European Cities Where You're Most Likely To Get Pickpocketed

Petty theft is lurking in Europe's busiest cities. Recent safety reports from the European Union's Eurostat showed that, in 2023, overall thefts in the EU climbed 4.8%, while burglaries and robberies were up 4.2% and 2.7% respectively. In fact, police across the EU recorded over 5.3 million theft cases in 2023. Countries like Italy, Spain, France, and the Netherlands have all been identified as hotbeds for pickpocketing. All of this is to say, if you're visiting Europe soon, the pick-pocketing numbers aren't great.

However, constantly checking your pockets on vacation can drain the fun. This is why it can be important to know where not to put your money while traveling. At the same time, make sure to stay alert. Pickpockets tend to stick to high-traffic areas like metro stations, train platforms, and ticketed attractions where it is easy to vanish into a crowd. Most thieves aren't simply lucky opportunists, they're organized. This is supported by Europol classifying pick pocketing under organized property crime, alongside motor vehicle theft, ATM attacks, and burglaries. 

According to Info Barcelona, over 100,000 pickpocketing incidents occurred in Barcelona in 2023, which accounted for 48.1% of all crimes that year. One of the hotspots you should be especially mindful of is La Rambla, a 1.2-kilometer pedestrian street that buzzes with street performers, markets, and selfie-hungry crowds. But that very energy also makes it a magnet for petty thieves. Pickpockets also target the areas around the Sagrada Familia, and throughout the narrow alleys of the city's Gothic Quarter. One might nudge you as you pause for a photo or press a crumpled petition into your hand, all to steal your attention. Before you know it, a pickpocket pulls your phone or wallet from your pocket before you even notice. 

La Boqueria Market might look like a feast for the senses, but its packed stalls also make it a prime pickpocketing location. One moment you're sniffing fresh jamón ibérico, and the next, a deft hand slips your wallet from under your elbow. The Green Line (Metro L3), especially at Liceu or Drassanes, can be other hotspots. Over at Barceloneta Beach, sunbathers have learned the hard way that leaving your backpack on the sand can end in tears, and an empty bag. Barcelona's municipal police have even waved a big red flag; thieves love visible valuables. So sling your bag across your body, keep cash and cards in front pockets, and zip up everything. 

According to the U.S Embassy in France, each year in Paris alone, about 2,000 Americans report their passports stolen or lost due to the work of pickpockets. Tourists crowding Métro Line 1and Line 9 – which link major shopping districts are especially vulnerable. The especially high foot traffic makes these trains prime targets. Stations like Châtelet and Gare du Nord, in particular, log dozens of thefts every day. 

Pickpockets in these areas might dump a stain on impending victims, and then offer to help clean up, only to swipe your belongings. Thieves operating in pairs may employ a fake official tactic, in which they approach tourists in some sort of seemingly official uniform, pretending to offer help only to steal a victim's belongings. You can reduce your risk by knowing what things to never keep in your wallet, and avoiding wearing backpacks while walking in crowded areas. 

In 2024, the ancient city of Rome recorded 22.2 million arrivals and 51.4 million total presences, per Rome's Major Events, Sport, Tourism and Fashion Department. However, its crowded landmarks are also a hive for pickpockets. In 2023, nearly 14 out of every 1,000 residents in the Lazio region (which includes Rome) reported being victims of pick pocketing, according to the Italian National Institute of Statistics. The thieves that operate in Italy thrive in the chaos created by tour groups and souvenir stalls, where distractions like street performers or seemingly helpful locals can create openings for quick grabs.  

The Vatican Museums, in particular, have narrow corridors that make them perfect for pickpockets. Also, if you're hopping on Metro Line A from Termini to the Vatican, keep your guard up as it is notorious for pickpockets who use packed cars to commit crimes. The pickpockets that operate within these areas typically work in teams in which one of them distracts a target by using a map or asking questions. While this is ongoing, their partner lifts a victim's wallets from their unzipped bag. In 2022, Money.co.uk noted that Rome (specifically the Trevi Fountain), was one of the top sites around major cities where pickpockets strike most often. Still, you can keep yourself safe by using something like the VADOO anti-theft crossbody bag or even a Seoky Rop sling bag. 

Milan's charm is in its blend of high-end shopping and historic landmarks, which almost disguises the city's persistent pickpocketing issue. According to the Italian National Institute of Statistics, the Lombardy region — home to Milan — saw a rate of over seven pickpocket victims per 1,000 residents in 2023. Thieves exploit the Galleria's luxury boutiques and crowded tram lines, especially areas like Tram 1 to Navigli, where tourists are often juggling shopping bags while taking selfies.  

The rate of pickpocket incidents also tends to spike during busy weekends, and in certain areas like the Brera or Via Montenapoleone design districts where visitors are easily distracted. Pickpockets in the area bump into pedestrians just enough to snatch wallets or cash before slipping away. This happened to a tourist at Duomo Square, as documented in My Travel Note. This is why it is advisable to use slash-proof bags, avoid using your phone while on public transit, and to steer clear of street vendors hawking trinkets. Especially near the Scala Theatre, where this distraction ploy is often used. 

Amsterdam's mix of winding canals and historic landmarks hides a persistent pickpocket threat, especially around the Red Light District and near popular museums like the Anne Frank House and Rijksmuseum. According to De Telegraaf, the police in Amsterdam file, on average, 15 to 20 pickpocket reports a day. In fact, in the first six months of 2023, the police had 6,500 pickpocketing reports, a 40% jump from the same time in 2022.

The Red Light District is especially risky. Its dimly lit alleys and bustling bars offer the perfect cover for quick snatches. Tram line 2, which runs from Centraal Station to the Rijksmuseum — and is filled to bursting during peak hours — also gives thieves an easy crowd to blend into. On Museumplein, visitors cluster around the famous "I Amsterdam" sign, often forgetting to zip their bags as they snap photos.

Thieves in this area often work in teams. They have one member move and blend with the crowd until finding a victim. Then, one individual distracts the victim by asking for directions with a fake map, while an accomplice creates physical contact under the guise of an apology and discreetly removes the victim's wallet. Most bike rental areas and canal cruise queues are also vulnerable spots, as visitors are often focused on directions or tickets, forgetting to guard their properties. To stay safe in Amsterdam, keep your phone in your hand and check your belongings at regular intervals. Pickpockets ultimately need your help to act.