Which of the major cities in Spain is the safest?

Question

By this I mean which has the lowest crime rates etc.

thanx :)

Answer 1

Valencia is a very safe city. Crime in Spain is generally quite low, however there is an increase in the large cities of thefts from vehicles. Tourists are prime targets as they will continue to leave valuables on view in their cars. Hire cars are also so easy to spot.

Answer 2

Spain tourism in excellent health despite Madrid bombing

The security measures that have been introduced not only restored normal life within the city, but are also turning Madrid into one of the safest cities in the world.

Answer 3

I don't think Madrid and Barcelona are safe places.

Madrid isn't safe because it's the capital of the country, the place most politicians are. It's usually one of the places ETA likes most. Besides ETA, you have bandalism there.

Barcelona is more or less same as Madrid, there might not be murdered people but there are tons of attacks.

Other places like Andalucía sound to be more peaceful but I can only tell you about Basque Country. I know, you might associate ETA with Basque Country but the truth is that it's a pretty safe place. And if you want to come as a tourist, there are lots of great places for you to visit.

By the way, there are no bombs here. It's true that when something bad happens, some people here show their disagreement by burning busses and containers but nothing else happens, no mortal victims. Then, there are mass meetings, they shout couple of things and they go home if the meeting is legal. When it's illegal, they just have a little fight. In all the meetings there are police-men just in case they get violent.

Answer 4

Barcelona has a petty crime problem. BUT is is only petty and is not accompanied by violence.

Most tourists would not be fleeced if they were not sheep.

The safest cities in Spain are probably Teruel or Soria. Nothing EVER happens there!

The English are the most attractive foreigners to rob. It is so easy because they are the stupidest. Sorry but that's the impression you give the thieves.

Answer 5

Hello-

I found, posted in September of 2006, the ranking of highest crime rates in Spanish cities is as follows:

Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, Málaga, Zaragoza, Vigo

I couldn't find lowest crime rates, but you can rule these out.

Normally, just as in other countries, the bigger cities will have more crime.

Still, Spain is considered to be one of the European countries with the lowest crime rates.

I did find a language senter that claims to be in Spain's safest city, Salamanca, but don't know how they came to that conclusion.

Answer 6

I was born in España and i live here (in ESpaña) it's one of the safest cities in the world. the more dangerous are madrid and barcelona, they're full of robers, etc... and maybe they put a bomb!! The safest placces are Andalucia (sevilla, cordoba, cadiz, jaen) and Extremadura (Caceres, Badajoz)

Te lo digo yo que soy española y lo se mejor que nadie ;) 10 points please!

Answer 7

I think in general Spain is a very safe country. I live in Malaga and wouldn't hesitate to walk alone through the city centre at 2am on a Saturday morning. Like all cities there are areas which are less salubrious, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Malaga to anyone, of any age.

Answer 8

MADRID, you can walk around at 3am in downtown and no one would do anything to you, I love madrid, and security is one of the main reasons.

Answer 9

I lived in Salamanca and had no problems.  I traveled often to Madrid, and it seemed fairly safe for a large city (Salamanca is smaller).  I was also in Barcelona, and that is the only Spanish city where my friends and I had any problem.  My friend was pick pocketed at the beach there.  But overall, I feel like most of Spain is pretty safe.  I was all over when I lived there (Malaga, Toledo, A Coruna, etc.)  I am used to cities like LA, New York, and Chicago.  I always felt safer in Spain than in the large US cities that I visit often.

Answer 10

Douglas P suggests Barcelona, but I heard that Barcelona was one of the top 3 cities for (pickpocket - petty thievery) crime in the WORLD, so I wouldn't recommend it as the safest city by any stretch.  Still, while my husband WAS pickpocketed there, I believe that the crime rate can be a bit deceptive.  My husband was pretty "violated" by the situation, but truthfully, even if he had lost something of real value, it's only money, credit cards, licenses, etc.  Even in Barcelona, anything violent is pretty rare.  So, wherever you go in Spain, keep a close eye on your valuables, especially in crowded situations.  Keep purses tucked under your arm, don't leave wallets in back pockets, and keep a hand near the front pocket.  We're pretty sure it happened in the subway, fairly late, and it was very crowded, so that's the kind of thing to avoid.  

Also, it's a good idea to split things up.  Don't keep all your stuff in the same place.  Some cash, some cards, keep some things in a purse, different pockets, and whenever possible, don't carry your passport with you, leave it in a hotel safe.

Those are good tips whenever travelling.

Oh, and no one takes traveller's checques anymore.  They're too easy to forge.

While in the police station, we met some 6 or 8 other parties also making reports, and, frankly, they were all variations on the same theme.  One couple had their tires slashed at a traffic light, and the guy's confederate met up with them a block further on, offered to take them to his friend's garage.  When they refused his "kind offer", he got into the unlocked car and got the purses.   Another situation was a couple of young women just arriving from another country in the train station, loaded down with luggage, struggling, and someone grabbed the smallest piece of luggage off the top of her cart.  All the important money and papers were in that piece.  Still, no violent crime.

I lived in Seville many years ago, and still find it to be a fairly safe city.  I would have no real problem walking about at night, but I hear it's a good idea not to do so alone.  Especially women.  They target easy to resell things like cellphones, there.  Cabs are a wonderful thing for you to get around after midnight.

Answer 11

I lived in Zaragoza, Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia and not once did I ever have to worry about my safety.  Personally, I would recomend Barca.