How to Avoid Pickpockets in Europe: Real Tips from a Victim (2026 Guide)
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Because "visit the police station" shouldn’t be part of your European itinerary 🚨
We always hear about the risk of pickpocketing in touristy areas across Europe: Rome, Paris, London. But what we don’t talk about enough is just how good these thieves are. They’re professionals. This isn’t someone clumsily bumping into you on the metro; pickpocketing in Europe is often done by highly skilled, organized groups who can steal your valuables without you noticing.
We learned that firsthand in Brussels, Belgium. 🫠
At the time my husband and I had been traveling full-time for the past nine months, making our way around the world and visiting 14 countries along the way. We’ve hiked volcanoes, lived in vans, and had street food in five different languages. And yet, nothing prepared us for the moment I realized my phone was gone... without a trace.
Spoiler: we ended up at a Belgian police station. Not exactly on our Travel Bingo card.
So from one pickpocketed traveler to another, here’s how to avoid getting robbed in Europe this summer, with tips we wish we had followed every single second.
1️⃣ NEVER Keep Your Phone in Your Pocket
Seriously. Never. Even if it’s “just for a second.”
I usually wear my crossbody sling bag with my phone zipped safely inside, and I’m very aware of pickpocketing risks. But one day in Brussels, I took a quick call, slipped my phone into my coat pocket for less than two minutes... and poof. Gone. No bump, no suspicious person nearby, just vanished.
It doesn’t matter how cautious you are, if your valuables aren’t zipped away, you’re a target.
🟠 Better Alternative: Use a zippered crossbody bag worn in front, ideally with the strap under your jacket. Bonus points for anti-theft bags or clips. Treat your phone like gold. Because it is.
2️⃣ Disable Control Center When Locked
This one’s a game-changer and most people don’t even know it’s a thing.
After my phone was stolen, I tried to use “Find My iPhone.” Nothing. It wasn’t updating.
Turns out, as soon as they steal it, they turn on airplane mode from the lock screen and then power it down. Just like that, you’re cut off from real-time tracking.
✅ How to Disable This:
Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode
Enter your passcode
Scroll down to Control Center
Toggle OFF
This simple setting makes it much harder for thieves to vanish with your phone undetected.
3️⃣ Be Wary of Distractions (It’s a Team Effort)
Pickpockets often work in groups. One person distracts you by asking for directions, “accidentally” bumping into you, or handing you a clipboard, while their partner is lifting your phone or wallet.
We’ve seen it all: someone drops coins near your feet, a woman with a baby asks for money, a group creates a scene. It’s all calculated. The second your attention drifts, you’re vulnerable.
👀 Pro Tip: Keep your valuables in front of you, avoid setting bags down (even at cafes), and never assume a crowd is safe.
Bonus Tips for Staying Safe in Europe 🛡️
Use RFID-blocking wallets or card holders to protect your credit cards.
Avoid back pockets for anything valuable: phones, wallets, passports.
Only carry what you need. Leave backups and extras locked up in your accommodation.
Install Find My iPhone / Find My Device AND know how to use them.
Activate “Lost Mode” immediately if your phone is stolen.
Write down important info (passport number, emergency contacts, etc.) in case your phone is lost.
TL;DR – How to Avoid Getting Pickpocketed in Europe
✅ Keep phones and valuables zipped away (no, not in your pocket!)
✅ Disable Control Center when locked to protect tracking
✅ Stay aware in crowds; distractions are a trap
✅ Use crossbody bags, RFID wallets, and only carry essential
Final Thoughts
Europe is magical. It’s ancient cities, cobblestone streets, and once-in-a-lifetime memories. But it’s also full of opportunistic thieves who know how distracted tourists can be.
You don’t need to be paranoid, you just need to be smart.
So stay alert, zip it up, and for the love of gelato, keep your phone out of your pocket. Trust us, you do not want to swap croissants for a police report.
Stay safe, stay aware, and enjoy your European adventure! 🏰
Share this with someone going to Europe this summer. It might just save their phone. 📱✨
(P.S. Got pickpocketed too? Or have a genius tip we missed? Drop it in the comments. We’re in this together.)
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