Is the Costa Blanca safe for tourists?

Very safe. Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare. The main risk is petty theft (pickpocketing, car break-ins). Use common sense — don’t flash valuables, lock your car, and use hotel safes.

What do the beach flags mean?

Red = no swimming (dangerous conditions). Yellow = swim with caution. Green = safe conditions. Flags are displayed at lifeguard stations. Always check before entering the water.

What should I do if something is stolen?

File a police report (denuncia) at the nearest Policía Nacional station. This is required for insurance claims. Bring your passport or ID. Many stations in tourist areas have English-speaking officers. Keep a copy of the report number.

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Travel Guide

Safety Tips & Emergency Numbers

By Maya Kallio•Updated April 2026•5 min read• Fact-checked April 2026

Quick Answer

The Costa Blanca is very safe for tourists. Main risks: petty theft (pickpocketing, car break-ins) and sun exposure. Emergency number: 112. Always use SPF 30+, keep valuables hidden, and check beach flags before swimming.

Essential	Details
Emergency	112 (police, fire, ambulance)
Local police	Policía Local (traffic, minor)
National police	Policía Nacional (crime reports)
Beach flags	Red = no swimming

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Key Takeaways

✓The Costa Blanca is one of Spain’s safest tourist regions.
✓Main risk is petty theft — keep valuables out of sight.
✓Emergency number: 112 (multilingual operators).
✓Use SPF 30+ sunscreen and drink plenty of water.
✓Always check beach flags before swimming.

1. Personal Safety

The Costa Blanca is generally very safe for tourists. Violent crime is rare. The main risk is petty theft — pickpocketing in crowded markets, bag-snatching on busy promenades and car break-ins at beach car parks.

Keep valuables out of sight, use hotel safes, and never leave bags unattended on the beach. Don’t leave anything visible in a parked car, especially at beach car parks. Be aware of your surroundings in busy markets and on public transport.

2. Beach Safety

Always swim near lifeguard stations where available. Red flags mean no swimming; yellow flags mean caution; green flags mean safe conditions. Lifeguards are on duty at main beaches from June to September.

Jellyfish can appear in warm months — vinegar (available from lifeguards) is the recommended treatment for stings. Rocky shores can be slippery; wear aqua shoes. Sea urchins are common on rocky seabeds. Rip currents are rare on the Costa Blanca but can occur after storms — if caught, swim parallel to shore rather than fighting the current.

3. Sun & Heat

The Mediterranean sun is stronger than many visitors expect. Use SPF 30+ sunscreen and reapply after swimming. Wear a hat and sunglasses. Drink plenty of water, especially if consuming alcohol. The UV index reaches 9–11 in summer.

Heat exhaustion symptoms include headache, dizziness and nausea — move to shade immediately and hydrate. In extreme cases, call 112. Avoid strenuous activity between 12:00 and 16:00 in summer. Children and elderly visitors are particularly vulnerable.

4. Emergency Contacts

The universal emergency number is 112 (multilingual operators). Key police forces:

Policía Local: Handle traffic and minor incidents within each town.
Policía Nacional: Handle crime reports, theft, assault. Visit the nearest comisaría to file a denuncia (police report) — required for insurance claims.
Guardia Civil: Patrol rural areas and motorways.

For non-urgent medical advice, visit the nearest health centre (centro de salud). For your embassy, consulates in Alicante include the UK, German, Dutch, Belgian and Scandinavian consulates.