Florence, Italy
Santa Maria Novella is convenient if you're arriving by train. The immediate station area is rough with pickpockets, but the residential section toward the basilica is quieter and safer.
Santa Maria Novella has two different feels. Right around the train station, it's grim - heavy foot traffic, noise, pickpockets working all day. Keep your stuff secured. A few blocks away toward the church and river, it becomes a quiet residential area with restaurants, cafes, and the Dominican Basilica. That part feels safer and family-friendly with less chaos. The neighborhood makes sense if you're arriving by train and want to be central. English is spoken near the station and at hotels. Mercato Centrale has a traditional food market on the ground floor and a fancier food court upstairs. The area isn't as charming as Oltrarno, but it's convenient once you get away from the station. Solo dining works at the cafes and trattorias around the neighborhood.
Daytime Safety
GoodNight Walking Safety
GoodHarassment Risk
ModeratePublic Transport Safety
GoodPickpocketing Risk
HighScam Risk
ModeratePolice Visibility
GoodEmergency Services
ExcellentEvening Venues
GoodSolo Dining
GoodDrug Activity
ModerateHomelessness Visibility
ModerateGetting By in English
Excellent"Convenient for the train but the station area felt sketchy at night"
"Much better a few blocks away toward the basilica"
"Watch your belongings constantly near the station"
"Accommodations were decent value but not much charm"
"Central location without being in the thick of tourist crowds"
Areas with comparable safety profiles for solo female travelers
Santa Croce has the basilica, artisan workshops, and a local market. Good mix of tourist sights and neighborhood life, with police presence and well-lit streets.
San Giovanni has the Duomo and major museums. Crowded and touristy with high pickpocket risk, but heavy police presence. You'll sightsee here but probably want to eat in other neighborhoods.
San Frediano mixes residential streets with bars and restaurants that lean more local than touristy. Good cocktail bars and safe streets at night, though less English spoken than central areas.
Help other women stay safe in Santa Maria Novella
Neighborhood conditions can change. Check recent news, ask locals or your accommodation about current safety, especially for nighttime plans.