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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Safety index

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: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: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: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.

Tap water:Very safe

Spain's tap water is generally safe to drink. Its quality is monitored and controlled to meet high standards set by the European Union. However, the taste can sometimes be different due to mineral content, especially in coastal regions. Bottled water is also easily available if preferred.

Is Spain safe to travel?

4.6 /5

Based on 24 experiences

Solo travel experience

I traveled solo and was great .Food was delicious and accommodation was good and safe. I traveled by train and plane.The weather was sunny.I visited many places and I could spent a lot time oustside..

Posted: February 11, 2024Experienced: November, 2022
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Happy

Happy

Hong Kong S.A.R.

Solo travel experience

Itinerary Hong Kong -> Gran Garania -> Sevilla -> Granada -> Valencia -> Cuenca -> Madrid -> Dubai -> Hong Kong I felt safe in Spain because I could speak Spanish People are nice I lived in the hostel, so I met many new friends all over the world.

Posted: December 13, 2023
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Ally

Ally (25)

Germany

Solo travel experience

Hey Girls, I did my first solo travel trip in Spain in October! The country was really beautiful and I felt safe at all times! The weather, the people, the architecture and the food was also great! I was first in Malaga and then in Sevilla, Valencia, Barcelona and Madrid! Every City was a blessing♥️🌏 I can highly recommend this country for solo travel, you will never be alone ♥️

Posted: November 2, 2023Experienced: September, 2023
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Solo travel experience

For many years I travelled alone in Spain - in big cities and small towns, in villages, making solitary hikes and using public transport, I never encountered danger or even an unpleasant situation. Sometimes people approach, but never aggressively, they respect "no". Of course, I always follow common sense rules - I do not wander at night in suspicious places, I do not enter strange alleys etc.

Posted: October 8, 2023
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Solo travel experience

I travelled alone for the first time to Spain (Malaga, Granada and Madrid). I don't speak Spanish, but I noticed that most people speak English. Having Google Translate with offline translation to Spanish was nice, but I rarely felt it was even necessary. As for safety, I felt that Spain is very safe. I never felt in danger during my travels. Trains and buses in Spain are really cool. In Madrid, I stayed near the Plaza Mayor and felt that the location was perfect. I decided to stay in a hostel because I believe they are more sociable for solo travellers.

Posted: September 23, 2023
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Solo travel experience

I made my first solo trip last October to Spain. I visited Madrid, Barcelona, and Majorca. Almost everyone spoke English and I felt very safe the whole time for 10 days. I was walking around Madrid alone at 1 in the morning, eating ice cream and frankly, I felt safer doing it alone than I would ever feel in downtown Chicago, where I live, which really says something. I traveled by planes, trains, and taxis/Uber. It was a wonderful experience.

Posted: September 17, 2023
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Solo travel experience

I made my first solo trip to Andalusia, in Spain. I stayed there for 10 days: 3 days in Seville, 1 day in Cordoba, 3 days in Granada and 3 days in Malaga. I felt safe all the time and there was always something interesting to do, so I never felt lonely or bored.

Posted: August 3, 2023
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Solo travel experience

I made my first solo trip to Spain (Barcelona, Peñíscola, Valencia). I felt safe everywhere I went and absolutely loved it. I also met a lot of new people who were super friendly.

Posted: February 25, 2023
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Solo travel experience

Spain is fantastic. We started in Madrid, then by train to Malaga as a base. Day trips to Granada, Nerja, a walking tour with Pancho in Malaga, and then we hired a driver to Cadiz for a few days. A charming old seaside town to walk around and eat. One-day train trip to Jerez. Home of the Sheriff and wonderful dancing horses. A day trip by train to Cordoba, and then by train to Seville and another walking tour with Pancho and a few days wandering. Seville is magical. All train trips were safe, fast and easy. I felt safe everywhere.

Posted: December 10, 2022
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Solo travel experience

I had an incredible solo trip to Spain. I mainly stayed in Madrid, with a trip to Toledo (an easy and picturesque day trip by train from Madrid), and then I stayed for a while in Seville. I felt very safe there. I skipped Barcelona, but I visited it another time. For me, Barcelona was beautiful, but not so much fun for me alone, more of a party place.

Posted: December 10, 2022
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Is Spain safe to live in?

It depends on where you live or where you visit. In some parts though it’s better not to go alone at night as it’s not so safe. In the big cities there’s more people that steal. Besides everything I don’t think that it is the unsafest country you can visit and there’s a lot of nice people too

Posted: March 25, 2024
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Spain is safe, but I would avoid walking alone in big cities. Otherwise, I would say it is a country with good security, and female travelers can feel comfortable. The people are friendly and always willing to help.

Posted: February 29, 2024
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Is Spain safe right now?

Before your visit to Spain, it's essential to check travel advisories for Spain, including your home country's official travel advisory. These advisories can provide up-to-date information on safety, health, and any specific considerations for travelers.
🇺🇸

United States Travel AdvisoryExercise a high degree of caution

The United States Government advises exercising increased caution in Spain due to terrorism and civil unrest. Check the full travel advisory.
Last updated: July 26, 2023
🇨🇦

Canada's Travel AdvisoryExercise a high degree of caution

The Canadian Government advises exercising a high degree of caution in Spain due to the potential threat of terrorism. Check the full travel advisory.
Last updated: March 17, 2024
🇦🇺

Australia's Travel AdvisoryTake normal security precautions

The Australian Government advises exercising normal safety precautions in Spain. Check the full travel advisory.
Last updated: March 15, 2024

Is Spain worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.6 /5

based on 24 experiences

Rating summary

Things to do

4.8/5

Safety

4.6/5

Food

4.9/5

Budget-friendly

3.8/5

Solo travel experience

I hiked the Camino Frances route across Spain this summer. It was a 550 miles trail from the French border to the Atlantic Ocean. I absolutely loved it! Every few miles there was an Albergue(cheap hostel) and centuries old village. You can embark the trail alone but never feel alone. If you are ever looking for a walk that is focused on self-reflection and spirituality set to a scenic Spanish country-side backdrop, this is for you.

Posted: November 27, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

I traveled through Spain and visited Madrid, Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Toledo, Cadiz, Valencia and Barcelona. I would say that Barcelona was one of my favorite places, because I really enjoyed the opportunity to explore all of Gaudi's works. Seville was also amazing, I especially liked the Plaza de España there.

Posted: October 11, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Safety in Spain