To ask if Barcelona is unsafe

[Thepinkyponkc]

I’m off to Barcelona with 13 friends (all women) 30-50s age. I haven’t been for a few years , but when I did we’ve never had any safety problems with muggings etc and I had a handbag , phone and money in there . Quite a few people are telling me it’s now rife for mugging- phones, Jewellery etc. Is this the case? I was planning on taking a shoulder cross over bag and putting my things in it but I’m worried now I might have to take an old phone and hide my cc down my bra 🤣 is it really this extreme?!

I went last Feb. No problems.

I got all the same comments too. And had a lovely trip.

its a major city. Use normal city precautions and you’ll be likely fine.

Been in every continent except Antarctica and the only place I was ever robbed was Barcelona!
Just be wary and you’ll be fine.

It’s fine. Lots of pickpockets down Las Ramblas but that’s down to the large number of gormless tourists off cruise ships wandering down that street with no sense about them. It’s no worse than London.

I used to live there and go back once a year, last time in May last year. Have lots of colleagues in BCN.
It's perfectly safe. Yes, lots of pickpockets on the Ramblas in particular but if you're sensible you'll be fine. Also the only place I've ever been offered drugs (although that was in the middle of the night) by random strangers - again on the Ramblas.

I love the city, it's beautiful and very vibrant. Enjoy.

Just be careful and especially alert around Las Ramblas.

My dd was there a few weeks ago and it was fine.

I know someone whose suitcase was stolen on the train and another whose phone was swiped out of their hands. Both well seasoned travellers. I think it's a city where you need to be extra vigilant.

Well seasoned city breaker myself, have done Barcelona twice in the last few years. Never felt unsafe at all, maybe been lucky but use your usual common sense, you’ll love it!

We were there in Feb half term and had no problems at all nor did we witness anything.

Take the same precautions as you would in any big city and have your wits about you. I used a cross body bag, kept my bag on me in restaurants.

We loved it and had an amazing time.

DH was pickpocketed on the metro.. but felt the hand and nothing was in his pocket luckily. Can you get one of then bags which goes under your top for cards

I’d never go back felt unsafe whole time I was there with a large group of female friends
constantly reminded by staff in restaurants and bars to keep bag on your lap at all times even when sitting in a very nice restaurant
other friends there same weekend were mugged at knifepoint

It’s the only place I’ve led a tour with pupils where we had to be extremely strict about where they went and sticking together when given free time (which we kept very short). Wouldn’t go back.

Only place I’ve ever been grabbed by a man was Barcelona. Never wanted to go back. Didn’t feel safe after that.

Obviously be alert but I went there for a month to study, 24 year old F on my own and wandered all round the gothic quarter/ramblas down to the beach where I was staying often 11pm onwards and never had any problems. You do get offered drugs even during day time but I just firmly said no and nobody ever pressured me further. Love Barcelona!

Just got back from a girls weekend (12 of us 30s-50s) and we had an amazing time. Didn't feel any more unsafe than in other big cities like London, in fact probably safer/friendlier.

We took a day trip there last year. I didn't feel unsafe but one of the men from our coach had his phone stolen in Burger King shortly after arriving.

The thief asked for directions and placed his map over it on the table. Lifted the map and the phone.

Luckily a plain clothes police officer caught him.

It's more the pickpocketing than mugging. I would definitely recommend a moneybelt under your clothes for essentials! When I was in Barcelona I literally saw two people get pickpocketed in the space of 5 mins.

It's the only place in Spain I've felt unsafe. I was there with friends who were locals too. They have said that it's gotten particularly bad since Covid.

My DD's EX P had his phone lifted from his pocket, but he felt it and chased after the thief and got it back

I know 2 people who got pick pocketed in Barcelona recently. I’d use a cross body bag at the least.

Been a few times, last time being May last year, never felt unsafe but there was a group of young women in our hotel, 3 of which had either their purse or phone taken. Get a decent secure cross body bag and don't keep anything in your pockets and you'll be fine

I went there and someone tried to do a distraction theft of my phone as I was sat outside a restaurant. Lucky I didn’t take my iPhone I took an old spare in case of such a scenario as I had been warned. Lucky they didn’t manage to nick it, but if they had they would have been disappointed 🤣 it does seem quite rife now.

It's always been pick pocket city tbh.

I went last summer. It's definitely dirtier than it was 15 years ago, and the drains stank in a lot of places.

Some of the smaller side streets feel a bit "wrong side of town", but if you stick to the main roads, usual city rules apply.

Las Ramblas I think it is - I've known 2 seperate people on two trips have issues there

I was last in BCN in April 2022 and it was the awful smell of the drains that hit me the most. That was my fourth visit to the city and I don't plan ongoing back.

Much prefer Valencia personally!