Hi everyone

I am starting to plan a trip for a group a 10 friends. A friend of my friend, told her that Barcelona is not longer what it use to be 5 years ago. She referred to the city as dirty, as parks no longer being looked after, garbage everywhere and lots of beggers on the street compared to 5 years ago. That person kind of scared my friend off from visiting Barcelona. As I remember the city is rich in culture and architecture. Of course we got to visit Barcelona . What is your opinion: Is Barcelona as nice as 5 years ago?

Barcelona is the same now as it was 5 years ago. 15 years ago is a whole other story!

Barca has a repuation for pickpockets, and this is indeed true, but then the same can be said for Rome, Paris, etc. So the best advice is that if you want to visit Barcelona for the architecture, culture, food, art, etc then you should go as it can all still be found there, along with a whole lot more. You just have to excercise the same personal safety caution you would in any other city while travelling. I was last in Barca 2 years ago (have been going fairly frequently since 1988) and didn't notice any massive changes in terms of upkeep, garbage, etc, but I did notice that, as per 5 years ago, the petty crime of pickpocketing, scamming, etc is still happening. So as mentioned, just keep yourselves alert and you'll still enjoy this vibrant city.

mmm Watch this BBC video for another view. Quite a negative one at that.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programme...ck/9533632.stm

I have been to Barcelona twice in the past year. It is my favorite city in Europe! Clean, with friendly people, and I did not see any evidence of pickpockets or crime. Just be as careful as you would be in any city, and you will have a fabulous time!

We enjoyed Barcelona and it's beautiful architecture, museums, culture even after being warned by a Spanish friend that the cruise ship invasion was ruining it.

'She referred to the city as dirty, as parks no longer being looked after, garbage everywhere and lots of beggers on the street compared to 5 years ago.'

This definitely wasn't the Barcelona that i saw when i went 18 months ago. I have travelled to many cities in Europe and have to say that Barcelona was my favourite. It is a beautiful city, great weather, fantastic atmosphere. I came away thinking i would go and live there in a heartbeat

We were in Barcelona this past October & felt completely safe. I've heard of the pickpockets, but we were not pickpocketed, & never felt in any danger. The city is clean, the parks are great, & we never saw any beggars. My daughter lived there last fall for 4 months while studying & never encountered any problems. I highly recommend going to Barcelona!

We go to BCN annually. Actually, given all the dire news about Spain's economy I expected to see a change last fall. Thankfully, we found the same clean, interesting, fun-loving city as before.