City in Catalonia, Spain
Is Barcelona safe?
Low violent crime, but among Europe's worst for pickpocketing and phone snatching.
Is Barcelona safe?
Low violent crime, but among Europe's worst for pickpocketing and phone snatching. Keep valuables hidden and you will almost always be fine.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-05-11.
- Homicide rate in Spain: 0.7 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Spain: 3.9 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 091 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112.
Safety in Barcelona at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Pickpocketing on the metro, Las Ramblas and beaches, phone snatching from café tables and by bikes, and bag theft from restaurant chair backs. |
| At night | Streets stay busy and lively until late, and the night bus network runs. Stay alert in El Raval and the Gothic Quarter, and use taxis or apps after the metro closes. |
| Solo women | Generally comfortable for solo women. Catcalling is occasional and drink spiking happens in clubs; use official taxis or apps late at night. |
| Other risks | Phone snatching by thieves on e-bikes and scooters; Summer heat and humidity in July–August; Heavy autumn storms and flash floods |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Teams distracting you on the metro or at the beach while a partner steals
- Fake petition clipboards while a partner dips your pockets
- Fake police asking to check your wallet for counterfeit notes
- Overpriced tourist-trap restaurants on Las Ramblas
Take care
- Las Ramblas, Gothic Quarter and El Raval at night: theft and drug dealers
- Metro L3 and the airport train: crowded carriages attract pickpockets
- Barceloneta beach: unattended bags vanish within minutes
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Drinking alcohol in the street is banned in many cities, with on-the-spot fines.
- Wearing swimwear or going shirtless away from the beach is fined in Barcelona and many resorts.
- Police can ask for photo ID at any time and hold you until it's confirmed; carry it.
How Barcelona compares in Spain
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| San Sebastián | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Bilbao | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Córdoba | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Menorca | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Toledo | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Santiago de Compostela | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Salamanca | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Barcelona | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Madrid | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Seville | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Valencia | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Málaga | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Mallorca | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Ibiza | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Tenerife | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Gran Canaria | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Granada | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Palma | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Las Palmas | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Lanzarote | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Alicante | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Fuerteventura | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Marbella | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Cádiz | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Benidorm | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Maspalomas | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Sitges | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
Quick answers
Is Barcelona safe for solo female travelers?
Generally comfortable for solo women. Catcalling is occasional and drink spiking happens in clubs; use official taxis or apps late at night.
Is Barcelona safe at night?
Streets stay busy and lively until late, and the night bus network runs. Stay alert in El Raval and the Gothic Quarter, and use taxis or apps after the metro closes.
What is the crime rate in Barcelona?
Pickpocketing on the metro, Las Ramblas and beaches, phone snatching from café tables and by bikes, and bag theft from restaurant chair backs. Nationally, Spain records 0.7 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Barcelona?
Police 091 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112.
More about Barcelona
Going to Barcelona solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- TMB (Barcelona metro and bus)
- Barcelona Turisme
- Hospital Clínic de Barcelona
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.