Sevilla Travel Forum

My sister and I are considering traveling to Sevilla, Spain in April of 2008 to visit my daughter who will be spending second semester of college there. Travel books we have read have many cautions about the high number of muggings and thefts due to high unemployment. We are considering not going. Has anyone traveled there recently that can help us put this safety issue into perspective? We really want to go but don't want to be aprehensive about walking around safely.

I spent over a week in Seville in late 2006 and had no problems with crime, nor did I hear of any. I met a very short woman in her 70s travelling alone and she said she had no such problems. I loved walking alone at night: around the "tourist quarter" -- the Barrio de Santa Cruz, by the cathedral, into the commercial heart of the city, by the river; sometimes I was all alone on the street, but most often there were plenty of other people around. Never a problem.

As is the case in other cities the world over: there are some neighborhoods were problems might be encountered at night, but where the most tourists go is almost always very safe.

My advice for Seville: get a nice hotel in the old section, such as Las Casas de la Juderia or the Hotel Amadeus, and you should be fine. Seville is too charming a place to avoid because of crime fears. Don't miss the flamenco at the Casa de la Memoria.

Hello,

I was in sevilla in september 2006 and I had no problems at all, I agree with Polyxeno. If some problems exist, they must be quite far from the old centre where I stayed for some days.

Enjoy Sevilla!
Sergio

It is a pity you do not say in your profile where you come from - it would give us an idea of what you are used to!
Just take the normal care and precautions you would in any unfamiliar city. Don't dress too touristy, or carry lots of cameras or one of those awful money bags that sit on the stomach. Avoid wandering down deserted alley ways, specially after dark. Your daughter will have already found out the best places to accompany you and her aunt and I am sure you will have a lovely time. There is such a lot to see there and the weather should be just right for sight seeing.

Sevilla is such a beautiful, charming city it would be a shame for you to miss out on visiting your daughter (and experiencing Spain!) - i'm curious as to the travel books you are consulting...

As others have advised, exercise caution and common sense -- just like you do in your every day life, I'm sure -- and you will be fine. Do not be an obvious tourist, keep your wits about you, stay alert but open to new things and I'm sure you'll have a wonderful adventure. Of course keep in mind any travel advisories or other cautions you may see/hear about, but also keep things in perspective. Most travel books will warn you of dangers - this does not mean that you will even come close to encountering such a situation.

Sevilla is safe. As the previous poster said, like any large city, just take care. Don't live your handbag lying around, or bills peeking out from your pockets. This is good advice no matter where you are, even what people might consider as a safe town. Most hotel doors lock automatically - just make sure you lock your doors before you leave.

I don't know what travel books you are reading, but the fears these books are instilling is alarmist and unnecessary. Sevilla is a beautiful city, and we didn't have a single problem there.

Well... I only can say I visited Sevilla many times (I can't remember how many!) both for bussiness and pleasure. Sh!t may happen, anywhere, but I'm still alive asnd well, and willing to return to one of my favourite cities.

Yes there is true there are pickpockets around, especially in the touristy areas (as in any other highly touristy areas) but use common sense and you'll be fine. Is not such a big deal if the max they may get is 20 euros and some kleenex, because your valuables are not easily accessible (In case someone steal you something, most tourists don't have any problem!). We are talking of artists of pickpocketing, victims don't notice them. Never heard of violent muggings in the areas any tourist may visit. Of course there are some not recommendable areas as in any big city (i.e. the neighbourhood known as 'Las 3.000 Viviendas') but I can't figure how you may end there!

So, I wonder as well what kind of guidebooks are you reading, and if there is any reference for these affirmation about 'high number of muggings and thefts due to high unemployment'. High number compared to where? And where these crimes happened?

Relax, take care, and have fun!

When I was there with a friend a couple of years ago, we were quite safe.Another friend had warned of car robbings.She had her bag snatched whilst at traffic lights- but that's not specific to Seville.
If we were at a cafe,and I'd rested my camera on the table, I had it pointed out to me, by locals, to keep my camera in my bag!
I wandered around by myself, in the early mornings, taking photos, and was quite safe.
We were pestered by beggars though, who were so persistent.One particular woman with a small child, joined us near our cafe table and would not leave us alone till my friend gave her some money-which she did!She, stupidly, fell for the 'sob- story'.But that was her own silly fault.I just ignored them.

The main area to watch out for is the Barrio Santa Cruz (the historic district). It's always filled with tourists and many of the streets are like a labrynth (which makes it easier for thieves to run away). I was mugged there and so was someone else (friend of a friend) the night before it happened to me. I've also heard stories of people on motorcycles grabbing purses away in daylight.

If you're worried about it, don't carry much cash/valuables with you, and when it's dark out, take a taxi instead of braving the maze-like streets. I knew my way around there pretty well, walked with confidence, didn't wear designer clothes or fancy jewelry, etc but it didn't stop that low-life from stealing my bag.

Always wear a bum bag/body belt when out- don't worry about being fashionable with a designer bag!

IMO wearing a bum-bag is the best way to scream "tourist" and attract thieves. A normal bag with a long strap crossed over the chest (as most of we local wear) is safe as it can't be easily snatched. Of course when you're a tourist your look as a tourist anyway, but the ones wearing bum-bags look more as like they carry something valuable there.

I couldn't agree more, Belsaita - those bags are an abomination!
They have "Come and get it" stamped all over.

But...how can anyone grab them just as easily as a handbag?
I'd have thought if it's attached firmly to one's person it would be difficult?
We're all going to look like tourists anyway- there's no way round that- we are!
A body belt is worn UNDER one's clothing, so it's not visible to passers by.

As I said, a bag with the strap crossed over your chest is equally diificult to get than a bumbag. Anyway, I know someone whose bumbag's strap was cut while traveling on the metro, so if they whant it, they get it (the same as regular bags, btw).
The difference is that bumbags are only worn by tourist, and even certainly you'll look as a tourist anyway, a bumbag screams "hey, here is the money, grab me". With a normal bag, you may look as a foreigner living in Spain (there are so many), with a bumbag, never. Or even you may look as a local, I tend to be confused as a local all over Europe and the US, so I guess we are not so different at the end of the day. I would not like to be seen with such a horrible thing on me unless it was really safer... and IMO it's not :)
But of course many wear them, and seem to be happy with them

Oh, well, with all those 'bag dangers' I'm glad I don't go to touristy areas:-)