I am sorry that happened to your som, but am glad to see that he didn't get hurt.

I really enjoyed my stay in Barcelona last year (love the city), but when I first checked in at my hotel, I was given a printed list of "warnings for tourists" that listed out various scams, and what to do/not to do, what kind of things to look out for etc. I have traveled to many places and had never, ever received a list like that at any hotels... except Barcelona. It definitely made me go "Hmmmm......."

That was NOT my experience of Barcelona, and I certainly would not call it a third-world city especially since the Olympics were held there. I loved the city and would go back again.

However, when I was there I did witness thieves trying to steal a man's wallet on the Ramblas.

Thin

I'm so sorry to hear about your son's robbery but glad he wasn't hurt. I posted about my friends getting robbed with a flat tire scam in Spain on another post.

I hope you might still plan to visit Barcelona-it has some wonderful sites-hate for the creeps of the world to dictate what we do.

I have to say, I saw A LOT of scammers and homeless kids on drugs on my last trip to Barcelona. Do I still like the city? Yes! But I found it much more "hassling" than my stay in Madrid, strangely enough.

I heard that Spain's unemployment rate is hovering around 17.4%! Tourists should just be careful all over Europe as a general note.

I'm sorry for you and your son. I just hope he isn't turned off from traveling. I don't have the experience of being mugged and I don't know how I would feel if it were to happen. I have to wonder if I would give up my vacation and return home. But I'm old and know how precious vacation time is. I'm feeling defensive for Barcelona because it's a beautiful, calm, relaxed big city. Blame the a--holes, not Barcelona. Maybe you can take him back someday and make peace with the city.

I too am horrified, knife point is very serious indeed. I hate to think of the consequences.

I am sorry he cut his trip short, my guess is he may never return. When these things happen it spoils the city for us, & perhaps colors the place for them I do understand that when you are in that person's shoes.

Not meaning to dismiss your son's experience, I live in one of the safest cities in the United States. Actually for many years it was the number #1 SAFEST city in USA (Home of many law enforcement & firefighters.)
Even here in my safe town I know of brutal crimes, in fact a friend was intentionally run over by a car several times and suffered a permenent head injury over a parking space!

Sadly crime happens everywhere, unfortunately. Hopefully he will continue to travel.

I should add in this economy yes especially like Betty said there is alot more crime based on desperation.

Fra, glad to hear that your son survived the scary attack. I have been to Spain twice (not Barcelona) and heard of/witnessed several mugging incidents as have so many on this board. As mentioned above, Spain now has a serious problem of unemployment - 30% of those under 25, I believe. These circumstances make the possibility of trouble greater for all travelers.

"That was NOT my experience of Barcelona, and I certainly would not call it a third-world city especially since the Olympics were held there. I loved the city and would go back again"
I feel the same way. We visited 3 times in the last 3 years and never had a problem.

Sorry to hear about your son.

I met a couple while picking up my leased car in Paris last year. I told them about my trip around France ending in Barcelona. They told me about their horrible experience the year prior in Barcelona. The same "flat tire" scam that TDudette speaks about. When they pulled over to check their tire, they were robbed of everything!

Their story compelled us to change our plans from Barcelona to the Dordogne Valley instead. (A great change I might add...)

Scary to be put in that situation! Glad your son was unharmed!

I was in Spain last spring with 11 teenaged girls. We were in both Madrid and Barcelona (and many points in between - including Morocco). We had no problems ourselves HOWEVER in both Madrid and Barcelona we heard daily reports of others being mugged on the Metro. My advice to the girls was this - on the Metro/Subway, keep your head down and don't talk (alerting others of your tourist status), act as if this is your umpteenth time on your daily commute - look bored. It worked. We had an amazing time in both cities with no problems. I would go back in a heartbeat - as would the girls.

I'm very sorry that your son had that experience. As others have said, I hope it doesn't turn him off of traveling.

With a trip to Barcelona planned for next month, I'd be lying if I said that stories like his don't make me very nervous. In the course of researching this trip, nearly every guide book, article, etc. that I've read has mentioned the crime. Very dismaying to say the least.

But as I was reading this thread I realized that I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to read that someone walking alone in Chicago late at night had been robbed at knife-point. And I certainly don't think of it as a crime-ridden city that should be avoided by tourists!

I think the high rate of pickpocketing in Barcelona is very unfortunate. Not only for the tourists but for the reputation of the city. And we'll certainly take all necessary precautions during our visit.

But, as was noted upthread, crime happens in all cities.

Being held up at knifepoint sounds terrifying! Fra_Diavolo, I think I remember you from posts about Mexico City, and I know you enjoy visiting there. So ironic that this would happen in Barcelona instead. I hope your son has used up his bad luck quota now.

im so sorry to hear about your son's experience
my son went to spain and portugal once - it is awful to hear that those things happen

good thing hes ok - but such a shame that the trip was cut short
hopefully he will be on a plane one day again and not worried about this one encounter

it can happen anywhere
you feel so guilty when you hear of something happening to a tourist in your own land - not very hospitable hey...

Years ago my wide and I was robbed in BCN. Not at knifepoint but with a “clever” ruse where the robbers acted as Policemen. So I do sympathise with your sons plight.
However I do not agree with your statement there are many travel warnings about Spain. I would suggest that in most of the country you will be safe from dangers such as this.

I'm one of the biggest warners on Fodor's about Barcelona (and Madrid) crime -- but I don't blame the third world for this.

I hope people planning trips to Barcelona will heed the warnings and ignore the rationalizers. Sure crime happens anywhere. It happens more frequently to tourists in Barcelona than to tourists in other major tourist destinations in Europe.

I took 16 people to Barcelona and not one got mugged or pickpocketed.

We did get a bit tipsy on the Sangria.

Just wanted to add that the OP's heads up is indeed beneficial to all.

I didn't find Barcelona to be scary but I also felt my money was well-hidden and we were travelling together as a group. I really enjoyed Barcoletta, the old town and the magic fountains. I didn't like Ramblas at all. Too many people and not enough charm.

Unfortunately, Barcelona is in a class by itself. Everytime I visit there I come across tourists at my hotel, airport, etc. which have had a mugging/ pickpocket experience.

Let me clarify for me, I do not think "rationalizing" inscludes ignoring warnings.

In all areas of Spain I was took cautions with my money, had it hidden not in my purse and also would not be alone at night nor in the day in an isolated place. I was with DH all of the time actually.

Would I expect a young man to stick to the buddy system, probably not but at night yes.

I am not saying your son was anyway at fault by the way & yes w do need these reminder in order to stay diligent on our trips & not forget.

Thanks all for your kind comments. The incident hasn't put him off traveling -- in fact he's already thinking he might try Spain again in a couple of years, this time with a like-minded friend rather than solo.

And Barcelona remains high on my list of cities to visit, though I expect we'll take cabs back to the hotel at night.

Fra_Diavolo,
I'd just like to add my name to the growing list of those who are very sorry about what happened to your son.
Could you tell us in what area of the city this mugging took place, so that travelers will be extra vigilant about walking in that vicinity at night (or even avoiding it all together)?

Hi Maribel --

He wrote that he was walking through the Gothic quarter to his hostel after attending a jazz club. He knew he shouldn't have been out there alone at night, but I guess he figured it couldn't happen to him! If he has more specific information I'll post it.

By-the-way, I'd sent him the link to your Spanish travel guides. Unfortunately he didn't have time to try your suggestions. Maybe next time.

I always carry an old wallet with some old IDs in it and a couple of bucks. (Growing up in a "bad town" in back east taught me this). If ever held up at knife point, gun point, etc. I hand over the old wallet.

This even works with a secondary money belt while travelling.

Hi FD,

Sorry to hear the bad news.

Thanks for the heads up.

unfortunately its been happening there for a while...the police need to crack down on it...

Mmy nephew and his wife were mugged in Barcelona 2005.
My nephew is a big guy. 2 gals came up to him in a Park and started roughing him up and trying to take bags.
They pushed niece in law. Police were called. Nothing happened to accousters.

forgot to add this was in broad daylight.

Spain as a whole isn't a problem for travelers, although major cities have the random gypsy scams.

Zeppole is right: Barcelona is INFAMOUS for its petty crime, thievery, scams and more.

See this site: http://www.jones.tc/barna/scams.html.

Street crime has been so so rampant in Barcelona (and Madrid) for so long one has to wonder why local cops can't just put some undercover people out to be mugged.

The more publicity for this problem to shame Barcelona into really doing something about this is great. Needs to be topped a lot - and yeh not everyone in Barcelona gets mugged but a whole more do here than in any other place in Europe it seems.

And yet everytime this issue comes up there are folks who are upset and say it's way blown out of proportion - these folks, who mean well, actually IMO do tourists a mis-service when warnings are in order and not to say there is no more problem here than elsewhere - because there is a whole lot more street crime here than in other European cities IMO

Just how economically dependent is Barcelona on tourism? I'm beginning to think not very. Otherwise, with all this bad publicity (and, as I said in my earlier post, everything I've read or heard about Barcelona mentions the crime), surely the powers that be there would be feeling a need to do something about it.

I'm looking forward to Barcelona. But I'm also very nervous. We made the decision to go based on a few recommendations and then I started to read up. If I'd done the reading first, I think I would've tried to steer my husband and son towards a different destination.

Barcelona has a problem. It's been well documented. Whether or not you've enjoyed the city without encountering crime is irrelevant - the city is dangerous and needs to do something about it.

I'm sorry your son was a victim. And particularly that he cut off his traveling because of it. Good to hear that he plans to go back

I think even if your money is "well hidden", if someone threatens you with a knife, you are more likely to give it to them than not.

Hiding your money might deter pickpockets but someone holding a knife is not to be trifled with IMO.

fra-diavolo,
this is timely warning for me.

dd and 7 of her friends are going to barcelona after h.s. graduation.
i will warn them to stay in groups and not wander in any area that is remotely sketchy.

glad to hear that your son is not letting this incident deter him from returning.

"the city is dangerous "

Could be true, although I did not have that impression in my 3 stays.
.
"He knew he shouldn't have been out there alone at night, but I guess he figured it couldn't happen to him!"
I am sorry about what happened to the young man.
Sometimes ,when traveling, people do things they would never do in their home town ( i.e walk at night through a "bad" part of town)


On our visit in March my girlfriend commented on how well narrow streets of El Born were lit and how safe she felt for that reason .
Perhaps, the city IS doing something......

Knife point -- how scary! I am glad your son is OK but am sorry he had such a bad experience. Your warning here will probably help others not to suffer the same fate. Such a shame.

isn't it amusing that Spain, who wants to seem to prosecute everyone for alleged crimes that alleged do not not even occur on their own territorial control, can't even get a grip around thievery and muggings on the territory they supposedly do control?....things that make you go hmmmmmmmmmm

A friend of my daughter's was recently a victim of a near mugging in Barcelona (just last week). She was talking on a payphone and a guy came up and tried to grab her purse of her shoulder. She refused to give it up; it contained her $, passport, jewellery, etc., and a pulling match ensued. He then pushed her on the ground but she refused to give it up and then he took out a knife and tried to cut the strap and he kept slicing at the air when her friend tried to help her. They were screaming, etc., and some people came to their aid and the would be mugger got away. As you can imagine, she won't be taking her bag anywhere with her again. She was nervous about leaving it at a local youth hostel ...

There was a recent article in the L.A. Times about the increasing presence of the Camorra in Spain. The mafia has reorganized cocaine routes, making Spain the gateway to Europe for cocaine from Latin America, and Barcelona has become the hub for land routes from Spain through France to Italy. Sadly for Barcelona, I think where the Camorra goes, so goes crime in general.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-italian-mafia19-2009may19,0,4291038.story

Another article I read somewhere last week mentioned that one of the top bosses, Rafael Amato, was arrested in Spain, but Italian authorities think he was quickly replaced by another guy.

"she won't be taking her bag anywhere with her again. She was nervous about leaving it at a local youth hostel " - please, please tell them to get money belts, and wear them!! (Under their clothes.) Then they can let a bag go without starting a fight and possibly getting hurt.

The story of being mugges is a lesson for us all...be cautious and beware when traveling and especially in big cities. Isn't that fair warning? We just don't walk alone nor late at night nor in dark places, etc. That even goes for my city of Springfield, MO, in fact. BTW, amsden says he is from one of the safest cities...so how do each of us feel about where we live? Are there places where we really should be cautious and beware?
Ozarksbill

Ozarksbill, yes exactly my point: regardless of safty rating terrible violent crime happens in my town & everywhere.

ttt

ttt

Interesting.... we went to Spain the mid '80s and heard stories in the large cities just like those above. in fact, my husband had a fall in Madrid... and the first reaction of the hotel employees and the medical facility they sent us to was that he had been mugged. I'm glad I've been to Spain... but, other than a few days in Barcelona recently after a cruise (where we were told to be very careful) I don't feel that pull to return.

Palenque,

Interesting thread, and I'm curious as to why you are topping it after a year....and twice in 2 days. Is this pertaining to another thread that is going around? You are a most revered Fodor's poster, so I know you have a reason.

LisaG

LisaG - i topped it because of another thread where someone challenged my advice that in Barcelona street crime IMO is higher than any city in Europe, except Madrid - about the same and i said look at this post so i topped it. That person had been to Barcelona a few times and nothing happened to her so she said there was no real problem there and i was a Chicken Little - that's the only reason i topped it.

Barcelona has a huge amount of immigrants. If the Spanish can't get work it's even harder for the immigrants. There are a lot of desperate people that will do desperate things there. It's very rare for victims to be physically harmed though. In NYC a mugging can end with the victim being shot or stabbed. My experience in BCN is that the police really don't try too hard, maybe they're overwhelmed? Maybe they have jobs for life and just want a paycheck and benefits? I'm just rambling now. Don't really know what my point is.

Palenque,

I figured it was a reason like that! Thanks for the clarification!

LisaG

Over the past 6 years ago I have witnessed incidents in Madrid -a man was tackled to the ground and robbed by 2 young men,a woman was pushed to the ground as a man grabbed her bag and ran off, a woman on a bus started yelling to stop the bus because her wallet was gone,a woman in line in front of me finally made it to the register to pay and found out her money was gone.
The first time I mentioned this problem to Spanish friends they didn't believe it but, as of the last 2 years, they now accept this problem exists.Sadly,The crimes are no longer just pick pockets, violence has escalated,,especially with knives.
I still feel safe in Madrid alone but I make sure to common sense.I always use ATMS that are inside the bank,use main crowded/well lit streets and spend the extra euros at night on taxis to get back to my apartment.I tip the driver and ask him to wait while I open the door to the building.
The good news is that Madrid is now making an effort to have a police presence-in the Plaza Mayor,Puerta del Sol and I saw policemen on horseback on the streets and in the park, Retiro.
Across from the Prado museum on Huertas-a pedestrian street, there is a police station and it makes me sad to look in and see people waiting to report a crime at all hours of the day.
I think Spain was in disbelief when this violence began and did not know how to deal with it. Even today,there are no laws to prosecute minors who know this-they are arrested and let go!
Hopefully the governent will make more progress in the right direction.After all, Spain depends so much on tourism.

Sorry to hear of this. We visited Barcelona 10 years ago and I loved it. Although, I didn't like Las Ramblas, I felt very uncomfortable there so we only went in the day and even then a shop keeper tried to rip us off by telling my husband that I had stolen something when I left the shop. He actually told dh that he wouldn't call the police if dh would pay for the purchase. I guess the shop keeper wasn't expecting me to come back wanting to know what was going on. I was very mad and quite vocal.

chapla- thanks for the insights and reports - best of all it seems the Spanish government is finally tackling an issue they IMO ignored for too long - and these cities will be safe as any in Europe.

adios

Palenque
Thanks so much for topping this thread. We had narrowed our anniversary search to four vacation areas and Spain was one of them. It has now been narrowed to three.

My husband was pickpocked in Barcelona this past November by a gypsy. For three days he wore a pouch around his neck with his money tucked away and I guess on the last day he decided not to and there goes 120 euros.

As much as I loved Barcelona, the fact that I had to hide my money and watch my back, as you all know, is not fun. Being pickpocketed is one thing, knife point is another. I too, would be on the next flight home. I'm sorry for your son and hope he is well and is able to put this behind him.

cd, that is a shame that you are giving up on Spain. I have a friend who just had a great trip to Madrid and southern Spain. I am not saying bad things don't happen in Spain, because they do, but for me, the risk-reward ratio is still worth it. (Maybe it would be different if something bad had happened.)

I've been to Barcelona and while I felt there were "dodgier" areas, I felt it was a reminder to myself to be a contientious traveler and to be aware of the people around me and of my surroundings (which I try to be everywhere I travel). I think you can be as safety concious as possible, but sometimes circumstances just happen and you can't really blame the city per se.

I was mugged at knife point in Dublin 2 years ago - right in the city centre. He took my small purse - got away with my hotel card key, some make-up and my favorite lipstick. My money, id and credit cards were deep in my jeans pocket...but darn, I loved that lipstick! But seriously, Dublin has a big problem with drugs and their youth right now. I don't think any country is without their concerns, but I think we should weigh the pros and cons carefully and judiciously when deciding where to go on our travels. Remember it is also our duty to ourselves to travel responsibly and not carelessly either.

cd on Mar 8, 10 at 1:36pm
Palenque
Thanks so much for topping this thread. We had narrowed our anniversary search to four vacation areas and Spain was one of them. It has now been narrowed to three."

WillTravel on Mar 8, 10 at 3:11pm
cd, that is a shame that you are giving up on Spain. I have a friend who just had a great trip to Madrid and southern Spain. I am not saying bad things don't happen in Spain, because they do, but for me, the risk-reward ratio is still worth it. (Maybe it would be different if something bad had happened.)"


Will, you are so right!
I objected to Pal's constant hysteria about Barcelona and Madrid, so he promptly posted a year old thread to, I guess, make a point (?)

The citizens of a country with 200 million of guns in private hands and ranked #24 for number of murders ( Spain was #48) in the world are surprisingly fearful about "safety" in Europe.
There were more than 500 murders in New York last year; should this be posted on the American Forum EVERY time someone has a question about traveling there?

There were more than 500 murders in New York last year; should this be posted on the American Forum EVERY time someone has a question about traveling there?>

No because it don't have to be - everyone has the worse expectations of that before going

But with deniers like you saying the Barcelona nor Madrid are any worse than any other European city and really not thinking there could be such a problem in any European city - i feel it should be mentioned - you made it a hysteria - my original caution about being aware of street crime in these two cities, the worst in Europe by far as much as i can see- was just that - a caution and i also said if you know about the threat that often makes the threat much much less

and i said take proper precautions - like not wearing expensive jewelry, etc. - i strongly believe in issuing such warnings - at the expense of being called a Cassandra by you and others, who base their take on 'we were there' and had no problems. Surprise, surprise - like i said in the original and quite tempered - not hysterical at all and i resent you categorizing it as such - most tourists are not victimized but enough are - and mugged that a warning of some type is in order.
I seek not to detour folks from these cities but to warn them so they can take proper precautions against a threat that is very real IME.
I sincerely think you do a disservice by saying that there is little to worry about in those towns. and what do you base your take on - having been there 3 or 4 times? And that makes you an expert on this - again in the other two threads i did not top several locals in both cities confirmed that there is a serious problems and even locals take vigilant precautions.

Tiggy22 - When I was in college I was mugged in Dublin and they took my lipstick too!

"cd on Mar 8, 10 at 1:36pm
Palenque
Thanks so much for topping this thread. We had narrowed our anniversary search to four vacation areas and Spain was one of them. It has now been narrowed to three."

You must be so proud of yourself Pal to make sure cd will not see Alhambra, Prado, Toledo or Gaudi , San Sebastian..


Now, you can post the following for years to come EVERY time someone travels to Dublin:;
"I was mugged at knife point in Dublin 2 years ago - right in the city centre"

and let's not forget this warning about Paris:

"Petty theft is bad in the crowded hang-outs of the capital, as in most major cities; the métro, train stations and Les Halles are notorious pickpocket grounds. It makes sense to take the normal precautions: not flashing wads of notes or travellers' cheques around; carrying your bag or wallet securely; and never letting cameras and other valuables out of your sight."
or Berlin:
"If and when criminal activity does occur, the most common incidents include theft of unattended personal property, vehicle break-ins (snatch and grab), pickpocketing, and residential break-ins. Although infrequent, American tourists have had purses snatched and pockets picked in the following areas: train stations, Internet cafes, crowded restaurants and outdoor market places."


should keep you busy for a while!

You must be so proud of yourself Pal to make sure cd will not see Alhambra, Prado, Toledo or Gaudi , San Sebastian..>

Baloney - it was you taking issue with my very very tempered caution that caused the brouhaha - saying there was no real problem in those cities - OK you have it - say nothing is a problem there and then some folks go and since they are naive they get victimized - would you want that - what happened to the OP's son?

There are 2 ways to look at things

We just booked a week in a flat in Barcelona and I read this! Are muggings and thievery really THIS commonplace? I am frightened after reading this...and I live in MIAMI.

I assume that you will be somewhat disappointed in the amount of street crime.

What most people (hopefully) can agree on is that Barcelona and Madrid have a significant level of petty crime, esp. pickpockets. Nevertheless, no person with half a brain would wander through Paris or Stockholm (or Miami, I suppose) with the wallet full of cash and CCs in his back pocket - and you should not do so in BCN.
It always pays off to keep some simple precautions in mind, like leaving one CC in hotel safe, carry only small amounts of cash, get cash from ATMs inside banks, etc.
You may need to carry some piece of ID with you for CC purchases, but stores may also accept your drivers license (not sure about that).

Use some common sense when people try to stop or distract you on the street, e.g. want you to sign a petition to "help kids" or "save animals".
Anyway, a pickpocket can only pick what is in your pocket. And if you keep the valuables at home, some backup at the hotel, and only what you really need with you, you probably have done all that a resonable person can do.

Last week had been my 6th time in Barcelona, and I still have to get mugged or pickpocketed - even though I ride the metro, walk around the city at 3 in the morning, and so on.

The presence of cops has increased significantly. Maybe some tourists don't recognize them at first, because you only find the word "policía" in small print on the cars and scooters and in big print "mossos d'esquadra" for "police" in Catalunya. You will notice police cars or scooters parked at many "strategic" locations like the Ramblas.

"simplicitas on Mar 8, 10 at 7:02pm
We just booked a week in a flat in Barcelona and I read this! Are muggings and thievery really THIS commonplace? I am frightened after reading this...and I live in MIAMI."

Congratulation Pal, one more ...keep up the good work !

"and then some folks go and since they are naive they get victimized - would you want that - what happened to the OP's son?"

Are people so naive that they think cities with population in millions don't have their share of criminals? Do they walk around New York or Miami in the middle of the night in a bad parts of town? Have they never heard of pick -pockets, muggers, druggies, etc.. Do they think Europe is something from a Felini movie?
Maybe.
It is just too bad some posters insist on scaring reasonable travelers from visiting beautiful cities like Madrid and Barcelona with a year old post.
Looking forward for more warnings about Berlin, Paris, New York , Dublin , not to mention Prague, Budapest and Rome.

NYC currently has it's lowest crime rate in years yet look in the police blotter of the daily papers and you will see muggings, rapes, robberies in very tourist friendly areas like the Upper East Side and West Village. Should tourists stay away,not if they want to experience all that the city as to offer. To let an unfortunate experience shared by another traveller discourage others from visiting a city or country is a shame. If you really look into it, every place has it's risks.

466 murders in NYC in 2009. Not great, but it's not over 500 either.

The point of this thread is that many American's, and probably tourists from other countries as well, have the impression that crime is almost unheard of in western Europe. Ignorant and naive, yes, but the impression is there. Many are not aware that in many European cities there are groups that thrive on robbing, pickpocketing, and scamming foreign visitors. Murder is comparatively rare, but these other crimes are not.

The chances that any individual tourist will have a problem are low; as are the chances that a tourist will be murdered in a city in the USA. BUT people should be aware that there are groups who target tourists in many European cities--they know where tourists cluster and the layout of many older cities make such crimes easier to commit.

Should tourists avoid going to these places? Of course not. But they should be aware of the potential so they can take reasonable steps to avoid problems.

I was in Barcelona last September. I felt perfectly safe. I never wear a money belt.

We just booked a week in a flat in Barcelona and I read this! Are muggings and thievery really THIS commonplace? I am frightened after reading this...and I live in MIAMI.>

Well as i always say your chances of being mugged are slim but still much more possible than in other European cities - my philosophy which i always state is that IF you know there is a potential problem then that problem becomes greatly reduced.

If you are sensible - don't wear the family jewels, etc you chances of getting victimized are very small - if you do not know there is a problem you may be a sitting duck

My reason for issuing warnings about these two cities is that the traveler then can take proper precautions - like being leery of anyone coming up to you - avoiding dark lanes, etc.

danon however thinks that I should say nothing - if she has read this thread she/he will realize that these two cities can be dicey but again with knowledge of the problem the problem is greatly reduced. And again the vast majority of tourists will not be victimized, as this thread also shows.

A bit of a warning can reduce the problem - i would not avoid going to these two fantastic cities but i would be vigilant, etc.

Mugged in Barcelona | themissadventures
Getting mugged in Barcelona is almost a cliche. Before we left for Spain, a friend warned us about the dangers of the Ramblas or Barri Gòtic (Gothic ...
www.themissadventures.com/missadventures/mugged-in-barcelona/

Instance of crime: Barcelona Posted by: laclaire on Jan 19, 07 at 6:48am

I debated about posting this, but here goes. Consider it a case study of petty crime in Barcelona.

Last night I went to one of the VIP Bread and Butter (Barcelona's fashiion week) parties, and for it I wore black high heeled, knee-high boots, a retro dress (high neck, long sleeves, to just above my knees) and my black leather jacket (these details are important) that was just longer than the dress. I spent my last 7€ on the cab to get there (I had not been planning on going out), got my wrist stamped and had a wonderful night, which ended around 4 a.m.

I have walked home (a very safe area in the Eixample) a million times, and at all hours. The difference here is that I am normally in business attire or casual jeans and a top.

Mistake #1: single female dressed rather seductively walking anywhere alone at 4 a.m.

I decided to take advantage of the time difference and the walk home to call my mother.

Mistakes #2 and 3: talking on a cell phone that late (means you are not paying attention) and in English (meaning to everyone that you are super foreign and thus, a target)

I was walking along chatting with Mom and saw a guy on my side of the sidewalk. Normally, I would have crossed the street to avoid him, but I was literally right in front of my building, so I just kept walking.

Mistake #4: going against my better judgement to avoid the only guy on a lonely street.

I stopped to tell my mother I was going inside and would lose coverage.

Mistake #5: stopping for longer than it takes to open the door. Moving targets are not appealing.

While saying goodbye, the guy came up behind me, grabbed the bottom of my dress/coat and lifted it up to my waist. I have never screamed so loud in my life and he ran, but slowed to a walk a few yards away muttering something. That is when the most impressive stream of Spanish curses flowed out of my mouth, which stopped him dead in his tracks. And that is when I took chase, all the while screaming horrible things like "pedophile, assassin, you killed him!," and anything that i thought would make others want to chase and hurt him. Unfortunately, the streets were empty.

When I finally gave up the chase (high heels), I looked in my hand and saw my phone was still open. Mom had heard everything and was panicking. I explained and then said "I'll call you tomorrow," hung up and walked back home.

What have I learned? To practice what I preach, no matter what the situation.

Walking home at night is OK depending on your clothing and ability to get out of a weird situation (ie, if you can't run, take a cab), but if you don't met those requirements, don't do it, even if you have to borrow money. Women, this is especially true.

Do not walk and talk on a cell phone (in any language, really) late at night. You look unaware.

Empty street except for one guy and he is on your side? Cross the street no matter how close to your destination you are.

He did not steal anything, nor did he touch/harm any part of my body, but I woke up this morning with an intense feeling of upset. Does he live in my neighborhood? What if I had not been loud/strong/angry enough to react how I did? What could have happened?

This is not to scare people off of Barcelona. This is to say that no matter how long you have been here (or any city, for that matter) and how safe and savvy you feel, you must obey the basic rules of self preservation at all times. Even if it is fashion week.

There are been many events while we traveled.

Two weeks after we ate at the now defunct Goldenberg's in the Marais it was machine gunned by terrorists.

Or the night they rustled horses from the lodge where we staying in Belize

Or the bombing of London Tower by the IRA before a visit.

One night we drove into a riot in Miami. There were flames on both sides of the elevated highway.

Pope John Paul One died while we were in Venice. (I put in a Roman I but it looked like I died in Venice.)

There are other events as well.

We visited Franco's Spain and I think I was more terrified then of his Guardia Civil marching up and down the aisles of trains with machine guns than I am of pickpockets in Madrid and Barcelona.

We have lived in NYC all our lives and maybe we are streetwise, but crimes can happen anywhere at any time, and one should just be aware.

"But they should be aware of the potential so they can take reasonable steps to avoid problems."


I am not suggesting one should say nothing, but constant warnings (and a one year old posting) on crime (ONLY) in Barcelona and Madrid by the same poster are tiresome and unfair.
I ( or friends), have witnessed or experienced : a purse snatching in Paris, backpack stolen in Amsterdam, wallet stolen in Budapest, mugging with a knife in San Francisco and carjacking in LA - all in the middle of the day in the center of the city.
I see no reason to search forums and tell posters how "scary" their trip will be EVERY time those cities are mentioned.

"American's, and probably tourists from other countries as well, have the impression that crime is almost unheard of in western Europe. Ignorant and naive, yes, but the impression is there"

Where did this impression come from?
Most of us live in cities where crimes of some sort occur on daily basis. I cannot imagine that many people are so ignorant that they would not realize the same is
true around the world.
Taking reasonable measures - yes , getting anxious to
the point of not enjoying your trip ( or skipping Spain all together) - no.
BTW, we are heading to Madrid and Barcelona in six weeks for the fourth time. We will not walk through dark
alleys in the middle of the night or take metro at 2:00 A.M., but we don't do those things where we live either.

So danon - you would say nothing or do you think these two cities, with beyond doubt, much more incidence of street crime - and a more violent one than pickpockets which do infest many tourist cities - at least deserve some kind of caution so that the naive tourist at least knows there are some special precautions to take - well i take the view that warnings are in order - and not hysterical ones but again in my original post on the other thread i really tried to temper the warning

you do not think Barcelona and Madrid merit special attention to crime there more than other cities?

As the OP, I'd like to say that both my son and I would be very sorry to hear that someone decided against going to Barcelona based on this post. I thought it would be useful to remind people to take common sense precautions. He knew not to walk home alone late at night, decided he could risk it because the distance was so short, and ran into trouble. Such a thing could happen anywhere, but the chances that it might happen to you can be minimized if you follow the recommendations.

On a personal note, would those wishing to quarrel over the relative safety of Barcelona start a new thread for that purpose? I hate seeing this brought to the top -- it was such a disappointing end to what had been a grand adventure. I don't start new threads very often, but now I'll have to start three just to bury it again! Thanks.

Barcelona is a great city. Common sense is what is required. The best thing is to dress down and try to blend in with the locals and not stick out like a sore thumb!. Look as if you know where you are going. No flashy jewellry. This applies to most citys.

Just skip Barcelona and go to Seville, Granada or San Sebastian.