Is Malaga Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Málaga is a large city in the southern Spanish region of Andalucia and the capital of the Málaga Province.

It is also the largest city on the Costa del Sol and among the 10 most populated Spanish cities.

Malaga is one of the most hospitable and quiet places you can be in the world with basic modern infrastructures compared to other metropolitan areas of the world with the same population density.

Malaga is well connected, transport wise, with good roads and state of the art airport, a modern metro system with speed train connecting other cities, bus and taxi services, Uber services, etc. all around.

Warnings & Dangers in Malaga

OVERALL RISK: LOW

Malaga is a very safe city to visit, but that doesn't mean you should let your guard down: petty crime exists in most cities in the world, so exercise caution at all times.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Transportation in Malaga is very safe and reliable, even though taxi drivers might try to overcharge their services or demand a tip. Also, be careful on public transport, as it's the place where pickpockets operate.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

There is some risk of pickpockets, mostly around tourist landmarks and crowded places such as bus and train stations, airports or shopping centers. Avoid flashing your valuables in public, or leaving them in plain sight and that should minimize the risk of someone stealing from you.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

There are no known natural disasters in Malaga, and in Spain altogether, so you can relax when it comes to nature while you're here.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Mugging is uncommon in Malaga, and so is kidnapping. However, as in any city, it is recommended that you remain vigilant at all times. Be wary of people trying to distract you, as it might be a trick to try to steal from you.

TERRORISM RISK: HIGH

There have been recent terrorist attacks in Spain, on 17/18 August 2017, when during 2 terrorist-related incidents, vehicles were driven directly at pedestrians, resulting in injuries and loss of life. You should remain vigilant and be aware of your surroundings at all times.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

As in most countries of the world, there will always be people trying to scam unsuspecting tourists. The risk of scammers is not too high, but you should still double-check everything. Be wary of people offering you help with anything or giving you unsolicited advice or directions.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women traveling alone should have no problems in Malaga. You should use your common sense, and be careful at night, avoid desert and poorly lit streets, and finding yourself alone with strange people in abandoned areas. Apart from that, you should have no safety problems in Malaga.

So... How Safe Is Malaga Really?

Malaga is one of the safer cities in Spain, so you don’t have to worry about your safety too much.

It is recommended that you take some basic precautions measures since it is known to be crawling with pickpockets, especially around popular tourist landmarks.

There have also been cases of thieves on motorbikes driving by women and grabbing their purses, so keep it tightly by your side at all times.

Be extremely careful in bus or train stations and other similar crowded places, since pickpocketing is so common there that a voice message reminding you of pickpockets is always played on repeat.

Malaga is a bit different from other Spanish cities, and if you don’t have good knowledge about the city you can easily slip from a good area into a bad one.

When it comes to bad areas, avoid Palma Palmilla, Cruz Verde street and surrounding, some areas of El Palo and Trinidad.

Palma Palmilla has high rates of crime and drug trafficking; the buildings are also incredibly old and in an awful state.

The income per capita is the lowest in the whole city and unemployment is rampant.

It’s also more dangerous than other high-income neighbors since police rarely patrol around it.

How Does Malaga Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

Most countries do not need a visa to enter Spain for any stays shorter than 90 days. Any longer than that, you will have to obtain a visa. Also, make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your planned date of return. However, if you are not sure about your visa status, contact your local Spanish embassy for further details.

Currency

Euro is the official currency in Malaga. ATMs are widely available throughout the city, and credit cards accepted in most establishments such as hotels and restaurants. Allow yourself a budget of around 150e per day, including accommodation.

Weather

The city of Malaga has a perfect Mediterranean - subtropical climate. The maximum temperature in the summer months is around 30 degrees Celsius while the winters are usually mild making it a year-round destination.

Airports

Málaga Airport is the fourth busiest airport in Spain after Madrid–Barajas, Barcelona, and Palma de Mallorca. It is an important airport for Spanish tourism as it is the main international airport serving the Costa del Sol.

Travel Insurance

Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Malaga, since it covers not only medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.

Malaga Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Spain - Safety by City