Spain’s Balearics and Barcelona rank highest for crime while Galicia leads as safest destination for travellers
(NEWS) MADRID, 2025-Aug-22 — /Travel PR News/ — Spain’s reputation as one of the world’s most visited destinations is under sharper focus after new crime data revealed a clear split between its riskiest and safest holiday regions. Figures from the Spanish Ministry of the Interior, analysed by Private Investigations UK, show that while Ibiza, Mallorca and Barcelona remain magnets for millions of travellers, they also top the list for crime rates, with theft, scams, and nightlife-related offences pushing the Balearic Islands and Catalonia to the highest levels of reported incidents.
According to the 2024 Tourist Crime Index, the Balearics recorded over 5,000 crimes per 100,000 residents, while Barcelona and Girona also scored above 4,500. By contrast, Galicia emerges as Spain’s safest option, with Pontevedra and A Coruña posting figures nearly half those of Ibiza and Mallorca. Cities such as Córdoba, Zaragoza and Cádiz also ranked among the safer destinations.
Nick Shaw, crime data specialist at Private Investigations UK, noted that Spain’s most iconic tourist hubs are the same places travellers are most likely to encounter pickpocketing, scams, or nightlife-related crime. “The data tells a very clear story: the busiest and most internationally recognised hotspots are also those with the highest crime rates,” he said. “For travellers looking to balance sunshine with safety, northern Spain may be the smarter choice.”
The findings underline that while Spain overall continues to draw more than 85 million annual visitors, travellers may want to consider not just sunshine and beaches, but also regional safety when planning their next trip.
The full table of crime breakdown can be seen over here (Google Docs).
