I'm Italian and these are the key scams tourists need to avoid in Italy

By ESTHER MARSHALL

Published: 14:46 BST, 21 May 2025 | Updated: 14:46 BST, 21 May 2025

Italy is one of the globe’s most popular tourist destinations and was the fifth most visited country in the world in 2024.

But tourists will need to watch out for a few common scams while they’re there, according to one Italian who took to Reddit to share a warning.

Reddit user ‘_Giulio_Cesare’ wrote the warning to help tourists ‘avoid scams’ while holidaying in Italy.

So, what do tourists need to look out for?

People offering bracelets as gifts

The Italian local said: ‘Never accept bracelets or necklaces from those who tell you that they are gifts, they are never gifts and will probably ask you for money back.’

They warned that the scammers may even throw the bracelets at the tourist so the unsuspecting holidaymaker ‘instinctively takes it’.

Instead of engaging, the local warned tourists to ‘completely ignore’ the people with the bracelets and ‘not stop to talk to them at all’.

Tourists will need to watch out for a few common scams while they’re in Italy, according to one Italian who took to Reddit to share a warning

And another scam to be wary of takes place exclusively in Florence, according to the Reddit user.

They warned: ‘In Florence, some guys put fake paintings on the ground in the middle of the crowd, where one can easily step on them and then ask money for compensation.’

The local resident advised tourists to ‘completely ignore’ the scammers and ‘go away’ while ‘pretending not to hear them’.

People in costumes in Naples

Meanwhile in Naples, the poster warned tourists to avoid people dressed as Pulcinella (a comic Neapolitan character).

They said: ‘They offer you a photo with them and then expect to be paid, a lot like those who are dressed as Gladiators at the Colosseum. Never answer, ignore them and carry on, their goal is only make you buy something and extort money.’

People offering to give directions

Italy is one of the globe’s most popular tourist destinations and was the fifth most visited country in the world in 2024

It might seem like a friendly offer, but the Italian warned tourists to ‘be careful’ of people who offer directions or to take a photo next to a tourist site.

They explained: ‘It is never free and always paid.’

Taxis with no meter

The Italian resident warned tourists to ‘always make the taximeter is on’ before getting in a cab.

They added: ‘Find out about the official rates on the websites of the municipal administrations of the cities where you are so you can point out to taxi drivers if their price is too high.’

Restaurants in tourist areas

When it comes to eating out, the local warned tourists to avoid eating at restaurants in the ‘most central tourist streets.’

When it comes to eating out, the local warned tourists to avoid eating at restaurants in the ‘most central tourist streets’

They said: ‘Try to go to eat outside the tourist ares, where Italians usually go. If you really have to go to a tourist area, even for a coffee, always ask for the menu first, at least you know how much you will spend.’

Unofficial ticket sites

If you plan to visit the opera, a museum or a monument on your trip to Italy, make sure to ‘book on the official website’, warned the Italian.

They said: ‘Never buy fake tickets or tours from those who want to extort money from you t