Puglia

Is it safe to travel to Puglia?

Italy is, in general, a safe destination for tourists. Portugal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MNE) describes the security conditions as satisfactory and crime as low, but warns of frequent pickpocketing on public transport, in crowds and at tourist spots. The UK government (FCDO) says the same: bag-snatching and pickpocketing are more frequent in city centers and at the main attractions, and thefts from parked cars are common.

If you are driving, the MNE warns of frequent break-ins at car parks and motorway service areas. Its advice is not to leave any objects in sight and to keep the car locked.

A few more points worth knowing:

• Public transport strikes are relatively frequent and don’t always come with long notice, according to the MNE.
• In summer, wildfires are a risk in Italy. The FCDO advises following alerts and the guidance of the local authorities.
• The emergency numbers are 112, 113 and 115.
• The MNE recommends registering your trip in the free Registo Viajante app, which connects directly to Portugal’s Consular Emergency Office.

What documents and insurance do I need?

The citizen card is enough, but it is worth carrying your passport as well in case of loss or theft. Since 3 August 2026, the old identity card is no longer valid as a travel document in the Schengen area, according to the MNE.

Take your European Health Insurance Card. It does not cover medical repatriation, non-urgent treatment or the continuation of treatment already begun, so the MNE also recommends travel insurance.

What are transport and accessibility like?

In Italy, RFI, which runs the rail network, provides assistance at stations for passengers with reduced mobility (the service is called Sala Blu): wheelchair users, people with difficulty walking, older people, pregnant women and people with a sensory or intellectual disability. You can request it:

• online or in the Sala Blu+ app;
• in person, at one of the 16 Sala Blu offices, open every day from 06:45 to 21:30;
• by email to one of the offices, up to 6 hours before departure;
• by phone, on 800 90 60 60 (from landlines in Italy) or +39 02 32 32 32 (from mobiles and from abroad).

On Trenitalia trains, the wheelchair space is subject to availability. The wheelchair cannot be more than 700 mm wide, 1,200 mm long and 250 kg, passenger included. If the passenger is not self-sufficient, the service may require a companion. Check the conditions with Trenitalia before you travel.

These are national rules. We have not included accessibility information specific to Puglia: always ask your accommodation and the attractions before you book.

Is Italy safe for LGBTQ+ travelers?

According to Equaldex, a collaborative database on LGBTQ+ rights, same-sex relationships have been legal since 1890. Civil unions with rights comparable to marriage have existed since 11 May 2016. Joint adoption is not allowed, only adoption of the partner’s child (since 22 June 2016).

On protection from discrimination, Equaldex says employment has been protected nationally since 15 January 2023 (by court ruling). For housing, protection varies by region, and Puglia is among the ten regions that have it. For hate crimes there is no explicit protection based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Equaldex gives Italy 66 out of 100 on its equality index (legal rights 74, public opinion 59).

Equaldex does not show when the page was last updated, so check for the latest information before you travel. More at Equaldex: Italy.

Sources (consulted on 1 November 2026):

• Portugal’s MNE, Portal das Comunidades Portuguesas: Italy, page updated on 4 August 2026
• UK government (FCDO): travel advice, Italy, main page updated on 29 October 2026
• Trenitalia: assistance for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility
• Equaldex: Italy