Are Europe's holiday destinations as safe as they used to be? The hotspots with a bigger crime problem than you realise...
and where police might be keener to slap you with a fine than help By Rob Crossan Published: 12:15, 4 July 2024 | Updated: 12:41, 4 July 2024 e-mail 1 View comments Is travelling in Europe as safe as it used to be? With a war on our doorstep in Ukraine and tensions higher than ever in the Middle East, there are valid concerns about political events and crime affecting our summer break. Our survey of some of our favourite holiday destinations suggests that while most are very safe for tourists, there are potential dangers to look out for. From illegal taxi drivers in Spain and fake tour guides in Morocco to no-go areas in Egyptian tourist hotspots and political demonstrations in Turkey, here’s our ultimate guide to holidaying crime (and stress) free in Europe and northern Africa this summer.
A civil guard on patrol in Badajoz, Spain SPAIN More than 18million Britons travel to Spain and its island archipelagos each year. The country is one of the safest in Europe and incidents impacting tourists are rare. Crime: Spain has very low rates of mugging and theft.
Robbery rates on the coast are around 100 per 100,000 inhabitants with this only rising to around 200 in Barcelona. Police: The Spanish police force can issue fines of up to £500 if you’re caught riding in an unlicensed taxi, so make sure you book with a reputable company - especially when travelli.
