safety in barcelona

watch out for picketpockets in crowded areas and the old town area has reported mugging before. also make sure to secure your stuff in the hotel, there are thieves stealing laptop passports etc from hotel rooms. Use common sense it's very safe.

We got hit by young pickpockets in the metro. They didn't get anything but it was crowded getting on and off and they were right in the middle of the crowd exiting the train. Just be aware of your surroundings.

shoshana, I'd suggest having a look at Spain or Snapshot Barcelona Guidebooks, as they'll have good information on problem areas that travellers should avoid. As the others have mentioned, you'll need to be very vigilant regarding pickpockets, as Barcelona has somewhat of a "reputation" for scammers. Be very careful in crowd situations or if distractions occur, and be sure to wear a Money Belt! Happy travels!

I was in Barcelona a year ago before a cruise. Having read about pickpockets etc on these boards my husband and I were very careful. We had our money belts and watched around us while walking. We walked to Columbus Circle where you take the "Blue bus" to the cruise terminals. Our hotel was only a 10 min walk and even with our luggage was no problem. We arrived at the Columbus Circle and waited for the bus. There was an elderly couple next to us waiting also. She went to the bathroom and told her husband to watch her purse (most women know better than to do this to begin with) There was a young girl (teenager) sitting also. A young man came by on a bike and started yelling at nothing in particular. Something told me this wasn't right so I held on to all our "stuff" Sure enough when he just rode off the poor man found out his wife's purse was gone. Passport, creditcards etc. So was the young girl. We flagged a police for him but there was not much they could do. His wife had not returned yet when we borded our bus but I could imagine what happened when she did return. So keep all your items close to you at all times.

It doesn't look like anyone has actually answered the question about staying in Bari Gotic. I am not sure, but I thought Bari Gotic was OK and the seedy place is part of Raval? As for pickpockets, they are most active on Las Ramblas and the metro. Be vigilant everywhere, but especially there. And don't let it spoil your time there. We walked all over and never saw or experienced anything suspicious or shady.

There's nothing wrong with the Gothic Quarter.

We were in Barcelona in June and stayed near the Cathedral. We had been in Athens earlier in the trip so were security conscious for sure-pp, jewelry,etc. left in hotel safe. We had no problems at all but the hotel advised us to avoid the isolated side streets in the Barri Gotic. There are some good tapas places, restaurants, shops, etc, in that area so don't miss out on them-just be cautious.

In late winter, we were in Barcelona for several days and booked a room in the Raval area, just a stroll to La Rambla. I would not walk to the hotel late at night given the characters seen earlier in the evenings, not counting the working women.

We stayed in Barri Gothic, at Neri Hotel, last September, and didn't feel in danger at all. But yes, I would be careful of pickpockets on Ramblas and anything further west.

We stayed in Barri Gotic a couple of blocks from Placa Catalunya. I think it was a good choice. The Ramblas, which borders the Barri Gotic, is notorious for pickpockets (and, more recently, muggings) the rest of the area didn't seem at all dangerous when we were there in April. Generally in Barcelona you need to be careful of pickpockets in any tourist area or on crowded public transportation. Keep an eye on your stuff and use a money belt, neck wallet or similar secure storage for the stuff you wouldn't want to lose.

Four years ago I stayed at Hotel Lloret on the Ramblas. It is close to Placa Catalunya. The produce market is just down the street. I found that area safe, convenient and interesting. My room was off the street, so was quiet.

In the RS Spain 2011 book he advises that it could be unsafe in the southern part of Barri Gotic near Placa Reial, and El Raval--so we didn't go there at night. We stayed in Barri Gotic near the Cathedral and felt safe at all hours in that neighborhood.

I didn't find any of the places RS listed as "shady" to be so during sept of last year, and I was walking by myself during the day but not at night in that area. I did walk by myself at night by our hotel (up on the hill near the old amuseument park? name is escaping me right now) and thought it was fine. for pickpockets and scammers I'd follow the same protocols you would in paris.