TaxFreeTravel

We are planning a trip to Spain in Sept. I just reread a blog from someone who visited Barcelona in 2005. She said the city was dirty, graffitti'd, and she felt unsafe walking around the streets. Has anyone been there recently & been out & about? How was your experience?

sandi_travelnut

Most large urban town that has been around for hundreds of years will have some dirty areas..it's not DisneyLand. You should know that all cities, even your own home town, has areas that can be more unsafe than others and you just avoid those areas. Also, in the more touristy areas of town, there may be more pick-pocket artists about so just be aware of your surroundings and never leave your personal items unattended. Trust your instincts.

teacherCanada

TaxFreeTravel

We were in Barcelona about one month ago. We spent only 3 days there. We read similar, if not the same warnings you have seen.

I have no hesitations urging you to go and enjoy. I would urge you to read about the street scams, not to scare you, but to be able to recognize them if they happen. Just knowing about the shell game or the flat tire/disabled auto trick will bring greater confidence to you and your group when you travel.

You will need to keep an eye out for trouble - but that is true for any city around the world. Have a great time.

PalenQ

the topic was dwelled upon and debated in this thread, amongst others:

Fodors.com > Travel Talk > Europe > What is going to surprise me about Barcelona
(positive or negative)?
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34955843

yk

I went alone to Barcelona in Feb 08 (I'm female). I was concerned about pickpockets etc but didn't witness any. Overall I did not feel unsafe - but of course, YMMV if you venture into bad neighborhoods. BTW, I was out and about at night (past midnight one night) and I thought it was fine.

Barcelona is a very beautiful city, it would be a shame not to go there.

Dukey

Watch out for pickpockets on the Metro. People feel "unsafe" for an absolute myriad of reasons, some of which are probably preposterous.

I would wonder WHY that person felt "unsafe" and were any reasons given? If there weren't then you know how reliable the claim probably is.

MaidaIsabel

We were in Barcelona in June of 07, and it was wonderful. There are people everywhere, and the city is clean, lively, friendly and fun, with outdoor eating, and shopping until late at night. I never felt unsafe. I'm always aware of my surroundings,(mostly commom sense)and don't make myself vulnerable, but I would tell you to go and have fun.

Nikki

I have been to Barcelona twice over the past two years and did not feel it was dirty or overly graffiti-ridden. I never felt unsafe but that does not mean there are no risks of pickpocketing. I had two wonderful vacations there and would love to go back for the vibrant culture, great food, and interesting sites.

travelbunny

I was in Barcelona Fall 2006. I was traveling alone and staying in an apt in the El Born area. I travelled on the metro but admittedly before 10pm. I had absolutely no concerns. There was a lot of street life. The only time things got a bit sketchy was when I wandered into a less than wonderful area of the Ribera. I had been on my way home turned in the wrong direction and suddenly found myself surrounded by tatoo parlors. I just turned around and easily made my way home. Go and enjoy this wonderful city.

roadlesstraveled

I just returned from a 5 day stay in Barcelona on Saturday, as part of a 3 week trip to Spain. I traveled as a single woman and never felt unsafe in Barcelona or any part of Spain. I too had read all of the warnings about how unsafe Spain was but I did not see any pick pocket attempts or street scams (and I have see card and dice scams in New York City and Stockholm, among other large cities).

I also found Barcelona to be a very clean city. There were trash cans (not overflowing ones) and teams of city workers with straw brooms everywhere. I did see quite a bit of graffiti about the city, but a lot of it was confined to the pull down metal shuttered that shops use when they are closed. Before the opening and at lunch, you could see the graffiti and when they were open, you could not.

Barcelona is a beautiful and exciting city and I would go again in a heartbeat.

Tere

Total nonsense!! My daughter studied there for almost a year and had no problrms at all! And I love that city , I can travel there alone without any problems. It's safe and beautiful!!! itb has a special vibe hard to find anywhere!

TaxFreeTravel

Wow! Awesome! Thanks all! I live in the Los Angeles area, and know what to look out for in my own backyard, but now I feel much better about extending our trip to include a 3 day stop over in Barcelona. The other couple who said they felt unsafe are young-ish, well traveled, so I had some concern about their reports..but their trip was 3 yrs ago so maybe things have improved.

Nikki

You might be interested in my most recent trip report:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34955177

Photos:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&y=-o3uxdp

TaxFreeTravel

Nikki, thanks for the 2007 post & the photos...it was very very helpful. I had been reading all the negative posts on the crime and was really starting to have second thoughts about going to B.

My husband has a habit of fanning his bills ($$) out at the table when he's paying for a meal. He likes to see how much he has & which bills he wants to use (as in the older mangey ones are the first to "go&quot ...even in mild mannered posh parts of L.A., it's a stupd thing to do..I'll have to break him of that habit before we go (lol!) I started checking out money belts & I think we'll be fine.

esm

Your pictures are great Nikki. I'm heading to Barcelona in May and can't wait. Re safety, a friend who is from Madrid told me just remember you're in a big city.

nyctraveler212

I've been to Barcelona twice and had no problems at all. If you're from a big city, then you know to look out for your valuables and be aware of your surroundings, especially in crowds. Barcelona is a beautiful and interesting city. Don't miss it.

kgh8m

Did see a group of gypsy women try to steal a bag from an elderly couple by distracting them at an outdoor seating area at McDonald's at the Sagrada Familia. The gentlemen realized what was happening and began to yell at them, and they dropped the bag and ran away.

Barcelona didn't seem any worse than any other major city, but I would be careful in populated areas for pickpockets and in underpopulated areas for thieves. It didn't seem excessively dirty or graffitied.

Eibhlin

In March, I travelled to Barcelona with 14 teenagers. Only two were my own children. They had escorted days and free days. Not a whit of trouble! I had street smarted them well, for they had the time of their lives without incident. Rules - Don't call attention to yourself on the metro, be courteous, but cautious, and don't get distracted in areas like La Ramblas. Above all, carry your bag, not on your shoulder, but across your chest. It is a magnificent city - particularly if you love art and incredible food. And, the graffitti? Very funky. What's not to like about that? I've yet to encounter a large city that I haven't like, however. It's all in the traveller's attitude. And, what you're looking for. I, love Barcelona and Prague, but I also had a gas in Pittsburgh a few years ago. Every place has a happy space in my head. Cheers!

ronnie36

Any larger city the world over will have its' unsafe areas. Avoid these, don't walk in deserted areas at night, know your surroundings, and keep your valuables out of sight and there should be no problemo. It's the same in any city anywhere.

MadridMan

The reality is that you're probably more likely to be hit by a speeding car in Barcelona than be a victim of any crime.

Caution should be exercised anywhere in Spain and Europe but I have a feeling your worries will quickly be eased upon arriving.

I've heard people say that Barcelona is incredibly dirty but I've also heard people say that Barcelona is incredibly clean. I guess it just depends on what part of the city you're seeing. I can understand that some parts in the Barrio Gótico can get pretty trashy because the city street cleaning services don't/can't reach every nook-and-cranny in there. As for Graffiti, yes, it's everywhere in Spain. A true eyesore and a true shame. But Barcelona itself is a true jewel of Europe - whether or not it's part of Spain.

Saludos, BarcelonaMan / MadridMan