Is Lanzarote safe?
Very safe. Rental-car break-ins, strong winds and sea conditions are bigger concerns than violent crime.
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 Lanzarote at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Theft from rental cars at beaches and viewpoints, petty theft in Puerto del Carmen's bar streets and the occasional bag snatching on the strip. |
| At night | Resort areas are lively until late; the rest of the island is very quiet after dark. A car or pre-booked taxi is essential. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women. Resorts are friendly; avoid empty beaches after dark and book taxis at night. |
| Other risks | Strong trade winds and gusts; Rip currents on west-coast beaches; UV and sun exposure year-round |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Timeshare touts offering free gifts or meals in resorts
- Unofficial taxi or tour offers at the airport
- Overpriced beach sunbeds and parasols
Take care
- Playa de Famara and Papagayo: strong currents and wind
- Rental cars at viewpoints: leave nothing visible
- Rural roads at night: unlit and with sudden gusts
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 Lanzarote 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 Lanzarote safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women. Resorts are friendly; avoid empty beaches after dark and book taxis at night.
Is Lanzarote safe at night?
Resort areas are lively until late; the rest of the island is very quiet after dark. A car or pre-booked taxi is essential.
What is the crime rate in Lanzarote?
Theft from rental cars at beaches and viewpoints, petty theft in Puerto del Carmen's bar streets and the occasional bag snatching on the strip. Nationally, Spain records 0.7 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Lanzarote?
Police 091 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112.
More about Lanzarote
Going to Lanzarote solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Turismo Lanzarote
- Cabildo de Lanzarote (buses)
- 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.