Barcelona Safety?

Be very careful about taking Mace, it's illegal in many European countries. There was some discussion about Barcelona recently on this board and the general feeling was that the stories are much exaggerated but you should keep alert.

I was in Barcelona several years ago with a group of about 30 or so. One in the group had his billfold taken on Las Ramblas. The others had no difficulty. So, just be careful and use common sense. It is a wonderful city. I feel safer there than at home in Atlanta.

You should be just fine with the normal precautions. I was there last year, and I didnt do anything differently that any other European (or American) trip to a large city. I felt completely safe, and we even went out at night and I felt fine walking back to my hotel (which was in the Gothic quarter).

Relax and have fun!!!

Simply wear a money belt and all is good:

http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/moneybelt.htm

http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/theft.htm

Mace is completely useless against a pickpocket. In any any event you can't bring it aboard a plane....in either you carry-on or checked bags.

Hi Rosanne

I just returned from Spain and spent five days in Barcelona. I, too, had been a bit nervous after reading several comments but I had no problems whatsoever. If fact, I never saw anything or felt uneasy at anytime and we wandered all over, rode the bus and metro, etc. We used moneybelts and I used a crossbody purse. Enjoy your stay there. It is a wonderful city.

If you can survive the violence of Palm Beach County, you should be just fine here. Pickpockets take advantage of confusion and distraction in order to rob from their victims. Stay focused when in a crowd and you won't have a problem. In this, Barcelona is just like any other urban centre in the world.

On a lighter note, Born is a wonderful neighbourhood and you should have a great visit.

I just got back from a trip to Barcelona and we didn't have any problems. We did witness an attempted pickpocketing in the Barri Gotic near the Cathedral, though.The gentleman in question had his wallet in his back pocket and his back turned to two women, one of whom grabbed his wallet and tried to make a run for it through the crowds. He noticed and chased her down, yelling for police. A crowd of tourists stopped her and he got his wallet back. Moral of the story: wear a moneybelt and be aware of your surroundings, and you should be fine. Barcelona is a wonderful city.

Remember, for the most part only those who have had problems post their stories. Barcelona and Ramblas have a reputation but in my opinion no worse than anywhere else. We have been in Barcelona three times, most recently last Fall, and never had or saw a problem. Last the Fall the Ramblas was the cleanest I had seen it and the police presents was obvious. Of course we are not walking around the Ramblas at one or two o'clock in the morning either.

You should ALWAYS take precautions. And you should use a money belt. My wife has given up the purse, shoulder bags, etc. and we now use just one small day bag. Anything of value, except the camera, is in the money belt or in secured pockets on our body. Recently saw someone selling my camera on ebay for $50 so that is not very valuable anymore. Just take normal, reasonable precautions and you will be fine.

Thanks to everyone for your reassurances (and reminders that the negative postings are the exception not the rule). Yes, we will take a money belt, put valuables in that or secured (zippered) pockets and be alert in crowds. I feel much better now and am very much looking forward to the trip!

I have never been afraid. I wear a money belt and have witnessed pickpockets but never had my pocket picket. I don't carry a purse on the Ramblas. I love it for its entertainment but you just have to be smart.

Take the usual precautions and you will be fine. One added precaution: In high-risk areas, try to stay relatively close, but not too close, to some stereotypical tourists -- the kind that take no precautions and seem oblivious to pickpockets. It is like going on a hike in the woods with someone you can outrun if a bear attacks.

The only incident we saw in Barcelona was a thief running with someone's day pack outside of the Parc Guell. The victim was shouting and persued the thief - he dropped the bag and ran away. Take normal precautions and you will have NO problems.

Agree with the above comments. I felt completely safe in Barcelona--just stay alert, wear purse that goes across chest, keep $$$ and credit cards in money belt or neck pouch. Walking around Barcelona felt WAY safer than walking around Atlanta.

We just returned from a trip to Spain, including Barcelona. I just posted a message to the "graffiti wall," under travel scams (or something to that effect). I won't repeat it all here, but basically the purse snatchers were craftier than I'd anticipated -- posing as would-be diners at an outdoor cafe. Fortunately, we got the purse back before they got away. That was the only incident we had during our trip, and of course it important to remember that virtually everyone else we dealt with was very friendly, helpful, etc. Just be vigilant and avoid leaving anything unattended!

I wouldn't worry too much about it. I've been to Barcelona twice and spent plenty of time in the touristy areas. One of my trips I was travelling solo. I didn't have any trouble with pickpockets either time, nor did I see any thefts in progress. That said, I am always very cautious and aware of my surroundings when I travel. I also stay away from lonely streets/alleys after dark and I never sit my bag or purse down without having it attached to my body in some way. I also avoid getting too close to a large crowd where people will be jostling me.

I just left Spain last week. I was also scared about pickpockets. I bought a PacSafe sling bag. I never saw anything alarming, heard about anyone being the victim of a pickpocket, or felt unsafe. Just make sure you always keep your bag in front of you, have a hand on it when you are in a crowd, and wear a money belt. Have fun...it is a BEAUTIFUL city!