Is Costa Blanca safe?
Safe with normal European care. Pickpocketing, rental scams and car break-ins are the most common issues, plus heat and autumn flash floods.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: None/5, .
- 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 Costa Blanca at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | None/5 · |
| Crime | Pickpocketing in busy squares and on beaches, car break-ins, and nightlife drink spiking in Benidorm and Alicante's old town. |
| At night | Alicante's old town and Benidorm's promenade are busy late and mostly safe; use taxis or apps late at night, and watch drinks. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women, with normal city care. Keep drinks close in bars and clubs, and use taxis late at night. |
| Other risks | Heavy autumn rain and flash floods (DANA); Summer heat above 35°C; Strong sun and jellyfish in late summer |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Fake rental listings asking for deposits before a viewing
- Timeshare touts offering free gifts for a presentation
- Unlicensed taxis or tours quoting inflated prices
Take care
- Busy beaches and nightlife areas: bags and phones
- Leaving items visible in parked cars
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 Costa Blanca 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 Costa Blanca safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women, with normal city care. Keep drinks close in bars and clubs, and use taxis late at night.
Is Costa Blanca safe at night?
Alicante's old town and Benidorm's promenade are busy late and mostly safe; use taxis or apps late at night, and watch drinks.
What is the crime rate in Costa Blanca?
Pickpocketing in busy squares and on beaches, car break-ins, and nightlife drink spiking in Benidorm and Alicante's old town. Nationally, Spain records 0.7 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Costa Blanca?
Police 091 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112.
More about Costa Blanca
Going to Costa Blanca solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Aena: Alicante-Elche Airport
- TRAM Metropolitano de Alicante
- Visit Costa Blanca
- Alicante Diario: Bolt launches in Alicante (Feb 2026)
- 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.