Unfortunately, no one is immune from pickpockets, and sometimes even preliminary training and awareness of this issue do not help protect against criminals. And as you know, such cases are most common in tourist cities. Find out which popular locations in Europe have the highest risk of becoming a victim of a pickpocket and where you should be most cautious

Pickpocketing is a common phenomenon when traveling that no traveler is immune to, especially near popular tourist destinations. 87% of travelers say they take steps to protect themselves and their valuables while on vacation, but the risk of theft remains.

The leading British insurance company Quotezone conducts research every year and compiles a ranking of the places where pickpockets are most often found.

Which of Europe's most popular sights are the most likely targets for pickpockets? Top 10 tourist destinations further.

Trevi Fountain (Rome, Italy)

In general, Italy is recognized as the country where tourists most often become victims of pickpocketing. However, especially attentive travelers should be near the Roman Trevi Fountain, which receives an average of 1,000 tourists per hour. And although according to tradition, travelers annually throw about 100,000 euros into the water of the fountain, the risk of leaving your entire wallet here is also quite high.

Eiffel Tower (Paris, France)

A lot of tourists gather around the attraction every day to take pictures, so there are the best conditions for pickpockets to work here. The traveler should be alert and not leave his belongings unattended.

Las Ramblas (Barcelona, Spain)

Barcelona has had a reputation as the pickpocketing capital of Europe for many years. Therefore, it is not surprising that the most popular Spanish boulevard was included in our anti-rating. Las Ramblas is one of the busiest pedestrian streets in Europe, so tourists can easily become a target for pickpockets.

Brandenburg Gate (Berlin, Germany)

The Brandenburg Gate is a landmark of the 18th century, which is recognized as one of the most popular places in the German capital. Since very often a large number of tourists and local residents gather here, you need to carefully monitor your belongings.

Red Light District (Amsterdam, Netherlands)

The famous Red Light District in Amsterdam is the place where tourists most often become victims of pickpockets in the Netherlands. Given this, even despite its popularity, Amsterdam authorities are considering moving the quarter outside the city limits.

Alfama (Lisbon, Portugal)

Alfama is a historic district in the heart of the capital of Portugal, Lisbon. However, this is also the place where tourists most often become victims of pickpockets. Due to the fact that the streets of the old district are popular among visitors, the largest number of scammers operate here.

Sultanahmet district (İstanbul, Turkey)

The Turkish district of Sultanahmet in Istanbul is a place where tourists are often targeted by pickpockets. It is here that the most popular tourist attractions of the city are located, including the Saint Sophia Cathedral and the Blue Mosque. Given the large number of visitors, this is where pickpockets work.

Acropolis Museum (Athens, Greece)

The Acropolis Museum is one of the most impressive wonders of the world, but given the large number of visitors, tourists often become victims of pickpockets here. Also, the work of fraudsters is facilitated by long queues in which travelers often have to wait.

 Rynek Glowny central square (Krakow, Poland)

Rynek Glowny square in Krakow is the Polish leader in the number of pickpockets. Considering the beauty of the local architecture, it attracts a large number of travelers every day. Rynek Glowny is especially lively in winter, when Christmas markets are held here.

Guinness Storehouse (Dublin, Ireland)

In Ireland, the place where pickpocketing most often occurs is the famous Guinness Museum in Dublin. Considering the high number of visitors, tourists should be extremely careful here.

How to protect yourself from pickpocketing while traveling?

While traveling, you should not lose your vigilance, because experienced fraudsters can wait for gullible tourists even in the safest European cities. So check out our tips to protect yourself while traveling:

- Especially valuable items such as jewelry, large sums of money, etc. are better left in the hotel safe.

- Carry your money, documents and phone in a secure shoulder or belt bag with zippers when you travel.

- Do not leave personal belongings unattended.

- Purchase insurance that covers losses from pickpocketing.

- Check the theft of which items will be covered by the policy, most often it is documents, for example, a passport, rarely the standard policy covers stolen money and phones.

How a tourist can avoid becoming a victim of fraudsters abroad is explained here. The rating of the most dangerous countries in Europe in 2024 by link.

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