favorite because of the amount of foot traffic.

The rate of pickpocketing in Rome increases during the Summer and autumn seasons as tourists visit the city.

At night, be cautious in or avoid isolated streets and empty public transport stations. Although there's plenty of surveillance and police in central Rome, being careful never hurts!

Better alternative: Ostiense is the main corridor for Roma Tre students, with rooms near both stations starting from around €470 to €1,190 per month. The caution is specifically to the station environments themselves, particularly late at night, rather than to the broader residential streets. You will find a considerably calmer environment once you're a few blocks away. Aside from Ostiense, the residential streets towards Nomentano or Pigneto are also a lot calmer to live in.

Two neighborhoods you might have heard of when searching for homes for rent in Rome are San Lorenzo and Monti. Although they are generally safe to live in, they have a reputation to be sketchy and rough around the edges.

San Lorenzo is Rome's main student neighborhood, home to La Sapienza. By day, it's welcoming, creative, and full of cheap trattorie and street murals. At night, though, street drug dealers operate openly around Piazza dell'Immacolata and the Mercato di San Lorenzo, alcohol abuse is prevalent, and the area gets loud fast on weekends. They are increased police patrols and stricter bar restrictions. It's not dangerous like Corviale, but it's loud, gritty after midnight, and not what most people picture when they imagine student life in Rome.

Monti, on the other hand, is safe and most desirable neighborhoods in central Rome. But there is a reputation about it, especially since it is right next to Termini Station (which can get sketchy at night) and its historic, narrow alleys feature a lot of graffiti.

Want to dig deeper into where to live in Rome? The Rome neighborhood guide covers all neighborhoods for students and young professionals.

With a safety index of 76.4, Rome was considered the 30th safest city in the world to live in. Rome is also one of the best places to live in Italy.

While particular areas have a negative reputation, the risk of violent crimes is very low. The majority of crime in Rome is petty crime, such as pickpocketing, scams, or theft. According to Il Sole 24 Ore's Crime Index, of the 6,401 recorded crimes, theft accounted for 44% of the total complaints. Even at night, Rome's a hub of social activity, and night buses get you home safely after you enjoy Rome's nightlife.

Safest neighborhoods in Rome for students and expats

These areas consistently rank among the best for a balance of safety, transport access, and daily livability for international students and young professionals.

Prati is clean, orderly, and residential, sitting close to the Vatican with easy access across the city. Low drama, calm at night, and a natural fit if you value comfort over buzz.

Testaccio is a tight-knit, working-class neighborhood where people have lived for generations. Residents know each other, look out for one another, and keep the area safe.

Ostiense offers a 1920s garden-city style with a tight community feel. It's the go-to option for Roma Tre students who want campus proximity without the grit of station-adjacent areas.

Piazza Bologna / Nomentano is one of the top picks for La Sapienza students over San Basilio. It has an active student community, strong Metro B connectivity, and affordable rent prices.

Pigneto has a bohemian, street-art character with strong Metro C links. It's student-friendly and creative without the after-midnight chaos.

Trastevere is one of Rome’s most vibrant, beautiful, and popular neighborhoods, especially for young professionals and international students at John Cabot University. Even late into the night, it is safe as the streets are filled with families, students, and diners. It also has one of the most convenient airport connections in Rome.

Whichever neighborhood you're leaning towards, be careful of rental scams in Rome since the city is popular to both local and internationals.

Rental scams are among the most common risks of relocating to Rome, and they often target new arrivals due to unfamiliarity and the pressure to secure housing before a semester starts.

The most common version is when a property is advertised at a suspiciously low rent. If you can't visit in person or do a video call walkthrough before paying anything, that's a hard stop. Another frequent one is the lease-switch, where the contract you receive differs from what was verbally agreed upon. Always read the full contract and cross-check it against your tenant rights in Italy.

Areas with higher tourist turnover, like Esquilino and the streets immediately around Termini, also have a higher concentration of informal subletting arrangements that bypass standard tenancy protections entirely. These aren't always scams, but they leave you with very little recourse if something goes wrong.

The most straightforward way to avoid all of this is to search on a platform with verified listings. On HousingAnywhere, you don't pay until you've confirmed your booking, and your money isn't released to the landlord until after you've moved in.

Most crimes in Rome are easily avoidable. Here are some tips to avoid pickpockets and stay safe as a new resident.

1. Introduce yourself to the locals. They'll tell you the truth about the neighborhood, and you'll also make some friendly neighbors! If that's not possible, check Facebook groups, online threads, or even Google Maps satellite view.
2. Search your homes in Rome via a safe rental platform, like HousingAnywhere. This will help you avoid rental scams.
3. Read the rental contract carefully and look for unfair terms. Check if you can also register your address in Rome and familiarise yourself with your tenant rights.
4. Get an Italian SIM card and memorise the emergency numbers. This way, you'll always have data and a signal should you need help.
5. Don't linger in stations, as most crimes occur in and around public transport stations.
6. Keep your doors and windows locked. This is an obvious tip, but many thefts occur because a window or opening is left slightly ajar. Consider getting insurance for extra peace of mind.
7. Learn to blend in to avoid being scammed by the typical Roman scammers. When you're out and about in Rome, there are a few common scams. If you're offered anything "free", stopped to make a charity donation, or in a taxi with a "fixed rate", you're probably being scammed.

Emergency numbers

It's valuable to know which numbers to call in an emergency.

• 112 (free service) for all emergencies
• 113 for the police
• 118 for health emergencies
• 115 for the fire brigade
• 06 57 0600 for emergency medical services

The potential benefits that life in Rome offers far outweigh the potential negatives. Don't let your fears hold you back from living the Italian life. Especially now that you know which neighborhoods to avoid and how to be safe while living in Rome!

Is Rome safe for tourists and expats?

Yes. Rome is a safe city overall, with a safety index of 64 and ranked the 29th safest city globally by the Economist in 2021. The vast majority of crime is petty theft, pickpocketing, and scams rather than violent crime, and the risk rises and falls significantly depending on which neighborhood you're in and what time of day it is.

What are the most dangerous areas in Rome?

The neighborhoods with the worst safety reputations among long-term residents are Esquilino (especially near Termini station), Corviale, San Basilio, and Tor Bella Monaca. These areas are associated with petty crime, open drug use, and in some cases, prostitution. All four are manageable to avoid when you're searching for a place to rent.

Is it safe to walk around Rome at night?

Generally, yes, particularly in central areas with plenty of foot traffic and police presence. The main rule is to stick to busy streets and avoid isolated stretches around major transit stations, such as Termini, Tiburtina, and Ostiense, after dark. Night buses run across the city and are a reliable way to get home without having to cut through quieter areas on foot.

Is Esquilino in Rome safe?

Esquilino is liveable but requires more caution than most central neighborhoods. Safety varies block by block: the risk increases significantly the closer you are to Termini station, particularly around the back of the station at night. The residential streets further from the station are calmer and used by a large local population every day.

Is the Termini station area safe?

Termini itself is a major transit hub with visible police and surveillance, but it's also the highest-traffic pickpocket environment in Rome. The practical advice is to stay alert, keep valuables in a front-facing bag, and avoid lingering near the station exits late at night. Walking through it during the day is fine; staying in the area after midnight with visible luggage is where caution pays off.

Is Rome safe for solo female travelers and renters?

Rome is generally safe for women living or traveling solo. The main concerns are catcalling and aggressive panhandling around transit stations at night, rather than serious physical threats. Avoiding isolated streets after dark, staying alert on busy, pickpocket-prone lines like the 64 bus, and booking licensed taxis via apps like FreeNow or Bolt keep risk very low.

Where can I find safe, verified accommodation in Rome?

HousingAnywhere lists verified rentals across Rome's safest and most student-friendly neighbourhoods. All listings go through a verification process before going live, and the platform holds payments in escrow until you've moved in, which protects you from the most common rental scams targeting new arrivals.