Is Barcelona Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Barcelona is generally safe for solo female travelers. The crime rates are relatively low, however pickpocketing and bag snatching are common in crowded places and on public transportation. Basic precautions like avoiding deserted areas, not flaunting wealth or valuable possessions, and being vigilant on the street and in the metro, especially after dark, should ensure a safe stay.

Safety rating

Make friends while traveling solo

Get the Travel Ladies app to meet other women, find travel buddies and stay with locals for free through hospitality exchange.
Download from App StoreDownload from Google Play
Get the Travel Ladies App

How safe is Barcelona?

Safety at night:

Safety at night:Moderate

Barcelona, generally holds a decent level of safety. However, during the night time, especially if you're alone, it is advisable to stick to well-lit, populated areas. Unwanted attentions or pickpocketing incidences can happen, particularly in tourist-centric locations. Public transportation is reliable and often preferred. Overall, maintain awareness of your surroundings and take general precautions as you would in any other city.
Public transportation:

Public transportation:Safe

Public transportation in Barcelona is safe, reliable, and well-maintained. It includes a comprehensive network of metro lines, buses, trams, and trains. Furthermore, they run frequently and even late at night. However, caution needs to be exercised, as in any crowded place, against pickpockets and minor thefts. Special attention should be placed on your belongings. Despite this, it still remains a secure and efficient way to move around the city.
Street harassment:

Street harassment:Low

Barcelona is generally considered safe for solo female travelers, with locals respectful of personal boundaries. Street harassment is not a rampant issue, with most of the concerns revolving around pickpocketing. That said, it's always important to stay vigilant, especially in crowded tourist areas. However, women should feel relatively comfortable moving around the city, at day or night, without facing significant harassment or discomfort.
Petty crimes:

Petty crimes:High

Barcelona, despite being a fantastic city with vibrant culture and breathtaking architecture, unfortunately has a comparatively high rate of petty crimes. Tourists often face thefts, pickpocketing, and scams, particularly in crowded areas such as popular tourist sites, beaches, and public transport. Often these crimes are non-violent; however, the frequency can be disconcerting. It's crucial to be cautious, stay vigilant about your belongings, and be aware of your surroundings when exploring the city.

Is Barcelona worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.5 /5

based on 132 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.5/5

Safety

4/5

Food

4.4/5

Budget-friendly

3.3/5
Marishka

Marishka

Germany

Couple travel

My gf and I felt very safe as a lesbian couple traveling Barcelona. The local homosexual scene is very big and welcoming, we found some lesbian party completely by accident and had a wonderful time there. The food was amazing and prices were OK. Overall it was a wonderful experience. 🩷

Posted: April 21, 2025
favorite_border 16
mode_comment 0

Group travel

I visited Barcelona in July 2024 and had a great time. I felt safe throughout my stay. I went swimming and visited the stunning Sagrada Família, which is definitely worth seeing. Most of my time was spent shopping and exploring the vibrant streets. The summer weather was hot but perfect for enjoying the city. I stayed near Plaça de Catalunya, which made it easy to get around using the metro. I recommend checking out local markets like La Boqueria and grabbing some tapas. Overall, a fun and relaxed trip—I’d definitely go back!

Posted: April 20, 2025
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0

Group travel

Overall I felt safe in the city. There were a lot if things to do and I must say I was never bored being there for a little more than a week. I really recommend going to the Sagrada Familia(buy your tickets in advance) and Park Güell (also buy your tickets in advance) We did find some good spots to eat wich dont really cost much. Bar Joan had really good tapas for low price. As transport we used the metro. I reccomend searching for a good plan of the tracks because at the metro itself it isn't always clear where to go.

Posted: April 16, 2025Experienced: March, 2025
favorite_border 1
mode_comment 0
Lara

Lara

Spain

Solo travel

Public transport is good and cheap. Food is excellent but a bit expensive. The people are nice and to be honest you don’t need almost any Spanish, since everyone speaks English. I feel pretty safe, except for el Raval.

Posted: April 11, 2025
favorite_border 2
mode_comment 0

Family travel

i loved barcelona, i think it’s by far the most beautiful city i have ever travelled to. the vibes are unmatched, the architecture is gorgeous, the people are amazing. i felt safe as a woman walking on the streets at night, never got cat-called or harassed. the only downside is i did get pick-pocketed, so watch out for that, the simply snatched a crossbody bag off my mom

Posted: April 11, 2025
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0

Solo travel

Barcelona was a good place, I didn’t met picpocket’s for me was safe, I love tradiotional foods, perfect… I met one of my friend in Barcelona she showed me around. I stayed one month, I was in lloret de Mar it is small but good place and S’agro is small place for shooping lot of boutiques

Posted: April 11, 2025
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0
Oliwia

Oliwia

Poland

Solo travel

Barcelona was one of the best places to visit for me I have to come back there Everything was amazing Taco Bell was top 1 fast food there On the beach u can feel like heaven Everyone was nice and kind

Posted: April 2, 2025
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0

Couple travel

Overall experience it was nice, quite expensive (not as expensive as UK though haha). Tapas were extraordinarily good and sangria as well. I must’ve spent around 60€ per day, because attractions were quite expensive. Recommend buying tickets for Sagrada Familia in advance, as we went there and all the times were fully booked. And expensive, too. But you can get your belly full by eating tapas and snacking from Mercado hehe

Posted: April 2, 2025
favorite_border 3
mode_comment 0

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
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0

Solo travel

I felt very safe. I stayed at Kabul party hostel and it was amazing they have activities everyday. I met so many people with who i went to party, walked around. I deffinetly raccomend Parc Guel or the Bunkers where you have the whole panorama of the city

Posted: March 3, 2025Experienced: January, 2025
favorite_border 1
mode_comment 0

Is Barcelona safe for women?

Safety index

3.6 /5

Based on 82 local experiences

Crime index

2.7 /5

Based on 82 local experiences

Nerea

Nerea

As all cities there is some neighborhoods like Raval or la Mina where is better not to go alone during the night but all the other neighbors are pretty safe. But we are having a big problem with pickpockets around the busy areas and the metro.

Posted: April 13, 2025
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0

Aside from the pick pockets, its a fairly safe city. Just follow your gut and the advices you would follow in any european country, and u will be fine!!! Enjoy your time I’m Barcelona girls!! I ll be happy to meet u

Posted: April 8, 2025
favorite_border 0
mode_comment 0

Meet locals in Barcelona

Lara

Lara

About Me

Hi girls! I am a 24yr old from Slovenia, doing an internship in Barcelona. I will stay here till mid June. After that I’m planning a trip to the south of Spain and Morocco!

Speaking

mode_comment 0
nerea

nerea

About Me

Cat lover, i have two 😻 Love art museums, nature and unusual plans :>

Speaking

mode_comment 0

Stay with locals in Barcelona

Malena

Malena

Barcelona

Can host for:

2 days

About me

Hey there! I'm Malena, 28 years old, and Iive in the sunny city of Barcelona. I absolutely love meeting new people and diving into different cultures and languages. Traveling is my engine of life, so whenever I get a little free time, you can bet I'm planning my next adventure! :)

Speaking

mode_comment 0
Nerea

Nerea

Barcelona

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Hello girls! My name is Nerea I have 34yo and I work as a pediatric nurse. I’m here because I like to travel and meet new people :)

Speaking

mode_comment 0

Upcoming visitors to Barcelona

nagisa

nagisa

About Me

Hi! I’m from Tokyo and grew up in the US, and currently based in Venice, studying as an exchange student :) I fluent in English and Japanese, currently studying Russian. I’m gonna solo travel around Europe in May, and I would be more than happy to meet local and travel girlies <33 hmu on my insta @1nqktty I do music so would love to meet musicians and music lovers as well :)

Speaking

mode_comment 0

Safety in Spain