Oviedo, the best Spanish city for women: 8.49/10 in safety, sports and quality of life

Oviedo is the best-positioned Spanish city for women's quality of life, according to a ZAVA study on the most friendly European cities.

With a score of 8.49 out of 10, it ranks 14th in Europe and leads the Spanish ranking, far ahead of Málaga, Madrid and Barcelona.

The city stands out for its high sense of security, trust in the police, and excellent sports and public transport infrastructure.

On the occasion of International Women's Day, ZAVA, a recognised online medical service, focused on a factor that has been little valued: the urban environment. The study analyses how the ability of women to walk, play sports or simply move around in their daily lives depends largely on the city in which they live. In the European ranking of the most women-friendly cities, no Spanish city reaches the top 10. The best positioned is Oviedo, which occupies 14th place with 8.49/10. The city stands out for its high sense of security—85.91% of women feel safe walking alone at night—and trust in the local police (76.18%). Furthermore, women positively value sports facilities, public transport, and the quality of their neighbourhood.

COMPARISON WITH OTHER SPANISH CITIES

Málaga (7.09/10) occupies 43rd place, showing a more mixed situation, with good safety ratings in public transport but fewer sports facilities. Madrid (6.66/10) is in 48th place, with good ratings for leisure infrastructure and trust in the police, but women feel less safe walking alone at night. Barcelona (6.30/10) is in 57th place, facing more complex challenges. Despite having the highest density of gyms and sports centres (9.37 per 10 km²), women feel less safe compared to other Spanish cities, with more than half of 17 and 18-year-old girls having suffered sexual harassment, and reports to the Mossos having increased by 41% compared to the previous year.

A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT: EXPERT VIEW AND METHODOLOGY

The study's expert, Dr. Anca Vasilis-Peter, a specialist in endocrinology and nutrition at ZAVA, explains that when women do not feel safe to walk, run or go to the gym, physical activity can become a burden. In contrast, an environment perceived as safe and well-organised generates a positive effect: more active travel, greater consistency in exercise, less stress and a healthier relationship with one's own body. Small daily habits, such as walking to work, exercising outdoors or going out at night, add up and have a significant impact on long-term health and well-being. This study highlights a central aspect: the right to health also includes the right to move freely. Promoting physical activity in women cannot depend only on individual recommendations; it requires cities to be inclusive, safe and promote well-being.

For InasTour, the recognition of Oviedo as the best Spanish city for women's safety and quality of life reinforces its appeal as a destination for international families and buyers. A safe and inclusive urban environment, combined with a high quality of life and a rich cultural and natural heritage, makes Oviedo a privileged place to live and invest.

Small daily habits, such as walking to work, exercising outdoors or going out at night, add up and have a significant impact on long-term health and well-being.

The ZAVA study confirms that Oviedo is a benchmark in Spain for quality of life and safety for women. Its high scores in security, trust in institutions and urban facilities position it as an example of an inclusive and healthy city. This recognition reinforces the attractiveness of the Asturian capital as a place to live, combining a safe environment with a rich cultural and natural heritage, essential factors for those seeking a full and balanced life.