Be Safe In Seville

Seville is by and large a safe city for tourists and you won’t feel threatened or intimidated when walking the streets during the day or in the evening. However, as with anywhere, the city comes with its fair share of criminals and undesirables and following some basic courses of action can ensure that you don’t fall victim to them.

Bag snatchers and pickpockets present one of the biggest threats to the cash and valuables of visitors. Motorbike thieves work in pairs to grab the bags of unsuspecting victims before disappearing into the city’s network of winding streets, while pickpockets linger in crowded places such as on buses and in the streets during festival periods. Visitors with handbags are advised to wear them with the strap on the opposite shoulder to the hip it sits on, while those with rucksacks should wear them over both shoulders. While sitting in restaurants, either keep an arm or a foot through your bag strap at all times or else a leg of the chair you are sitting on. To avoid being pickpocketed, keep expensive watches and jewellery out of sight and purses and wallets in front pockets; better still is to wear a money belt that’s thin enough to keep beneath your t-shirt or trousers. Avoid areas such as Santa Cruz during the siesta time, as the streets are quiet and tourists walking them can be easily singled out by thieves.

Aside from the threat of robbery, Seville presents very few problems for tourists, health threats are minimal and the risk of disease is no higher than in any well developed European city. The water is safe to drink and food hygiene standards in restaurants are high and closely monitored. Should you fall ill for whatever reason while visiting Seville, you should either have appropriate travel insurance to cover medical costs or the necessary documentation from your home country if you are an EU citizen wishing to take advantage of reciprocal agreements.

Police:  092
General Hospital: +34 955 012 000