The area around the Cathedral is fairly well lit. But staying in Eixample in the box formed by the Diagonal, Verdaguer, Passeig de Gracia and Placa Catalunya Metro stations would allay your concerns and certainly keep you near major sites. And the distance from Placa Catalunya to Port Vell is not great.

If you have the exact location, it would be easier to respond.

Big Russ makes a good point thought.

This might help you.


For the record, I would prefer to stay in the Eixample:


http://www.letsgo.com/20500-spain_and_portugal-travel-guides-barcelona-nightlife-barri_g%C3%B2tic_and_las_ramblas-c

We staying at Hotel Neri (5 days) and Hotel Colon (five days)in/near Bari Gothic on two separate trips and had absolutely NO problems and loved the location.

My wife and I stayed in an apartment off Princessa (through Barcelona Habitat) and never had a problem or felt unsafe. The apartment was ~ 50 meters from the Picasso Museum.

I wouldn't stay there if you intend to be walking around at midnight, not near the cathedral. More peaceful means darker and not as many people around. I've been in that area, I wouldn't do it and don't think most would recommend it who now the area, but if you were more explicit, as someone said, people could respond better. You obviously have a specific hotel in mind, what is it.

There are definitely more dangerous areas than others in Barcelona, of course a crime "can" happen anywhere but that is ignoring the facts.

I've stayed in the BG area twice, most recently this past October. First time was a few years ago with 2 teenage daughters so we weren't out that late, maybe 10-11pm, and this past month with a 20yo daughter and fellow Fodorite Barb. Some nights we were walking around in the midnight hour LOL!

Both times were in rented apartments so probably a little more off-the-beaten track than any hotel.

I have to say I have felt perfectly safe in those little alleys both times, though I was always with other people and never alone.

What hotels are you considering? Tell us that and perhaps we can come back with more constructive comments about the locations...

Yes, we do have a specific location in mind: Hotel Barcelona Catedral (address: c/ dels Capellans 4· 08002 Barcelona), which is very close to the cathedral (no surprise there!) That district puts us in the best location for walking to many museums, Las Ramblas, even the waterfront. It seems like a better base for sightseeing, as long as it's relatively safe. L'Eixample looks live a lovely area, and very appealing with the proximity to all-Gaudi, but seemed a little removed from the older/historic part of city where we'll likely spend the most time.

Thanks for any additional info you can provide based upon the specific address.

We stayed at Hotel Regencia Colon - right by the cathedral - I think this area is very safe. Spaniards are night owls - there will be people out and about at midnight and there are alot of restaraunts in the area. IMO the biggest crime possibility is being pickpocketed in the metro and in the middle of the day the tricky little folks are very busy.

Thanks suec1 - that's what I am hoping will be the consensus. Us (which may be 1 or 2 couples) returning at midnight is a stretch for us, but am hoping we won't be roaming totally deserted streets. However, I do have some concerns which I hope can be resolved before I commit to a hotel.

The streets and alleys all are well-lighted. We stay in apartments and have never felt threatened. That said, we avoid the smaller, deserted alleys when returning at night; on larger streets there always are people around. That's no different from New York or Boston, which both have sections that are truly frightening.

your location is fine... I am not fond of the area bellow
Ferran

Thanks, Alan-CT & danon. Will try to be vigilant & will not be coming back drunk late at night! Hopefully it's reasonably safe.

As danon says, I would be careful in some of the area below Carrer de Ferran at night. The rest of the old town is fine and full of restaurants, cafés, bars and people. I recommend El Born: http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/areas/el-born.html

As suec said, midnight is not "late" in Barcelona (or Spain in general). Dinner starts maybe a bit less late than in the "rest" of Spain, but it's not uncommon to finish it by 11pm to midnight. So you won't be alone on the streets where your hotel is. Especially in summer, you will be amazed how full the streets are with "ordinary people" at the wee hours.

That area between the Cathedral and Pl. Catalunya is also a major shopping area. The Av Portal de l'Angel, for example, which leads from Pl Catalunya to the Cathedral and passes nearby your hotel is a wide pedestrianized avenue, lined with stores. Also in front of the Cathedral you have a wide and long square. So it ain't all narrow alleys in the old town.

Thanks folks, especially the specific reference to staying above Carrer de Ferran at night. You KNOW I went straight to google maps to see where that is & where our intended hotel is! We're ok by a few blocks. I guess the consensus is that Barri Gotic is not everyone's favorite district, but should be ok. It seems like a good location for us, so I guess we go for it.

Thanks again to all who shared advice, experience, suggestions.

The cathedral area of Gotic is great. We loved it's location and the ancient streets. Eixample is much more modern. I wouldn't linger around the end of Las Ramblas after 1 or 2 am by myself. (Maybe i would but I wouldn't recommend anyone else to do it).

Thanks, Egbert. I'll be very happy if I can adapt to dining @ 10. NO danger of me lingering anywhere @ 2 am, except flat on my back in bed! (most likely @ Hotel Barcelona Catedral) Do appreciate your positive comment about Barri Gotic, and I'll follow the previous advice to stay above Carrer de Ferran at night.

Ferran itself is o.k..., many restaurants In Placa Reial ( very touristy)
Rambla and number of other streets further sout h are well lit, but tend to attract
a strange cowed late at night.

crowed....( drunk kids, people "selling", street people..etc)

Taking your own advice to not stumble back drunk late at night would be good. Many of the crimes you read about occur under just such circumstances. Best to end the night at a place near to your rooms.

Thanks, Alan_CT... once I finally get hotel booked, then I'll have to start looking for restaurants withing stumbling distance! Just kidding. Thanks for the advice.

a restaurant near the Picasso Museum that we stumbled on and liked was CheeseMe, Plaza Jacint Reventos. I just noticed on the card I saved that they charged 10% extra for sitting on the terrace. Do they do this everywhere? We always ate outside. It was probably worth the extra because now I am looking out the window at the snow and ice. It will probably be many months till I will be sitting outside and then it will be mosquito season.

Just one word of warning -- we stayed at the Hotel Colon several years back. Upon checking in, the hotel staff warned us of pickpockets especially in the Cathedral. We dropped off our bags and headed off to tour the Cathedral and sure enough -- there was a woman coming out who had just had her wallet stolen out of her purse. We also encountered the woman with the rose scam in the square. While sitting at a table outside, I also had restaurant staff warn me about leaving my purse on an empty chair beside me. So hold on to your purse/wallet -- which is always good advice no matter where you are travelling.

Thanks - we will take the pickpocket & theft warnings to heart, but we're pretty careful, pretty aware & purposeful when traveling, and never travel with any jewelry, flashy designer bags, etc that may attract attention. The pickpocket issue will require vigilance throughout the day, @ most tourist sites, using the metro. Probably an issue for any American tourist in Barcelona, regardless of the hotel they return to @ end of day.

Ita - thanks for the restaurant suggestion & the interesting comment about the 10% outside surcharge. Will inquire before trip if that's customary or just an opportunist ripoff. Sorry the view from home base is dismal right now - hope it either improves soon, or at least you have a beautiful white Christmas!

Thanks again for advice & tips.

the different ( higher) price for eating outside is rather common in Madrid and Barcelona. It is stated on the menu.

ditto what danon said. Some do, some don't. Have been at "touristy" restaurants or cafe/bars which didn't have the surcharge, and "local" places which did. And vice versa.
As all places have to post the menu outside, you can check before you sit down.

Something (else) I didn't know. You can learn something new every day @ Fodors. Thanks guys!

burnhamski,

Sorry I didn't see this post sooner but I had someone try to snatch my purse in broad daylight in the Barri Gotic. I was staying at the Colon and thought I would enjoy poking around the small alleyways. It was noon. I screamed so loud that I scared off the young guy who had grabbed my bag from behind me (I was holding it by its straps). The purse was a satchel I had picked up in an Everything-For-$10 store in NYC, so it wasn't flashy.

Needless to say, I wouldn't stay in the Barri Gotic again, and when I revisited the area recently, I didn't carry a purse. I think other neighborhoods offer less opportunity for thieves. My husband was pickpocketed in the Placa d'Espanya train station, the only time in his decades of world travel and living in NYC, so the transportation system also merits extra precaution.

Since your trip isn't until June of next year, you have time to investigate other choices for location.

Barri Gotics ia a good size area .
In Oct. I stayed in a friends apt. just off lower Rambla
on Escudellers ( the street has been mentioned as one to stay away from by Maribel)
It is not my favorite area , but I had no problem wandering around during the day.
Even at night, the street was well lit and crowded, coming home before midnight was not
a concern.
Of course, I avoided small, dark streets deep in BG.

Thanks for the additional info. I see the Colon is around the corner from the hotel we were looking at (Hotel Barcelona Catedral), so now I'm wondering if I'm back to square one. Is there a hotel that's close enough to the Barri Gotic to be walking distance museums/sights, but in an area that is really safe? Is there any area that is really safe? And if you had that experience in broad daylight, what will be gained by staying in a different neighborhood if we'll be spending a lot of time sightseeing in Barri Gotic, or taking the metro... help, I'm more confused.

Don't panic . Millions of tourists visit the city every year..
Yes, some r have had a bad experience ;
I and other posters have stayed in Barcelona many times without
any problems.
It does not mean one should not be reasonable careful like in any big, tourist city ? Ther is no reason to stay in BG, if you have doubts. Many attraction are NOT in BG, so pick a hotel in another area close to Placa Catalunya.( the very center of Barcelona)
Barcelona is walkable. and the metro , buses and taxis are cheap.

Thanks, danon. Not quite panicked but still concerned. Uncharacteristically, I'm still struggling with this hotel decision. Hubbby's from NYC & grew up being aware on city streets. We have not had problems in other Euro cities, but don't want to plant ourselves in "bad area" & assume we can handle anything. Kind of had my heart set on the BG area, and still unsure what to do. I think I'm leaning toward staying with that plan - my theory is that unless you don't leave your hotel, you're pretty much a target anywhere you walk or go by public transport. Thanks again for all the advice, anecdotes and suggestions.

The problem with the Barri Gotic is the lack of sightlines. It is mainly a labyrinth of short, blind alleys. Most of the rest of Barcelona is quite a modern grid. If you are familiar with NYC, about the closest would be imagining walking through the oldest parts of the Wall Street area at night, but much larger. Even Greenwich Village has more sightlines. I don't think you should panic. But I would suggest that another location will put you in a more open space.

I live in Europe, and I quite enjoy exploring medieval quarters. If I did anything foolish in Barcelona to make myself a target for a purse-snatcher, it was assuming that I could explore its oldest historic quarter like I do other European cities in the afternoon. Usually the draw of staying in an atmospheric antique part of a European city is the pleasure of simply wandering with an eye toward exploring, nosing about. I woudln't do that again in the Barri Gotic, not even in daylight, and absent that draw, I'd stay elsewhere in the city, where the stunning early 20th c. urban design also allows for greater sightlines and less chance of being surprised.

Hi Zeppole, Thanks for the additional info / sightlines perspective. Sightlines help to clarify things. Guess your vote would be for my 2nd choice hotel (Hotel Jazz, just west of Plaza Catalunya). If I do make that switch, however, are you also saying that navigating BG on foot during the day to visit some of the "sights" on my list is also not recommended? (the usual tourist stops: Museo Picasso, Museo d’Historia de la Ciutat,Catedral,Santa Maria del Mar...)

You should be fine walking there in the day. We wandered there two nights in a row, with a DSLR in tow. I thought somebody might have been behind us one of the nights and got inside a store. But that was just a precaution and I might have been imagining things.

There are many people in that area during the day and night, locals included. If it was such a dangerous place then tourists would not be visiting the place en masse. There were many older folks visiting the churches at night, kids playing. But this is the main streets in the old part, where there are many restaurants.

We stayed in hotel Constanza, about 3 blocks away from Plaza Catalyna. At night, we ate in the Born district then got out on one of the buss streets, called a taxi and for 5 euros we were in the hotel. During the day, the hotel was located well within walking distance to the old town, Sagrada, Casa Mila, Casa Battlo etc. At some point I thought that maybe I should have gotten a hotel in the Barri Gothic area, so that tells you that I did not think the area was unsafe.

Bur..
There sights you mention and the nearby area are so crowded
you would wish there were fewer people around.. Even at night.

Sorry, ..the sights

We will be visiting Spain in April for 3 weeks-- we are staying a bit north of the Barri Gotic in Barcelona, but, for a very reasonable cost I have purchased a slash-proof purse as well as an RFD-blocking wallet. Also my husband travels with his 22-inside-pockets-only Scottevest so no pockets can be picked. It gives us more peace of mind, but we are mindful Metropolitan NYers, so cities don't bother or worry us.

Thanks - we'll also be bringing minimal credit cards in RFD blocking wallets. May I ask what is & where you purchase a slash proof purse? I'm still on the fence about changing hotels - had all but booked the room. Also figured as metro NYC'ers (hubby grew up in the city) we can handle cities. But the "sightlines" comment posted by zeppole above has continued to leave me with questions and feeling that a move to a few blocks north might be wise. Hate to give in to fear, but also hate to get into trouble because we're overconfident. RFD blocking wallet doesn't prevent a frightening confrontation.

I have visited Barcelona six times in the last five years ( last time alone) .
I carry the same purse I do in my home town and wear the same watch ( expensive).
My husband does not carry a wallet. We leave our passports and, all but one ,CC in the hotel

We have done the same from Paris to Rome and from NY to Sidney.
Never had a problem.

I looked at the slash proof purses. The sales person dissuaded me from buying one. First of all they are very heavy and I think she told me there was a safety issue. I can't remember, but maybe you can get hurt if someone tries to grab it. Check into it.

Also I think Eixample is the perfect place to stay for a first trip. We stayed in an apartment, but we walked past an interesting hotel in the area. It was called Roommate Emma. I looked it up on the web and it wasn't too much. Check it out.

There seem to still be two distinct thoughts: BG is no more dangerous than any other big city, and we have visited, roamed BG with some caution but had a great visit / we're experienced travelers & been all over but this is not necessarily a safe area to be, especially at night.

Good thing I didn't make a reservation yet - I'd have changed it 6 times. Anybody actually know of either the Hotel Barcelona Catedral (in BG, near the catedral - duh!)or Hotel Jazz (a couple blocks west of Plaza Catalunya)?

There are ALOT of hotels (and restaurants) in this area! most of them very nice hotels - also there are quite a few main (busy) streets - you can easily avoid the twisty, narrow streets of the area if they do not feel safe to you. But again, the natives are night people - we were wandering around at midnight and it was not deserted. IMO the Barcelona problem is not nearly so much late night street crime, (at least in the BG area) as the metro pickpockets operating in the day. They got me, but I've been back since then and hope to return this spring - and I will stay again in BG, maybe even at Hotel Barcelona Cathedral - it looks very nice!

Burnhamski,

My preferred part of Barcelona is the Poble Nou, which is actually kind of an off-beat choice but convenient to the sights you mention. But the only two places I would personally rule out are Barri Gotic and Las Ramblas.

A lot of people dismiss the thievery problems in Barcelona because they've personally never had a problem. But not only did I personally have problems twice (canceling out their experience), there is a lot of evidence that Barcelona and some other parts of Spain create problems for tourists that go beyond the usual "big city" precautions. One is the presence of a large number of determined professional pickpockets who target tourists. Another problem is the animosity felt toward large numbers of northern Europeans using Barcelona as a party/vice town, which makes police indifferent to some of what occurs. The last is incidences of theft that go beyond pickpocketing to include physical threat or actual injury.

A lot of Mediterranean port cities have a pickpocketing/scamming problem that targets tourists' wallets and purses. Only a few are places where tourists are sometimes menaced into handing over their money.

All that said, travelers coming from America are much less likely to encounter violent robbery in Barcelona than they are in their own towns. My sole reason for posting in your thread is not to diss Barcelona or paint a wholly negative portrait of traveling there. It's only to make sure you have all the information you need to have a happy trip without incident.

I have been in Barcelona many times without incident BUT the last time I was there I encountered 2 problems;-
The police patrols seemed to be predictable and of course the criminals take advantage. There was always a big police presence in Plaza Real but walking just a few yards down Calle de Vidre, on the way to Las Caracoles restaurant in Calle de Los Escudellers, a youth pushed me against a wall, I shouted POLICIA at the top of my voice and he went before he could rob me. Next time I will go the long way round, out into the Ramblas and down to the main entrance to the Calle de Los Escudellers. Main pedestrian routes, even narrow ones, are OK but don't be tempted to take short cuts in between them.

There is also a problem with the metro in Barcelona. Gangs of pick pockets travel with impunity, I was hustled by a group of four. I had my hand on my wallet as soon as they started so I did not loose my credit cards but somehow the cash was gone. It was not subtle but it was fast. I will now always take a taxi in Barcelona. It will not stop me visiting this wonderful city. Spain in general has problems of huge unemployment and both legal and illegal immigrants.

after reading these posts, do you understand why we didn't use the metro? Why spoil your holiday by taking chances? We were vigilant. We encountered a young couple who had lost 300E being pickpocketed on the metro. He did have his wallet in his back pocket, which is ridiculous. He recovered his wallet and credit cards a short distance away.

As always, very good info here, and a variety of experiences. I am certainly reconsidering the plan to take public transit everywhere, and will take additional precautions with what valuables we carry. Sadly, the hotel on the smaller quiet street in BG is looking less desirable than one in a more open location.

My husband and I stayed in Barcelona in September 2011 and had a fabulous time. We stayed at Hotel Ciutat Vella on Tallers 66 off the upper end of Las Ramblas. Close to Las Ramblas and Plaza Catalunya. It was a wonderful hotel with free water bottles, friendly desk staff and a rooftop hot tub. The street is a bit noisy at night, but that's normal for Spain. We used our Ipod to play ambiance white noise to drown out the street noise at night. We wandered the side streets quite a bit and never felt threatened and always ate away from the tourist spots. As far as pickpockets, my husband wore a money belt and I bought an anti-theft bag from ebags.com, never had any issues. One of the best Fodor's tips was a painter's market on Sundays at Placa Sant Josep Oriol. We bought a great painting of Las Ramblas and talked with the artist and his wife for quite a while. Enjoy your trip!

" Calle de Vidre, on the way to Las Caracoles restaurant in Calle de Los Escudellers",...

In Oct, I stayed just at that corner..
Not that I liked the location, but the area was so well lit and so crowded at night, I was comfortable coming to the apt
(I was alone , so I did not stay out much after 11 P.M.)
Normally , I would not choose to hang around that area at night, but the apt. came free....

As for public transit, if one fears metro , buses are a great alternative. I have used both and commuter trains without incident.

After a good dozen trips to Barcelona I can say:
- BCN got a pickpocket problem, though I never experienced one myself
- BCN is one of Europe's all year top tourist destinations which makes it an attractive home base for pickpockets
- the presence of police in BCN is probably 20 times more visible than in my home town Munich or Berlin (so you can't say they neglect the issue)
- I would rather cross BCN's Barri Gotic at 3am in the morning than walk in Brussels from the Grand Place to Gare du Midi at 9pm
- it may be a cultural thing, as (excuse the stereotyping) IME many Americans are simply not used to roam on foot at night thru old cities and may feel intimitaded sooner than those who are used to it. At 9 or 10 at night you will have kids playing in the streets..
- I rarely if ever got back to the apartment before 2am - and never felt scared any place I went.
- When I saw somewhat shabby people in the lower Gothic Quarter (between Ferran and the harbor) it never raised anxiety. And walked those narrow streets dozens of times at any time of day or night. I got asked if I wanted to buy drugs or sex, but nothing ever escalated into an awkward situation. Maybe it helps when you can speak the language and can overhear that two "dangerous characters" are just discussing a football match and not how to best kill you in the next alley.
It's a bit like roaming through NYC in the wee hours and run into a few "characters" here and there or on the subway. But at least I never ran into hostile people like zeppole did in her unpleasant encounter.
- There IS ONE thing you should be aware of, and that is pickpockets at prominent tourist spots like the Ramblas or Sagrada Familia -- in bright day light. So don't take all your stuff with you or be extra vigilant.
- I never had one weird incident in the metro, not at 2pm nor at 2am. But as danon said, the city buses are not only an alternative for your peace of mind, but more often even more convenient.
- the real "no go areas" (at night) of BCN are so far away from the city center that you literally cannot walk there by accident.
- BCN is a bit of Hate it or Love it city. It's my favorite place to be, and I can never understand that anyone could feel uncomfortable in that great city -- but I know that others had bad experiences or just won't "click" with the city. It's definetely not "everybody's darling".

I'm laughing to myself because I have never, ever been indecisive about a hotel choice before! I'm more confused than ever, because people have had such varied experiences, but all valid (thanks for some very good & specific points cowboy 1968).

Seems to be consensus only on the fact that the pickpocket danger is everywhere we want to visit as first-timers in BCN, and we understand that & accept it & will do our best not to be big targets (thanks for the ebags.com tip, ErinFun). I also now have a pretty good sense that we should stay out of lower BG (below Ferran) at night. Public transit seems to still be a toss-up. Those that have used the metro & not been targets love it; those who have had experience with pickpockets/purse snatching advocate above ground. We'll figure that out once we arrive. Hotel location seems to still draw diverse opinions. Eixample may be a beautiful and safer area, but not as appealing to me as the BG for location & atmosphere. For every reported problem there, another person has posted that they had a great time. Plaza Catalunya area would be 2nd choice.

Does anyone actually know the location of the Hotel Barcelona Catedral (c/ dels Capellans 4· 08002 Barcelona - restaurant there is "4 Cappellans") & if so, can you comment on whether it's on a "bad" street (small, dark, bad sight lines)? Or is the walk from there to the Jaume metro stop a "bad" walk?

Yes, I know that location and would not consider it in any way "dangerous".
The walk to metro Jaume is not a bad walk. You will see thousands of people walking around in that area each hour.

Jaume I metro line 4 has no real benefit for exploring the "usual suspects" of Barcelona sights, though.

The buses from nearby Via Laeitana take you to the harbor and Barceloneta.
From Pl. Catalunya you can go by direct buses to the sights on Mountjuic, all way up to Park Güell, and (possibly also) to Sagrada Familia.
Or is there any place you have already in mind which would require a metro ride?
Besides Sagrada Familia, which will require a change to line 5 at Verdaguer, I would not know one tourist destination for which line 4 had any use.
To the famous "Gaudi quadrangle" with the well-known buildings you just walk to Pl. Catalunya and up Pg de Gracia. It's just a 10 min walk along one of Barcelona's busiest shopping streets.

what Cowboy said.

You are visiting in June.... there will be a zillion people milling around at all hours.

burnhamski,

Despite my experiences of street theifs in Barcelons, I contined to use the Metro. I just didn't carry a purse and my husband didn't take his hand off the wallet in his pocket, which he had pretty much emptied before hand. To the extent I needed to carry stuff around (maps, hairbrush, etc), I carried an ordinary plastic bag from a local drug store. When I wanted to buy metro tickets, I took out the money well-advance of being anywhere near the train station, and if I got change from my purchase, I just carried it in my hand until I could safely stow it, or gave to a busker.

I don't take pictures when I travel, so can't advise there.

As for police presence, the streets of Naples Italy are filled with police. It's a good job! It just include much paying attention to street thievery.

I have to disagree with Cowboy about Americans being unused to wandering around European cities at night. (I live in Italy). They may not do it at home in America, but repeat visitors to Europe from America take great pleasure in walking around Europe's cities at night and enjoying their safety. So it is sometimes the most experienced travelers to Barcelona, the ones who feel most comfortable in a European city, who get surprised by the level of determined theft when they finally reach the highly-touristed areas of Barcelona. Besides, a fair number of reports of theft in Barcelona happen in daylight hours.

Also, I never saw dangerous looking people in Barcelona. Many of Barcelona's pro thieves dress very nicely, nice enough to hang around fancy hotel lobbies or tapas bars, and use the elevators or restarooms, without arousing any suspicion.

The problem is most easily avoided by simply not carrying anything on you that it would ruin your trip to lose. When you are hauling your luggage plus passport and house keys, take a taxi. When you are out and about sightseeing, keep carrying valuables to the barest minimum of necessity, and keep it a very secure place, protected by your own hands or folded arms when you are passing through the metro or other zones (Sagrada Familia) with a reputation for pickpocket density.

Thanks for the additional info / reassurance on safety, especially given when we will be traveling. Sounds like if we're reasonably aware (we are), take precautions about what we carry & how we carry it (we do), we should be reasonably safe, even in the BG area I'd selected. I don't want to give the impression that we are complete neophytes who have not traveled outside the US and not taken public transport, or walked city streets at night. I don't want to plan my trip in fear, but also don't want to be foolish & fail to consider safety concerns expressed here.

Thanks for the metro info, cowboy1968. I looked quickly @ the BCN metro map & did notice that the yellow line @ Jaume didn't see to go anywhere direct other than maybe waterfront area (a short walk anyway). The other hotel was near the Universitat station, which looked like it offered better access (red & purple). I'm not sure we'll use the metro a lot anyway - husband is more comfy with taxis than underground (despite growing up in NYC). It's a factor to consider, but not the only reason to choose one hotel location over another. And as you suggested, zeppole, we plan to do transport with luggage to/from airport or train station by taxi. Thank you (again) for your thoughtful suggestions!

"
I have to disagree with Cowboy about Americans being unused to wandering around European cities at night. (I live in Italy). They may not do it at home in America, but repeat visitors to Europe from America take great pleasure in walking around Europe's cities at night and enjoying their safety. "

I hope the happy tourists avoid wondering at night in some areas of Rome and Milan.
Not to mention pick pockets on buses and metro in Rome and Milan train station.

Here's a link to some tapas ideas:

http://likelivingthere.blogspot.com/2011/10/rick-steeves-tries-tapas-in-el-born.html

Thanks, Alan-CT. Looks great! Taller is one that friends just recommended as well(they were in BCN post-cruise in Oct).

that is funny. Taller de Tapas is one that members of this forum said to avoid

This has been a VERY (and much longer than I would have expected in some ways) interesting thread to read.

I can only add that i have been to Barcelona more than a few times and the first time I ever went I stayed in the very heart of the Gothic Quarter at the Hotel Colon even though a LOT of people here said it was the worst hotel and the worst place to stay, blah, blah, blah.

Then, as now, I have found the Gothic Quarter interesting if not jammed with both visitors from the US as well as a lot of other countries. It is true that some of the streets are like alleyways but they can also be some of the most interesting. The biggest "danger" I have ever experienced was during one of the local religious festivals when fireworks were being set off IN some of those alleyway-like streets and the sparks, etc., were literally bouncing off the walls.

I've stayed in many other locations since including the GAYxample (as the "expansion" area is known by many locals and lately I have actually stayed right ON the dreaded Las Ramblas and in a hotel which does not admit noise or snobs. You have to realize that ALL of these areas are part of Barcelona...the REAL one so I hope you enjoy your stay.

Eixample is a VERY large part of the city...I have never heard my friends from Barcelona
call it anything else but Eixample

There is only a tiny part of Eixample that has been dubbed that by some people. I believe it is on or around Balmes north of Gran Via. Looked pretty tame to me. (We stayed in an apt not far away earlier this year)

The area that has the most gay bars and clubs in Eixample is near Calle Diputacio and Arago streets along with Calle Balmes and Villaroel .

My gay friends prefer Barcenoleta!

.

Danon and Ekscrunchy..DO LIGHTEN UP, OK..the area IS what it IS whether YOUR friends agree or use the slang/jargon or not and those of us who ARE GAY know that.

Perhaps , 300.000 people who live in Eixample have not yet been informed about the change .
For some reason, all the maps and Google, still display
the " old " name .
How odd

danon,

Most people don't wander around train stations at night, and I don't think Milan has a pickpocketing problem of any significant concern. Rome does (despite its not quite being a Mediterranean port, it shares some characteristics), and were the OP going to Rome, I think we would all identify for her the places to be most on alert.

But walking around the vast majority of Italian cities at night poses none of the concerns a visitor must take into account in Barcelona at all hours of the day. Venice, Verona, Torino, Siena, Firenze, Bologna -- and the list just goes on and on, are Italian cities that host millions of foreign tourists and business travelers every year with next to zero reports of theft on the street at any hour of the day. Most European cities that are tourist destinations are the same. I tend to think someday Barcelona will also get a grip on the problem.

not sure how many tourists have been robed in Santander, Bilbao, Segovia,
San Sebastian, Cordoba, Salamnca , Malaga, Ronda.......

I realize people don't wonder around train stations at night, but the problem of pickpockets in Milano
( and Madrid)
has been a subject of the BBC documentary not long ago.

danon,

I just did some googling and found the story to which you are referring. I don't know what you consider "not long ago", but it was a program aired in 2009 reporting on a pickpocketing situation in Milan in 2007 that was broken by governmental intervention, and the bbc's only footage of Milan showed children begging, not pickpocketing. The subject of the program was about subordinating Romanian children into illegal activities.

You may consider these trivial points, and I don't wish to suggest that people should be lax traveling through major train stations in Europe (or America). But people need to know that an special problem with street theft exists throughout Barcelona at all hours of the day -- not Santander, Bilbao, Segovia, San Sebastian, Cordoba, Salamanca, Malaga, Ronda -- but BARCELONA

It also exists in other Mediterranean port cities like Naples, Palermo and Marseilles. (Genoa is becoming a problem as it gets more popular as a cruise ship port).

Tourists planning a trip often say "I have lots of big city street smarts so I'm not very worried." That approach is just fine for Milan. You need an extra level of preparedness to deal with Barcelona's much larger determined population of thieves who make their living targeting visitors to the city.

Barcelona is not just like "any city with pickpocketers". Barcelona IS the world capital for the best and most pickpocketers everywhere; not Naples, not Rome, not Bogota: BARCELONA. To make it worse the attitude of the authorities could not be more lax; I was pickpoketed in Barcelona, attempted to filled out a report at 3 police stations. One was closed (located right above a metro station!!!), the other two were incredible crowded with dozens and dozens of people filling out pickpocketing reports (one clerk taking in info; took hours). I actually stood in a corner at Las Ramblas to watch if I could see them in action and I was amazed. Pickpocketers often work as a group effort. I was amazed how distracted people get whenever there was a "street performer". Sure enough, pickpocketers were in action like vultures around those.

Anyone who cites Rick Steves as a recommendation for anything especially art and food, knows little about either.

I saw the doc on Milano last year... Good to know that the city is now pickpockets free .
I mentioned small Spanish towns because they are safe for tourists as are Siena, Padua, Florence .

The exchanges about Barcelona have been going on on Fodors for a while; posters who have had a bad experience are understandably bitter , the others who enjoyed ( and love) the city
are defensive.
I still would not say it is perfectly safe to wonder in the alleys of all European cities known as tourist destinations.
In many years of travel I only had only two unpleasant encounters ( in a location I shouldn't have been in) - both in the middle of the day: one in Prague and the other, of all places, a suburb of
Stockholm.


In

Ok, while we are on the subject, here is a fairly informative, if a bit hysterical, tv program from National Geographic about pickpockets in Naples. It shows them in action and is useful in knowing how to protect yourself in any urban area where this problem exists. It airs again in the US on December 31 in the afternoon. Do your best to ignore Bob Arno, the "Vegas pickpocket" expert.


http://natgeotv.com.au/tv/inside-pickpocket-king/

ekscrunchy - Thanks for the link on the NG episode on pickpockets. Will be getting ready for New Years Eve (at our house) so doubtful I'll see it, but hopefully can see it online after, if not on 12/31. Hopefully there is some useful info about protecting ourselves from the determined professionals.

Danon, you are so right about posters with bad experiences vs. those who have been in BCN (or other Euro cities) without incident. I don't want to travel in fear, but you can't be too arrogant & assume that lack of bad experiences = exceptional street smarts/preparedness. It helps, as does knowing which areas require extra vigilance (hence my original post), but determined thieves can hit anyone & anytime, as you attest. I'm still trying to improve my odds, while not seeing BCN from a highrise hotel or from the inside of a locked limo. My original question has generated more comment & divergent views than I ever expected (I was hoping for a simple "yes, BG is fine - have a great time!)

I realize I am responding rather late, but just wanted to add that we visited Barcelona in October 2010 for 5 days & never had any problems with pickpockets, thieves,etc. I realize that other people have had problems but FWIW, we did not. We used the metro, the buses & cabs, & never any problems. If you are concerned about using the metro, cabs were quite reasonble & plentiful. We stayed in Eixample, unfortunately had an issue with our hotel, but the location is great, central, very pretty with wide boulevards & safe. However, I really like the Barri Gotic because of its narrow, cobbled streets, its quaintness, etc. & the BG really does remind me of what I think most Americans' perception/image is of old Europe. We were there a lot during the day but I don't think we were there late at night - not deliberately because we were afraid, but only because of other plans. I remember thinking I would love to stay in Barri Gotic next time.

Have you researched the El Born neighborhood? I remember liking that area, too, & an acquaintance stayed at Hotel Banys Oriental in El Born & really liked it & felt safe.

Restaurants: We liked Taller de Tapas, so not sure why some people don't like it. However, our FAVORITE restaurant was Cerverseria Catalana in Eixample. We ate there twice & I strongly recommend it. If you wish, you can click on my name to read my trip report. I give names & addresses of other restaurants we enjoyed as well.

This thread was very interesting to read. Let us know which hotel you decide on. We carry very little cash with us; my husband uses a money belt that he wears on his neck; I use a travel bag that I bought at REI that I wear across my chest & supposedly has a fool-proof strap (can't cut it). 0f course I don't know if it works because so far we haven't had problems, even in Prague which some people claim is the other pickpocket capital.

Also, my daughter studied in Barcelona for 4 months last year & she never had any problems either. Obviously, people who never had bad experiences have a different perspective, as danon stated.

Thanks, Kwoo. Too late for tonight but I'll check out your trip report. I'm always lax about restaurant plans, and would like to go a bit more prepared, so your report will be a big help. Thanks in advance. Haven't booked it yet, but will probably stay at Hotel Catedral Barcelona, a block or two from the Catedral in BG. And hopefully we'll be careful and get lucky and have a great trip.

I loved staying in Eixample. If I ever return I think I would try the El Born area, just for a different vibe

The Gothic Quarter and El Raval definitely have reputations for a reason. I wouldn't classify these neighborhoods as "dangerous", no, but caution should definitely be had if you choose them.

You might, instead, consider staying in the dripping-with-elegance Eixample neighborhood (specifically, the "Dreta de l'Eixample"), just "above" Barcelona's Gothic Quarter and only a few minute's walk. This area is safe, beautiful, very well-maintained, and residential while still being close to everything. Here, there are several hotels and many inexpensive "hostales", too. I nearly exclusively stay in this area although I've also stayed along Las Ramblas a couple times, too.

Staying in the heart of the Gothic Quarter certainly gives you a different vibe, that's totally true, and has the best bars and clubs, too.

Best of luck and enjoy your stay in Beautiful Barcelona!

Saludos, BarcelonaMan/MadridMan @ you-know-where!!

Thanks MadridMan. Barcelona is the only city in which I have not yet made a reservation - am still wavering. I will check out some hotels in the area you suggest & see what looks interesting. Thanks for your input. Imagine I'll be very happy to be done thinking/planning, and to be in Barcelona enjoying it all!

Loved being in the Barri Gotic! Took some extra precautions but absolutely felt completely comfortable day & night in this area of Barcelona. Just returned today and the consensus was that the location of our hotel was perfect and would not have wanted to stay any where else.

Thanks for getting back to the Forum......