I am a pretty seasoned traveler, but I have read SO MUCH on this and other website message boards about the muggings and pickpocketing in Barcelona, that I am a little concerned. I will be traveling with a 1 year old and a 10 year old, not to mention my in-laws. I am not going to be able to be "on guard" every second, considering. I have been to Seville and Madrid and didn't have any problems, although we were certainly more cautious in the old quarter of Seville with those windy streets. What, really, is the situation in Barcelona? Is it worse than, say, NYC?

Beth, <BR>Barcelona is the only city in Europe that I have been pickpocketed in. I live in NYC and used to live in Madrid, and had no problems in either. However, I have to admit, it was during a time that I did let my guard down and allowed myself to be distracted, and that Barcelona is no different than Madrid or Seville. Just be extra careful in tourist districts like Las Ramblas and Montjuic (where my unfortunate incident occurred).

We were in Barcelona in April 99, and found all those crime stories unfounded. Of course, if someone walks around looking like a tourist, they would more than likely have a problem anywhere. We found Barcelona to be a lovely city, and walked most everywhere. Use common sense, just like you would anywhere.....including home. <BR>You'll love it there!

Ditto to merriem's remarks. I've spent a good deal of time over many years in Barcelona, I walk and take public transportation and have never been pickpocketed, but I don't carry a wallet in my handbag nor do I wear valuable jewelry when walking down the Ramblas or in the Barri Gotic. Those are the two areas (along with the Raval district behind the Boqueria market) where one should always be vigilant, but common sense precautions should keep you quite safe.

We have travelled extensively for many years and have never had an incident, in Spain or elsewhere (but once in San Tropez France, we were followed around for a short time...being aware of this, we stepped into a shop and the couple following us got tired of waiting, and went elsewhere). But as I have said in other posts (which encourged much ridicule) don't walk around with a Michelin Guide in your hands looking very confused. carry valuables under your clothes, and blah blah blah...all the rules of good sense when travelling. We were warned heavily about Seville when we were there 3 years ago...seemed like a nice place to me, and we were cautious, and had a good time. If you speak even a little Spanish it helps, but sincerely, I wouldn't worry.

I've written about this before--I had a bad purse snatching in 1987 at noon in front of the Picasso museum. When I went to apply for another passport at the American consultate there were literally dozens of other dazed tourists there, sans wallets and purses. It is a real problem if you show any evidence of money or valuables. Do not carry anything that attracts this ring of thieves (according to the police there). They often work in pairs, with one on a motorcycle. If you don't look worth bothering, you won't be. (I now use underclothes money holders.) Barcelona otherwise is wonderful!

Fodors <BR> <BR>Is crime that bad in Barcelona? <BR> <BR>I don't know, but the people who do are the Consuls. As Lola says, they hear of scams, thefts, and dangers, so give good advice. This is found <BR>from Australia on http://www.dfat.gov.au/consular/advice <BR>from Britain on http://193.114.50.10/travel <BR>from Canada on http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/menu-e.asp, under "Travel Reports" <BR>from the USA on http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html <BR>Some experienced American travellers find the American site over-cautious. It is therefor useful to check all four sites. <BR> <BR>Please write if I can help further. Welcome to Europe. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London <BR> <BR>

I was as worried as you before we got to Barcelona, was prepared for all kinds of hassles. None found, love the city best of all I've been to. HOWEVER: <BR> <BR>We had drinks w/a British consul who said more than 50% of his job is bailing out tourists who have been robbed or pickpocketed -- his observation that a lot of them were just careless, but also that the vast majority of incidents took place along the 3 Ramblas -- the scenic, wide boulevard (3 sections, each named something slightly different) that run north-south to the water. He said you are safer on any side street, esp. east (in the old area) than on the Ramblas. <BR> <BR>But by "safer" I don't mean you should be in fear of bodily harm, just loss of property and peace of mind. We had an ice cream along the Ramblas and enjoyed it, but no belongings were easily accessible to anyone else, ad we stayed moderately alert. That evening, we got back to our hotel to hear another American turista moaning about having everything stolen: "I had it all in my backpack and just put it down right next to my chair. When I looked for it, it was gone!" I sympathized, but unfortunately, it did seem to me she took a pretty big chance doing that. <BR> <BR>If you are associated w/State, I'm sure there are seasoned "dips" who have spent lots of time there and can reassure you, or talk to you once you get there. <BR> <BR>Bottom line: just carry everything that matters under your clothes and make sure everyone else does. You've got enough to worry about being the responsible person of 3 generations!!!! Good luck and LOVE Barcelona.

Yes pickpocketing is rife in Barcelona - <BR>I was dipped (only for tobacco wallet)then watched a few hours later as a young German couple were relieved of their passports, money, everything. <BR> I don't agree with those who say "it doesn't matter just be careful & you'll be OK." <BR> I think it does matter. <BR> Yes you musn't waste your time worrying too much but it's a pain in the **** for tourists who may be stressed out by travel when they arrive and just <BR>want to relax. <BR> Barcelona has profited enormously from the tourist boom, bad press could cost them all that. <BR> Beth Y, if you want a comparison with Seville & Madrid, where you've been, <BR>Barcelona is scarier.If you are lucky they might steal your in-laws...

Beth Y: Las Ramblas is not the only place where your pockets can be picked. I've been to Barcelona three different times and have friends and school mates who have also been there. And it seems that each of us has been victimized by thieves and pickpockets. On one occasion my wife's purse was "picked" not more than fifteen minutes after we had arrived in the train station -- this as I turned to tell her to keep her eye on her belongings becuase of the problem. But we had been preoccupied with purchasing subway tickets. <BR> <BR>A friend had a small duffle bag stolen right out from under his legs while on the subway, while he studied the subway map displayed on the overhead of the train cab door. Another friend set his camera down on a bench to retrieve some film from his backpack, this on Las Ramblas this past January, and turned around to find it gone. <BR> <BR>The bottom line to all of this is that my friends and I were CARELESS. Guard your stuff; i.e., you should "store" your wallet in a hard-to-get-to interior pocket of a coat or pants; don't hang a purse over your shoulder - put it over your head and pass it under your arm; keep your valuables like a camera close to you at all times -- hold it; don't set anything down. Other than these incidents, I've never experienced a confrontation of any kind in Barcelona or know of anyone else who has. <BR> <BR>These precautions are necessary because Barcelona is a great city that you shouldn't miss because some of us have been careless. <BR> <BR>P.S., Do you really want to travel with a one-year old?

Yes, Beth, Barcelona does have a problem with pickpockets, but I haven't heard of any muggings. Just be alert, as you would be in any city, and I would use a money belt. <BR> <BR>No one bothered me, but my husband had his traveler's checks stolen from a zipped inside coat pocket. This happened <BR>outside the city is a suburban area the second day we were there. Of course, we looked like zombies due to jet-lag(easy prey) and by the time I realized the helpful gentleman who was brushing something off my husband's jacket was up to no good it was too late. However, American Express replaced the checks without too much fuss and that was that. <BR> <BR>Moral: be alert, don't attempt too much when you are jet-lagged, and don't preoccupy yourself with it. If checks or cards are stolen or lost, a few phone calls remedies things. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Thanks, everyone, for the insights. It is much as I figured and we will just be mentally prepared. Don't worry, I never thought twice about whether we should go to Barcelona! Frank, have you met my in-laws? And Louis, my 1 year old has already been to France (PAris and the Dordogne). She is a great traveler. And this time I will have my 10 year old niece to help!

Beth, <BR>I forgot to mention this. After my husband answered endless questions from the American Express representative, he was asked to supply references. The office did contact one of them to verify the information. You might want to have a few names and addresses handy just in case your pocket is picked. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

I lived in New York for almost four years and because of my job I have travelled in many large cities throughout the world. After about two weeks in Barcelona, I didn't feel any more or any less threatened than anywhere else. However, a few days before I left, we were wandering around the Cathedral near the Picasso museum and we were approached by three "gypsies", when we tried to briskly walk by because they were asking us for money, I grazed one of them--a woman. When I turned around, she proceeded to hand my wallet to me that had previously been in my zipped sidebag. I guess I was rude enough that she wanted to teach me a lesson, and it worked. It made me extra cautious. Similarly, I had a flower seller harangue me from a restaruant and through the streets one evening in a manner that was clearly disconcerting. In retrospect, the best thing to do is use extra caution in terms of keeping your most important valuables close to you(e.g. a hidden pouch for a passport and credit cards) and use some caution, particularly in the main tourist areas. The main difference between NY and cities like Barcelona or Bombay is peoples' conceptions of physical space. In NY, people are careful to avoid physical contact when walking down the street. In Barcelona, especially in the old parts of the city, streets are narrow and pedestrian traffic is high, a situation that aids pickpockets and thieves. Similarly in India, the population density is so great that conceptions of personal space are skewed. The less accessable your valuables are to roving hands, the better off you will be. In spite of these experiences, the city is great and I am looking forward to going back in a few weeks.