Is Alicante Safe for Travel RIGHT NOW? (2024 Safety Rating)

Safety Index:

* Based on Research & Crime Data

Alicante, Spain, is a part of the Valencian Community in Spain.

It is located in the southeastern part of the country.

It is a famous tourist attraction full of mountains and beaches.

It’s no wonder that Alicante has been attracting people for over 7,000 years.

Alicante is also known as the capital city of a province in Spain, also named Alicante.

There are two languages spoken in Alicante: Spanish and Valenciano, which is similar to Catalan.

If you’re contemplating visiting Alicante, this guide will provide you with information pertaining to safety, including safety tips to keep in mind while you are there.

Warnings & Dangers in Alicante

OVERALL RISK: LOW

Overall, Alicante, Spain, is a safe place to visit. Aside from petty crimes such as pickpocketing and scam risks, tourists shouldn’t have to worry about encountering any other issues. As always, you should practice vigilance and use common sense.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

The risk level for public transportation and taxis in Alicante is low. Taxis are generally safe in Alicante. However, the biggest risk with taxis is being overcharged. With public transportation, the best way to prevent becoming a target for crime is to leave cash at home and keep valuables in hard-to-reach places.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH

Pickpocketing risks are high in Alicante, Spain, as they are the most common type of petty crime committed in the city. The best way to avoid becoming a victim of pickpocketing in Alicante is by being vigilant while in crowded areas, including beaches, public transit, and markets.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

The natural disaster risk level for Alicante is medium, specifically for earthquakes. The chances of experiencing a potentially damaging earthquake in the next 50 years are 10%. Landslide risks are medium in addition to extreme heat. However, there are other natural disasters, including wildfires and coastal flooding, where risk levels are considered high.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Mugging risks in Alicante are extremely low, as they rarely occur. You should never fear becoming a victim of mugging while visiting Alicante. Moreover, you must remember to never accept unsolicited drinks or help from people you don’t know.

TERRORISM RISK: HIGH

While the country of Spain hasn’t seen any terrorist attacks in recent years, the risk level remains high. There are a lot of past events that have taken place in Europe, so it’s important to never rule out the possibility of an attack occurring in Alicante.

SCAMS RISK: HIGH

While visiting Alicante, your chances of becoming a victim of a scam are high. There are a couple of ways you may become scammed while in Alicante. Be vigilant against gypsy women who will attempt to predict your future and ask for money. It’s also possible to become scammed while eating at restaurants, as they have a tendency to overcharge.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Alicante is a safe city for women travelers, including women traveling alone. Even still, it’s important for women to take the necessary precautions and always be watchful of their surroundings. Women can feel safe traveling in rural and urban areas in Alicante.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

There are no concerns with regard to tap water in Alicante. It’s typically safe for anyone to drink. Yet if you aren’t used to drinking the water in Alicante, you may find that the taste is slightly different, as the water is highly chlorinated here.

Safest Places to Visit in Alicante

There are many areas and neighborhoods in Alicante that you can safely explore.

For example, the Santa Cruz neighborhood is entirely safe for tourists as it is known for its safe and peaceful environment.

For those looking for friendly locals and cafés, El Barrio de Santa Cruz provides tourists with an unforgettable and safe experience.

As far as beaches, tourists can check out La San Juan Beach.

It’s a popular choice because it’s well-maintained, clean, and has a low crime rate.

Moreover, Playa de San Juan provides a variety of accommodations, including apartment rentals and luxury hotels, ideal for all travelers.

Places to Avoid in Alicante

When traveling to a new country or state, for your own safety and protection, you should educate yourself on the places to avoid.

Here is a list of places you should definitely avoid while exploring Alicante:

La Florida: This area is known for having a high crime rate. It’s recommended avoiding this area at all costs, especially during the night.
San Anton: This area also has a high crime rate, specifically for robberies and mugging. Tourists should avoid this area at night.
Carolinas Atlas: This area is just north of Alicante and is known for having high rates of prostitution and drug use. Tourists should avoid visiting this area.
El Pla del Bon Repos: This neighborhood is deemed unsafe for tourists due to its recent uptick in assault and theft.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Alicante

Here are 10 safety tips to keep in mind while traveling to Alicante:

Keep valuables at home. The best way to avoid becoming a victim of a petty crime in Alicante is by leaving valuables at home. If you must take some with you, you can decrease the number of valuables you pack. In addition, you should remember to keep your passport, money, and other expensive things locked away in your hotel safe.
Do research on the neighborhood. Prior to visiting Alicante, you should conduct research on the neighborhood you will be visiting. Alicante doesn’t have too many areas to avoid. Even still, you should check reviews before you book any hotels. There are various factors that go into determining safety in an area. For example, the best areas for vacation rentals in Alicante are neighborhoods where there are plenty of well-lit streets.
Avoid walking alone at night. No matter the city you’re traveling to, you should never walk alone at night. This is never a wise thing to do. Instead of wandering in abandoned alleys and poorly lit areas, make sure to utilize a taxi or other means of public transportation.
Avoid car rentals. Using public transportation puts you at risk for pickpocketing crimes. Overall, public transportation in Alicante is still considered safe, as long as you’re vigilant. However, when it comes to vehicles, the risk of carjacking is a lot higher. Protect yourself by utilizing public transportation instead.
Keep bags and purses on your lap while at restaurants. When eating at a restaurant or enjoying a drink at a bar, it’s important to keep your bag or purse on your lap. If you must put it down, make sure that it’s placed against a wall or in a safe area where you can keep an eye on it.
Be aware of your limits. While visiting Alicante, it’s critical that you know what your limits are when enjoying alcohol and the nightlife scene. It may be easy to push your limits. Being under the influence of alcohol will make you an easy target for crime. Also, you should avoid leaving your drinks unattended.
Utilize airport transfers. Taxis that are not regulated can be dangerous, as they put you at a high risk of becoming a victim of a money scam. While public transit can get you to where you need to be, you risk being pickpocketed when traveling with your valuables and luggage. Instead, consider booking an airport transfer to get you from the airport to the city to avoid becoming a victim of crime.
Be aware of your surroundings. This is an obvious tip. No matter where you are while traveling, always remain aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to the people around you. If someone or something seems off, be sure to take note of it.
Consider using a dummy wallet. If you’re worried about carrying your wallet around while exploring Alicante, purchase a dummy wallet to hold a little bit of cash. If you are ever approached by a mugger, you can hand over your dummy wallet instead.
Never display expensive jewelry. As mentioned above, you should leave your most expensive valuables behind. This mainly includes expensive jewelry. If you must bring them, keep them locked inside the hotel safe. Avoid flaunting your most precious jewels.

So... How Safe Is Alicante Really?

Alicante has an overall low level of crime.

In addition, the town has seen a moderate increase in crime over the past three years.

But, when comparing theft, robberies, burglaries, property crimes, and car theft, all the numbers are at low to very low levels.

The safety level for walking alone during the day was given a score of 85.16.

During the night, Alicante has a score of 64.62, which is still considered high.

This means that tourists can feel safe walking alone, no matter the time of day while visiting Alicante.

With a low crime index score and a high safety score, Alicante is considered much safer than neighboring cities, including Rome, London, Lisbon, and Brussels.

Petty crime is present in Alicante, which means tourists should practice vigilance.

Purse snatching and pickpocketing are all too common in the city.

Keeping an eye on your valuables will prevent you from falling victim to these types of crimes while visiting.

Locals in Alicante are very warm and welcoming, so if you’re traveling solo, you can feel safe if you need directions or more information.

Finally, women can feel just as safe as any other gender, as it doesn’t make them more of a target of crime in Alicante.

How Does Alicante Compare?

City	Safety Index
Alicante	77
Andorra la Vella	89
Madrid	68
Barcelona	67
Valencia	69
Seville	71
Bilbao	52
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)	43
Sofia (Bulgaria)	73
Siem Reap (Cambodia)	63
Phnom Penh (Cambodia)	61
Niagara Falls (Canada)	87
Calgary (Canada)	82

Useful Information

Visas

When visiting Alicante, it’s important to note that your passport is only valid for 90 days. This means that you may enter the country for up to 90 days without a visa. You must also have enough funds and an airline ticket to return home. If you must obtain a visa, adults will need to pay $87. For children 12 and under, the cost is $43, and for minors under the age of six, the cost is free.

Currency

Euros are the main source of currency used in Alicante. While visiting Alicante, tourists can use euros to pay for expenses. In addition, you can exchange the euro for U.S. dollar currency. However, the rate varies, so it’s important that you check this before you begin your trip. If you’re looking to exchange currency, you can use an ATM in the city.

Weather

If you enjoy the hot sun, you are going to enjoy traveling to Alicante. Overall, Alicante has dry air. The area rarely sees rain, and temperatures typically average 86 degrees Fahrenheit between spring and fall. The weather typically remains the same throughout the year, so it’s ideal for those looking to travel here. In fact, those considering planning a trip to Alicante should pack spring and summer clothing.

Airports

The closest airport to Alicante is Alicante-Elche Airport. It is about 5.7 miles from Alicante. In total, it only takes 20 minutes to get from the airport to Alicante. Tourists can safely take public transportation from one to the other. Other popular airports include Ibiza, which is 106 miles from Alicante, and Valencia, which is 79 miles away.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance can provide tourists with coverage against things including flight delays, loss of passport, medical emergencies, personal liability, and much more. It is highly advised that tourists get travel insurance prior to their trip. It could be a lifesaver, as you never know when you may need it.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

Alicante Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan 12° C

Feb 13° C

Mar 14° C

Apr 16° C

May 19° C

Jun 23° C

Jul 26° C

Aug 26° C

Sep 24° C

Oct 20° C

Nov 15° C

Dec 13° C

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	17	18	20	21	24	28	30	31	29	25	20	18
Low °C	6	7	8	10	14	18	21	21	19	15	10	7
High °F	63	64	68	70	75	82	86	88	84	77	68	64
Low °F	43	45	46	50	57	64	70	70	66	59	50	45

Spain - Safety by City

City	Safety Index
Alicante	77
Andorra la Vella	89
Barcelona	67
Bilbao	52
Cadiz	74
Canary Islands	81
Granada	58
Ibiza	82
Las Palmas	74
Madrid	68
Malaga	76
Murcia	83
Palma de Mallorca	57
Pamplona	81
Salamanca	59
San Sebastian	56
Seville	71
Valencia	69
Zaragoza	79

Is Alicante Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Spain : Safety by City