San Marco

Venice, Italy

Overall Safety
Good
3.6 / 5
Based on 12 Safety Metrics

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Summary

The tourist center with the famous landmarks, heavy police presence, tourist crowds, and high prices. You'll come here for sightseeing but probably eat and stay elsewhere. Pickpocketing is the main concern.

Tourist centerFamous landmarksExpensiveHeavy policeInternational tourists
Details

This is where all the tourists are. St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace, the famous piazza with cafés that charge €15 for cappuccino. Tour groups everywhere during the day, heavy police presence. Everyone speaks English because tourism is the business here. Pickpockets work the crowded piazza, vaporetto stops, and shopping streets like the Mercerie - keep your phone and wallet secure. Streets are well-lit at night and emergency services are nearby. It feels safe but sterile. Small restaurants off the main piazza work for eating alone, though prices are high everywhere. The historic cafés like Florian and Quadri seat solo diners, but you'll pay €30+ for coffee and a pastry.

Safety Ratings

Daytime Safety

Excellent

Night Walking Safety

Good

Harassment Risk

Low

Public Transport Safety

Good

Pickpocketing Risk

High

Scam Risk

Moderate

Police Visibility

Excellent

Emergency Services

Excellent

Evening Venues

Good

Solo Dining

Good

Drug Activity

Low

Homelessness Visibility

Low

Getting By in English

Excellent
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Recommended Places

Cafes

  • Caffè Florian
  • Gran Caffè Quadri
  • Caffè Lavena

Restaurants

  • Osteria alle Testiere
  • Trattoria da Fiore
  • Bacaro da Lele

Bars

  • Harry's Bar
  • Caffè Centrale

Other Spots

  • St. Mark's Basilica
  • Doge's Palace
  • Bridge of Sighs
Impressions & Tips

"Safe but had to watch my bag constantly"

"Pickpockets work the piazza and vaporetto stops"

"Expensive but has the famous sights"

"Didn't feel unsafe but felt like a tourist trap"

"Ate here a few times but prices are better elsewhere"

Similar Neighborhoods in Venice

Areas with comparable safety profiles for solo female travelers

Cannaregio

4.0
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Night Walking SafetyGood
Daytime SafetyExcellent
Harassment RiskLow
Transport SafetyGood
Local feelJewish Ghetto historyEvening bars and restaurants+2

Near the train station with the Jewish Ghetto, canal-side bars and restaurants, and more local atmosphere than San Marco. Cheaper prices. Strada Nova is the pickpocketing zone, but side streets are safe.

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San Polo

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Night Walking SafetyGood
Daytime SafetyExcellent
Harassment RiskLow
Transport SafetyGood
Market districtWine bar sceneCrowded during day+2

The market district and bar crawl area. Best place for cicchetti and wine bar culture. Very touristy around the Rialto Bridge with pickpocketing issues during busy hours, but safe overall.

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Santa Croce

4.0
Venice, Italy
Night Walking SafetyGood
Daytime SafetyExcellent
Harassment RiskLow
Transport SafetyGood
Fewest touristsTransport hubResidential+2

The transport hub area with local residential pockets. Cheaper and quieter than tourist zones but you'll need to travel to other areas for sights and nightlife. Good for budget stays near buses and parking.

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Safety Reminder

Neighborhood conditions can change. Check recent news, ask locals or your accommodation about current safety, especially for nighttime plans.

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