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 Palma safe? 🇪🇸
Spain · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Palma scores 84/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes — Palma is generally safe for visitors, but stay alert to petty theft and recent protest activity. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Palma 🇪🇸
Spain · Assessed 29 July 2026
84
/ 100
Yes — generally safe
Safer than ~91% of countries
What drives this score
Crime86/100GoodCrime index 38.1 / 100
Sentiment80/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories72Good
Stability75Good
Health86Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
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
Crime
Good
Homicide rate
0.7 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Spain0.7World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
97
Robbery / mugging
LowArmed or violent robbery against tourists is rare; most incidents involve isolated street muggings in peripheral areas after dark.
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing is common in crowded tourist zones such as the Cathedral, Passeig del Born and Mercado de l'Olivar, especially during peak summer hours.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
80/100
Reported feel78Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
Recent traveler posts and local forums describe Palma as welcoming and safe during daylight, with visitors feeling comfortable walking in central districts, though some note occasional tension during large protests.
Yes — Palma is generally safe for visitors, but stay alert to petty theft and recent protest activity.
Palma’s composite safety index of 85/100 marks it as VERY SAFE, with low homicide, terrorism and road‑traffic death rates. Official advisories (U.S., Canada, UK) flag only a Level 2 caution for terrorism and civil unrest, not for violent crime. Recent crowd‑sourced data and local reports confirm low violent‑crime risk but highlight elevated pickpocketing in tourist hotspots and a surge in anti‑tourism protests.
Recent developments
- Jul 2026Tens of thousands of protesters marched in Palma demanding limits on mass tourism; police used rubber bullets after attacks on tourists were reported.— The Telegraph
- Jul 2026Anti‑tourism protest in Palma turned violent, with clashes between demonstrators and police reported near the historic centre.— Majorca Daily Bulletin
- Jun 2026Fake‑taxi driver arrested for overcharging tourists near the airport; authorities issued warnings to use licensed services.— DW.com
Common scams
- Fake‑taxi overcharging
- Cathedral and Passeig del Born pickpocketing
- Street‑level ‘tourist‑help’ scams
Full briefing
Safety Briefing
Palma is classified as VERY SAFE overall, with a composite index of 85 / 100 and homicide, terrorism and traffic‑death rates far below global averages. Official government advisories from the U.S., Canada and the UK issue only a Level 2 “Exercise Increased Caution” warning, citing general terrorism alerts and recent wildfires in inland Spain—not specific threats to tourists in the city.
The live dossier, however, shows a surge in anti‑tourism sentiment this summer. In July 2026, massive protests erupted in Palma’s historic centre, culminating in clashes where police fired rubber bullets after reports of attacks on tourists. While these demonstrations are politically motivated and not aimed at individual visitors, they can create crowded, unpredictable scenes that increase the risk of petty crime.
Pickpocketing remains the primary safety concern. Recent travel guides (e.g., tourismattractions.net, March 2026) repeatedly flag the Cathedral, Passeig del Born and the Mercado de l’Olivar as hotspots where thieves target backpacks, phones and wallets, especially during peak tourist hours. Fake‑taxi scams have also resurfaced; a June 2026 incident saw a driver arrested for overcharging visitors near the airport, prompting authorities to reiterate the use of licensed taxis or rideshare apps.
Overall, travelers report feeling safe walking in well‑lit central neighborhoods during daylight, and violent crime against tourists is rare. The consumer‑sentiment score of 78 reflects this generally positive perception, though vigilance is advised after dark and in less‑crowded peripheral districts.
Practical Tips
1. Keep a photocopy of your passport separate from the original and store valuables in a hotel safe. 2. Use only licensed taxis or reputable rideshare services; avoid unmarked cabs, especially at night. 3. Guard your belongings closely in crowded tourist spots—front‑pocket wallets, zip‑pered bags and discreet phone use can deter pickpockets. 4. Stay in well‑lit, central areas such as the Old Town or Santa Catalina, and avoid isolated streets after dark. 5. Monitor local news for any sudden protest activity; if a demonstration begins nearby, move to a safe, well‑populated area and follow instructions from local authorities.
By staying alert to these specific risks and following the above precautions, visitors can enjoy Palma’s historic charm, beaches and culture with confidence.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Palma districts for visitors: 4 safer, 3 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Palma safety map.
Port de PalmaavoidRecent clashes between police and anti-tourism protesters resulted in rubber‑bullet use
Historic Center (Cathedral area)cautionHigh pickpocket activity in crowded tourist spots, especially after dark
Passeig del BorncautionBusy nightlife zone with frequent petty theft and occasional protests
Cala MajorcautionCoastal area with higher scam reports involving unlicensed taxis and beach vendors
El TerrenosaferResidential area with low crime and good lighting, popular with locals
Son RapiusaferQuiet neighborhood with minimal incidents reported recently
Son EspanyoletsaferWell-patrolled student district with low petty crime rates
Palma Old Town (outside main squares)saferGenerally safe during daylight; avoid isolated alleys after dark
07 · After Dark
Is Palma safe at night?
78% of people in Spain say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2013).
Armed or violent robbery against tourists is rare; most incidents involve isolated street muggings in peripheral areas after dark.
After dark, be most careful around Port de Palma, Historic Center (Cathedral area), Passeig del Born, Cala Major. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Score by traveller type
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Palma's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight85
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight84
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight85
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight85
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight84
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight84
09 · Questions
Palma safety FAQ
Is Palma safe for tourists right now?
Yes — Palma is generally safe for visitors, but stay alert to petty theft and recent protest activity. Palma’s composite safety index of 85/100 marks it as VERY SAFE, with low homicide, terrorism and road‑traffic death rates. Official advisories (U.S., Canada, UK) flag only a Level 2 caution for terrorism and civil unrest, not for violent crime. Recent crowd‑sourced data and local reports confirm low violent‑crime risk but highlight elevated pickpocketing in tourist hotspots and a surge in anti‑tourism protests. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Which areas of Palma should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Port de Palma as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Palma?
- Fake‑taxi overcharging
- Cathedral and Passeig del Born pickpocketing
- Street‑level ‘tourist‑help’ scams
How does Palma compare with other places in Spain?
Palma ranks #6 of 9 Spain destinations we've assessed, scoring 84/100. See the Spain safety overview for the full list.
How is this Palma safety score calculated?
The score blends 11+ 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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