Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionin Spain due to terrorism and unrest. Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Spain.”
Updated Sat, 01 Aug 2026
Full advisory →Personalize report nowTailor this report to you.Next: age, gender, group size preference…Next: the latest news and insightsNext: one click, 5 seconds, no costStart now8 districts
Is Las Palmas de Gran Canaria safe? 🇪🇸
Spain · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria scores 85/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is very safe for visitors, with low violent crime but moderate pickpocketing risk in tourist areas. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 🇪🇸
Spain · Assessed 19 October 2026
85
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime81/100GoodCrime index 38.1 / 100
Sentiment84/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories75Good
Stability76Good
Health90Good
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 2026-10-07T12:53:18Z
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
Crime
Good
Urban scale factor
384k residents
77
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
0.7 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Spain0.7World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
97
Robbery / mugging
LowArmed robbery is rare; opportunistic theft may occur near Parque Santa Catalina and cruise port at night.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching are common in Las Canteras, Vegueta, Triana, and around Santa Catalina Park, especially during daylight and evening hours.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
84/100
Reported feel78Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveller reports indicate most visitors feel safe walking alone after dark, with confidence bolstered by low violent crime and visible police presence in tourist zones.
Yes. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is very safe for visitors, with low violent crime but moderate pickpocketing risk in tourist areas.
The city benefits from Spain's low national homicide rate (0.7 per 100k) and strong health and environment scores, though petty theft remains the primary concern for tourists. Visitor sentiment is largely positive, with most feeling safe walking alone after dark. Scams targeting tourists include distraction theft and fake charity appeals, particularly around Las Canteras and Vegueta.
Recent developments
- Oct 2026Protest at Plaza de la Feria over housing crisis drew crowds but remained peaceful with no reports of violence against visitors— Reuters Connect
- May 2026Spanish police released pictures of a record European cocaine haul seized off the Canary Islands, indicating ongoing maritime drug interception efforts— Sky News
- Sep 2026National Police and tourism sector joined forces to strengthen tourism protection in Maspalomas and Las Palmas— Maspalomas24h
Common scams
- distraction theft by street vendors offering free items
- fake charity collectors near tourist sites
Full briefing
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria maintains a strong safety record for visitors, underpinned by Spain's low homicide rate of 0.7 per 100k and high scores in health and environmental safety. While violent crime against tourists is extremely rare, the dossier confirms that petty theft remains the most consistent risk, particularly in crowded tourist zones. Pickpocketing and bag-snatching are frequently reported along the Las Canteras promenade, in the historic streets of Vegueta and Triana, and around Parque Santa Catalina, especially during evening hours when the area sees higher foot traffic from both locals and visitors.
Recent events in October 2026, including a peaceful protest at Plaza de la Feria over housing concerns, demonstrate ongoing social tensions unrelated to tourist safety but worth noting for situational awareness. The protest drew local participants but had no reported incidents targeting visitors. Earlier in May 2026, law enforcement highlighted a major cocaine seizure off the Canary Islands, reflecting active maritime security operations rather than increased street-level danger. More positively, September 2026 saw the National Police partner with the tourism sector to enhance protection in key areas like Maspalomas and Las Palmas, increasing visible patrols and security presence during peak seasons.
To stay safe, visitors should treat Las Palmas like any vibrant European city: keep valuables out of sight, use a hidden pouch or money belt in markets and on beaches, and avoid leaving phones or wallets unattended on café tables or beach towels. Distraction scams — where individuals offer free items like lottery tickets or ask for donations — are common near Las Canteras and Vegueta; a firm but polite decline is usually sufficient. At night, especially in Parque Santa Catalina, opt for licensed taxis over walking through poorly lit sections. Overall, the city feels secure for most travelers, with confidence rooted in low violent crime, responsive local authorities, and a welcoming atmosphere in its main districts.
Was this Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria districts for visitors: 3 safer, 3 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria safety map.
Santa CatalinaavoidPark and port area; avoid at night due to opportunistic theft and bag-snatching
Plaza de la FeriaavoidSite of recent protests (Oct 2026) over housing; avoid demonstrations
VeguetacautionHistoric old town; pickpocketing reported in cobbled lanes, especially crowded areas
TrianacautionShopping district adjacent to Vegueta; distraction theft and bag-snatching noted
IsletacautionOld fishing quarter; exercise caution after dark in less frequented streets
Las CanterassaferMain beach promenade; generally safe but watch for pickpockets in crowded zones
Ciudad JardínsaferAffluent residential zone; low crime, recommended for stays
TafirasaferUniversity area; safe residential district with low incident reports
07 · After Dark
Is Las Palmas de Gran Canaria safe at night?
78% of people in Spain say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2013).
Armed robbery is rare; opportunistic theft may occur near Parque Santa Catalina and cruise port at night.
After dark, be most careful around Santa Catalina, Plaza de la Feria, Vegueta, Triana. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria safety FAQ (2026)
Is Las Palmas de Gran Canaria safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is very safe for visitors, with low violent crime but moderate pickpocketing risk in tourist areas. The city benefits from Spain's low national homicide rate (0.7 per 100k) and strong health and environment scores, though petty theft remains the primary concern for tourists. Visitor sentiment is largely positive, with most feeling safe walking alone after dark. Scams targeting tourists include distraction theft and fake charity appeals, particularly around Las Canteras and Vegueta. (Assessed 19 October 2026.)
Is Las Palmas de Gran Canaria safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 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.
Which areas of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Santa Catalina, Plaza de la Feria as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (2026)?
- distraction theft by street vendors offering free items
- fake charity collectors near tourist sites
How does Las Palmas de Gran Canaria compare with other places in Spain (2026)?
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria ranks #9 of 9 Spain destinations we've assessed, scoring 85/100. See the Spain safety overview for the full list.
How is this las-palmas-de-gran-canaria safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 12+ 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.
More Spain reports
6 reports
Nearby destinations
4 reports
Similar safety profile
4 reports
Keep exploring
Raw data: las-palmas-de-gran-canaria.json (CC BY 4.0).