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Spain · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Bilbao scores 86/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes. Bilbao is very safe for visitors, with low violent crime and rare serious incidents. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Spain · Assessed 13 October 2026
86
/ 100
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
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 2026-10-07T12:53:18Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for Spain: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-10-09T08:59:48.0831091-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Mugging & robbery risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging and armed robbery are rare; occasional incidents reported near San Mamés stadium late at night
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing occurs in crowded markets, buses, and the Old Town; keep bags zipped and front-facing
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
84/100
Visitors generally feel safe walking alone after dark, with 78.3% reporting they feel secure, reflecting confidence in Bilbao’s low-risk streets.
Yes. Bilbao is very safe for visitors, with low violent crime and rare serious incidents.
Bilbao's homicide rate is 0.7 per 100k and terrorism deaths are zero, reflecting strong baseline safety. While petty theft occurs in crowded areas, visitors report feeling secure walking alone after dark at 78.3%. Recent protests relate to specific political events and do not target tourists.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Bilbao remains one of Spain’s safest cities for visitors, with violent crime exceptionally rare. The city’s homicide rate of 0.7 per 100k is among the lowest in Europe, and no terrorism-related deaths have been recorded. Most safety concerns revolve around petty theft in tourist-heavy zones like Casco Viejo, the Ensanche, and along Gran Vía, particularly on public transport or during festivals. Pickpocketing is the primary risk, though visitors consistently report feeling secure walking alone at night, with 78.3% affirming they feel safe after dark.
Recent events include a protest-abandoned football match at San Mamés in October 2026 and larger demonstrations linked to housing and Gaza solidarity protests from May 2026. These incidents were politically motivated and did not target tourists, but they occasionally led to street closures or heightened police presence near Arriaga Theatre and Plaza Nueva. Visitors should avoid engaging with protesters and remain alert during large gatherings, especially if carrying visible valuables.
To stay safe, use only licensed taxis or app-based rides from Bilbao Airport and Abando Station, as unlicensed drivers may overcharge. Keep passports and extra cash in a hotel safe, carrying only daily essentials in a concealed pouch. While the city’s air quality is moderate and hospitals are accessible, standard travel health precautions for measles, dengue, and polio apply. Overall, Bilbao offers a secure environment where standard urban vigilance suffices for a trouble-free visit.
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06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 6 Bilbao districts for visitors: 4 safer, 2 needing caution. See them plotted on the Bilbao safety map.
Casco Viejo (Old Town)cautionCan be crowded, increasing pickpocketing risk; generally safe but be aware of surroundings.
ZazpikaleakcautionAnother name for Casco Viejo, same precautions apply regarding crowds and petty theft.
AbandosaferModern business and residential district, generally safe with good infrastructure.
IndautxusaferLively area with shops and restaurants, considered safe for visitors.
DeustosaferUniversity district, generally safe with a student population.
SantutxusaferResidential neighborhood, typically safe for travelers.
07 · After Dark
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 rare; occasional incidents reported near San Mamés stadium late at night
After dark, be most careful around Casco Viejo (Old Town), Zazpikaleak. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Yes. Bilbao is very safe for visitors, with low violent crime and rare serious incidents. Bilbao's homicide rate is 0.7 per 100k and terrorism deaths are zero, reflecting strong baseline safety. While petty theft occurs in crowded areas, visitors report feeling secure walking alone after dark at 78.3%. Recent protests relate to specific political events and do not target tourists. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Safety is not one number, and this Bilbao report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
Bilbao ranks #5 of 9 Spain destinations we've assessed, scoring 86/100. See the Spain safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 11+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: bilbao.json (CC BY 4.0).
