Spain’s Riskiest vs Safest Tourist Destinations Revealed
Crime Data
(Reproduced with kind permission of Sophie Rhone of digitalpr Lab who retain copyright)
Crime data shows Ibiza, Barcelona and Costa Brava lead the risk index – while Galicia is the safest bet
Spain attracts more than 85 million visitors a year, but new government crime data reveals striking differences in safety across its most popular tourist destinations.
Analysis conducted by Private Investigations UK of Ministry of the Interior figures (Jan–Sep 2024), adjusted per 100,000 residents, shows Ibiza and Mallorca in the Balearic Islands have the highest overall crime rates, while Galicia’s coastal cities are among the safest.
The full table of crime breakdown analysed by https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1V4UWxoRaTkfYYywjyWZlxoR8O71vagsx5unFYJuGitM/edit?usp=sharing
Expert Comment
Nick Shaw, Crime Data Specialist at Private Investigations UK, said:
“The Spanish data tells a very clear story: the busiest and most internationally recognised tourist hotspots are also those with the highest crime rates. Ibiza and Barcelona top the list, with high levels of theft, cyber scams, and nightlife-related offences.
On the other end of the scale, Galicia offers a much calmer picture – with crime rates nearly half those seen in the Balearics. For travellers looking to balance sunshine with safety, northern Spain may be the smarter choice.”
Travel Takeaways
- Ibiza & Barcelona: high risk of pickpocketing, assaults, and scams.
- Costa Brava & Costa del Sol: burglary and sexual crime rates notably above average.
- Galicia (Pontevedra, A Coruña): Spain’s safest large tourist regions, far lower overall crime.
Methodology
Figures are drawn from the Spanish Ministry of the Interior – Balance de Criminalidad (Jan–Sep 2024), normalised using INE provincial populations (July 2024). Rates are expressed per 100,000 residents.
Full Table of crime breakdown analysed by Private Investigations UK
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1V4UWxoRaTkfYYywjyWZlxoR8O71vagsx5unFYJuGitM/edit?usp=sharing
