Is Gran Canaria safe?
Safe overall. Petty theft in Las Palmas and resorts and rough surf are the usual problems; violent crime against visitors is uncommon.
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 Gran Canaria at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Pickpocketing in Las Palmas center and busy resorts, theft from beaches and rental cars, and occasional bag snatching near Las Canteras at night. |
| At night | Las Palmas and Playa del Inglés are lively and mostly fine. Elsewhere towns are quiet by midnight; use apps or taxis late. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women. Occasional catcalling in resorts; watch drinks in busy bars and use taxis late at night. |
| Other risks | Rip currents at Las Canteras and Maspalomas; Winding mountain roads; Calima dust and heat episodes |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Timeshare touts offering prizes or free dinners in the south
- Overpriced taxis from the airport without a meter
- Fake petitioners or distraction thieves in Las Palmas
Take care
- Las Canteras strong surf and rip currents: obey flags
- La Isleta and Guanarteme late at night: dark, quiet side streets
- Rental cars at viewpoints: break-ins common
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 Gran Canaria 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 Gran Canaria safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women. Occasional catcalling in resorts; watch drinks in busy bars and use taxis late at night.
Is Gran Canaria safe at night?
Las Palmas and Playa del Inglés are lively and mostly fine. Elsewhere towns are quiet by midnight; use apps or taxis late.
What is the crime rate in Gran Canaria?
Pickpocketing in Las Palmas center and busy resorts, theft from beaches and rental cars, and occasional bag snatching near Las Canteras at night. Nationally, Spain records 0.7 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Gran Canaria?
Police 091 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112.
More about Gran Canaria
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Global (Gran Canaria buses)
- Guaguas Municipales
- Gran Canaria Airport (Aena)
- Turismo de Gran Canaria
- 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.