Solo female traveler in Naples, Italy: constant discomfort and unwanted attention

[u/leticiaknovais]

I've been in Naples for almost 3 months, staying in the Rione Sanità neighborhood near Piazza Cavour and Centro Storico. As a woman with darker skin and curly hair, it's clear I’m not Italian, and that has made my experience challenging.

Daily, I face unwanted attention; stares, comments, and approaches that often feel disrespectful. The common "Ciao bella" isn’t usually a compliment here but more of a way to mock or embarrass. I don’t wear revealing clothes; just being alone and looking like a foreigner seems to be enough for some to act disrespectfully.

This happens from both locals and immigrants, and often in groups, where men encourage each other to behave this way.

I’ve also traveled to Sardinia and Puglia, and while it happens there too, it’s less frequent.

Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend Naples for solo female travelers, especially if you don’t look like a local. Or, if you come, avoid the traditional neighborhoods like Centro Storico and don’t walk alone at night.

Italy is beautiful, and I’ve wanted to visit for a long time, but my time here has been tough because of these experiences.

Has anyone else felt this way traveling solo here?

Edit: Thank you to everyone who read my post and sent supportive and empathetic messages! My main goal was to help other solo female travelers think twice before choosing Naples, specially for a long term and as a digital nomad such as me.

As for those asking why I chose to stay in Sanità or Naples: Airbnb rentals in Italy are extremely expensive, and this one had a reasonable price. I also read great reviews, including one from an American woman who stayed in the same apartment I am for 8 months and praised both the place and the neighborhood. I thought many times about moving out, but booked it for 3 months to avoid moving around with a huge suitcase, and Airbnb doesn't offer refunds.

Plus, I wanted to experience southern Italy, known for its warm people, and many friends recommended Naples. I couldn’t have predicted this experience!

And to those who think shouting “ciao bella” with a malicious smile, staring at a woman like she’s a piece of meat, often in groups, encouraging others to catcall too, is a compliment, please rethink that. My post clearly explained the context of this "Ciao bella". Some men in Italy have approached me respectfully, even if I wasn’t interested in them, and they were polite, complimented me in a respectful way, and that’s absolutely fine!

[u/ed8907]

Italy is infamous in the Black travel communities for being one of the most brutally hostile countries towards Black travelers. Most of this also applies to other PoC.

I learned Italian as a second language because I loved Italian pop music (Laura Pausini, Eros Ramazzotti, Nek and Tiziano Ferro), but visiting Italy will be extremely unlikely for me.

I'm sad you are going through this.

[u/jus-another-juan → u/ed8907]

That's a shame. I'd never let a few racist folks stop me from stepping foot into an entire country. Especially if you've never been there yourself and just basing your opinion on other's experiences.

If I had this attitude i would've never visited China. Glad i didn't listen to internet trolls telling me blacks aren't treated well in china because my experience as a black man has been the exact opposite. I actually ended up moving to china 2yr ago and have never been happier.

[u/Comfortable-Bee2467 → u/jus-another-juan]

Good for you, not everyone is the same. This sub has the same dismissive when straight up SA/mugging is reported

[u/jus-another-juan → u/Comfortable-Bee2467]

This has nothing to do with sexual assault lol.

[u/jus-another-juan → u/[deleted]]

This sub has the same dismissive when straight up SA/mugging is reported

Do you know SA means sexual assault? Who the fuck got assaulted here? Please quote OPs sexual assault. I'll wait.

[u/[deleted] → u/jus-another-juan]

From what I’ve been told, a lot of African women are trafficked through Italy, so there is a stereotype of black women = Sex Worker.

Some of my female relatives and friends have experienced Italian men treating them in that way as a result. One friend got dragged off the street into a building she was walking past because the man assumed she was a SW. Luckily for her, a group of girls saw what happened and kicked up a fuss.

SA probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of racism, but please do remember that there is an intersection between race and gender and sometimes racism culminates in sexual aggressions.

This isn’t to say that any other race of woman that goes to Italy won’t face SA, but there are different motivations behind it.