Is Spain Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Spain is generally a safe country for solo female travelers. Both urban areas and rural regions have low levels of crime. It is always prudent to take basic precautions, such as avoiding poorly lit and deserted areas late at night, keeping a close eye on personal belongings in crowded places, and not sharing your personal details or itineraries with strangers. Public transportation and taxis are usually safe and reliable. However, like anywhere else, incidents can occur, so staying alert and using common sense is important.

Safety rating

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How safe is Spain?

Safety at night:

Safety at night:Safe

Spain, in general, is known to have a good safety record and this includes safety after dark too. However, like any other place, safety can vary depending on the area and time. Bigger cities like Madrid and Barcelona are largely safe but do be cautious in quieter or less lit streets. Also be aware of pickpocketing, especially in crowded areas or tourist hotspots. Overall, basic precautions such as sticking to well-lit areas, not displaying valuables openly, and maintaining a sense of awareness are still advised.
Public transportation:

Public transportation:Safe

Public transportation in Spain is generally safe and reliable. It consists of buses, trains, trams, and metros which effectively connect cities and towns. The services are frequented by local and foreign travelers alike. However, it's important to be conscious of your surroundings, especially in crowded spaces, as pickpocketing incidents have been reported in some areas. Overall, the system is widely used and safety concerns are minimal.
Street harassment:

Street harassment:Low

While cases of street harassment do occur and vary by region, Spain generally has a safe atmosphere. Instances of wolf-whistling, cat-calling, and lewd remarks are not commonplace. Being a solo female traveler, you may occasionally experience unsolicited attention, but typically, locals are respectful and unobtrusive. Nonetheless, maintaining caution in crowded areas or during late hours is advisable. Remember, your experience may vary depending on various factors such as the neighborhood you're in, the time of day, and your general demeanor.
Petty crimes:

Petty crimes:Low

Spain, as a whole, experiences relatively low levels of petty crimes such as pickpocketing, particularly outside of major cities. However, you may encounter higher risk in tourist-heavy areas including major cities like Barcelona and Madrid, where pickpockets might be more common. Always remain alert and keep an eye on personal belongings even in crowded public transports and places. Stay aware of your surroundings, but overall, Spain is considered quite safe for travelers.

Is Spain worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.7 /5

based on 381 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.6/5

Safety

4.5/5

Food

4.4/5

Budget-friendly

3.5/5
Kamilla

Kamilla

Spain

El Chorro, Solo travel

Spent a beautiful 2.5 months in El Chorro and the surrounding area. I was volunteering at the Olive Branch a climbing hostel filled with beautiful souls. What an amazing place to spend climbing, swimming and exploring ✨

Posted: March 18, 2025Experienced: December, 2024
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Spain, Solo travel

I love traveling to Spain. I'm already been in Spain 3 times. Always during summertime. I always felt safe. I did many activities like swimming in the ocean, visiting caves, riding on a horse and many more.

Posted: March 16, 2025
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Can Picafort, Solo travel

I felt safe even when walking around and going to my hotel alone by myself at night. I definitely recommend a long walk along the beach and having tapas at a restaurant. I stayed at BQ Hotel and everyone was so nice. There were supermarkets nearby so you don‘t have to spend all your budget at restaurants. In Can Picafort I mostly walked and when I was visiting my friends who had their hotel in Alcudia, I took the bus. For a trip to Palma I rented a car together with my friends.

Posted: March 15, 2025Experienced: September, 2023
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Anaïs

Anaïs

France

Basque Country, Couple travel

I did a vantrip in Basque Country with my boyfriend and 2 friends in october next year and it was one of my favorite short trip ! We felt safe and it was very calm, only surrounded by locals! The weather was very lovely and we even went for a plunge in the ocean 🌊

Posted: March 15, 2025
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Madrid, Solo travel

I really enjoyed Madrid, I travelled solo and stayed there for two weeks in february as an au-pair by a host family. I had some free time, so I got around alone very often. I would recommend to travel a bit later maybe in spring or May, so its not to hot, but everyrthink is growing and the winter works are finished, so you can enjoy the lovely parks and green areas more than I. I also recommend to visist a Flamenco show, the el rastro marked (but take care of your personal stuff), a walk to the most importand sights like the palace, the via grande and if you have more time a day Trip to toledo or San Lorenzo de El Escorial.

Posted: March 14, 2025Experienced: January, 2025
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Barcelona, Solo travel

I didnt feel that safe.but It was overall nice i have been loving my whole Life in Madrid and seeing the beach seeing the Life and the Big streets It was actually really really nice i Will repeat pretty soon

Posted: March 14, 2025Experienced: February, 2019
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Gran Canaria, Couple travel

It was a wild trip. I started somewhere in Lanzarote I think, in a surfers hostel which was quite nice, gotta find out, because I want to learn surfing some day. Since I was having a lot of trouble in my head, obviously it followed me to the trip wich made it less enjoyable than it should’ve been. My love planned the trip, I was never anywhere else before, now I found myself in a paradise with my demons inside. Feel like the one picture captured how good I looked, but not how bad I felt. We stayed at a Air BnB which was beautiful but could only host for half of the trips After that we had to Hotel Jump because it’s been holiday season or something… Overall, everything was very expensive because we always booked last minute. I felt safe but sometimes disgusted by men giving my love thumbs up for me as their Girlfriend, I usually backfired and let my aggressive energy spill, that helped me balance it off. The best food was a little Thai restaurant inside of a hotel, close to the beach… I remember that moment because I felt relieved and relaxed for the first time, maybe that’s why the food was so good. It really is a nice and wonderful paradise, go there If you’re free in your head, you’d probably enjoy it.

Posted: March 12, 2025Experienced: March, 2025
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Sophia

Sophia

Ukraine

Alicante, Solo travel

I really like how I spent time in Alicante.I lived with my friends from Ukraine.We were walking, visiting cafes and swimming in the sea all the time. I could recommend you to visit Santa Barbara mountain to see the view from the highest point in Alicante.

Posted: March 12, 2025Experienced: July, 2024
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Spain, Group travel

I went to Spain with a group of dancers and it was amazing ! We went to La Rioja during an election so there were a lot of policemen everywhere! The town was something else at night loved it! I will definitely go back to Spain!✨

Posted: March 7, 2025
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Spain, Group travel

I was with my friends in Spain, visiting several different cities. It was really fun, and the nightlife in Valencia was lively, whereas in Murcia, not so much. The food was good, and the prices were low.

Posted: March 7, 2025
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Is Spain safe for women?

Safety index

4.3 /5

Based on 366 local experiences

Crime index

2 /5

Based on 366 local experiences

Barcelona

If you stay where are a tons of people is quit safe, but always watch your back and never go alone during night or in a dangerous streets. But, I think that during the day and even if you go alone, nothing will happen, but remember to always have your bag in front of you.

Posted: March 23, 2025
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Bilbao

Bilbao is a really safe place. Maybe in the town are little places that's better to avoid at night, but nothing to important. You have to be a little bit careful maybe at night, but it's totally a safe place.

Posted: March 23, 2025
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Meet locals in Spain

Iz☆r

Iz☆r

About Me

Hihi! My name is Iz☆r, I'm an almost 20 y/o art student that likes to learn new thing and it's trying to travel more little by little after a wonderful experience in a volunteering proyect in Serbia! I wish to meet wonderful people as I have before and learn about them. Loving how travelling allows us to connect and share with amaizing individuals!

Speaking

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Felicitas

Felicitas

About Me

Hello my name is Feli and I’m from Germany. Right now, I’m studying for one year in Salamanca law. My Spanish level is advanced, but still not perfect. I’m open for meeting and accommodating new people and more than happy to show you around.

Speaking

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Stay with locals in Spain

Iz☆r

Iz☆r

Bilbao

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Hihi! My name is Iz☆r, I'm an almost 20 y/o art student that likes to learn new thing and it's trying to travel more little by little after a wonderful experience in a volunteering proyect in Serbia! I wish to meet wonderful people as I have before and learn about them. Loving how travelling allows us to connect and share with amaizing individuals!

Speaking

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Felicitas

Felicitas

Salamanca

Can host for:

7 days

About me

Hello my name is Feli and I’m from Germany. Right now, I’m studying for one year in Salamanca law. My Spanish level is advanced, but still not perfect. I’m open for meeting and accommodating new people and more than happy to show you around.

Speaking

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Upcoming visitors to Spain

Mesi

Mesi

About Me

Hi, my name is Emese! 👋 I'm from Hungary, and I really love living here. Budapest is such a cool and beautiful capital city! You must visit if you're traveling nearby and want to have a great time without spending a lot of money. ;) I also love traveling and getting to know different cultures to learn and find inspiration. I'm a university student studying architecture, so I enjoy visiting both famous and not so kown landmarks. But I'm a huge foodie too!

Speaking

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Jasmine

Jasmine

About Me

Hi!! I’m entering the adult world so i’d love to finally to start travelling around the world and learn about new culture, languages, religion, ecc.

Speaking

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Safety in Spain