A new global ranking of the world’s dirtiest cities has placed four Italian cities in the top 10 for negative cleanliness ratings. The findings are based on an analysis of more than 70,000 Google reviews, reflecting how visitors describe conditions around major attractions.
The 4 Italian cities ranked among the world’s dirtiest
According to Radical Storage’s 2026 report, Rome ranks as the second dirtiest city in the world.
Three other Italian cities also appear in the global top 10, meaning Italy has a stronger presence in this ranking than any other country.
Rome ranked 2nd dirtiest city in the world
With 35.7% negative cleanliness mentions, Rome stands out clearly in the data.
- Persistent issues such as overflowing bins, inconsistent waste collection and graffiti in some districts have been debated locally for years.
- The city’s ancient street plan makes large-scale refuse operations more complicated, and year-round visitor numbers add further strain.
- Summer heat is another factor worth acknowledging. When collection schedules slip, waste deteriorates quickly in the heat, making smells and street litter far more noticeable.
Florence (4th dirtiest globally)
Florence recorded 29.6% negative cleanliness mentions.
- Its medieval layout was never designed for modern refuse trucks. Plus, the narrow streets around the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio and Uffizi see dense foot traffic throughout most of the year.
- The introduction of smart bins signals an attempt to modernise waste management within tight historic constraints.
Milan (6th)
Milan registered 26.8% negative mentions.
- Milan is a large working city with heavy commuter flows and extensive residential districts. Central areas tend to be well-maintained, while some outer neighbourhoods vary in upkeep.
Verona (7th)
Verona recorded 26.2% negative mentions.
- Its compact historic centre draws strong seasonal tourism, particularly around Piazza Bra and Juliet’s House. High visitor density in a relatively small area makes maintenance more demanding during peak months.
Historic cities, overtourism and the cleanliness trade-off
The ranking reflects a broader pattern: heavily visited historic cities tend to attract more criticism around cleanliness.
- Ancient urban layouts that restrict modern service vehicles
- Protected heritage buildings limiting infrastructure changes
- High tourist concentration in small historic cores
- Seasonal peaks that overwhelm routine collection systems
How you can help ease the pressure
One practical shift is spending more time exploring Rome's lesser-known landmarks or choosing non-touristy things to do in the city that spread visitor numbers more evenly across the city.
In Florence, opting for less touristy neighbourhood walks eases pressure on the historic core while giving a more realistic sense of local life.
Even in smaller cities, seeking out fun activities off the beaten track in Verona, for example, can make a noticeable difference.
For residents and visitors, small habits do matter. Practical steps include:
- Following local recycling rules carefully, which can vary by district
- Avoiding peak crowd hours in tightly packed areas
- Spending time in residential neighbourhoods rather than concentrating solely in landmark zones
- Supporting local businesses outside the main tourist corridors
- Learning basic Italian to navigate daily systems confidently
How the ranking was calculated
It's worth noting that the study measures visitor perception around major tourist attractions, not the overall sanitation performance of entire metropolitan areas.
Radical Storage:
- Selected 100 cities from Euromonitor’s Top 100 City Destinations Index
- Analysed the top 10 tourist attractions in each city
- Reviewed English-language Google reviews posted between October 2024 and November 2025
- Scanned for mentions of “clean” and “dirty”
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