Emilia Romagna is Italy's gastronomic heartland, stretching from the Apennine Mountains to the Adriatic Sea. Known as the 'Food Valley' for producing Parmigiano-Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, and balsamic vinegar, the region also boasts medieval cities, Ferrari's birthplace, and vibrant beach resorts.
Emilia Romagna is a very safe region with low violent crime rates. The main concerns for tourists are petty theft in crowded areas, occasional scams near tourist sites, and traffic when driving. The region is generally safer than average for European tourist destinations.
Current safety advisory
Low
No specific travel advisories for Emilia Romagna. Follow standard Italian/EU travel guidance. The region experienced significant earthquakes in 2012; all historic buildings have since been repaired. The Po Valley can flood in spring.
Last updated: 2025-01
Official advisories
Guidance from national travel-advisory services.
Level 1
Exercise normal precautions in Italy including Emilia Romagna
Green
No specific travel warnings for Emilia Romagna
Essential safety tips
Practical advice that applies everywhere.
Emilia Romagna is one of Italy's safest regions; standard tourist precautions apply throughout
Keep valuables secure in busy areas like Bologna's Piazza Maggiore, Mercato di Mezzo, and Due Torri
Use official taxis from ranks or book via itTaxi app; avoid unlicensed drivers, especially at airports
Validate train and bus tickets before boarding to avoid fines from inspectors (€50+ penalty)
Beware of fake tickets and overcharging around tourist sites; buy tickets only at official offices or authorized websites
Do not leave valuables visible in rental cars, especially in car parks; use hotel safes for passports
Bologna, Parma, and Modena have very low crime rates; Rimini can be livelier and busier in summer
Be cautious at night around Rimini's beach bars and clubs in peak summer; travel in groups
Traffic in city centers can be chaotic; always use pedestrian crossings and watch for scooters and cyclists
Carry a photocopy of your passport; Italian law requires ID at all times; police may ask
Purchase travel insurance covering medical evacuation before departure; EU citizens bring EHIC/GHIC card
Tap water is safe to drink throughout Emilia Romagna—no need to buy bottled water
Emergency number for all services: 112 (works from any phone, even without SIM)
Download the It-Alert government emergency app for regional alerts; share your itinerary with someone at home
Po Valley fog (nebbia) can be extremely dense in autumn/winter—drive very carefully on motorways in fog
Flash flooding possible in the Apennine foothills during heavy autumn rain; check weather forecasts
Common scams to avoid
Recognise and sidestep tourist-targeted scams.
Fake attraction tickets
Unofficial vendors sell fake or overpriced attraction tickets near popular sites including Bologna towers and Ferrari Museum
How to avoid: Buy tickets only at official ticket offices, authorized websites (trenitalia.com, femusei.it), or museum kiosks
Taxi overcharging
Unlicensed taxis and some drivers quote inflated fares, especially at BLQ airport
How to avoid: Use official taxi ranks with metered fares; download itTaxi app; agree fare before journey if no meter
Friendship bracelet scam
Strangers approach in tourist areas, tie a bracelet on your wrist, then aggressively demand payment
How to avoid: Politely but firmly decline any unsolicited items; keep hands in pockets if approached
Restaurant menu bait and switch
Some tourist restaurants near Piazza Maggiore show attractive prices outside but charge much more
How to avoid: Check menu with prices before sitting; ask for itemized bill and check before paying
Distraction theft
Working in pairs, one person distracts you while another picks your pocket
How to avoid: Keep bag in front, use inside pockets for valuables; be aware in crowds and on buses
Health considerations
Staying healthy on your trip.
- Vaccinations
- No specific vaccinations required; ensure routine vaccines are up-to-date; standard EU travel health guidelines apply
- Water
- Tap water is safe throughout Emilia Romagna; freely available at public fountains (nasoni)
- Food
- Very high food safety standards; any licensed restaurant, market, or street food vendor is generally safe
- Facilities
- Excellent public hospitals in all provincial capitals; Bologna has world-class medical facilities at Policlinico di Sant'Orsola (one of Italy's top hospitals); Pronto Soccorso (A&E) in all cities
Safety for specific travellers
Tailored advice for different groups.
Solo travellers
Emilia Romagna is very safe for solo travelers. Bologna and Parma are particularly walkable and welcoming; hostels in Bologna have good social atmospheres; join food tours to meet other travelers. Solo female travelers report feeling very comfortable throughout the region.
Female travellers
Safe for solo female travelers with standard precautions. Stick to well-lit areas at night, particularly in Rimini during summer when beach bars can get rowdy; Bologna's student culture makes it very inclusive; Parma and Ferrara are especially relaxed and safe.
Families
Excellent family destination. All major cities have family-friendly infrastructure; Adriatic beaches at Rimini have lifeguards in summer; children enthusiastically welcomed at restaurants throughout the region.
LGBTQ+ travellers
Civil unions legally recognized in Italy since 2016; generally tolerant and welcoming in cities. Bologna has an active LGBTQ+ community with a Pride parade held annually; Rimini has a large LGBTQ+ scene in summer; rural areas may be more conservative.
Emergency contacts
Numbers to know before you go.
- Police
- 113 (Polizia di Stato) or 112
- Medical
- 118 (ambulance) or 112
- Fire
- 115
- General Emergency
- 112 (works from all phones including no SIM)
- Embassy Us
- US Embassy Rome: +39 06 46741
- Embassy Uk
- UK Consulate Milan: +39 02 723001
- Tourist Police
- Bologna: Via Guerrazzi 15; Rimini: Piazzale Cesare Battisti 3