Is Palma safe?
Very safe. Pickpocketing in the center and drunk disorder at S'Arenal and Magaluf, outside the city, are the usual complaints.
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 Palma at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Pickpocketing around the cathedral, Paseo del Born and the market, plus theft of phones and bags from terraces. |
| At night | Old town and Santa Catalina stay lively and safe late. Pick taxis or apps for outlying parts; buses thin out after about midnight. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women, including in the evening. Occasional catcalling; watch drinks in busy bars and use taxis late. |
| Other risks | Summer heat above 35°C; Strong summer sun on the seafront; Cyclists on busy promenades |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Fake charity petitions around the cathedral and port
- Overpriced tourist-menu restaurants near Plaza Mayor
- Unofficial taxis at the airport offering fixed prices
Take care
- Playa de Palma (S'Arenal) at night: drunk crowds and theft
- Plaça Major and the port after midnight: pickpockets
- Old-town side streets late at night: quiet and dimly lit
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 Palma 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 Palma safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women, including in the evening. Occasional catcalling; watch drinks in busy bars and use taxis late.
Is Palma safe at night?
Old town and Santa Catalina stay lively and safe late. Pick taxis or apps for outlying parts; buses thin out after about midnight.
What is the crime rate in Palma?
Pickpocketing around the cathedral, Paseo del Born and the market, plus theft of phones and bags from terraces. Nationally, Spain records 0.7 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Palma?
Police 091 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112.
More about Palma
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- EMT Palma
- TIB Mallorca
- Palma Airport (Aena)
- Illes Balears 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.