Security in Spanish villa?

Question

Any tips on maintaining security on a villa holiday? The villa has no safe, although it is a higher end priced villa. Also no air conditioning, so what about leaving windows etc open at night? We are staying in Moraira and gather the crime rate is lower than other areas, but would like some information from anyone else who might have been.

Answer 1

Like everything, just be sensible about leaving doors or windows open. Never go out and leave anything open. If you go in July or August you will need to leave the windows open at night, but having said that, if the villa has no mosquito blinds you may need to shut them.

The crime rate is definitely lower but that doesn't mean zero, it just means less. I live in an area of Spain where the crime rate is lower but friends of mine have been burgled. You have just got to be sensible.

Most villas are fitted with rajas (metal bars) on the doors and windows. Many Spanish people in the village leave their windows open but keep the shutters closed to air the room.

Answer 2

If you do holiday with a lot of valuables, cameras, jewellery etc.,

DON'T sit in bars talking to folks about where you are staying you can be overheard!!

But apart from this, just be sensible, put things away, as for open windows I agree with other writers, you can sleep safe with windows open if you are hot, the rejas are strong,  if you are still not sure, bury something in the garden, just remember its there, nobody is going to dig the garden up!

I have lived in Spain 26 yeras, never had any problems, much of the bad press is just what it is BAD press, things do happen but just look beyond press reports, many incidents were self impossed.

Have a nice trip.

Answer 3

Hi, I've been on villa holidays to Moraira several times and have never had any problems. Just be sensible as you would be at home. Make sure you lock up securely when you go out and leave valuables out of sight in your hire car. All the villas we have rented had security bars over the windows so you could leave them open at night with no danger of anybody getting in. In July and August it can get very hot, but in May, June or September no air con in the villa is not a problem. Try not to worry and have fun, it's a lovely place for a holiday.

Answer 4

Martin B has hit the nail on the head. Most villas have security grills so that you can leave windows open at night but sleep soundly.

As at home, make sure valuables are kept out of sight, criminals don't know if there is a safe or not. Hide them somewhere you would not look if you were a burglar.

Spain has a much lower crime rate than the UK but the press are exaggerating crime in  Spain for a story. I've been holidaying in Spain for 15 years and never been the victim of any crime.

Don't let press horror stories ruin your valuable holiday time, take sensible precautions, relax and enjoy your holiday.