Is it okay to walk around in Barcelona?

[nowornever]

"Is is ok to walk around New York/ San Francisco/Miami/ so forth." Yes, as long as you know that crime exists in Barcelona/NYC...on & on. And if you're standing on a street corner with your (or my) tourist map spread out & your purse open & the gentleman's wallet sticking out of the back pocket, then DUH. I probably look around more often than necessary. I like to keep my purse, which is a PACSAFE with metal embedded straps, sort of in front of me. DH keeps his wallet pretty empty (as it should be ladies????) except for a few euros & one credit card & ID. I have never felt threatened in BCN but we don't hang out at night. During the day it's mostly either other tourists or students or business people. Just be as street smart as you would in any other big city. But don't forget to look around because it's the most amazing city EVER !!!

[Clarea]

What about having your cell phone in a clip on your belt? Or should you just put it in your pocket? I have a zipper wallet for my front pocket that also carries my passport. How easy would it be for them to get that out of my jeans front pocket?

I'd not keep the cell phone on your belt, I'd put it in your pocket.

[rockdoctor]

Barcelona is a wonderful city. We have walked extensively (the HOHO frequently crowded) and never felt threatened. Just take usual precautions.

[campolady]

What about having your cell phone in a clip on your belt? Or should you just put it in your pocket? I have a zipper wallet for my front pocket that also carries my passport. How easy would it be for them to get that out of my jeans front pocket?

 

Why all this paranoia??? Barcelona is no different from any other city worldwide. Just don't leave your common sense at home and you will be fine.

[Keith1010]

Again, it's a city and it does have an issue of pick pockets. It's better than it was in my opinion but it's still an issue.

 

On every cruise we've been on that has stopped here we've heard of one or more issues.

 

Just be aware and observant and leave valuables on the ship or if in a hotel in a hotel.

 

And just be street smart.

 

Beautiful city but this issue is out there.

 

Be more careful when in large crowds.

 

Keith

[Clarea]

Why all this paranoia??? Barcelona is no different from any other city worldwide. Just don't leave your common sense at home and you will be fine.

I agree.

[Keith1010]

No panic or paranoia.

 

No Barcelona nor Naples or some other selected cities are like all cities in the world.

 

Yes tourists are targets for pick pockets more so then in many cities.

 

Just the facts.

 

As I've said we love Barcelona but the reality is we do certain things there that I would not think of doing in tourist areas of some other cities.

 

Keith

[Clarea]

Barcelona is a wonderful city. We have walked extensively (the HOHO frequently crowded) and never felt threatened. Just take usual precautions.

Our feelings too.:)

[PensFan1028]

When we were there I felt the need to have a heightened sense of my surroundings... which is typical when I'm in an unfamiliar place. However, I grew up in a not so safe neighborhood so looking over my shoulder and anticipating target areas is something that comes natural. I never felt "unsafe" in Barcelona, actually we had a really good time exploring Las Ramblas, having dinner and a wine in the square later in the evening... I would go back and do it all again.

 

Maybe we were naive to the the supposed rampant petty crime? It didn't seem any different than walking around my own home city for the most part.

 

Have some Paella at Restaurante Ambos Mundos in Plaça Reial square. Our first taste of true Spanish food and we loved it.

[Hlitner]

What about having your cell phone in a clip on your belt? Or should you just put it in your pocket? I have a zipper wallet for my front pocket that also carries my passport. How easy would it be for them to get that out of my jeans front pocket?

 

Think about it. Folks will take all kinds of precautions with their cash/credit cards...even putting them in money belts under their shirts. But they then recklessly hand a $700 cell phone on their belt or loosely carry it in their hand. Pickpockets/purse snatcher just love to grab those phones :). And if they spot a Passport (which can be worth thousands of dollars) they will often find a way :(. Best way to protect valuables is to leave them in a safe! Or as a frequent traveler friend once told me, "do not tempt fate because one day it will find you."

 

Hank

[Clarea]

... Have some Paella at Restaurante Ambos Mundos in Plaça Reial square. Our first taste of true Spanish food and we loved it.

Thanks, I put that on our list to check out this fall.:)

[LondonTowner]

For paella I would recommend Xiringuito Escriba along the seafront towards the Pueblo Olympico. It specialises in rice dishes, but paella is from Valencia, not Barcelona. Slightly more typical of the region would be a Fidua. Similiar to paella, but made with pasta instead of rice.

 

Plaza Reial is nice for a drink, but as it is just off the Ramblas tends to be very touristy.

[Keith1010]

Think about it. Folks will take all kinds of precautions with their cash/credit cards...even putting them in money belts under their shirts. But they then recklessly hand a $700 cell phone on their belt or loosely carry it in their hand. Pickpockets/purse snatcher just love to grab those phones :). And if they spot a Passport (which can be worth thousands of dollars) they will often find a way :(. Best way to protect valuables is to leave them in a safe! Or as a frequent traveler friend once told me, "do not tempt fate because one day it will find you."

 

Hank

 

Hank I agree with you 100%.

 

It's not only that they might rip the cell phone out of your hands but something worse could happen that was not planned but happens.

 

On our third visit to Barcelona a couple we knew had their Rolex Watches on. I said don't you think you should leave that on board. They said no worries that they were insured. I thought to myself that insurance won't cover you if you lose your life in a theft that turns south.

 

I have seen first hand people have expensive cameras literally ripped out of their hands.

 

These folks target tourists and where possible ones who are elderly when it comes to things such as cameras and cell phones. But they target almost anyone that is a tourist when it comes to wallets and passports.

 

Keith

[carterd2002]

We were in Barcelona in Sept 2015 for a week, walked everywhere, traveled on the Metro many times, and had no issues at all. However, our hotel was located in the El Raval district and I was slightly uncomfortable walking through there at times after dark, but we were cautious, walked with a purpose, and no one bothered us. Just keep your valuables close when walking and on the Metro, be observant of others around you, and you'll be fine.

[Clarea]

For paella I would recommend Xiringuito Escriba along the seafront towards the Pueblo Olympico. It specialises in rice dishes, but paella is from Valencia, not Barcelona. Slightly more typical of the region would be a Fidua. Similiar to paella, but made with pasta instead of rice.

 

Plaza Reial is nice for a drink, but as it is just off the Ramblas tends to be very touristy.

Thank-you.:)

[keltic]

Safety tends to be slightly better in Spain than in most US cities. Just basic precautions are enough

[Langley Cruisers]

We have been there, spent several glorious days pre- and post-cruise. Barcelona is a fabulous city. As mentioned, you take precautions. We did this and had no problems whatsoever. We chose not to ride the Metro and instead used cabs, and we walked for miles!! Remembering back, we realize we did pass right through a pickpocket "scam" - some locals were holding out clipboards for people to sign, and thinking about it now, it's like, why would a tourist need to sign a petition of some sort? OBVIOUSLY a distraction tactic, so do be careful (we kept on walking without stopping).

 

When we were in Rome, we were desperately lost and we stopped to ask directions from two local gentlemen; they helped us happily and didn't try to steal our things. :p Not all Europeans are thieves - most are incredibly nice and helpful.

 

Have fun in beautiful Barcelona and don't be too paranoid that it takes over your life. Keep your head up, and as my husband says, "Walk with purpose.".

 

.

[Mary Ellen]

We've been to Barcelona a few times and have plans to go at least a few more. We've not had problems there, but we've heard of more problems in Barcelona from other passengers than any other port we've visited - and that includes Rio and Naples. On our Oceania cruise we met a fellow passenger who didn't even make it to the airport taxi stand when she arrived with her passport and money. Thankfully they arrived several days early and was able to get her passport replaced.

 

We'll continue to take more than "basic precautions". :rolleyes:

 

Hopefully things have improved there since this article was written:

 

http://bobarno.com/thiefhunters/barcelona-pickpocket-problem/

 

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

[skf]

I've read the pickpockets work as a team, one distracts and the other does the deed.

This did, in fact, happen to me (in Florence)...A man stepped in front of me and held a guide book under my nose and SCREAMED in a made-up language while pointing at his map. Meanwhile his accomplices were busily trying to steal some used tissues (to which they were welcome) from my fanny-pack. They left in a quick hurry lest I throw them into the river!

[FlaGirl13]

Be aware at the heavily visited tourist areas in Barcelona. My son was pickpocketed at La Sagrada Familia by a group of gypsies. They specialize in the distraction technique.

[ckmedsec]

To be safe, make sure you have a purse with a locking device on it. Keep backpacks in front of you not on your back, and above all never put your phone or camera ON a table at a cafe/restaurant or leave your bags on the floor. Keep items on your body.

[LondonTowner]

I can't imagine why anybody would leave their phone or camera on a table or their bag on the floor in any busy place or city.

 

Backpacks are probably the worst sort of bag to have in a city or on public transport, they are a magnet to thieves.

[keltic]

The only problem I had was in Detroit. Having been diverted when I was flying AA from EWR to ORD, due to heavy storms, we were taken to a hotel. Although close to downtown I walked to have something to eat to a place about 100 metres from the place. I left my camara on a table while I went to the toilet. When I came back someone had taken it. But it was my fault for not being carefull enough.

 

Enviado desde mi GT-N8000 mediante Tapatalk

[carterd2002]

Backpacks are probably the worst sort of bag to have in a city or on public transport, they are a magnet to thieves.

 

Exactly - that's why I carry a smaller purse with a zipper closure that I keep closed when walking and on public transportation.

Edited March 18, 2016 by carterd2002