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

Safety Index:

* Based on Research & Crime Data

Las Palmas is located on the northeastern part of Gran Canaria Island.

Las Palmas, also known as Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, is one of the largest cities in the country of Spain.

It’s also known as the largest city in the Canary Islands.

Las Palmas has a rich history and vibrant culture and is even home to one of the best beaches in the entire country.

It’s a city that is entirely captivating, especially for those looking to visit it.

And speaking of traveling, if you’re going to be visiting Las Palmas in the near future, this guide will prepare you with everything you need to know to stay safe and make your visit as comfortable as possible.

Warnings & Dangers in Las Palmas

OVERALL RISK: LOW

The crime index in Las Palmas is very low, making it safe for tourists to explore no matter the time of day. Tourists shouldn’t feel afraid to walk the streets of Las Palmas at night, but they should still remain vigilant.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Overall, taxis and public transportation in Las Palmas are safe and reliable. There are also plenty of metered taxis available in the area. You’ll also find plenty of fixed rates for transportation, depending on the area you're in.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH

Unfortunately, the most common crimes in Las Palmas are pickpocketing and car break-ins. Purse snatching is also common in the area. However, these crimes occur more often during festivals, weekends, and holidays. Thieves are more active in areas including beaches, hotel lobbies, and airports, where large crowds are more likely.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

Las Palmas, in particular, has a very low-risk level for natural disasters, specifically earthquakes. There’s less than a 2% chance of experiencing a damaging earthquake in the next 50 years. Wildlife hazards in Las Palmas are also categorized as low.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

You can safely explore Las Palmas without worrying about being robbed or mugged. The risk is very low for tourists. It’s highly unlikely that you’ll be attacked while exploring the city. Even still, you should avoid leaving valuables in plain sight.

TERRORISM RISK: HIGH

The current level of terrorism in Las Palmas is high. In the past, there have been multiple terrorist attacks that occurred in various European cities. This means that a terrorist attack may occur at any time. While in public areas, you should always remain aware of your surroundings.

SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM

There are various scams that are likely to occur while traveling in Las Palmas. For instance, credit and ATM fraud is common, so be careful when using ATMs, and when others are handling your cards. Internet scams are also common via unsolicited emails and business opportunities.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Las Palmas is generally safe for women traveling solo, as crime rates are relatively low. Women exploring the city at night should pay extra attention to their belongings and their surroundings since pickpocketing is common in Las Palmas.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

Tap water is generally safe to drink while in Las Palmas. Those traveling here do not need to take any special precautions as they tend to be similar to where you are living. However, tourists traveling to remote or rural areas should be careful when drinking water, as it is served from private wells and other unregulated water sources.

Safest Places to Visit in Las Palmas

Some of the most popular and safest areas to visit in Las Palmas are those near Las Canteras Beach, including La Isleta, La Puntilla, El Puerto, and Guanarteme.

Las Canteras has been rated as one of the top beaches in the entire country of Spain.

The atmosphere is always vibrant and full of people.

Some of the best hotels for tourists to stay in Las Palmas are:

Bed & Chic Las Palmas
La Casa de Vegueta
Hotel Santa Catalina

Some of the most popular neighborhoods in Las Palmas are:

Triana
El Puerto
Guanarteme
Vegueta

There are also a host of exciting things to do in Las Palmas, including:

Shopping in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Visiting markets in Las Palmas
Canary Museum, Vegueta
House-Museum of Christopher Columbus
Atlantic Center of Modern Art
A host of guided tours

Places to Avoid in Las Palmas

As mentioned above, Las Palmas is safe.

During the day, you can freely walk around without much concern.

Yet, there are certain areas you should avoid in Las Palmas, including Santa Catalina Park, especially during the weekend and night.

You should also stay away from Jinamar and Isleta as these areas are not welcoming to tourists.

Something else to avoid are the alleys in Las Palmas.

If you want to avoid crowds, you should probably avoid Playa del Ingles and Maspalomas.

Moreover, a great way to avoid becoming a victim of crime is to stay away from nightlife districts, as they become more active during the night as well.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Las Palmas

Las Palmas is a part of the Canary Islands.

And while the Canary Islands as a whole are considered one of the safest destinations in Europe, crime still occurs.

Take a look at these tips to help you stay safe while visiting Las Palmas:

Keep your valuables protected. Although Las Palmas is a safe destination for tourists, keep your valuables in a protected location, such as a locker or safe. It’s also recommended that you install a padlock on your suitcase.
Watch out for your belongings. Whether you are at the beach or shopping at the mall, always keep an eye on your personal belongings. Being careless will only make you a victim of theft.
Keep emergency numbers on hand. Before you make it to Las Palmas, do some research and write down important emergency numbers. These numbers should include the police, ambulance service, and the embassy of your country of origin. Writing them down or storing them on your mobile phone will be helpful in the event you need them.
Visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Website. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs website will provide you with detailed information regarding certain precautions you should take while visiting Las Palmas, Spain. While on the website, be sure to check the travelers’ recommendation section.
Make yourself unnoticed. It’s typical for tourists to carry more valuables and cash compared to locals. This is a primary reason why so many tourists are targeted. While traveling to Las Palmas, try to make yourself less noticeable. Avoid looking at maps in public or appearing as if you’re unaware of your location.
Common sense is key. While traveling to Las Palmas, practice common sense. For example, never for a second think that placing your wallet or cash in your back pocket is a good idea. If you can, leave your backpack or purse back at the hotel. Keep your mobile phone tucked away while sitting down, eating, etc.
Be vigilant in crowded areas. In crowded areas, including public transit, pickpocketing crimes are common. While you should always be on alert, you should be extra careful while in heavily crowded areas for the most obvious reasons.
Avoid carrying large amounts of cash in your wallet. While out and about, carry as little cash as possible. The less cash you have on hand, the less stress you’ll have to deal with if you become a victim of a crime.
Be careful with ATMs. Tourists commonly use ATMs while traveling. While they are generally safe to use in Las Palmas, be aware of your surroundings while using them.
Avoid poorly lit streets. While visiting Las Palmas, it’s critical to avoid poorly lit streets and alleys, particularly at night. You should also avoid visiting deserted or isolated areas.

So... How Safe Is Las Palmas Really?

Las Palmas is one of the safest destinations in the Canary Islands to visit.

The overall crime rate is currently at its lowest level since 2010.

In Las Palmas, the crime rate stands at 41.2 offenses per thousand individuals.

Rarely are there any violent crimes that take place in Las Palmas against tourists.

As mentioned earlier, the most common crimes in Las Palmas are car break-ins (specifically targeting car rentals) and pickpocketing.

The best way for those visiting to remain protected is to avoid leaving valuables inside hotel rooms and cars.

Also, avoid carrying a wallet in your back pocket.

Tourists can feel quite at ease walking around during the day and even at night in Las Palmas.

The score given for those walking alone during the day is 86.49, which is very high.

At night, Las Palmas has an overall safety score of 67.74.

As with any other city, there are certain areas that should be avoided at all costs, and Las Palmas is no exception.

Crimes including stolen cars, insults, attacks, property crimes, and theft occur at an all-time low in Las Palmas.

When visiting Las Palmas, remaining aware of your surroundings is going to be your biggest defense against becoming a victim of petty crimes.

How Does Las Palmas Compare?

City	Safety Index
Las Palmas	74
Andorra la Vella	89
Madrid	68
Barcelona	67
Valencia	69
Seville	71
Bilbao	52
Sydney (Australia)	80
Santiago de Chile (Chile)	71
Vienna (Austria)	88
Hong Kong (China)	70
Manama (Bahrain)	54
Tianjin (China)	67

Useful Information

Visas

If you are traveling to Las Palmas or anywhere else in the Canary Islands, a visa is not needed as long as your stay is under 90 days. Relevant forms and information about applying for a visa can be found on the embassy website for your country. For example, if you’re from the U.S., visa information can be found on the U.S. embassy’s website. Costs for visas are $87 for adults and $47 for children 12 years of age and older. There’s no fee for children under six.

Currency

The Euro is the main currency used in Las Palmas, Spain. Since many tourists frequent the area, credit cards are accepted almost everywhere. Exchanging currency is simple in Las Palmas. You can head on over to a bank, an ATM, or a bureaux de change.

Weather

Las Palmas is known for having a tropical climate with a varying range of temperatures throughout the year. Temperatures at the beginning of the year are normally around 69 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures during the summer are around 83 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on the time of year you visit, spring or summer attire is ideal.

Airports

The closest airport to Las Palmas is Fuerteventura. Tourists can catch a bus from the airport to Antigua, which can take about 35 minutes. Other airports that are close to Las Palmas are Lanzarote (4 hours and 41 minutes), Gran Canaria (3 hours and 20 minutes), Tenerife South (5 hours and 52 minutes), and Tenerife North (5 hours and 45 minutes).

Travel Insurance

Having travel insurance while traveling to Las Palmas is highly recommended. The following are all covered by travel insurance: • Hospital and medical expenses • Delayed departure • Personal liability and accidents • Trip abandonment • Personal baggage and belongings • Travel documents, money, and passport • Legal fees

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

Las Palmas Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan 17° C

Feb 18° C

Mar 18° C

Apr 19° C

May 20° C

Jun 22° C

Jul 23° C

Aug 24° C

Sep 24° C

Oct 23° C

Nov 21° C

Dec 19° C

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	20	21	21	22	23	25	26	27	27	26	24	22
Low °C	14	14	15	16	17	18	20	21	21	19	18	16
High °F	68	70	70	72	73	77	79	81	81	79	75	72
Low °F	57	57	59	61	63	64	68	70	70	66	64	61

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 Las Palmas Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Spain : Safety by City