Is Spain safe to travel?

Thefts from vehicles with foreign plates are reported around rest areas and service stations. Robberies are frequent on motorway stretches, in particular the Mediterranean AP7, and thefts from parked cars are flagged in the public car parks near Seville cathedral and in unguarded car parks in Cordoba.

As in every large European city, pickpocketing happens in Spanish ones, especially in tourist areas and on public transport. Stay alert in the busiest places, carry copies of your documents rather than the originals, and report any theft to the police.

The ministry lists Madrid (the Sunday Rastro market, the historic centre and Puerta del Sol, the San Miguel market, Plaza Santa Ana, the Retiro park, Barajas airport), Barcelona (port, the Ramblas, El Raval, the Barri Gòtic, the Sagrada Família, Barceloneta beach, department stores, El Prat airport), the Costa Brava, Costa del Sol and the main Mediterranean resorts, the busiest Canary spots such as Playa de las Américas and Playa del Inglés, plus central Seville, Palma old town after dark, Ibiza and the Judería and old centre of Cordoba.

Summer temperatures get very high and fire risk with them: starting a fire is a criminal offence, so make sure cigarette butts are properly out and obey the bans on lighting barbecues in forest areas to the letter. A fire can become dangerous within minutes — report it to 112 at once and follow local authorities. Long droughts and sudden floods are both possible, so check the national weather agency's alerts.

The Canaries are often hit by the calima, hot easterly or south-easterly winds loaded with suspended dust and sand. Visibility drops sharply and it causes breathing problems, particularly for people with chronic conditions.

Avoid demonstrations and crowds, which can be called at very short notice, especially in Catalonia and in the Basque cities of San Sebastián and Bilbao. Large events can also bring temporary traffic or mobility restrictions.