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Spain · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Santiago de Compostela scores 86/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Santiago de Compostela is a very safe city for travelers. 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
LowRisk of mugging or armed robbery is very low for visitors.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching can occur in busy tourist zones, particularly near the Cathedral.
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Very positive
88/100
Residents and visitors report feeling very safe, with high scores for walking alone day and night and low worry about robbery.
Santiago de Compostela is a very safe city for travelers.
The city benefits from low crime rates and a high sense of personal security, even at night. While official advisories recommend caution for Spain generally, Santiago itself experiences minimal violent crime and petty theft.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Santiago de Compostela is a very safe destination for travelers, with a low incidence of crime and a strong sense of security reported by locals and visitors alike. The city's composite safety index is high, reflecting low rates of violent crime and a general feeling of safety even when walking alone after dark.
While national advisories from Canada and the UK suggest exercising a high degree of caution for Spain, these concerns are not specifically tied to Santiago itself. The city's crime index is low, and worries about being mugged or robbed are minimal. However, as with any popular tourist destination, pickpocketing and bag-snatching can be a concern in crowded areas.
Recent reports indicate nationwide protests concerning housing costs have occurred, with some marches reaching Santiago. Additionally, overtourism has been noted as a growing issue in the city. While not a direct safety threat, these factors can contribute to crowded conditions. Travelers should remain aware of their surroundings, particularly in busy areas like the vicinity of the Cathedral, and keep valuables secure.
Was this Santiago de Compostela, Spain report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 6 Santiago de Compostela districts for visitors: 5 safer, 1 needing caution. See them plotted on the Santiago de Compostela safety map.
Zona Vella (Old Town)cautionHigh tourist traffic increases pickpocketing risk; be aware of surroundings, especially near the Cathedral.
San PedrosaferA residential area with a lower tourist presence, generally safe.
Santiaguiño do MontesaferA quiet, residential neighborhood with good safety perceptions.
FontiñassaferA modern residential and commercial district, considered safe.
ConxosaferA largely residential area with a low crime rate.
Campus SursaferThe university campus area is generally safe, with good lighting and student presence.
07 · After Dark
78% of people in Spain say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2013).
Risk of mugging or armed robbery is very low for visitors.
After dark, be most careful around Zona Vella (Old Town). Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Santiago de Compostela is a very safe city for travelers. The city benefits from low crime rates and a high sense of personal security, even at night. While official advisories recommend caution for Spain generally, Santiago itself experiences minimal violent crime and petty theft. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Safety is not one number, and this Santiago de Compostela 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.
Santiago de Compostela ranks #5 of 9 Spain destinations we've assessed, scoring 86/100. See the Spain safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 13+ 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: santiago-de-compostela.json (CC BY 4.0).
