We are going to Spain for two weeks at the end of December until after New Years from Barcelona to Seville, Cordoba, Granada and Madrid. We are street smart,savvy travellers used to big cities but what I have been hearing regarding crime has me concerned especially since we will be going with two teenagers. A pickpocketing is enough but am now hearing about violent muggings and with Spain at 20percent unemployment and climbing is this a true concern? Are there places people are avoiding because of these issues?
Posted by
Milpitas
28 posts
Absolutely no reason to be concerned, things are very safe there. Just pay attention as you would in any big city.
Posted by
Madrid, Spain
1 posts
I have lived in Madrid for 20 years and it is perfectly safeno muggings, guns etc. There is the occasional pickpocket, especially in tourist areas, so you have to be alert as you would be in any big city.
By the way, I am from WPB and feel much safer here in Madrid than I do in lots of areas around West Palm!
Posted by
OP
loxahatchee, florida, usa
16 posts
Thank you all for your replys. By the way Jacki I am from the West Palm Beach area. I can tell you a lot has changed in twenty years. Much of WPB has been cleaned up with the addition of City Place which isa large shopping and entertainment venue. Also you can clearly tell when you are in the wrong area, here Europe is somewhat different in that regard. On that note are there particular areas you can recommend that we stay in, do you have a favorite area of the city? We have not booked yet as we are trying to figure out where to stay. Also what will the weather be like in January? Are there any must see sites besides the museums?
Thank you in advance for your imput-
Posted by
Gaston, Oregon, USA
931 posts
We visited Seville, Cordoba, Granada this June. We were out late at nite and had no problem with crime. We loved these towns and planned our days using Rick's book; which we found to be "right-on-the money." In Seville we stayed at the Hotel Amadeus; a great central location with lots of nearby restaurants and sights to see. We toured the Catherdal and the Moorish Alcazar. The girls had a great time shopping. We used out rental car to drove to Juarez to see the horse show (awesome!) and to visit the hill town of Arcos. In Cordoba we stayed at the neat little Hotel San Miguel (60 EU/nite/double); another great central location. Take to kids to the main plaza and eat at the Cafe Siena. We visited the moorish Mequita. In Granada we stayed at the Hotel Las Almenus, a few blocks down the street from the central bus stop that the airport bus uses. For $98/nite we got huge brand new rooms. Send the kids across the street to eat in the cafeteria of the Drug store Cortes Ingles when they need a hamburger fix. Walk across the street to the next main street, cross over, turn right and walk a block to the liltte restaurant that serves awesome Bfasts and great! lo-cost tapas for lunch and dinner. Go to Trip Advisor to review these hotels
Posted by
OP
loxahatchee, florida, usa
16 posts
That sounds great. Did you use a tour guide in any of the cities? We will pick up the car in Seville, because we are staying at an Inn in Priego de Cordoba. We are using it as a base to see Corodoba, Granada and the nearby towns.