25 Safest Cities in Spain (2022 Update)

Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.

Spain is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. The climate, nature, delicious food, and welcoming people make it a perfect destination for your next trip. In 2019, before the pandemic hit, Spain was the second most visited country on the planet, with 83.7 million registered tourists in 12 months. On top of that, it is very safe.

The country has a low homicide rate (0.6/100K versus 3.7/100K, the OECD average). In 2020, there were only 299 registered murders, and that’s a huge improvement over 577 in 2001. Plus, 82% of the locals claim they feel safe walking alone at night (while the OECD average is 68%). The property crime, vehicle theft, and kidnapping rates are incredibly low as well.

Now, to make it easier for you to pick the right city to book a trip to, we made a list of the 25 safest cities in Spain. These are statistics from the 2020 Spanish Ministry of the Interior report (updated once in two years). We’ve ranked the cities based on the murder, violent crime, and larceny/theft rates.

The 25 Safest Cities in Spain: A Quick Look

1. Teruel

Teruel is a very small, cozy, and hospitable town. Located on high ground, it boasts breathtaking views, fresh mountain air, and a strong architectural legacy. Home to a vibrant mix of Islamic and Gothic heritage, the “Town of Mudéjar” is very well worth paying a visit. And with a non-existing murder rate and 10 reported cases of violent crime in 12 months, Teruel will keep you safe throughout the entire trip.

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2. Ávila

Next up, we’ve got Ávila, another incredibly safe and inviting small Spanish town. With a population of roughly 60,000, it’s the capital of the province of the same name. Just like Teruel, it’s known for its medieval relics, including grandiose city walls, gates, and towers. We recommend visiting these sites at night when the walls light up for a truly stunning show. In 2020, there was only one murder case reported in Ávila and three violent crimes.

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3. Huesca

Zero murders, 18 reported violent crimes, and 225 theft cases—that’s Huesca in a nutshell for you. Compared to 2019, the total crime rate has seen a steady decline. Located in the northeastern part of the country, this picturesque town is famous for the Gothic Cathedral, centuries-old monasteries, and sculptures. If you appreciate architecture and art, the trip will definitely be worth your time and money.

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4. Palencia

A gated community, Palencia is one of the safest cities in Spain. In a town with almost 80K citizens, there were nine violent crimes reported in 2020 (against 13 in 2019), and zero murders. The larceny-theft rate is also very low and dropped from 551 cases in 2019 to just 329 in 2020. The trees, streams, and the San Francisco church are the city’s biggest “selling points”. And then there’s Calle Mayor Street with beautiful architecture from the 18th century.

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5. Cáceres

This city was founded by the ancient Romans in 25 BC, which automatically makes it a great destination for tourism. Over the centuries, Cáceres‎ had been occupied by dozens of different nations and cultures. Home to about 62,000 people, it has a non-existing murder rate (zero cases in 2019-2020) and only 11 violent crime cases. Larceny-theft used to be a minor issue in 2019 (678 cases) but the number was practically cut in half a year later (373 cases). Cáceres is a UNESCO World Heritage City.

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6. Zamora

Zamora is another incredibly safe place with comfortable weather. It lies on the Douro River and is surrounded by defensive walls and gates along the border, like most ancient towns in Spain. If you decide to visit, make sure to check out the majestic Zamora Cathedral, a beautiful mix of neoclassical, Romanesque, and Byzantine styles. No murders were reported in 2020 in the city. As for the number of violent crimes, it declined from 18 to 13 in 12 months.

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7. Oviedo

Not to be mistaken with the city in Florida, the Spanish Oviedo is located near the famous Cantabrian Mountains. It’s a relatively big town, with a population of 220,000 people. It’s very safe, though; only one murder in 2020 (same as in 2019), 53 violent crime cases, and no kidnappings reported by the police. There are lots of pickpockets in the area, however. While visiting, do taste the local cider and look at the magnificent art collections.

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8. Castellón de la Plana

If you’re more into museums, Castellón de la Plana should be on your list of must-visit cities. The local modernist museum houses hundreds of different archeological and ethnological collections, including Valencian ceramic. The fans of nature and fun games, in turn, will appreciate the lush beaches that don’t just look spectacular but are also a nesting ground for some rare European birds. The crime rate in the city is low—much lower than the national average.

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9. Logroño

This is one of the two cities on our list with four registered murders in 12 months (against no homicides in 2019). With that said, it is still a safe town for tourists. The population/violent crime ratio is well below the national average. Logroño is well known to pilgrims across the globe, as it’s a stop on the route to Santiago de Compostela. We also recommend visiting the local cathedrals, forts, and tasting the famous Rioja wine.

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10. Lugo

While Lugo doesn’t have a huge number of attractions for the average tourist, it compensates for that with a charming, quiet, and old-town atmosphere. More importantly, it has a very low crime rate (36 cases in a year, a decline compared to 56 in 2019), despite being a city with about 100,000 citizens. Sadly, there was one murder reported in 2020, but Lugo is still worth a visit, especially if you love tranquil, rural European cities.

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11. San Sebastián

Also known as Donostia, this resort town is quite popular among American tourists. Located in the scenic and colorful Basque Country, it has lots of attractions to offer, including, of course, the beautiful beaches. Next, the world-famous restaurants attract fans of international cuisines (they’re not particularly cheap, though). San Sebastián isn’t at all dangerous. It’s pretty densely populated, visited by people across the planet, and still had as few as 92 VC cases reported in 2020.

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12. Valladolid

Valladolid is the second biggest city on our list, and it’s also one of the safest places to visit in Spain. Zero murders and 76 violent crimes for a city with a population of 300,000—that’s truly impressive. The one thing that might scare you away is the number of petty thieves in the area. But that shouldn’t be a big problem at the local landmarks (like the Christopher Columbus Museum).

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13. Segovia

In 2020, Segovia saw a 36.6% decrease in larceny/theft cases (334 vs. 527) and a 23.7% drop in the total crime rate. Sadly, the murder rate did go up (two killings in 2020 versus one in 2019), but that shouldn’t stop you from heading into this enchanting tourist destination. As a historic city, it’s got lots to offer to a first-time visitor, including a rich architectural legacy, a marvelous Roman aqueduct, and more. The Alcazar Palace is more reason to set out to Sevogia.

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14. Burgos

As mentioned, there are only two cities on the list with four registered murders in 2020, and Burgos is the second one. Does that mean you should stay away from it? Definitely not! Compared to the average crime and murder rates in Spain, the European Union, and the United States, Burgos is significantly less dangerous. Besides, kidnapping, rape, vehicle theft, and larceny/theft rates are at an all-time low.

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15. Soria

In many ways, Soria is like Teruel. It has a similarly small population and a very slow-paced, rural vibe. No murders were reported in 2020 and only 12 violent crimes. The number of theft cases is a bit alarming, but, if you keep your bag close and all the important papers at the hotel, pickpockets shouldn’t cause any trouble. Soria isn’t particularly fancy, yet its Romanesque architecture is a sight to see, especially the Santo Domingo Church.

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16. Ciudad Real

Should you put Ciudad Real on your list of must-visit cities in Spain? Does it have any standout attractions, landmarks, and beaches? Yes, there is one: the Quixote Museum, dedicated to the classic novel, “Don Quixote”, by Cervantes. In addition, it’s got lots of ancient buildings, churches, and museums. In 2020, the theft, violent crime, and robbery rates saw a major decrease. The murder rate went up, though (one reported case versus zero in 2019).

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17. Vitoria

For a large, busy, and tourist-heavy city, Vitoria is very safe. It is home to 250,000 residents and the Ministry of the Interior registered one murder in 12 months, 102 violent crimes, and no kidnapping. The total number of larceny/theft crimes is also very low, just like the rape, property crime, and drug traffic rates. Vitoria is the capital of the BAC (Basque Autonomous Community) and is famous for annual rock and jazz festivals, along with viticulture.

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18. Vigo

The best two words to describe Vigo are safe and welcoming. The local beaches are amazing, and you can reach the neighboring Cíes Islands in half an hour on a boat. The total number of crimes might seem high to you (9,438), but for a city with 300,000 citizens, it’s actually very low. In addition, the crime statistics have significantly improved in a year, with larceny–theft cases going down by 34% and the violent crime rate dropping by 34.3%.

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19. Guadalajara

There’s a city of the same name in Mexico with a population of 1.5 million. The Spanish Guadalajara is a lot less populated (85,000 residents) and safer, which should always be the top concern for any tourist. One homicide and 35 violent crimes in 12 months make Guadalajara safe for a trip even if you’re traveling with little kids. No kidnapping incidents were reported, and the larceny/theft rate is well below the national average.

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20. Zaragoza

If you’re more into bigger cities than small, “cozy” towns, Zaragoza might be exactly what you’re looking for. It’s the most populated city on our list (667,000 residents) and will entertain you with cuisine, captivating folklore, and diverse nightlife. For exploring and having some fun, it is, indeed, a great choice. Zaragoza is affordable, too. In 2020, the local police officers only registered two homicides and 205 violent crime cases.

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21. Santander

Beaches, parks, beautiful nature, and affordable prices: that’s what you can expect from Santander. And if you’re into architectural legacy, do visit the Royal Palace. Santander is far from the most popular tourist destination in Spain, which makes it an ideal city for people that love quiet, soothing places. The beaches are quite populated, though: beware of pickpockets! The murder and violent crime rates are below the country average.

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22. Cuenca

Set high up in the mountains, Cuenca is famous for the so-called “hanging houses” and ruins of medieval castles. When looking from afar, it’s almost like they’re clinging off the cliffs. The scenic landscapes and brilliant architecture will captivate not only fans of historically rich cities, but also the average tourists in Spain. To add to that, Cuenca is an incredibly safe and secure town, with only 15 violent crimes and no murders in 2020.

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23. Almería

There’s a lot to see in Almería, including the English Cable, Shelters from the Civil War era, and a grandiose archeological museum. The local food is very tasty and nutritious, and, in contrast to other cities in Andalusia, Almería is very quiet. Only 1,272 larceny/theft cases and two murders (versus four in 2019) per almost 200,000 people say only one thing: Almería is safer than most towns in Europe and beyond.

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24. Salamanca

Two hours away from Madrid, Salamanca is another UNESCO World Heritage City and a must-see in the country. The unique architecture dates back to the Celtic era. The local university—Universidad de Salamanca—has been around since the 15th century and continues to be a prime landmark. While visiting, you won’t have to worry about safety, because Salamanca has low violent crime (-37% vs. 2019) and larceny/theft rates (-49%). There was one homicide reported in 2020, though, vs. zero a year before.

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25. Ourense

Last, but not least, we have Ourense. So, what sets it apart from the other Spanish cities? The answer is simple: the hot springs! This city has been the center of medical baths for many centuries. And let’s not forget about the Ponte Romana Bridge. You’ve probably already seen it in movies and books with those iconic arches. The extremely low murder and violent crime rates are even more reasons to mark Ourense on your map.

How to Stay Safe in Spain

For tourists in Spain, one of the biggest issues is, of course, pickpocketing. Now, while there was a significant improvement in the larceny/theft rate (-39.9% registered cases compared to the year before), pocket thieves can still ruin a trip. So, what should you do? First, don’t ever put your wallet in the back pocket. Second, stay away from busy, popular spots during the weekends.

Always keep your bag within reach and in a line of sight. Consider leaving your expensive jewelry and papers at the hotel instead of carrying it with you. Last, but not least, don’t wander into shady neighborhoods when it’s dark outside. It would also be best to avoid unrest and demonstrations, as the police use heavy force against protesters.

Coronavirus 2022 update

In most public spaces in Spain, you’ll be asked to wear a mask. Certain provinces and regions will request a vaccination certificate as well (US COVID certificates might not be accepted). The country is generally open to tourists, but not to unvaccinated foreigners from “at-risk” countries. If you’re not vaccinated, be ready to provide a negative diagnostic test taken within three days.

We recommend contacting EPA and the US Embassy in Spain for the latest updates on the restrictions/rules.

Related Read: 15 Most Dangerous Cities In Europe

Conclusion

Spain is one of the greatest places to visit in the EU and the entire world. The sun is almost always up, the local cuisine is incredible, and the prices on everything are fair. And if safety is a #1 priority for you, our detailed list should help pick the right city for your future travels. Book everything in advance, keep your vaccine certificate close, and we’re confident you’ll have the best time of your life.

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Featured Image Credit: jarmoluk, Pixabay

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