One of the most common questions we get about moving to Sicily is: “Is it safe?”
Sicily has long carried a reputation shaped by decades of Hollywood films that glamorized the Mafia and its grip on the island. Combined with the gritty, rough-edged appearance of cities like Palermo, it’s understandable why some people hesitate when considering a move to the Sicilian capital.
But the reality is quite different.
Palermo, Sicily’s capital, often surprises people with its safety rankings. According to the 2024 Crime Index from Il Sole 24 Ore, Palermo ranks safer than Milan, Rome, and Naples. While no place is crime-free, the most common issues here are petty theft and pickpocketing in crowded areas, no different from other tourist destinations in Europe. Most incidents of pickpocketing and petty theft occur in the busy, crowded areas where tourists tend to gather—prime territory for opportunistic crime. With distractions like Baroque churches, the sound of accordion music echoing through the streets, and medieval palazzos lining the cobblestones, it’s easy for visitors to let their guard down when it comes to personal belongings.
The best way to stay safe is to practice situational awareness: stay alert, keep your phone and wallet in hard-to-reach places, and be mindful of your surroundings, especially late at night (ideally not after one too many Aperol Spritzes). That said, walking home from a restaurant or bar at night is generally safe and uneventful. These are the same tips you’d follow in Paris, Barcelona, or New York.
You may be wondering, “What about the Mafia? Is the Mob a danger to someone visiting or living in Palermo?” According to Nico from WeArePalermo, a trusted local resource for all things related to the city, there’s little reason for concern. “The mafia does exist. It exists in places beyond Sicily as well. Needless to say, and not to sound hypocritical, but they don’t care about you or any of the other citizens of Sicily. They’re busy controlling politics and other larger schemes, so the stories that you hear are purely fiction.”
Palermo is a city of contrasts: magical, wild, historic, beautiful, rough, and rowdy, but not dangerous. Come feel the Mediterranean sunshine, savor a freshly fried arancina stuffed with deliciousness, cool down with an icy lemon granita, and lose yourself in the ancient streets. This is la dolce vita—Sicilian style.
Editor’s Note: Cindy recently explored Palermo for our Hidden Places Initiative, offering an insider’s look at life in Sicily’s vibrant capital. You can read her full report here.
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