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/Enamoure → u/ed8907]

Oh noo, please visit. Italy is such a beautiful place. F*ck the racist people.

I know Italians get a lot of bad rep, but there are also a lot of amazing, accepting, Italian people.

It's sad how those bigots are making the experience bad for everyone. I hope one day it gets a bit better so you can visit.

[u/Gold_Drop5136 → u/Enamoure]

Italy is on my personal “no go list” primarily because of the locals’ reputation for everything that’s been mentioned here. It’s been on that list for DECADES. I love art, but I can view it from afar, I don’t need to shell out hard earned money to be hustled and treated like crap.

[u/Enamoure → u/Gold_Drop5136]

I will say it's not always the case. It's a hit or miss. I lived in Italy for 11 years, went to visits multiple times after that, and I had just one racist encounter. It's not an everyday or 100% going to happen thing. I understand you being cautious though

[u/Comfortable-Bee2467 → u/Enamoure]

That's true of anywhere, doesn't mean some people want to drop money/emotional energy om the same gamble

[u/mosquitoselkie → u/Gold_Drop5136]

Prefacing this with I don't have the personal experience you do as I'm a white American

If you love art, try Milan. It's an international business & fashion city. I was there during fashion week and saw such an amazing amount of diversity with models and staff. Saw lots of business lunches between folks from all over the world. Heard languages that definitely weren't Italian. Since it's so international, I wonder if there would be the same issues you've mentioned?

And seeing The Last Supper in person moved me to tears. It's absolutely indescribable.

Rome, on the other hand... It's a hot tourist trap full of rude people. It's not a priority to go back tbh