Spain · Safety report last updated
As of July 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 one of Europe’s safest beach capitals for visitors. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Spain · Assessed 29 July 2026
85
/ 100
Safer than ~92% of countries
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
No advisory against travel
“Wildfires in Madrid and Avila Spanish authorities have declared a national emergency because of wildfires in parts of Madrid and Ávila. There are also reports of wildfires in other inland areas of Spain.”
Updated 2026-07-26T10:37:34Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for Spain: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-07-24T05:01:59.364592-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging and armed robbery are extremely rare; isolated incidents have been reported near the port at night but are not systematic
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing is concentrated in Las Canteras promenade, Vegueta historic quarter and cruise‑port areas, especially on weekends and during festivals
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
87/100
Recent traveler forums and surveys indicate visitors generally feel safe walking during daylight, though nighttime caution is advised in peripheral neighborhoods
Yes — Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is one of Europe’s safest beach capitals for visitors.
The city’s composite safety index of 85/100 and low homicide rate (0.7/100k) confirm it is far safer than most countries, with violent crime rare and infrastructure robust; however, petty theft remains the primary risk for tourists.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria remains one of Europe’s safest beach capitals, with a composite safety index of 85/100 and a homicide rate of just 0.7 per 100,000 people — far below the global average. Violent crime is rare, and the city’s infrastructure, health services and rule‑of‑law scores are strong, making it a low‑risk destination overall. However, the 2026 safety narrative is tempered by a noticeable rise in petty theft; pickpocketing is moderate and clusters around the Las Canteras promenade, the historic Vegueta quarter and the cruise‑port area, especially on weekends and during local festivals. Recent news from May 2026 reports a record cocaine seizure off the island and a health‑risk warning issued by local authorities due to a COVID‑19 surge, both of which signal heightened law‑enforcement activity but do not translate into direct threats to visitors. Travel advisories from the UK FCDO and Canada both urge a “high degree of caution,” primarily because of wildfire activity elsewhere in Spain, not because of local safety concerns in Las Palmas itself.
For a traveler, the practical takeaway is clear: stay vigilant in crowded tourist spots, keep valuables secured and use licensed transportation. Avoid unmarked rental services and be wary of overly cheap excursion offers that may be fronts for scams such as airport taxi overcharging or fake tour operators. While the city’s neighborhoods are generally safe, areas like the outskirts of the port and certain peripheral districts see higher reports of bag‑snatching after dark, so stick to well‑lit, busy streets if you’re out late. By following these precautions you can enjoy Las Palmas’s beaches, culture and nightlife with confidence, knowing that the underlying risk profile is very low but not zero.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 7 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria districts for visitors: 3 safer, 3 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria safety map.
San LorenzoavoidHigh-density area with documented gang-related activity and recent violent incidents; avoid entirely
VeguetacautionHistoric district with narrow streets and tourist crowds; pickpocketing incidents reported recently, stay alert especially after dark
TrianacautionBusy commercial area with high foot traffic; recent pickpocketing cases noted in local news, avoid isolated side streets at night
TeldecautionAdjacent urban zone with occasional petty crime spikes during festivals; stay vigilant in crowded events
La IsletasaferResidential and port area with steady police presence; low crime rates and no recent alerts
San JuansaferCentral neighborhood with strong tourist infrastructure; generally safe but monitor belongings in busy plazas
AlcaravanerassaferBeachfront district popular with families; low incident reports, safe for daytime and evening visits
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 extremely rare; isolated incidents have been reported near the port at night but are not systematic
After dark, be most careful around San Lorenzo, Vegueta, Triana, Telde. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Las Palmas de Gran Canaria's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
09 · Questions
Yes — Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is one of Europe’s safest beach capitals for visitors. The city’s composite safety index of 85/100 and low homicide rate (0.7/100k) confirm it is far safer than most countries, with violent crime rare and infrastructure robust; however, petty theft remains the primary risk for tourists. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Field research flags San Lorenzo as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria ranks #1 of 9 Spain destinations we've assessed, scoring 85/100. See the Spain safety overview for the full list.
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.
Browse the Spain safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: las-palmas-de-gran-canaria.json (CC BY 4.0).