The short answer
Is Spain safe? For most visitors, we think so, but no country is free of risk. Andalusia is generally safe, and in our view the crime you are most likely to meet is pickpocketing. The more serious risks are often not crime at all: summer heat, the sea, wildfires and the roads.
- Official advice: the UK page we read does not advise against travel to any part of Spain. The US rates Spain Level 2, according to press reports.
- Emergency number: 112, free across Spain.
- Trains right now: a collision on 28 October 2026 stopped high-speed trains between Madrid and Andalusia. See trains.
Advice changes, so check your own government’s page before you travel. This guide does not replace it.
What governments say
We checked these on 4 November 2026.
| Source | Rating or wording | Main concerns |
|---|---|---|
| UK FCDO (updated 28 October 2026) | No rating. No advice against travel to any area | Terrorism, street crime, drink spiking, drowning, heat, wildfires |
| US State Department (press reports) | Level 2, “Exercise Increased Caution”. Ceuta: Level 3, “Reconsider Travel” | Terrorism and unrest |
The UK says: “Terrorists are likely to try and carry out attacks in Spain.” It mentions an attack on two churches in Cádiz in January 2023, and asks you to stay aware and follow local authorities. It also says no travel can be guaranteed safe.
The US page blocked our automated check, so we rely on press reports of its update of 1 August 2026. Those reports say Ceuta rose to Level 3 and the rest of Spain stayed at Level 2. Ceuta is a Spanish city in North Africa, not part of Andalusia. Please read the official page yourself.
What the crime figures show
Spain’s Ministry of the Interior publishes a crime report every three months. Its figures are provisional and count only crimes known to the police.
- January to March 2026: 40.5 conventional crimes per 1,000 inhabitants, which the Ministry places in the lowest band of its series. Online crime adds 10.0 per 1,000.
- In the same three months: 146,815 thefts without force or violence, down 3.2%, and 94 homicides in the whole country.
- January to June 2026: press reports of the next report say total crime rose 0.5%, while property crime fell 3.6%. Sexual offences rose 4%.
We could not open that later report, so the city figures below are from January to March.
| Place | Thefts 2025 → 2026 | Violent robberies 2025 → 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Seville | 3,559 → 3,543 | 416 → 419 |
| Málaga | 2,723 → 2,410 | 194 → 145 |
| Granada | 918 → 1,083 | 94 → 69 |
| Marbella | 711 → 634 | 53 → 56 |
| Torremolinos | 293 → 283 | 13 → 17 |
These are counts for three months outside summer, not rates. Cities differ in size and visitor numbers, so don’t use them to rank places.
For an international view, the Global Peace Index 2026 puts Spain 27th of 163 countries. Portugal is 7th, Italy 35th, the UK 39th, France 99th and the US 134th. In our view it is a broad measure of peace, not of the risk to a tourist.
The main risks
Pickpockets and scams
The UK says thieves use distraction and often work in teams, including at airports and car hire desks. Spain’s National Police advise keeping your bag closed and in front of you, and taking care at cash machines. Other tricks:
- Fake police. Real officers may ask for ID, but not for your wallet.
- Fake breakdowns. People may flag down hire cars, claiming a fault or damage. The UK says to stop only in a public, lit place.
- Rosemary. Around Seville Cathedral and the Alhambra, someone may hand you a sprig and ask for money. We’d decline and walk on.
- Look-alike ticket sites. See our Alhambra tickets guide and Alcázar tickets guide.
- Unlicensed taxis. The UK says passengers can be fined up to €600.
Drink spiking
The UK warns about GHB and other drugs. It advises buying your own drinks and keeping them in sight. It also warns of serious falls from balconies.
Heat
Average July highs in Seville are about 36 °C, and heatwaves can reach the mid-40s. Spain’s health institute estimated 5,807 deaths linked to heat from 15 May to 30 September 2026, according to press reports. This is a statistical estimate, and 97% were aged 65 or older. Check warnings from AEMET, Spain’s weather agency, and see the best time to visit.
Wildfires
Andalusia’s high-risk season runs from 1 June to 15 October, and press reports say barbecues are banned, even in equipped recreation areas. The regional government reported 17,092 hectares affected from 1 January to 29 July 2026. The UK says causing a wildfire is a crime, even by accident. Report any smoke to 112 and follow official instructions.
The sea and rip currents
Spain’s lifesaving federation counted 472 drowning deaths in 2025, 89% of them in places without lifeguards, according to press reports. In Málaga province it counted 20 from June to September 2026, 13 at sea. Of those 20, 12 were where a lifeguard service was active, so lifeguards are no guarantee.
Andalusia’s official guide gives these flags: red, no swimming; yellow, caution; green, swimming allowed; black, beach closed.
It describes a rip current as a narrow channel where the waves look calmer. If one pulls you out, stay calm, don’t swim against it, swim parallel to the shore, and signal for help. See our best beaches guide.
Roads
Spain’s traffic agency counted 1,119 deaths on non-urban roads in 2025 (provisional), the second lowest figure since 1960. Andalusia had 224, the most of any region. Three in four deaths were on secondary roads, and one in four people killed in cars and vans wore no seatbelt. Our car hire guide covers speed and alcohol limits.
Trains
Two high-speed trains collided in Toledo province on 28 October 2026, on the line between Madrid and Andalusia. Reports gave at least 68 deaths, and the first ones did not agree on the cause. It followed a collision at Adamuz, in Córdoba province, in January 2026.
The line was still closed on 4 November 2026: see the notice at the top of this page. The UK says to expect significant disruption to rail services. The press reported that Renfe stopped selling Madrid to Andalusia high-speed tickets until 13 December, or sooner if the line reopens, so check with your operator. See Madrid to Seville for other ways to travel.
Solo and women travellers
The UK says attacks, including sexual assaults, are rare but do occur. It advises staying with friends, not leaving drinks unattended and saving your accommodation on your map app.
Reported sexual offences rose in 2026, as shown above. The Ministry links the long-term rise in part to more victims being willing to report.
- 016 is Spain’s free helpline for all forms of violence against women. It runs 24 hours, in 53 languages including English, with WhatsApp on 600 000 016.
- AlertCops is the Ministry’s free police app. It has an SOS button, location sharing and chat with translation.
LGBTQ+ travellers
The UK calls Spain generally tolerant and progressive, and same-sex marriage is legal. ILGA-Europe ranks Spain first of 49 countries in its 2026 Rainbow Map, but stresses that this measures laws, not daily life, and cites a Spanish report of more assaults. Torremolinos has a well-known scene.
City notes
- Seville: pickpockets work the crowds around the cathedral and at Semana Santa.
- Málaga: the same applies at the city fair and Holy Week.
- Granada: thefts rose 18% in the figures above. In the Albaicín, watch your bag at San Nicolás and keep to the main lanes after dark.
- Costa del Sol: most drownings in Málaga province in summer 2026 were at sea, so see our Málaga beaches guide and follow the flags.
If something goes wrong
- Emergency: call 112. Spain’s tourism site says it has a translation service.
- Police: 091 is the National Police number.
- Reporting a crime: go to a police station. Police tourist offices (SATE) help victims in their own language. An undated police leaflet lists offices in Málaga, Marbella, Estepona, Benalmádena, Seville and Granada.
- Lost passport: the UK says a police report won’t let you leave Spain, so you need a new passport or emergency document.
- Before you go: take travel insurance, and see our travel checklist. An eSIM keeps your maps and calls working.
FAQ
Is Spain safe to visit right now?
For most visitors, we think so. The UK does not advise against travel to any area, and press reports put the US at Level 2. Check your own government’s page.
Is Andalusia safe?
It is generally safe, but not free of risk. Watch for pickpockets in crowds, and take heat, the sea and wildfires seriously.
Is Spain safe for solo female travellers?
The UK says attacks, including sexual assaults, are rare but do occur. We’d follow its advice on drinks and on staying with friends. The 016 helpline works in English.
Is Spain safe for LGBTQ+ travellers?
Spain’s laws are among the strongest in Europe, according to ILGA-Europe. The UK calls it generally tolerant, though that does not rule out incidents.
What is the emergency number in Spain?
112, for police, ambulance and fire services. Tell the operator where you are.