Exercise Increased Caution
“Reissued after periodic review with minor edits. Exercise increased caution in Spain due to terrorism and civil unrest.”
Updated Mon, 12 May 2025
Full advisory →Is Valencia safe? 🇪🇸
Spain · Safety report last updated
As of September 2026, Valencia scores 79/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes — Valencia is one of Spain's safest major cities for travelers. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Valencia 🇪🇸
Spain · Assessed 21 September 2026
79
/ 100
Yes — generally safe
Safer than ~85% of countries
What drives this score
Crime73/100GoodHomicide 0.7 / 100k
Sentiment68/100FairGenerally positive
Advisories72Good
Stability75Good
Health93Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
No advisory against travel
“Before you travel If you are planning to travel to Spain through France, check the travel advice for France before you start your journey. If you are planning to travel to Spain through Gibraltar, check the travel advice for Gibraltar before you start your journey.”
Updated 2026-08-14T12:13:45Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for Spain: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-09-16T14:31:28.4570125-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Mugging & robbery risk
Moderate risk
62
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
High risk
58
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
80 / 100 (Generally positive)
80
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
824k residents
70
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
0.7 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Spain0.7World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
97
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging and armed robbery are uncommon but have seen a slight increase in the historic center during summer evenings, particularly near nightlife districts.
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing is frequent in crowded areas such as La Seu, the Central Market, and during festivals, targeting backpacks and valuables.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Generally positive
68/100
Reported feel80Generally positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
Travelers generally report feeling safe walking during daylight hours, though some note increased caution after dark in busy areas due to petty theft.
Yes — Valencia is one of Spain's safest major cities for travelers.
Valencia offers a low risk of violent crime, with most incidents involving tourists being petty theft. While generally calm, vigilance is advised in crowded areas and during specific events.
Recent developments
- Aug 2026A woman stabbed a man to death on a bar terrace in Valencia.— Sur in English
- Jul 2026Wildfires were reported in parts of Spain, including alerts in Madrid and Avila, with potential impact on travel.— Manchester Evening News
- Oct 2025Tens of thousands protested in Valencia on the first anniversary of deadly floods.— The Guardian
- Sep 2024Analysis of Valencia's crime rate trends for 2025 was published.— NCHStats
Common scams
- Pickpocketing and distraction scams in crowded areas like markets, public transport, and tourist hotspots.
- Overcharging on tourist menus, especially in beachfront restaurants.
- Phone theft on terraces or beaches.
Full briefing
Valencia is widely considered one of Spain's safest major cities, offering a more relaxed atmosphere than Barcelona or Madrid. The composite safety index ranks it highly, with low homicide rates and a strong sense of rule of law. Most visitors report feeling safe, particularly during daylight hours, and the city has a good police presence in tourist areas.
However, like any urban destination, Valencia is not entirely risk-free. The primary concern for travelers is petty theft, with pickpocketing being a frequent issue in crowded locations such as the Central Market, public transportation, and popular tourist sites like the City of Arts and Sciences. During large events like the Las Fallas festival, the risk of pickpocketing increases significantly. While violent crime is rare, there have been reports of muggings and armed robberies seeing a slight rise in the historic center during summer evenings, especially in areas with nightlife.
Recent reports indicate some specific incidents that warrant attention. In August 2026, a serious crime of passion occurred with a fatal stabbing on a bar terrace. While not directly targeting tourists, such events highlight the need for general awareness. Additionally, the dossier mentions wildfires impacting other parts of Spain in July 2026, and significant protests related to past floods in October 2025, underscoring the importance of staying informed about local conditions. Scams to watch out for include pickpocketing and distraction techniques in busy areas, as well as potential overcharging on tourist menus, particularly near beaches.
To ensure a safe visit, travelers should remain vigilant, especially in crowded places and on public transport, keeping valuables secure and out of sight. Be cautious of unsolicited help or distractions, which can be used as cover for theft. While the historic center and nightlife districts may require slightly more caution after dark, overall, Valencia is a welcoming city where standard travel precautions will greatly enhance your safety.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Valencia districts for visitors: 2 safer, 6 needing caution. See them plotted on the Valencia safety map.
Ciutat Vella (Old Town)cautionHigh tourist traffic makes it a hotspot for pickpockets and distraction scams.
El CarmencautionCan be lively at night but some streets may feel less safe after dark; watch for petty theft.
El CabanyalcautionWhile undergoing renovation, some parts may still be less safe, particularly at night; avoid deserted areas.
La MalvarrosacautionBeachfront areas can attract petty theft, especially during peak season; stay aware of your belongings.
AioracautionMentioned as potentially deserted at night, warranting extra precaution.
Ciutat JardícautionAlso noted as potentially deserted at night, requiring increased vigilance.
RuzafasaferGenerally considered a safe and vibrant neighborhood with a good mix of locals and visitors.
EixamplesaferA well-regarded residential and commercial area, offering a safe environment.
07 · After Dark
Is Valencia safe at night?
78% of people in Spain say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2013).
Mugging and armed robbery are uncommon but have seen a slight increase in the historic center during summer evenings, particularly near nightlife districts.
After dark, be most careful around Ciutat Vella (Old Town), El Carmen, El Cabanyal, La Malvarrosa. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Valencia safety FAQ
Is Valencia safe for tourists right now?
Yes — Valencia is one of Spain's safest major cities for travelers. Valencia offers a low risk of violent crime, with most incidents involving tourists being petty theft. While generally calm, vigilance is advised in crowded areas and during specific events. (Assessed 21 September 2026.)
Which areas of Valencia should tourists avoid?
Areas with deserted streets at night (e.g., parts of Ciutat Jardí, Aiora, El Cabanyal) - potential for muggings.. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Valencia?
- Pickpocketing and distraction scams in crowded areas like markets, public transport, and tourist hotspots.
- Overcharging on tourist menus, especially in beachfront restaurants.
- Phone theft on terraces or beaches.
How does Valencia compare with other places in Spain?
Valencia ranks #9 of 9 Spain destinations we've assessed, scoring 79/100. See the Spain safety overview for the full list.
How is this Valencia safety score calculated?
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
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4 reportsBrowse the Spain safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: valencia.json (CC BY 4.0).