Seguridad durante tu viaje a Andalucía

As we mentioned, Andalusia is a region of Spain where there is a general sense of safety. And this is for several reasons. On the one hand, because of the welcoming and open spirit of its people, who treat those who visit the region kindly, greeting them with a smile. And on the other hand, because of the professionalism and organisation of Spain’s State Security Forces and Corps, which we will mention further below. They are the ones in the best position to provide safety advice in Andalusia, as they have extensive experience in a wide range of risk situations, such as major events or large crowds, as well as smaller-scale incidents. In addition, as we will see, some police forces have created tourist-specific units to deal with issues such as petty theft, providing staff who assist in several languages.

But beyond the general feeling of safety and the expertise of professionals, the data also support this. Specifically, the crime rate published by the National Statistics Institute (INE), as well as other studies by the Ministry of the Interior. First, it is worth remembering that Spain is, in itself, a very safe country within the European context. It ranks in the middle on issues such as sexual violence or theft, while it is the second country in Europe with the fewest violent deaths, according to data from the National Security Department.

And if we look at the data in Andalusia in detail, which is the most populous region in the country, the statistics are even more reassuring. According to INE data for 2018, the total crime rate in Spain is 45.6 crimes and misdemeanours per 1,000 inhabitants. In Andalusia, however, it is lower: 39.8 per 1,000 inhabitants. This is particularly striking when compared with the data from the country’s other two major autonomous communities: Catalonia and the Community of Madrid, the second and third most populous, respectively. In Catalonia, the figure is 62.7, while in Madrid it is 59.2. Therefore, Andalusia has better safety figures than these other two regions.

For all these reasons, safety tips in Andalusia focus on basic matters

• Pay extra attention in large crowds, such as major fairs or overcrowded public transport
• Do not leave mobile phones or wallets in sight in bars or restaurants
• Avoid ‘rough’ neighbourhoods late at night.

In other words, these are common-sense measures that any cautious traveller would take, without becoming paranoid. And in addition to these safety tips, in Andalusia you may be fined if you commit certain offences.

Therefore, being aware of the following prohibitions will help you avoid receiving an administrative fine:

• The purchase and consumption of alcohol by minors under 18 is prohibited
• Drinking alcohol in public spaces is prohibited, except in areas specifically designated for this purpose or on officially designated festival days
• Smoking is prohibited in buildings for public use, such as healthcare centres, means of transport, or hospitality venues. Therefore, we recommend asking the staff at your hotel or restaurant whether they have designated smoking areas.
• The production and sale of drugs is prohibited. Possession is not a criminal offence if it can be proven it is for personal use, when it is a small quantity.
• Possessing weapons is prohibited. Spanish law is very restrictive in this regard, and firearms permits are granted only for very exceptional people and circumstances (security professionals, hunters, etc.).