Thread: How safe is Spain for tourists?

I've heard a lot of stories about pickpockets and thieves in Spain, especially in cities like Barcelona and Madrid. I've never been to Spain but would love to visit someday. However, I want to know whether the rumors of it being fraught with petty crime are legitimate or not. I've traveled to several cities and am familiar with some of the basics like don't carry large amounts of cash, keep it distributed in different pockets, carry a backpack instead of a purse, etc.

Has anyone had any experience with pickpockets in Spain and what other safety measures would you recommend to avoid them?

Most of the major european countries do have a problem with petty crime. A lot of it since the EU decided to increase the union to allow a lot of the ex-soviet bloc countries in, and with it the many thousands who arrived looking for easy pickings.
Spains major cities are no different from other countries cities. London has one of the largest reported rates of pickpocket crime in the EU, but if your a Londoner you don't go to the tourist sites (seen them all) so you don't get to hear about it.
The advice is as you've already stated, just take out enough for that evening, try to avoid large crowds, if you've got a driving license take that and leave your passport in the hotel. I know many places say you need to carry it but your very unlikey to get arrested if you don't. If you've had a couple to many then try to stay with the group going back to the hotel.
Staggering down the road in the early hours on your own makes you an easy target in any country.

Wow –*thanks for sharing your stories and advice. It actually does sound exceptionally dangerous compared to some other European cities like Paris or Prague. I have been to those cities and never experienced anything quite as bad as what's been described.

Aside from being scammed or pickpocketed, how worried should I be about being physically hurt, like mugged on the street or a victim of violence? If I'm walking alone, even if not drunk, should I be concerned about this?

Originally Posted by rosemaryzephyr

Wow –*thanks for sharing your stories and advice. It actually does sound exceptionally dangerous compared to some other European cities like Paris or Prague. I have been to those cities and never experienced anything quite as bad as what's been described.

Aside from being scammed or pickpocketed, how worried should I be about being physically hurt, like mugged on the street or a victim of violence? If I'm walking alone, even if not drunk, should I be concerned about this?

Wow, are you sure you want to do this?. You really are starting to sound a bit paranoid about it all.
I'm not saying ignore what you've heard, take it onboard and store it for future reference. When I first went to The States on holiday the list of, do's, dont's and avoids was unbelievable. You'd be forgiven for thinking you were about to enter a war zone. In reality it was just a good "precaution" list and the many times I visited never ran into any trouble.
Much of what you need is pure common sense, being streetwise in a foreign city and keep aware of what's going on around you.
It's not the best idea in the world to be walking alone on deserted streets even in your home city, drunk or sober. All cities have cabs everywhere and most are relatively cheap. Use one.
Again pure common sense so as to avoid finding yourself in any sort of confrontational situation.
Relax, and enjoy your holiday.

I think one just has to be very alert and keep your belongings safe. I have had my phone and wallet stolen twice but it's not going to stop me from traveling. It's good to be cautious and aware. I wouldn't recommend walking out drunk in a foreign place, you just don't know enough about the place to let your guard down like that.

Few tips would be to keep your wallet in your front pocket. If possible, keep cash in at least two separate pouches so if one gets stolen, you still have the other one. Keep your backpacks or bags on you all the time,especially on trains. Do not fall asleep without holding tight onto your backpack. You might just wake up after a brief nap to find it gone!

As TheBrit mentioned, use common sense and definitely don't ever get into any confrontational situations.

I think you are definitely over-worrying about things. I've visited spain before, and countries with similar problems and I have had nothing but success by just keeping my personal belongings close to me. Don't put your wallet in your back pocket, and don't leave your purse dangling below you. You just have to be vigilant of your belongings of all time, but other than that you have nothing to worry about.

Just be careful, and enjoy a beautiful country!

I've been to Cordoba, Cadiz, Ronda, Malaga, and Madrid and never had any problems. I wasn't alone though, so perhaps that's part of the reason I wasn't ever bothered.

In any country you go to, you have to worry about some crime - especially if you're alone at night, possibly drunk.

There are a lot of pickpockets in Spain - just like in Italy. Be safe - carry your personal belongings close to you, be aware of people around you, and don't reveal certain things (such as $100 in your wallet).
If you've been to Rome or Florence in Italy, I would say that, though they aren't exactly the same, there are a lot of similarities.

I don't think Spain is much different to any other country. You get people picking pockets in most European countries these days. I have never had anything stolen when I have been to Spain. I think if you keep your money safe then you will be fine. Then again I do tend to book into hotels that have safes in the rooms. I just tend to take a certain amount of money out with me and keep the rest of it in a safe.

I went on holiday to Barcelona and I had a great time. The weather was beautiful, the food was great and there were many things to see and enjoy. I stayed in a touristy area but I felt very safe the whole time. We used to walk to the casino and back pretty late and didn't see anything that worried me or made me feel like its a dangerous place. I think if you keep your wits about you the same as when you are anywhere then you have nothing to worry about.

I have also heard that it is a problem over there. It's a problem really anywhere though.

Barcelona does have a pickpocket problem, especially around the Ramblas area so be careful with what you put in your pockets or backpack. There is also a seedy area called the Raval which can be a bit scary on the evenings so avoid if possible. Other than that, apart from some of the Irish bars where the 'stag party' groups tend to head, Barcelona is as safe a city as any.

I found Valencia to be much safer although the locals told me that there are occasional Gypsy pickpockets around the popular tourist areas who target English-speaking tourists but in general, the area is pretty safe. Barcelona and Valencia are among the most beautiful cities in Spain and I never had any problems traveling alone there.

I went to Spain alone when I was 31 years old(7 years ago) and this was before iphones and gps were widely available. I was a single, female traveler and I was going to a yoga retreat in the southern region in a town called Orgiva. After leaving Madrid, I had a layover in Malaga and then took a bus to the retreat...all the while flying solo! I have to say that I felt very safe and was helped by a few strangers when our bus took a detour(because of a street parade). After the yoga retreat, I then took another bus up the coast to Alicante to meet some Spanish friends who were living there and I had no problems. I will say this, I never wandered alone and always stayed near the bus group, so I hope that helps.

I have been to spain 3 times and i have had nothing happen to myself but things have happend to friends of mine my mate was pickpocketed for about £400 i believe not sure on euros there there pretty sneaky but just be careful always have a buttoned or zipped pocket, never leave your wallet just leaning out of your pocket to just take and you should be fine thats what i do and i have never been robbed.

Spain is extremely safe! Do not be fooled by the protests and strikes that are most often publicized. It is an incredible country, with amazing food, culture and people. Once you land, you will never want to get back. Obviously, take the same precautions as in any big cities as to not go around alone in the dark! Common sense!! Enjoy!

I have not heard of this. I hear a lot of bad stories surrounding places like Mexico and Brazil, but I've never heard things about Spain. If purse snatching is the only thing people say there is to worry about, then I would still go. I would be more worried about other issues when traveling that cause a country to be unsafe. Thieves are everywhere!

Originally Posted by rosemaryzephyr

I've heard a lot of stories about pickpockets and thieves in Spain, especially in cities like Barcelona and Madrid. I've never been to Spain but would love to visit someday. However, I want to know whether the rumors of it being fraught with petty crime are legitimate or not. I've traveled to several cities and am familiar with some of the basics like don't carry large amounts of cash, keep it distributed in different pockets, carry a backpack instead of a purse, etc.

Has anyone had any experience with pickpockets in Spain and what other safety measures would you recommend to avoid them?

There is a big change of this kind if things happening anywhere in the world, however, Spain is not the kind of place where this kind of things are the rule rather than the exception I know becuse I've been to Europe on several ocassions, and most places over there are averging in terms of safety (not greece). Some places are safer than others , like for example Norway and Iceland. I think you should take the same measures you take at home, you will be fine

It's one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations, so I would assume it's safe enough, otherwise it wouldn't have such a reputation for tourism. On the flip side though, tourists are easy targets for opportunist thieves. I would say as long as you keep your wits about you and don't make yourself seem too tourist-y (e.g. if you're going to talk English, keep it on the down low - don't go around shouting about all the amazing attractions you've visited!), you should be okay.

I've been to Spain 3 times, never had any problems with pickpockets or general safety. I was always in more or less touristic areas along the coast... like I said not a single problem.

Still I'd recommend you to do the usual, divide your money and keep it in a few different places, be careful with your passport and credit cards etc.