Is Malaga A Safe Place For Tourists?

In general, crime around Europe seems to be getting worse. There is always a risk of being robbed, or worse still, you could become a victim of violent crime. Since most people that read my blog are planning a trip to Malaga, I am sure you may be thinking, is Malaga a safe place for tourists? In this post, I will share with you some crime statistics, and we can compare the results with other European cities.

The Most Common Type Of Tourist Crime In Malaga City

Before we start to compare crime rates with other European cities, let’s take a look at tourist crime. Malaga is generally a safe city, but like most other popular European cities, there is crime. Unfortunately, tourists can become easy targets for gangs out to get their spending money or valuables.

1. Pickpocketing: This is the most common crime affecting tourists in Málaga. Approximately 35% of tourist-related crimes are pickpocketing incidents.
2. Bag Snatching: Similar to pickpocketing, bag snatching accounts for around 25% of tourist crimes.
3. Scams: Scams, such as individuals offering unsolicited help or directions, make up about 15% of tourist crimes.
4. Theft from Vehicles: Opportunistic thefts from cars parked in tourist areas account for approximately 10% of tourist crimes.

These statistics highlight the importance of staying vigilant and taking precautions to avoid becoming a victim of these crimes.

Violent Crime Rates For Malaga City

If you are planning a trip to Malaga and are wondering if you will be mugged, stabbed or murdered, we have some interesting statistics.

1. Muggings: Málaga has a relatively low rate of muggings compared to other cities. The overall crime rate is about 35 crimes per 1,000 residents, with muggings being a small part of this total figure.
2. Stabbings: Stabbings are relatively rare in Málaga. The city has a visible police presence, especially in tourist-heavy areas, which helps keep violent crime rates low.
3. Assaults: Assaults, including physical attacks, are also uncommon. The city’s crime rate for violent crimes such as assault and armed robbery is around 34.43 on a scale where 100 represents the highest level of concern.
4. Murders: Homicides are very rare in Málaga. In the first half of 2024, there were only three reported homicides, unchanged from the previous year.

We will compare Malaga crime rates with other top European cities a bit later. However, you can see that Malaga fares very well for the threat of violent crime. I can assure everyone reading this post that violent crime is very low indeed. I have lived in Malaga for many years and don’t know a single person affected by violent crime.

How Does Crime In Malaga Compare To Other European Cities?

I have prepared a table of crime rates for the most popular tourist cities in Europe –

Malaga comes second after Amsterdam. It is fair to point out, that Amsterdam has been a pioneer in preventing tourist crime. The results of crime rates highlighted on the chart above shows just how safe Malaga is for tourists to visit. In the next section of this article, I will share some basic tips to lower the chances of crime even further. Keeping aware and understanding how criminals target tourists will make you understand the precautions that you should take.

How To Keep Safe When Visiting Malaga

Most tourist crimes are preventable. I say this because if you leave a bag visible in a hire car, the window may get broken to steal it. If you hold your phone out on Calle Larios it may get snatched. If you take a shortcut through a dark alley, you may get mugged. So, if you apply common sense to these three examples, you may avoid being a victim of crime. Keep bags and valuables locked in the boot of the car. Don’t hold your phone about in busy areas, it can quickly be taken from you. Avoid dark alley ways when walking home. Keep to well lit, main streets, or better still, get a taxi to your hotel.

Alcohol, most people enjoy a good drink on holiday, but it can increase overconfidence, just think Karaoke singers. Many criminals work the night shift. People that are out drinking to the early hours become easy targets for crime. Since most of you will be sober reading this, you will start to take note of the advice. The problem arises when the alcohol kicks in and nothing seems important to keep safe. My quick tips to keep safe on a night out in Malaga are –

1. Finish your drink before going to the toilet. This helps prevent anyone from spiking your drink while you are away.
2. Be wary of people in bars eying up people, not drinking alcohol and seem like they are not enjoying themselves. These could be people searching for people that are intoxicated and may follow them out of the bar to attempt a mugging.
3. Be wary of over friendly people. Avoid being bought drinks (they may be spiked).
4. Avoid shots, the drink measures in Spain are already strong. Shots can cause difficulties rapidly if you are already quite drunk.
5. When walking home, keep to well lit main streets. If possible, get a taxi or keep close to your hotel or accommodation.

Unfortunately, excessive alcohol consumption can increase your chances of being robbed or a victim of crime. A lot of tourist crime, accidents, or incidents are a result of excessive drinking. I can’t advise a way to prevent drinking too much on holiday, as I do it myself. However, I constantly try to remember the basics of keeping safe when I am out on the town.

So, Is Malaga A Safe Place For Tourists To Visit?

The statistics prove that Malaga is one of the safest European cities to enjoy a break. It doesn’t mean Malaga is faultless. Most crime will be minor opportunistic incidents that can be easily avoided by taking certain precautions. It is important to keep a tight grip on bags and valuables in busy areas. Don’t leave items visible in cars and keep to busy, well lit streets at night. If you have a hotel safety deposit box, keep anything of value you don’t need at your hotel.

Is Malaga a safe place for tourists to visit? Absolutely, you will feel safe and welcomed when you visit Malaga. Most visitors tell me they feel safer walking around Malaga than their towns and cities. If you are one pf very few visitors that do fall victim to tourist crime, it will be mostly pickpocket or bag snatching. As I have explained in this article, both can be prevented by a tight hold of your valuables.