Is Sicily safe in 2024? Crime, Mafia, Tourist Scams and Travel Safety Tips For Travellers and Expats
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- Опубликовано: 12 авг 2024
- Sicily is generally a safe place, but like any destination, there are things to know and to watch out for to ensure your holiday won't be spoiled or ruined. In this video we will help you discover what crime is really like in Sicily, give you a few safety tips and list common scams, so you can recognise them and avoid them!
00:00 - Is Sicily Safe?
00:28 - Crime and Mafia
01:18 - Violent Crime
01:48 - Safety Tips
01:54 - Car / Bike Theft
02:11 - Pickpocket Hotspots
02:44 - Beach Safety
03:16 - Train Stations
03:40 - Mafia Encounters
04:30 - Common Scams
04:49 - Taxi Scams
05:29 - Mirror Scam
05:53 - Accommodation Scam
06:16 - Neighbourhoods to avoid
06:45 - Small Streets
07:10 - Common Sense
07:38 - Best Food in Sicily
👉 Our Channel: / @davandj
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Credits and attribution:
Fish Market: / @szubinski Szubinski
Kalsa: / @vitoenadia OnOneLifeTrip
Music: Jimena Contrera, Incompetech
Stay safe by JP
Dangerous for your Diet: We tried THE BEST Ice Cream in Sicily: ruclips.net/video/ymtiug1Bx4M/видео.html
I’m British and love Sicilia. Visited many times and can confirm everything you said is true. …and that food to die for!..
Aaaaw Thanks!!!!
Safer than the rest of world trust me.
It's quite safe compared to a lot of places, true!
compared to Denmark and Norway? ofc Sweden doesnt count
@@FrederikEngelmand Yes why not?!. There are no frequent suicides and high-level assassinations must be commissioned. In northern Europe anyone can kill and therefore the murder rate is higher than in Sicily... In Sicily they only have a bad name for what happened in the 80s and 90s. Today it is just a bad and distant memory. The real problem in Sicily is precariousness and ignorance
The only UNsafe parts of Europe are those countries with migrants from Africa, middle Asia, South Asia and another part of Asia called Middle East. Children are continuously abducted and raped in Austria, Germany. The rape rate in Scandinavia has increased by 200% thanks to those cultural enrichers. And of course, numerous animal rapes by the same enrichers, you can easily find proof and footage of online.
@@5otam854 “In Northern Europe anyone can kill” what do you mean?
Hi, thank you , this is the first time someone is talking about Sicily in the right way . I love Sicily and Palermo , I have been there several times and every time i discover something new and beautiful , of course , there is some criticism regarding safety but is the same you can find in other part of the planet . Is NY more safe than Palermo ? I don't think so . Use your common sense and you'll be safe and happy with art, colture, food , people and everything else .
So happy to read comments like these! ❣️ This beautiful island tends to get a worse reputation than it deserves because of old stereotypes, glad to know you visited and loved it here! 🤗🤗
I travelled solo all over Sicily as a elderly woman. Felt safe always although streetsmart and careful at night. It's a great place
Yep it's just about having common sense and being street smart!
As a Sicilian, I thank you very much for this video.
Sicily has gained a bad name due to events now in the past, as you said the mafia has nothing to do with tourists but has influence in more lucrative businesses (drugs, prostitution, public procurement etc.) and for violent crimes or pickpockets we are much safer than other common tourist destinations.
(un)fortunately Sicily is a bad place only for residents but not for tourists.
This perfectly sums things up! Thanks a lot for your comment!!!
Just back last week from Catania I didn't think it was a unsafe people were friendly and helpful and looking mostly likeable
Glad you felt this way, Catania is a gorgeous city, we're about to make a video about it!
I was there, loved it, but resisting the food isn't easy.
What if I want to move there? Should I have a concern about mafia?
Me and my family visit every summer Siracusa and I must say I have never met such friendly people...they even go above and beyond to assist my disabled brother! And I almost never felt "insecure" or threatned, really amazing place
Siracusa is wonderful and people in Sicily are generally very good hearted
Just came back from a 4 week road trip in Sicily.
Such a Wonderful place.
Never felt uneasy. From Palermo to Syracuse to Salemi . Big and Small towns a like were just fantastic
Glad you loved this beautiful island! ☀️🍧
I visit Sicily three times per year for family reasons. Here are the most dangerous things in terms of personal safety: 1- driving (they disregard basic rules and common sense, especially in Palermo and Catania); 2- crossing the road even on the crosswalk (see point 1); 3- start a diet (it's impossible). As for the rest, nobody will harm you.
Number 3 is the ultimate challenge. If you can diet here you're superhuman
Really brilliant video. Easy to watch, smooth, informative. Thanks 😊 Made me want to visit Sicily again
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!!
Thanks for the tips delivered with humor 😊
Thank YOU for watching, glad you enjoyed it and found it useful! :)
Thanks for information ❤
Thank you for the comment, I'm glad you found it helpful :))) 🤗🤗
Well done Davide, I’ve watched with this pleasure!
Aaaw thank you brother, I hope you're doing great! 🫶🏻🫶🏻
Really excellent, subscribed
Thank you!! Very happy you found it helpful! ✌🏻✌🏻 Welcome aboard
Thank you!
Thank you! For the comment glad you found it useful 🤗
As a DBZ fan I really appreciate the shirt. Great video!
Nappa never died. He stole Son Goku's t shirt and started a YT channel 😂😂
Great tips.
Thanks a lot for watching, Glad you found it helpful!
I work there regularly and stay in Catania. I've never had a one lick of trouble, except on the job and engaging w/local labor. Half your materials will disappear, so plan to spend 1.5X ANY estimate or quote.
And never pay builders by the hour, unless you wanna pay them for coffee, chatting, eating and chilling 😂😂😂
Greetings and appreciation from Taormina Sicily. I always think my town is the only place all over the world where you can leave your kids on the main street and be sure nobody will touch or do anything bad to them!
We were there recently! We released a long video on Taormina, the most beautiful place in Sicily, you're so lucky being from there!
The rear view mirror scam happened to me TWICE - one year and then again the next on the highway between Syracusa and Catania. I did not stop but I took my phone and pretended to call someone. I also have a dashcam and when they saw the two, they took off at high speed. They did do quite a bit of damage to my van when they threw something at it to make me believe I hit their wing mirror. This year they even had a young child standing between the two front seats.
OMG that's crazy, these crooks! I hope they get caught and stop pulling these scams!!
Well it's not like I just found my dream home there, and have been looking at all the ways I can move to Sicily... this was perfect time- See you soon! 🤣
Aaaw congrats and good luck with the move 🤩🤩
Scams and thefts are present of course. But violent crimes are rare in Sicily and Italy in general. Homicide rate in Italy is 0,5, one of the lowest in the World.
Yep that's what we explain in the video, Sicily is VERY SAFE indeed 💯💯
Good advice
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for your comment!!
My first Time in Palermo, my classmate got robbed in the bus...
Yes always watch out for pickpockets wherever you travel!
Sicilia e the best ! I need to buy a flat there, but firstly need to find out on which part of the island - east or west. Need more trips there and increase Italian language.
It's A wonderful place! East and West are very different, more trips to get the vibe and see how you feel is a great idea!
Been living in Sicily for a few decades now and find it to be very safe!!
It is safe indeed!! 🙂🙂
@@davandj the photo on your thumbnail was it taken in Cefalù? I think I recognise the man with the beard!!
@@anne4083 Not sure, we got it from Umsplash
It's just as safe and unsafe as the rest of the world. Mafia exists in sicily, mafia exists in Italy, mafia exists all over world, just named differently.
Pickpocket exists also in Milan, maybe more over there.
I'm Sicilian.
Exactly! That's what it says in the video, Pickpocket in Rome, Milan, Barcelona and other places is wayyyy worse
I used to go to Bagheria in the province of Palermo during the early 80s. It was rough guys were getting whacked daily. It was scary but only for the ones involved. Sicily is a magical place and ancient. It's got so much to offer. Just now, people are realizing the beauty of the Island
Totally spot on!
Sei di origini Bagheresi?
@@cosedisiciliaaudiolibrimit1607 Sì. Mio nonno vive ancora a Bagheria. La famiglia di mio padre vive lì. La famiglia di mia madre vive a Casteldaccia
Dont leave things that can be stolen inside the car… not only in sicily… anywhere in general!
Very important!
I was there in March! Loved it!! Just me. I walked ALL over Palermo (I mean all over) never once felt unsafe. Some parts especially late at night “felt” shady… but never did I feel in danger or in a bad situation. I got a great taste of the city pretty well… I seeked out the local neighborhoods and hangouts, I wanted to be more than just a tourist. In 9 days I walked over 100 miles (no joke). I love that city!
Can’t wait to get back!
The people there are so beautiful and kind! ❤
OVER A HUNDRED MILES IN 9 DAYS??? 😲😲😲 WOAH. Sounds like you really experienced the place in the best way and not like most tourist! I wish people always had that attitude when visiting places! Thanks for that and for the comment 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 seeing comments like these makes us really happy!
@@davandj yeah, I purposely set out to do that… I wanted to walk walk walk… my goal was 7 miles a day, I went over that a bit.
Monreale was a great comune also, walked from the center to the cemetery and back… lol
I had nothing else to do but explore. It’s was pretty cool.
Couldn’t find any family up there though. That would have been the best! 🙂
I think you know Palermo and Monrrale better than me and many other Sicilians at this point. I've been like twice and remember very little 🙈
@@davandj hahahaha I wouldn't say that but I'd love to go back and be apart of it all some more for sure!
❤ ΚΑΛΗΣΠΕΡΑ ΣΤΗΝ ΣΙΚΕΛΙΑ ΑΠΟ ΑΘΗΝΑ , ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ..... ΤΗΑΝΚS A LOT !!! BUONA SERRA. ❤
Magna Graecia & Graecia ❤❤
Bravo, sono catanese e il tuo è un ottimo video 👍🏻
Grazie Mbare!! :)))
@@davandj marca Liotro? ;))
@@jetpoet di adozione!
@@davandj ottimo ;)
I’ve been to Sicily 3 times. Always very safe. Petty crime you can find anywhere, not just Sicily. But I wonder if I bought a vacation home in Sicily would I have to deal with mafia? “We will protect the house while you are gone”.
Sadly several brick and mortar shops especially in Palermo and Catania, still pay the "pizzo" (protection) but I'm not sure if vacation rentals would have that problem, so I can't give you any accurate info about that. Might depend on the Neighbourhood. Outside of Catania and Palermo, in other quieter provinces like Siracusa or Ragusa I'm pretty confident you wouldn't have to worry about it at all.
If you buy a home in Sicily nobody will ever ask you for "pizzo" that is the extortion that unfortunately Mafia still takes, but only only to certain businesses in some places in Sicily.
I felt safer in Sicily than I do in the USA.
Understandable! Thanks for the comment and glad you enjoyed your stay here ❤️
Yes it’s safe. I live near Palermo and unlike most American cities, I’ve never felt threatened here. Although there are a couple of neighborhoods that I avoid at night, even riding my motorcycle.
Yep a lot changes between neighbourhoods sometimes even from street to street! In our Catania video we picked the right place but wrong street but eventually everything was fine.
@@davandj I was just in Catania 3 weeks ago. It seemed to me that there were a couple of shaky neighborhoods not far from the city center. But still, it didn’t feel as dangerous as the neighborhoods in Brooklyn that I’ve live in. 😂
Haha on our Catania video you'll see we ended up staying in San Cristoforo ☠️☠️ but it wasn't that bad, just feels dodgy
Do you have any recommendations on how to learn Sicilian? My family is native to Palermo, but my grandmother won’t teach me.
Wow that's a very interesting question!
Like most dialects is learnt orally from relatives, another way could be learning Italian and then Sicilian, many words are similar and there are more resources to learn Sicilian in Italian. But that would taken 2x the time cause you'll need to learn 2 languages.
A resource I found that teaches Sicilian in English and seems to have good reviews is the "Learn Sicilian: Comprehensive, Interactive course" by Gaetano Cipolla. It's a book + Audio course. I Hope this helps and thanks for watching and the comment! Very good question
Also consider Sicilian variants inside Sicily, although there is officially a Sicilian language (or dialect), every major city has its variants with words not used or not existing in other parts of the region 🙂
@@alkemystica Absolutely! Sometimes the same word would mean the opposite thing just 50km away.
@@davandj Thanks for the video!
@@alkemystica thanks for the useful tip in the comment, glad you liked the video!
Great information: I ain't goin to Sicily!
Why not? It's very safe and beautiful!
i am going to Sicily in 1 month with my wife and the kids ... We are so happy and i just want to know if it's best to park the rental car outside the big city and go by walk or i'ts safe to get in and find a parking? I heard there is some kind of signs that we have to look out for to not take a big parking tiket ?
Great question! We made a dedicated driving in Sicily video on our channel. Depends on which big city and what are your plans? You can deffo find parking whether it's paid or not depends on the color of the stripes on the floor (blue=paid, white=free) if u are in Palermo or Catania for a couple of days and staying in the centre you could also rent the car after before heading grout of town as you won't need it as much in the cities (and it's a mess to drive there!)
I rent the car for all my trip in Sicily ,for 12 days, so when i will get to Catania or Palermo what is the best option for me ? I rent a house in Aci Castello and one in Trabia ...
You can find paid parking garages in all major cities. Definitely safe,convenient and stress free, it won't cost you a fortune either.
@@user-wx6vz2vn3y perfect tanks a lot !
What parking you suggest for visiting Palermo center ?
Having been there, I warn anyone considering a visit: the food is irresistible. Don't even try.
Haha very important warning!!!
Much safer than that “refugee” camp, which is London.
Hi there! I lived in London for many years , I found it to be a wonderful place and the mix of culture in my opinion enriches it! I Lived in a Indian majority neighborhood in south London and never felt unsafe.
very safe compared to Yemen
As a Londoner, a lot of these just second nature.
Also, bold of you to assume I don't want anything to do with drug dealers... 😂
Oh I know a Londoner loves a good sesh. Source: been a Londoner for many years myself ;)
People have to use common sense anywhere. It's not like in the states where you got drive by and stuff.
Totally!!! Thanks for the comment 🤗🤗🤗
I am from Palermo
Fra poco visiteremo! Hai qualche consiglio soprattutto sul mangiare???
@@davandj Unfortunately there is too much to try... there is really a lot of street food and it is the place where you eat best in Sicily. Some typical dishes are: Pane con la Milza, Sfincione (Palermo o Bagheria), Arancine (alla carne o al burro), Ice-cream with Brioche, Mangia e bevi, panelle e crocchè, cannolo, there is also a lot of meat and fish.
It is obvious that you must absolutely avoid tourist places with menus in English and references to Sicily.
Some places famous: "La tonda fritta" they make the best arancine in all of World (located in Erice, a nice place to visit); "Gelateria Carbognano" It's a very good ice cream shop, I recommend getting the pistachio flavor and the "Carbognano" flavor, "Mercato san Lorenzo" it's a place where they do a bit of everything, for example meat and catering, "Franco u Vastiddaru" this is a great place to eat Pane con la Milza and panelle e crocchè. Obviously there are also many neighborhoods where you can eat street food but if they know you are tourists, the prices could be high
@@giuseppecoffaro2803 THANK YOU! I went many years ago, I remember pani Ca meusa from Vucciria was good but not the name of the guy. I also drank waaayyy too much sangu from Taverna Azzurra. It was 1€ per glass and I don't remember half of the evening what happened 😂😂
@@davandj Palermo has become very touristy lately, and like all cities with a lot of tourism they try to "raise prices" with foreigners, the important thing is to be careful
Posso fingere un'accento catanese ma mi sa che va anche peggio, provo con accento siciliano generico :))
The problem with people quoting relative crime statistics is that they are assuming everyone reports crime equally everywhere.
Interesting point! I wonder if there's a way to adjust stats and take it into account!
@@davandj I know for example in Germany from talks with detectives that because punishment for rape often is a joke ( even probation sometimes) a lot of victims don't report it anymore as they have to relieve everything at trial only to see him getting 3 years with release after 1. It's devastating.
Argh that is sickening. Definitely the system needs to improve!
Dont. Park. In. Catania.
Especially if you have a Panda! I speak about it in our Driving in Sicily video! ruclips.net/video/iM_icyParfo/видео.html
guys don't wear a watch like this guy! someone tried to rob me of it in Barcelona and failed, then someone got it from me in Buenos Aries.. criminals are like animals, they are attracted to shiny things.. NO WATCHES! Not even a cheap one!
I always switch the watch with my cheap g shock if I'm traveling to crowded areas at risk. A friend of mine got watch and phone stolen in Barcelona while he was wearing them, didn't even realize!!
@@davandj I don't even think wearing a G-shock is good.. lots of these very poor people who are crazy just see it as an easy thing to turn into cash or to wear as a prize.. a 50 euro watch is still something worth stealing for.. I don't wear any watches anymore no necklesses or jewelry of any kind. My phone is an iphone mini, in a non flashy case, that at night in bad areas I put into black and white so the screen has no color. I carry tactical flashlights at night, and sometime tactical pens (although I am not a huge fan of these). During the day always have wrap around sunglasses so you can look and read the facial expressions of people without them seeing you. Always wear laced shoes I can run in or kick someone in..
@@JohnCash001 Wow you just delivered some very solid advice in a few sentences! Thanks. I'll ditch the G-Shock if I go to very dangerous places in the future. Didn't know about sunglasses and phone saturation tricks, will deffo implement. Thank you! I've never tried tactical pens, I saw a few reviews etc but still don't fully get the point... How was your experience with them?
@@davandj As someone who many years of martial arts experience. I think you would only use them under limited circumstances..I prefer a tactical flashlight for nighttime (1000lumens or more with a high candela which is the intensity) and very compact with the battery built-in.. Its solid metal to hit someone with or blind them.. even during the day at close range it can blind. I prefer to have my hands free to stop a weapon from coming at me or to strike really fast.. When I was robbed in Argentina and I was held down with one arm against a wall; my strikes with my fist was not useful, if I had a tactical pen it would have been useful in that situation. Also, taking it out under any kind of threat esculates everything.. I did this in Italy when a migrant came to my table while I was eating and was literally in my face.. btw, even if no one robs you with your G-shock, there are people evaluating it wherever you go and that is reason enough for me not to wear it!
Wow crazy story in Argentina :O thanks again for the tips, I'll keep em in mind!
Crime in sicily was mostly large-scale and affecting other parts of the nation or the world. Sicily has mostly been poor and underdeveloped. Campania & Calabria have way more dangerous areas than sicily for the average person, tourist or outsiders like you.
If there is no Mafia in Sicily, what are the selling points? What are the key features?
The main selling points in Sicily are spectacular weather, astonishing natural beauty, rich history, tons of culture, great architecture, good hearted people and insanely good food!
@@davandj well… ok.
Se tu porti rispetto nel sud Italia tutti ti rispetteranno ...
Se non porterai rispetto semplicemente te lo insegneranno 😅
Fair!! :)) thanks for the comment
What about the tizzunes?
Don't know that term. What do you mean?
No place is safe!
Thanks for the comment, I guess depends on many factors! :)
Don't forget about the rubbish left on the side of the road everywhere, in the beach side not to talk about animals that are terribly abused and kill and throw in the rubbish bins!! Lot more to talk about Sicily and the mentality but I agree the food is good
Yeah there's definitely a rubbish problem in Sicily (in many parts of all Southern Italy!) I never came across this type of animal abuse!! Sounds heart breaking
For me been a animals lovers is impossible to cope I have see the worst and thinking that is not a third world 's country that we talking about is even more heartbreaking
@@stefaniacarraro7738 We're animal lovers ourselves, so hearing this is really shocking I guess I was lucky to never come across it 😥
So it sounds like any other US city!
Generally murder and violent crime rates in most the Western world including Italy and Sicily are actually way lower than United States
I have another question do you have an email?
@@davandj do you have an email address, i have other questions.
Mob neighborhoods have always been traditionally safest areas of American cities....
The title is already ridiculous as it is!!!
It denotes a deep ignorance of the reality not only of the territory but also of the meaning of this criminal organizations.
Hi there, thanks for the comment. Ignorance is by definition a lack of knowledge or information. I believe you should watch the video before judging it and commenting by looking at the title as it sounds like you're missing some information about the video!
@@davandj Hi.
You’re “ assuming “ too much!
The power of social…
I bought house in province Agrigento Kids and families everywhere. Great huge hearted society
Im Polish i love Sicily
Agrigento is lovely! So lucky to be nearby the Temples and Scala dei Turchi. Yes very strong family bonds and genuine atmosphere!! it's lovely
Even with mafia in the '90 Sicily was way more safe than places like London or New York, going to Sicily is not going to Afghanistan...
Totally!!
Safer than Canada for sure.
I always thought Canada was very very safe! How come?
@@davandj Last nine years of a liberal corrupt government has brought Canada to its knees.
Our globalist WEF loving woke leaders are determined to destroy Canada, much like Europe.
What better way than to let criminals out and hand out free narcotics at the same time.
Western leaders are all traitors. Time for average Joe to rise up NOW!