Is Bilbao safe?
Among Spain's safest big cities. Petty theft is rare; wet weather and a few rougher streets are the only concerns.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 5/5, very safe.
- 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 Bilbao at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Occasional pickpocketing in the Casco Viejo on weekends and in the metro; violent crime against visitors is uncommon. |
| At night | The Casco Viejo is busy until late and generally safe. The metro runs late on weekends; taxis are plentiful and affordable. |
| Solo women | Very comfortable for solo women, including at night. Normal care with drinks in crowded bars. |
| Other risks | Heavy rain and slippery pavements; Steep hills with some trails; Fog and wind on coastal roads |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Fake petitions on busy shopping streets
- Overpriced tourist pintxos near the Guggenheim
- Unofficial taxi touts at the airport
Take care
- San Francisco and Bilbao La Vieja at night: drug dealing and bag snatching
- Casco Viejo late at weekends: crowds and fights
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 Bilbao 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 Bilbao safe for solo female travelers?
Very comfortable for solo women, including at night. Normal care with drinks in crowded bars.
Is Bilbao safe at night?
The Casco Viejo is busy until late and generally safe. The metro runs late on weekends; taxis are plentiful and affordable.
What is the crime rate in Bilbao?
Occasional pickpocketing in the Casco Viejo on weekends and in the metro; violent crime against visitors is uncommon. Nationally, Spain records 0.7 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Bilbao?
Police 091 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112.
More about Bilbao
Going to Bilbao solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Metro Bilbao
- Bilbobus
- Bilbao Airport (Aena)
- Visit Bilbao
- 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.