What role does safety play when choosing a travel destination?

Certainly a big one. That is why we would like to take a closer look at this topic. Palermo and Sicily in general are often associated with the mafia, which causes concern and uncertainty for some people. So far understandable. 

In addition, media coverage of crime and the mafia in Palermo fuels further fears.

What does your gut say?

At least that's what we hear from our guests. These are people who have traveled to Palermo. What must those who let their fears stop them from visiting Palermo think?

The Tagesspiegel, on the other hand, calls Palermo the safest city in Italy. So which is true?

Reality or mafia clichés?

And how much of it is mafia cliché, how much is reality, and how much is hyperbole in either direction?

What are the empirical values?

Um hierauf eine Antwort zu finden hilft es vielleicht, sich vorab ein paar Fragen zu beantworten:

Warst du schon mal in Mailand, Florenz, Rom? Oder in Bologna, Rimini, Turin? Wie sieht es mit Venedig aus? Und, wie hast du dich gefühlt? Hast Du die ganze Zeit über Mord, Totschlag, Sexuelle Gewalt, Raub und Diebstahl nachgedacht?

Or maybe more about Bella Italia, La dolce Vita, fashion, culture, romance or where to get the best gelato?

I'm pretty sure your thoughts got stuck more in the second part. - Why am I so sure about that? 

Three good reasons:

To the firstYou are in good company. The absolute majority feels that way about these Italian cities. Torgit and I also felt that way. Whereby this was and is only a gut feeling. Hold our gut feeling.

SecondlyTorgit and I lived in Cologne for many years. There you also think first of the Cologne Cathedral, Cologne carnival, Cologne cuisine and a Kölsch beer... - Or?

Persönlich habe ich mich in Köln nie bedroht bzw. verängstigt gefühlt. Ich habe auch keine Gedanken an den angeblichen Mord- und Todschlag auf der Domplatte verschwendet. Und dennoch war die Presse voll davon.

"One hundred percent certain is that there is no such thing as one hundred percent certain."
Schulze, Michael

Germany in direct comparison

That does not mean that I want to minimize what happened there. Cologne is and remains a major city. Just like Berlin, Frankfurt I and II, Leipzig & Co. And you know that you don't walk around everywhere in the early hours of the morning. On the weekend not on the Ringen, New Year's Eve not on the Domplatte and carnival not in the old town. Especially not slightly drunk and hung with gold.

Und dennoch gibt es einen großen Unterschied zu Frankfurt und Berlin. Denn diese beiden stehen auf Platz 1. und 2. der deutschen Kriminalstatistik. – Köln in den Vorjahren weit abgeschlagen, belegt Platz 7 der Polizeilichen Kriminalstatistik 2025. . 

„Woanders gibt′s ’ne Sperrstunde, bei uns die Müllabfuhr“

Seeed 

To the thirdSubjectively, the above mentioned Italian tourist cities seem to be known for their low crime rate and higher level of security. Is this really the case or do they just seem so? And anyway, what does all this have to do with Sicily and especially Palermo?

Sensations and reality

Nothing and everything! Perceptions and reality are often far apart. What helps against it? - What do you think of less emotion and more rationality, i.e. criminal statistics?

Crime index vs. crime statistics

Kriminalität lässt sich anhand des subjektiven Empfinden der Menschen oder den gemeldeter Straftaten messen. Das erste ist eine Umfrage nach dem Motto „wie sicher fühlst du dich?“ Also reines Bauchgefühl. Oft stimmt dieses, doch was meinst du wie stimmig dies in einer ehemaligen Mafia Hochburg ist? 

So for us, trust is good, control is better. We find it exciting that most reports refer to the crime index. Why not report what the reader thinks he knows. Best in two directions, depending on the bubble in which the reader is traveling. This increases readership. In the past, one would have said circulation. 

Indice della criminalita

Wir wollen es jedoch so genau wie möglich wissen und verlassen uns lieber auf Zahlen, Daten, Fakten. Italien veröffentlicht die im Vorjahr begangenen und gemeldeten Verbrechen im Verhältnis zur Wohnbevölkerung. Ebenso wie die deutsche  Polizeiliche Kriminalstatistik. In beiden Statistiken werden die Städte mit den meisten Straftaten pro 100.000 Einwohner ermittelt. Aus meiner Sicht ist eine solche Crime statistics much more reliable. What do you think?

Palermo liegt dort auf Rang 24, mit 3936 Anzeigen pro 100.000 Einwohner im Jahre 2025. Auf den ersten Blick gar nicht mal so schlecht. Aber auch nicht richtig gut.

"He who prefers security to liberty is rightly a slave."
Aristotle

Table positions

And which cities are now in the top ranks of the most dangerous cities in Italy?
Auf Platz 1 befindet sich Mailand, mit 6.952 Anzeigen, pro 100.000 Einwohner im Jahre 2025. Platz 2 belegt Florenz, mit 6.507 und Platz 3 Rom, mit 6.401 Anzeigen. Dicht gefolgt von Bologna mit 6.055, Rimini mit 5.995 und Turin mit 5.827 Anzeigen pro 100.000 Einwohner. Und Venedig liegt immer noch auf Platz 8 mit 4.964 Anzeigen. Kommt Euch diese Reihenfolge bekannt vor? Und was hätte Euch Euer Bauchgefühl gesagt?

Dabei habt ihr euch in diesen Städten so sicher gefühlt? Das nennt man dann Kriminalitätsindex! 

Keine Sorge, euer Bauchgefühl hat euch dennoch nicht so sehr betrogen. Denn um die unsicherste Stadt Italiens, sprich Mailand ins rechte Licht zu rücken, sollte man sich einmal Augsburg, Mainz und Nürnberg ansehen. Denn mit 6.464 bzw. 6.600 Verbrechen auf 100.000 Einwohner liegen diese beiden Städte im statistischen Vergleich nur dicht vor Mailand und Nürnberg mit 7.206 leicht dahinter. Nur mit dem Unterschied, dass Augsburg Platz 2, Mainz Platz 3 und Nürnberg Platz 4 der sichersten Städte Deutschlands belegt und Mailand Platz 1 der unsichersten Städte Italiens belegt. 

Safest city in Germany

Und München, welches sich, mit 6.061 Straftaten pro 100.000 Einwohner, das siebte Mal in Folge den Titel als sicherste Großstadt Deutschlands sichert, ist immer noch unsicherer als Bologna, welches, mit 6.055 Straftaten den 4. Platz der gefährlichsten Großstadt Italiens belegt. Soviel zur Statistik.

mehr Siziliens Sicherheit im Überblick

What else is Sicily like?
Catania belegt mit 3.962 Straftaten Platz 23 direkt vor Palermo und Syrakrus mit 3.877 Platz 27.

Talking about the building feeling and the crime index resulting from surveys. There Catania takes a completely different value. With 65.4 out of 100 points, Catania is considered the most dangerous city in all of Europe. What a bullshit. 

Deshalb zurück zur Statistik: Noch sicherer als in Palermo, lebt man auf Sizilien in Trapani Platz 63 / Caltanissetta Platz 69 / Ragusa Platz 77 / Messina Platz 92 / mit Agrigent 97 und vor allem in Enna Platz 103  von insgesamt 106.

"Nothing in this world is certain except death and taxes."
Benjamin Franklin

Palermo's crimes at a glance

And what about details in Palermo?

Raubüberfälle auf der Straße: 28 pro 100.000 Einwohner das entspricht ca. 337 im Jahr.
Taschendiebstahl: 122 pro 100.000 Einwohner das entspricht ca. 298 im Jahr.
Sexual violence: 9.4 per 100,000 inhabitants. If we compare Berlin as an example, we arrive at approx. 1375 per 100,000 inhabitants.

Überhaupt sind Frankfurt mit 15.026 Straftaten und Berlin mit 14.252 pro 100.000 Einwohner in allen Punkten um mehr als einen Faktor 3,5 gefährlicher als Palermo. Und immer noch um den Faktor 2,16 gefährlicher als Mailand, der gefährlichsten Stadt Italiens. 

For me, who moved for years through the nights of Berlin, a little strange. But back then, everything was better and safer. Or?

The Daily Mirror

Und was hat es nun mit der Aussage des Tagesspiegel zu tun, dass Palermo die sicherste Stadt Italiens ist? – Deutsche „Lügenpresse“? – Nein, ganz im Gegenteil. Wer den Text genauer liest, stellt fest, dass sich der Tagesspiegel in diesem Artikel auf die großen, Metropolitanstädte, italienisch Città metropolitane, bezieht. – Der Artikel stammt aus 2019. Da lag Palermo auf Platz 1 der sichersten Städte. Doch auch im Jahre 2025 schneidet Palermo mit Platz 5 unter diesen Großstädten extrem gut ab.

We think that's enough with the statistics. What do you think?

Mafia - Cosa Nostra

This point was and is particularly important to us. That is why we have saved it for last. However, to comment on this in detail would go beyond the scope of this blog post.

Yes, the Cosa Nostra exists in Sicily and certainly in Palermo. This is proven not least by the arrest of Messina Denaro. The fact that the last known boss, the so-called Capo di Capi, was able to live undetected in Sicily for over 30 years shows how closely the Mafia is still interwoven with Sicilian society. The fact that Palermo ranks 4th in the crime statistics in terms of charges against the Mafia can be seen either way. Yes the Cosa Nostra belongs to Palermo. But the will of the population to rebel against their machinations seems unbroken.

"Chi ha paura muore ogni giorno, chi non ha paura muore una volta sola."
"Those who are afraid die every day, those who are not afraid die only once."
Paolo Borsellino

Removing mafia structures from society remains the greatest goal for the majority of Sicilians and Palermitans. I can only tip my cap to fighters like Borsellino, Falcone and Leoluca Orlando, Padre Pino Pugliso und vielen anderen ziehen. Aber vor allem auch vor den Besitzern der Kneipen und Restaurants die als erstes Widerstand leisteten. Wie dem der Antica Foccacceia S. Francesco. Gemeinsam haben sie dafür gesorgt, dass das Wort Mafia in Palermo nur noch eine Nebenrolle und Addiopizzo eine Hauptrolle spielt.

I am unable to answer whether there is a realistic chance of completely ousting the mafia from Sicilian society. However, as we live here locally, several aspects make me optimistic.

Sicily is poor. Some voices claim that it is too poor for the Mafia. Why should the Cosa Nostra try to earn its money here on a large scale when it can earn it much more easily in the north, including Germany? Because Germany has been considered a paradise for the Mafia for decades.

The German network in Sicily is very large. Everyone who buys a property here first asks themselves and others about the mafia. We don't know anyone who has had direct or indirect contact with the mafia. Neither here nor in Germany. Do you know anyone?

Only one thing seems certain. Yes, the Cosa Nostra is here. But only the Cosa Nostra. In complete contrast to Germany or other European countries. Because in addition to the Sicilian mafia (Cosa Nostra), there is also the Neapolitan Camorra, the Ndrangheta from Calabria, the Sacra Corona Unita from Apulia, the Albanian, Armenian and Russian mafia, not to mention various other criminal organizations...

Surely I have forgotten some. But it does not matter. Who knows these criminals? And I don't mean from the newspaper.

As I said, neither do we. That's why we don't want to trivialize this issue or blow it up artificially.

"Those who give up freedom to gain security will end up losing both."
Benjamin Franklin

Travel and safety information

Finally, before the conclusion, a personal advice.

Der Italiener würde es wahrscheinlich mal wieder mit „tranquillo“ – „bleib ruhig“ ausdrücken. Der Engländer mit „Keep calm and listen to your feeling“ – Auch wir würden empfehlen auf sein Gefühl zu achten und Ruhe zu bewahren. Doch vor allem würden wir dazu raten seinem ureigenen Gefühl zu vertrauen. Nicht dem, was „man“ so sagt. Und wir sollten niemals vergessen, dass Angst lähmt. Sie steht uns auf der Stirn und macht uns unbewusst zu Opfern. Palermo ist und bleibt eine Großstadt. Doch vor allem eine verdammt sichere Großstadt. 

In addition, the classics also apply in Palermo: Do not leave valuables in the car; it is best to put money in the inside pocket of your jacket. Close doors and windows before leaving the apartment or hotel room. Do not forget to lock them. Of course, this also applies to your car or motorcycle. If available, valuables, Leave money, IDs, driver's license and other important documents in the safe. If necessary, make electronic copies/photos in advance. This will make it easier to issue a replacement document in the event of theft or loss.

And finally, a few tips on the subject of pickpocketing. This also increases in Palermo during the high season. 

Pickpockets...

...selectively choose places where many people are gathered, such as markets, pubs and landmarks.

...carefully observe their potential victims before the act and wait for the right moment.

...exploit the weaknesses of their victims, such as physical handicaps, alcoholism, or fatigue...often work in groups, with each member having a specific role, such as distraction, theft, and escape.

...try to establish physical proximity to their victims, for example by bumping into them or intentionally soiling their clothes.

...are primarily interested in valuables. Therefore, it is advisable to always keep purses and wallets in an inside pocket.

Our conclusion

The Foreign Office does not issue a travel warning or specific advice for Palermo. And we are glad that we do not have to. Quite the contrary. Our purely subjective feeling was once again confirmed by all these facts. We feel safe and free in Palermo. And this by day and by night.

And we love Palermo especially at night. When the bustle of tourists has faded away. The night owls slowly go home. And the old street lamps put Palermo in perspective.

"Well-trodden paths are the safest, but there's a lot of traffic."
Jeff Taylor

Above all, we feel safer than in Berlin, Frankfurt and yes, we have to admit it, now also safer than in Cologne. Because we know that San Bene Detto, Santa Rosalia and four other patron saints of Palermo are protecting us. With this in mind, see you in Palermo at night.

And one thing remains certain, Palermo may not be red hot, but it is red hot. 

Added value - Links

Want to discover the hustle and bustle of Palermo? The Centro Storico is the ideal starting point, because it offers more than just an ordinary old town. Head to Mercato di Ballaro, where you can not only enjoy street food, but also get a taste of Palermo's soul. Be careful: Palermo's street food can be addictive!

When your palate has been spoiled enough, let yourself be fascinated by the street art in Palermo. Here, artists turn walls into canvases, and graffiti becomes real works of art. For an adrenaline rush, experience the Targa Florio race, a street race that makes Sicily shake. Or are you more drawn to a small fishing village? How about Cefalù?

Discover the diversity of Palermo and Sicily. Your adventure starts here!

And if you are still looking for the perfect accommodation in Palermo, we have just the thing for you: Palazzo Vetrano, an exceptional vacation apartment in the heart of the old town. Here you can expect historical charm, modern comfort and an unbeatable location in the Centro Storico.

Start here:

• Palazzo Vetrano - The somewhat different vacation apartment 
• Palermo Centro Storico: [More than just an old town?]
• Mercato di Ballaro: [Palermo's oldest market offers more than street food
• Palermo Street Food:
• Street Art Palermo: Part I or Part II or Part III or Part IV and to round off Part V
• Targa Florio Part I and Part II
• Cefalù - More than a fishing village
• Madonie - You love Nature, small villages and delicious and local cuisine

And if you want to retire after an exciting day, Palazzo Vetrano, the perfect apartment in Ballaro, Palermo Old Town awaits you. Here you can relax and plan new adventures. Book today and make your dream vacation come true!