Catania Named Europe's Most Dangerous City
Catania, a city located at the foot of Mount Etna on the island of Sicily, has been named the most dangerous city in Europe. Tourists rated Catania as the place where they feel the most unsafe, especially when walking alone at night.
Just an hour from the popular tourist destination of Taormina, Catania has strong ties to mafia gangs. Taormina, known for its picturesque medieval streets and historic charm, has long been a favorite holiday spot for visitors, including famous figures like Oscar Wilde and Tsar Nicholas II. Despite its proximity to Catania, many tourists are unaware of the city's notorious reputation.
Numbeo, the world's largest database of user-contributed data about cities, shows Catania scored highly in terms of tourists feeling scared of being robbed, mugged, attacked, or harassed. This ranking is based on people's perceptions rather than official crime statistics.
Despite its fearsome reputation, Catania attracts around a million tourists each year. Many are drawn to the city to see Mount Etna, an active volcano that often covers the city in volcanic soot and ash, earning it the nickname "Sicily's Black City." When the volcano is not erupting, visitors enjoy hiking trails that lead to its summit.
Catania also boasts magnificent baroque architecture and a main square, Piazza Duomo, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. However, visitors are warned about the risks of car theft, pickpocketing, and robberies, all of which are reportedly on the rise.
The Sicilian travel website Sicily 4 U advises tourists to park only in guarded spaces and not to leave valuables in their cars. Travelsafe-abroad offers similar advice, suggesting tourists avoid wearing expensive jewelry, keep their bags secure, and avoid carrying large amounts of cash. It's also recommended to avoid walking alone at night and to take taxis instead, especially around the train station.
In addition to Catania, other cities named in the top ten most dangerous in Europe include Marseille in France, Charleroi in Belgium, and Naples in Italy. Birmingham and Coventry in the UK also made the list.