In Barcelona there are also native Catalans who are blue-eyed and some even blonde, you are not going to Mexico.
Just have common sense and don't be naive like many tourists, who fall asleep while lying on the beach or get drunk alone at night in the street and fall down. They are the easy preys for pickpockets who are nearly all young guys from Morocco or Algeria, or gipsies from Romania and other Eastern countries.
The problem is the law: those people never go to prison if they steal less than 300 EUR and can be stealing money, being arrested and released five minutes later and steal again, this process can take place more than 400 times and nevertheless they are never imprisoned or expelled from the country.
Hello,
I have been living in Barcelona for a couple of years and the truth is that you hear more and more of people being robbed. There are many things you can do:
- be extremely careful in the public transport
- hold your purse/backpack in a way that the zippers and in front of your eyes all the time ( I see many people wear the backpack in front of them)
- better not to carry a lot of cash with
- usually pick-pockets target tourist, so don′t look too much as a tourist (has nothing to do with the eyes color or the skin) just always try to know what direction you are going to and don′t stop in the middle of the crowd looking at your map (better wait to get to a quieter spot)
- Always pay attention to the people around you
- In bars/restaurants never leave your phone or purse or anything valuable on the table.
Here you can find some more information and tips: http://justlandedbcn.com/living-in-barce...
Hope this was useful and enjoy your holiday in Barcelona. I am sure you will love it!
Don't believe everything you read. I've been to Barcelona many times and will be living there very soon in fact. The locals are an extremely friendly bunch and I have not experienced any pick pockets. Yes some people do experience it. But is is any worse than say London? I doubt it. In fact I'd say London's probably worse!
As with any busy city keeps your wits about you and if someone randomly bumps into you check your pockets - especially in La Rambla. But my guess is you'll have a great time and have nothing but praise for the place!
In fact I bet you'll want to spend more time exploring what is in my opinion the best city in Europe!
Enjoy your trip and don't worry!
Basic tips:
- 1st... do not be scared... millions of people go to Barcelona every year and the vast majority never had any problem.
- 2nd... pickpocketing does happen in areas were there are large concentrations of people... mostly tourists
- 3rd... if you are carrying any shoulder bag, keep it always in front of you when you areas with a large amount of people, specially in Las Ramblas.
- 4th... public spectacles in the street or "random incidents" like someone falling are the perfect place for a pickpocketer, since people are distracted.
- 5th... leave as many things as possible in your hotel room. I personally would not take my passport out, not just in Barcelona, I would not do it anywere... but in Europe we are used to have ID Cards that are equally as valid as a passport, I do not know in your case...
i went to spain in the spring for a school trip! we all loved it other then the fact that more then half of us got sick for at most 2 days...we think it may have been something with the water that is different then US water...(that's all we could come up with lol!) but none of us had a problem with pick-pocketers. just keep your bag zipped, buttoned, snapped, what ever possible...and keep it in ur front. if your bag in front of u rather then on ur side or behind u they will not go for u...also try to keep a hand on it if u can. The guys that were in our group had draw string bags and our tour guide recommended putting it on one shoulder and keeping the bag under your arm.
Funny, all locals here carry bags with shoulder straps. The strap goes over your head and the purse bit under your arm.
I have a small leather purse that contains my driving license, credit cards and cash. It lives in my right hand trouser pocket. For business, I have a brief case with a shoulder strap.
Not been robbed yet.
See: http://www.robbedinbarcelona.com/
By the way the water does you no harm. what does is alcohol and bad personal hygiene.
You won't stick out a mile, Barcelona is full of tourists.
The easiest way to avoid being pickpocketed is to simply make it difficult for them. Keep your hand on your bag all the time.
There is a lot of crime in barcelona, on the metro you will see volunteer guards with attack dogs, and i would be concerned with the bar scene. When you leave the bar, there are many drug dealers and hookers who try and sell you crap. Hoping that you are too drunk to refuse. Also be careful what street you go down, one is reall nice and touristy, and the next is a dark alley lined up with hookers. lol
Hey there,
I recently bought this system http://www.downloadita.it/r/rd.asp?gid=4... It teaches how to protect yourself and your family in case of violent situations or unexpected attacks from thiefs. Sometimes having a gun is just not enough.
Hope it helps.
So in August I'm off for a family holiday to Spain, and on one of the days I dare say we will venture out to Barcelona. Ive read online that Barcelona is one of, if not, the worst place in Europe for pick-pockets. Somebody told me not to bring any shoulder bags if possible.
I feel that as 3 blonde haired and blue-eyed, pale skinned brits, we will stick out to the locals and I was just wondering if anybody has any Barcelona Pick-pocket horror stories and/or tips on how I can try my best to avoid them!
Cheers!
