I'm Italian and these are the key scams tourists need to avoid in Italy
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'.
Fake paintings in Florence
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
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.'
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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Harry Styles soaks up the sights with stunning Belgian designer in Italy after THAT steamy snog with Ella Kenny at Glastonbury Festival
Harry Styles soaked up the sights in Italy with Belgian-Congolese designer Kim Mupangilai last week after that steamy snog with Ella Kenny at Glastonbury. The singer, 31, showed off his favourite spots in Vatican City and Rome to the New York-based designer, who has appeared on the cover of high-end interior mags. Harry was spotted wandering about St Peter's Basilica and through the back streets of Rome while carrying a bottle of wine with Kim. In pictures obtained by The Sun, the former One Direction star cut a smart figure layering a blue shirt over a white T-shirt and black heels. The Watermelon Sugar hitmaker kept low-key wearing a pair of sunglasses while Kim stunned in a trendy black dress and sandals. A source told the publication: 'Harry loves nothing more than showing people his favourite spots in Italy. 'He also loves art and Kim has been a great source of inspiration.' Kim, who grew up in Antwerp, Belgium, has shared pictures on her Instagram of The Loggia Of Cupid And Psyche — a mural depicting a love affair — at the Villa Farnesina in Rome. She also posted snaps of red peppers drying on a rooftop in Ravello on Italy's Amalfi Coast. Daily Mail have contacted Harry's representatives for comment. It comes as Harry is rumoured to have fallen in love with the small Italian village of Civita di Bagnoregio where he spent the pandemic learning Italian and sign language. During his final Love On Tour show in Reggio Emilia, Italy, in 2023, Harry thanked 120,000 fans in Italian. Speaking in their language, he said: 'The last two years of my life have been a wonderful gift and it is truly very special to end my tour here, in a country that has a special place in my heart.' It comes after Harry was spotted snogging a mystery woman at Glastonbury, who has since been named as Ella Kenny. The singer partied into the early hours with pals at Worthy Farm, where he was seen getting very close to the 28-year-old. Ella is a producer who has worked at a studio in London for around three years, producing 'crossplatform content' for businesses such as record companies and fashion brands. She has worked alongside Nia Archives, as well as produced music videos for artists such as Rachel Chinouriri, and Slow Thai, as well as Anne-Marie and Aitch's huge hit PSYCHO. Reportedly, the As It Was star was in the VIP section with a group of pals when Ella arrived and kissed him on the cheek multiple times, before he led her to the dance floor where they shared their very public smooch. Speaking about the kiss to The Sun, a source said: 'Harry and Ella had fun together at Glastonbury and shared a kiss on the dancefloor. 'They had a good time in the moment but it doesn't mean it will evolve into anything. They just got on and had a snog. 'But she seems like a normal, down-to-earth girl which is different from some of the big stars he's dated before.' A representative for Harry has been contacted by MailOnline for comment. Harry's last public snog was with supermodel Emily Ratajkowski when they were spotted snogging in Tokyo in 2023. The pair were seen dancing with each other in the Japanese capital as they stood alongside a silver people carrier while sheltering from the rain under an umbrella. They shared a number of kisses on the street outside, appearing not to care who saw them while in full view of onlookers. As well as Taylor and Emily, Harry has been previously linked with a string of A-list women, from Taylor Swift to models Kendall Jenner and Camille Rowe, and actress Olivia Wilde. Harry - who has an estimated net worth of $140million - has kept a low profile throughout 2025 as he enjoys time out of the spotlight since wrapping his Love On tour in 2023.
The Guardian
2 hours ago
- The Guardian
‘He is keeping his cards close to his chest': Pope Leo's first three months
A few days after his election as pope in May, Leo XIV stepped into a chauffeur-driven black Volkswagen minivan with tinted windows and made a surprise visit to the international headquarters of the Augustinian order in Rome. Not only was he the first American pope, the tiny religious order that Leo, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, ran for 12 years had also just produced its first pontiff in the history of the Roman Catholic church. Still somewhat bewildered by his election, he had a yearning to see his fellow Augustinian brothers. Over lunch, Leo spoke about the sudden change to his life and how he would need to renounce his pleasure of driving or freely going for a walk. 'He appeared very tense on TV so it was nice to see him more relaxed,' said Pasquale Cormio, the rector of the Basilica of St Augustine in central Rome's Campo Marzio, who met Leo during their priesthood training. 'He was aware of the weight of the role, but said: 'Look, I assure you, I will never give up being your brother'.' The new pope's first months – he marks three months as pontiff this week – have been relatively low-key despite hosting plenty of audiences, and the Augustinian emphasis on unity, listening widely, community and collaboration appear to have guided him. Leo's style starkly contrasts with his often divisive and hasty Jesuit predecessor, the late Pope Francis, even though they shared similar progressive political views. Francis, elected in 2013, snubbed the Vatican's traditional trappings by choosing to live in a room in a humble guesthouse rather than the Apostolic Palace, ditching its fancy cars for a modest Fiat and opting out of spending his summers in the papal palace in Castel Gandolfo, a hilltop town close to Rome. Francis also moved swiftly on making key appointments, travelled to Brazil on his first overseas trip after just a few months in office, and made several bold statements, including saying 'who am I to judge?' when discussing homosexuality. Leo, on the other hand, has restored some Vatican customs – using less modest means of travel, living in the Apostolic Palace and resuming papal holidays in Castel Gandolfo. 'One of the ways the world got to know Francis was through his gestures,' said Christopher White, the author of the recently published book Pope Leo XIV: Inside the Conclave and the Dawn of a New Papacy. He described him as an extrovert who 'liked being around people'. Leo, 69, is an introvert. 'He's very much a quiet manager, someone who likes to do his homework,' added White. 'He hasn't yet made any top appointments but he has held lots of audiences – as a way to listen. He's figuring out how he's going to run the show and is keeping his cards close to his chest.' One area where he has been quick to exert himself is geopolitics, White said. The pontiff has twice met the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has spoken by phone to the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, and has repeatedly affirmed the Vatican's willingness to host Ukrainian-Russian peace talks. He has also become more robust in his condemnation of Israel's war in Gaza, even more so after three people were killed by Israeli shelling of the strip's only Catholic church. The pontiff received a phone call from the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, after the strike, during which he pushed for an end to the conflict. Two days later, in his strongest words against the conflict yet, he condemned the 'barbarity' and Israel's 'indiscriminate use of force' after 93 people were killed while waiting for food. 'Leo is moving cautiously but he is more clear in his denunciation of the Israeli government,' said Marco Politi, a Vatican journalist and author of the book The Unfinished Revolution: The Church After Francis. 'This represents a problem for Israel because, unlike Francis, who might have been considered a bit reckless and gaffe-prone, it proves that nothing has changed in the Vatican's continued support of Palestinian rights.' Unlike the Jesuits, whose structure is more hierarchical, Politi said Leo clearly signalled how he would lead the church during his inauguration mass homily when he said the pope 'is not a lone leader or a leader placed above others'. This approach was evident when he handed the microphone to Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state, and Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Catholic Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, to initially speak out after the attack on the Gaza church. 'He doesn't want to be like Francis who worked alone and who made decisions alone,' added Politi. Geopolitics aside, Leo's main initial task has been to foster unity in a church divided by some of Francis's policies. That said, his papacy is expected to more or less continue along the progressive path laid by his predecessor. 'We mustn't forget that during conclave, the ultra-conservatives wanted to put Francis's politics on trial,' said Politi. 'But they failed, and that's why Leo was chosen – to send a signal that the church is moving forward, not backward.'
The Guardian
4 hours ago
- The Guardian
Almost a million young people welcome Pope Leo at event near Rome
More than 800,000 young pilgrims filled a vast field in Tor Vergata on the outskirts of Rome for a chance to see Pope Leo XIV in the largest gathering yet of the new pontiff's tenure, as part of a weekend of events aimed at energising Catholic youth. Young people from more than 146 countries pressed against fences as Leo toured the crowd in his popemobile. He waved, offered blessings and caught stuffed animals and national flags thrown by the pilgrims as he passed by. Organisers estimated the crowd may have swelled to about 1 million by the evening
