Is Maspalomas safe?
Safe with normal care. Beach theft, strong currents and occasional drink spiking are the problems; violent crime is rare.
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 Maspalomas at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Bag theft on beaches and from rental cars, pickpockets at Yumbo and the Playa del Inglés strip, and occasional bar fights. |
| At night | Playa del Inglés is lively until dawn and generally fine. Meloneras and San Agustín are quiet by 11 pm, so taxis matter. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women in resort areas. Avoid empty dunes after dark and watch drinks on the main strip. |
| Other risks | Strong currents and large waves at some beaches; Sunburn at 28°C winter highs; Calima dust days with haze |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Timeshare touts offering free gifts or scratch cards
- Strangers offering to carry bags or sell drugs near the dunes
- Taxi drivers refusing the meter after midnight
Take care
- Dune paths at night: isolated areas and cruising spots
- Atlantic currents at Maspalomas beach: strong and changeable
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 Maspalomas 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 Maspalomas safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women in resort areas. Avoid empty dunes after dark and watch drinks on the main strip.
Is Maspalomas safe at night?
Playa del Inglés is lively until dawn and generally fine. Meloneras and San Agustín are quiet by 11 pm, so taxis matter.
What is the crime rate in Maspalomas?
Bag theft on beaches and from rental cars, pickpockets at Yumbo and the Playa del Inglés strip, and occasional bar fights. Nationally, Spain records 0.7 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Maspalomas?
Police 091 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112.
More about Maspalomas
Going to Maspalomas solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Gran Canaria Airport (Aena)
- Global Gran Canaria buses
- Gran Canaria tourism
- 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.