Europe is a group of developed countries with rich cultural resources. History, art, and architecture all have deep exploration value. It has always been a popular tourist destination for Chinese tourists. In the first half of 2019 before the epidemic, the number of Chinese people traveling to Europe reached more than 3 million. However, due to the impact of the epidemic, the door of European tourism has been closed to Chinese people for three years. According to tourism authorities, the mainland will step by step open up outbound tourism in 2023, and it is expected that the next domestic tourism boom will occur in 2024!
Tourists in Europe can easily be the target of "hunting". Once you give the impression that you're not a local, prices go up and suddenly you pay more for the goods that will be for taxis and shops. But even scarier than ripping off, you'll face the most common crime in the world, especially at crowded tourist attractions, which is pickpocketing.
According to statistics on the theft of tourists at popular tourist attractions and transportation stations around the world by major outbound travel agencies and well-known travel websites around the world, the top 10 pickpockets are in Europe.
1st Prize: Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy
The Trevi Fountain is the largest Baroque fountain in the world, and it is also the most well-known fountain in Rome, which became famous in the world after the movie "Roman Holiday" swept the world. It became a symbol of love. When you come to Italy for a holiday, the Trevi Fountain is a must-see.
Throw a coin with your back to the fountain and fall over your shoulder to the pool, and you will have the opportunity to visit Rome again, and people who love each other will throw coins into the pool together, symbolizing the eternity of love.
But this popular attraction is always overcrowded, so thieves can easily mingle in the crowd of tourists and not be noticed. The number of pickpockets in the area topped numerous reviews from travel forums.
2nd prize: Las Ramblas, Barcelona, Spain
La Rambla is the most impressive attraction that many tourists visit in Spain. It is a 1.2 km central avenue that runs through the most prosperous city center and is a vibrant pedestrian street where you can see many activities with a Barcelona character. Despite being crowded, there are impressive statues and a 19th-century flower market. As you walk the tree-lined streets and admire its many sights, keep your bags and purses safe next to you. It ranks second on this list because there are more than 3,000 comments on travel websites and travel forums mentioning theft. Especially during the tourist season, you can benefit greatly from taking extra precautions.
3rd place: Eiffel Tower in Paris, France
The Eiffel Tower also ranks among the top pickpockets in numerous tourist forum reviews. The study mentions that travelers should be especially careful when walking from the subway station to the Eiffel Tower. No less than 2,000 reviews have mentioned pickpockets.
Embassies in France also warned about pickpockets in Paris: "Tourists in Paris should be particularly wary of thieves, who usually commit crimes near tourist attractions such as museums, monuments, restaurants, hotels, beaches, trains, train stations, airports, subways, etc., and target themselves. "
4th place: Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic
Charles Bridge is the oldest, longest and most beautiful large stone bridge in Europe. The bridge was built in 1357 and the two ends of the bridge connect the Old Town and the Prague Castle district on both sides of the bridge. Charles Bridge was once a must for kings to be crowned and paraded. In 1992, charles bridge was listed as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations. However, the bridge is not only crowded with tourists, it is also filled with the constant noise of artists and hawkers. Therefore, it is naturally also a good place for pickpockets to operate. On major travel websites, it ranks fourth on the list with more than 1,000 mentions of pickpocketing.
5th place: Sacré-Cœur Cathedral in Paris, France
Located in Montmartre, Paris, the church was built in 1876 and contains numerous exquisite reliefs, frescoes and mosaics. Outside the church there is placed montmartre des Arts. Behind the church is an 84-meter-high square bell tower with a 19-ton Sava bell, the largest in the world. The façade of the church is three arched gates, and its dome is flanked by two equestrian statues: Saint Louis, King of France, and Joan of Arc, the national heroine. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart is located high in the city of Paris, so from here you can see a panoramic view of Paris, so it brings a large number of tourists here. Still, the cathedral won the ranking with 900 comments about pickpockets.
6th place: Colosseum, Italy
The Colosseum was a place in the ancient Roman Empire dedicated to slave owners, nobles, and freedmen watching colossal or slave gladiatorials. It was built between 72-80 years and is a symbol of ancient Roman civilization. The attraction is located in the heart of Rome, the capital of Italy. There are many tourists here all year round, and in this 2,000-year-old World Historical Heritage Site, you will rub shoulders with tourists from many countries. When fantasizing about ancient gladiators fighting fiercely, there's a good chance you'll lose your wallet. The amphitheater ranked sixth on the list, with nearly 700 reviews mentioning thieves.
7th Place: Old Town Square in Prague, Czech Republic
The second most popular pickpocket in Prague is the 12th-century Old Town Square. Old Town Square is an old square in the Old Town of Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. The square is located between Wenceslas Square and Charles Bridge. The surrounding buildings vary in style, mainly Gothic and Baroque. The Old Town Square is not only a popular social gathering place, but also a venue for various holiday celebrations and demonstrations. There is the Old Town Hall and the Baroque Church of St. Nicholas. It's a busy place with markets, artists and concerts, and it's always bustling with tourists in the summer. It provides thieves with many opportunities to get rich, enabling them to sneak up on unsuspecting tourists. More than 600 reviews on travel websites and forums discussed the pickpocketing crime in the Old Square.
8th place: The Louvre in Paris, France
Located on the Seine River in the heart of Paris, the Louvre was originally the royal palace of the Kings of France in the 12th century, and is now a comprehensive museum, the second largest art museum in the world, and the most famous landmark of Paris. More than 10 million visitors visit the Louvre every year. The size of the museum makes it impossible for visitors to see everything in a day. No matter how many times you go, be sure to be careful with pickpockets. Pickpockets are mentioned nearly 600 times in travel websites and forum reviews.
9th place: Acropolis, Greece
Acropolis, greek for "Acropolis". Originally, it meant "a city on a high place" or "a city-state on a high hill". Founded in 580 BC on the hill of the Acropolis in the center of the city, it is a comprehensive public building in Greece, the most famous ancient architectural complex in Greece, and the center of religious politics. It is also one of the world-famous cultural and historical scenic spots. In the tourist season, the Acropolis is full of tourists and bustling. The large number of tourists offers many options for local pickpockets. The scenic spot came in ninth with more than 400 comments about pickpocketing.
10th place: Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain
Sagrada Familia, located in Barcelona, Spain. Originally built in 1882, it is the largest Christian church in the world and is still unfinished. It is the bull's tail building in the world! Even so, the church is still regarded as a symbol of Spain. And has been given numerous good names: one of the greatest buildings in human history, unfinished architectural monuments and so on. It is also included in the Unesco World Heritage List. The Sagrada Familia is one of the not-to-be-missed attractions in Barcelona. However, pay special attention to the pickpockets here. Nearly 400 commenters have mentioned that they lost their finances here.