Pickpockets Barcelona

[ieatyellowsnow]

How bad is it really? I want to go with dh, and 2 dc, 2 and 4.

Is it folly to go?

I'm well travelled but since having children I've become very cautious. I would take photocopies of our passports and keep originals in the aparthotel and I wouldn't take all cash with me. In fact I'd probably withdraw from cash machine every other day.

Thanks.

There are lots of pickpockets in Barcelona - but that's no reason not to go! Just be careful - bag with a flap and a zip, don't leave your bag/purse on tables, careful getting on and off trains.

Everyone went on at me about it for weeks before we went. 3 children 12,8 and 6.

I didn't see or hear anything happening and we weren't affected in any way.

It possibly helps that we lived in London for years and still go on most months so quite 'streetwise'about bags, purses, etc.

Yes lots of pickpockets but just being aware makes you less vulnerable. So any 'drunks' bumping you or leaning near you in metro are likely trying it, and be aware when you're looking up at amazing architecture!

perfectly safe to go, we took dd when she was 2 ish. But it does make me laugh that all our photos show us with one hand firmly on our over shoulder bags at all times.

I didn't think it was any worse than any other major city

You must go, it is a brilliant place with so much to see and do

I've been three times and always been fine. The only person that I saw had something pinched was a chap walking on Las Ramblas with a huge SLR camera round his neck - he went to pay for a drink in a kiosk and realised his wallet from his back pocket was gone.

We went in the summer and it was fine. I think you just need to be sensible - so no wallets in back pockets, bags should be zipped up etc.

We really dresses down, so we didn't look with stealing from!

We have been twice, once with four DC's in tow. We didn't have any problems. I opted for a coat with a few front pockets and avoided carrying a bag altogether. I encouraged the DC's to avoid eye contact with the street sellers who mostly congregate in the main tourist spots. We found Paris more intimidating so many beggars and sellers who try to put bracelets on you. It's a beautiful city, I recommend taking the tourist bus tour x

We've taken the DC twice, with no problems. However I did read about someone complaining about having their handbag stolen when it was hung over the back of their chair in a restaurant (something I'd never consider doing anywhere, never mind a big city). We did see a waiter pick up someone's mobile from the edge of a table, walk through the (very busy) restaurant, and hand it to someone who then walked out to the street, all very discretely. That was pretty horrible tbh. Though I would think a phone to be vulnerable when left on the table, that a (uniformed) member of staff was complicit left us a little rattled.

I wouldn't hesitate to go again though. It is a wonderful city.

I've been to Barcelona a few times and had the same worries. Las Ramblas & around the metro station at Placa de Catalunya are the notorious spots.
I'd just say keep all valuables inside your buttoned-up coat around there and be vigilant.
It's a great place, so don't let that put you off.

We went to Madrid and got the same advice to be very careful.

We noticed a lot of people wearing their backpacks at the front. As long as you keep a careful eye on your belongings and keep them in front and do what you suggest about the money you should be fine.
I'd also be very careful about engaging with anyone you meet on the street and avoid getting into conversation as they usually try to distract you to take your money.

Don't agree to buy any cans of soft drink around Las Rambles late at night

Got this as well before we went, been twice with girls (4&7 and 5&8 then) and didn't encounter anything. I doubt it's any more prevalent there than in any other big city. On the other had, I had my handbag pinched from under a table in Salou and some twat made off with the drawstring bag containing our lunch in NYC (think they thought it had money in it, still makes me smile now).

Go, take normal precautions and have a fabulous time!

We've been to Barcelona quite a lot and never had any problems. Just be sensible.

It's an amazing place, don't let it put you off.

We went with young kids and had a great time, but we're very cautious. I had my purse in a paper bag (logic was it would be harder to identify and harder to slip it out) at the bottom of a cross body bag that I never took off.

It's amazing how cavalier/naive some people are with their belongings in big cities. I remember seeing a tourist on the Athens metro with her open tote style bag hanging off her arm behind her, while she looked in the other direction. I was agape!

I think they must have thought I was some sort of trap as I was very scattered brained and left my bag open a few times but thankfully nothing happened.

The last few times I have been travelling I have put essentials in a small cross body bag and then put my coat over the top and it has felt very secure. Everything else I put in a small backpack which me and DH share.

I've been 3 times and each time someone in my group had an attempted pickpocket, maybe just very unlucky! The worst culprits are not the young men strolling up and down looking for easy targets by the flower sellers / street act accomplices who distract you. Take an empty purse / wallet in your pocket, one you don't mind losing, if that gets stolen they will assume it to be full of money and won't keep rummaging for the real deal, get to the pound shop and buy 4 or 5

I lived there for a few years and never got pick pocketed, but I'm quite streetwise. Now we live in another part of Spain but go often with our toddler, it's great for kids, especially park Guell.

Actually thinking about it my dad had his passport pick pocketed in barca metro on his way to the airport which was pretty awful for him. I've been pick pocketed in NYC and witnessed one in London and that's it (lucky maybe) but I do think that sort of thing is just a big city thing.

It's fine, just take all necessary precautions. Barcelona is amazing and should not be avoided just because of pickpockets

we were ok in barcelona (though went in feb so pretty quiet and i did put all my cash in inside coat pockets and flashed my empty handbag around to tempt them). Manchester though is a nightmare, both son and his flatmate have had mobiles nicked from their pockets over the last 2 months.

We went in October and had no problems. I kept my money, passport etc in a small bag under my coat.

I lived in Barcelona for 5.5 years and never had anything stolen. We still go back monthly and again, no problems.

Just keep your wits about you. Camera phones are good enough for pics - keep them in a pocket with a button.

If something does get stolen, 99/100 it won't be violently.

Take a taxi or bus from the airport, avpid the train. Thieves go through the train like wildfire.

I'd recommend Placa Vincenç Martorell off Las Ramblas, if you're down that way. It has cafes outside and a playpark in the middle. Nice and enclosed for playing.

We've been and so have many people we know. We all knew the rumours, but not one of us did it happen to.

Ah brilliant thanks for the lovely advice. I have a quick question. If we take the bus from the airport how long will it take to the centre? Would my 2 year old be legally ok on my lap?

That's 2 questions! Thanks again!