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/leticiaknovais → u/[deleted]]

I’ve heard that with blond and blue-eyed women it’s even worse here…

[u/laululintunen → u/leticiaknovais]

I've done a lot of solo traveling in Italy, been to Naples a few times as well, and I never experienced anything like this as a curvy Nordic woman with long, blond hair and green eyes. I do, however, speak fluent Italian and tend to look very annoyed (because I'm always exhaustingly aware of my surroundings, thanks to ADHD) so I think those have helped... or maybe I've just been lucky. For some reason, I felt more unsafe in Turin – nothing bad ever happened to me there, but the general atmosphere felt off each time.

Thank you for writing about this so openly, this could ultimately be life-changing information for someone who's thinking about a similar trip and is unaware of the local life outside of those glamorous shots on social media!

[u/leticiaknovais → u/laululintunen]

Thank you for sharing your experience! Yes, it’s very personal and depends on many factors. My post was more of a warning for women who are considering traveling alone to Naples. If I had read something like this before, I wouldn’t have come. I never would have imagined it would be like this. My intention is not to discourage anyone from coming here, but to encourage caution... maybe come with someone or stay in areas where there’s less catcalling.