7 places you're most likely to be pickpocketed

Everything you need to know about keeping you and your valuables safe and secure.

I had always prided myself on not being pickpocketed or robbed at any point on my travels, until I, too, fell victim to a robbery when I was boarding a train from Lyon to Nice in France.

When I was on this particular trip to France, I was at the two-and-a-half-month mark of a three-month backpacking holiday. I always had my zippers padlocked to avoid anyone unzipping my bag, I kept my passport, money and valuables attached to my front, and I never wore any jewellery that would make me look like a target. So, how did I get robbed?

It’s quite unfortunate really, and I’m not entirely sure there was much I could’ve done to stop it in this instance. But I was getting the train to Nice at 6.00am, I had my large backpack on my back, my small backpack on my front, and I had just bought myself a coffee and a croissant, so my hands were full. Sleep-deprived and totally oblivious to my surroundings, I hopped aboard the train and took off my big backpack at the luggage racks at the beginning of the carriage. I walked to my seat to put down my coffee and croissant, went back to the luggage racks, and my bag was gone.

I ran to the platform and between carriages, but it was nowhere to be seen. Thirty seconds is all it took for them to take everything I had (luckily I kept my valuables on my front, though).

And all I can say is thank goodness for travel insurance! If you ever think you won’t need it, trust me, never go overseas without it. Despite a somewhat gruelling process of having to file a police report in Nice when I don’t speak French, and then proving I had purchased everything in the backpack, including the backpack itself, it saved me and I ended up getting the cost of everything I lost back.

Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or not, there are some places in the world you are more likely to fall victim to pickpockets. Here, the most common places to be pickpocketed and what you can do to prevent it.

1. Las Ramblas, Barcelona, Spain

The place with the highest number of pickpockets is Barcelona’s iconic Las Ramblas pedestrian walkway. During peak tourist season it is super crowded making it perfect for pickpockets.

Barcelona is arguably Spain’s most culturally rich city but has a reputation for being one of the worst cities for pickpockets and this is where the majority of crimes occur.

How to avoid it: It may sound simple but make sure that all of your valuables are tightly zipped away in a bag or purse when you’re in tourist areas. Zips on bags should also face inwards where possible.

Aerial shot of Las Rambas in Barcelona. — Las Ramblas is the worst spot in the world for pickpockets.

2. Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

As one of the most popular cultural attractions in the world, it’s little wonder that people visiting Paris have had issues with pickpockets at the Eiffel Tower.

Specifically, keep a close eye on your belongings as you walk up the main street from the metro station to the tower itself.

How to avoid it: Try not to advertise yourself to pickpockets, stay alert and don’t overtly flash any valuable jewellery, items or cash.

Tourists at the Eiffel Tower at risk of being pickpocketed. — Pickpocketing is common at the Eiffel Tower.

3. Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy

At the Trevi Fountain in Italy‘s capital, the famous tradition of throwing coins into the fountain over your left shoulder is actually putting you at risk of being robbed! Coming in as the third-most likely destination to be pickpocketed, tourists throw about 3000 euros into the Trevi Fountain every day, and as people are either looking into their wallets to get coins out, or are distracted while throwing their money in, they become an easy target.

How to avoid it: Grab your coins out well before getting to the fountain, and make sure your bag is nice and secure when you get there.

Tourists at Trevi Fountain at risk of being pickpocketed. — Be mindful of throwing coins at the Trevi Fountain, or you might get pickpocketed.

4. Charles Bridge, Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is a paradise for pickpocketers. Like the Trevi Fountain, Charles Bridge has its own ritual. Touching the statue of St. John of Nepomuk on the bridge will bring you good luck and make sure you return to Prague. Pickpockets see it as the perfect opportunity to distract you while they steal your money.

How to avoid it: As much as you want to have your eyes anywhere and everywhere when you’re in a new place, you should still try to keep your wits about you and leave your pockets empty, and your bag attached to you at all times.

Tourists on Charles Bridge in Prague at risk of being pickpocketed. — Touching the statue of St. John of Nepomuk could put you at risk.

5. Sacré-Cœur, Paris, France

One of the most incredible places in France with views to match, Sacré-Cœur is rife with street scammers and pickpockets lining the entrance and the walk up to the main building.

How to avoid it: Be aware of distractions. Pickpockets often work in pairs, with one trying to distract you, while their partner steals from you. If someone pulls you aside to ask a question, make sure you quickly secure your belongings, because if they are a pickpocket, they’ve likely been watching you for a while and know exactly where you just put your valuables.

Stunning shot of Sacré-Cœur. — Sacré-Cœur is rife with pickpockets.

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6. Colosseum, Rome, Italy

The Colosseum is a must-visit when you’re in Rome, and the pickpockets think so too. And the most common time for them to pickpocket you is when you’re in the loooong lines to get in. You could be standing in the line for a couple of hours in peak times, so the more over it you get, the bigger the target on your back.

How to avoid it: Buy your ticket ahead of time. This goes for all major tourist attractions. If you buy your ticket before you go you won’t have to line up for as long, which also means you’ll be less likely to get complacent and become a pickpocket target. Win-win!

Tourists at the Colosseum are at risk of being pickpocketed. — Buy tickets ahead of time to reduce your risk.

7. Old Town Square, Prague, Czech Republic

Prague’s Old Town Square is one of the top attractions in the capital city. The astronomical clock in particular is a go-to site for tourists. The biggest annual harvests for pickpocketers are Christmas, Easter and other holidays. With Christmas markets and the like, pickpocketers will be out in full force.

How to avoid it: Play hard to get by wearing a bum bag under your clothes. I know, I know, it may not be aesthetically pleasing, but even if a pickpocket knows you’re wearing one, it makes them harder to access and is often too much hassle for them even to bother.

Tourists at Old Town Square. — Be careful at markets and other events because pickpockets will be out and about.

As you can see the world’s pickpocket hotspots are all located in Europe and are in four cities. I have been to all seven hotspots, yet when I did get robbed, it wasn’t at any of them. The moral of the story is, don’t let your guard down no matter where you travel, and follow our tips to keep yourself and your valuables safe.

This information comes from a study by money.co.uk that analysed TripAdvisor reviews for popular attractions and transport stations around the world.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

7 places you’re most likely to be pickpocketed – and how to avoid it