I have been reading forums for Madrid and Barcelona. All of the talk about robberies is concerning. Is there a reason to worry or is it really isolated cases of theft? Have second thoughts about travel to Spain.

By no means should you rethink traveling to the beautiful Iberian peninsula! I studied abroad twice in Madrid, and yes, had my backpack stolen as a naive teen, but the most impt thing to know is that these incidents are not dangerous. These petty thieves do target tourists, who are sometimes lost, confused, and unsuspecting. However, there are many websites with suggestions for how to take precautions when traveling (money helts, passport safe, wearing bags in front, etc.), and they should always be heeded whenever you travel. The only difference with Madrid and Barcelona is that you should have some heightened awareness about this, esp in major tourist areas (e.g. the Plaza Mayor, Las Ramblas) and if something seems off when a local approaches you, walk away. If you're a city dweller in the US (I'm from NYC), you may already have a lot of these checks built in.

You should definitely go to Spain! We were in Barcelona in October 2010, had a fabulous time, and we were not pickpocketed and we never felt unsafe. Just use common sense, as alwrain sugggests, especially on Las Ramblas. Crime is NOT rampant in Barcelona.

There is a lot of petty theft in specific areas of some of the cities. This is no reason not to go. But you do need to be constantly aware of what is going on around you - and be verysure that your belongings are seure. Also - don;t bring with you any items of significant value (jewelry etc) that it would break your heart to lose.

It's not robberies (which include a threat to the person), it's petty larceny. Be aware of what's around you and don't flash your cash, camera or jewels. We traveled to the two cities with two small children, which are the perfect distractions for thieves because we always need to keep an eye on the hobbits and that makes us potentially less attentive. Not an issue because we remained vigilant and didn't chat up every street vendor, flower girl or random person soliciting our attention.

Long long thread about this about a month ago - in Barcelona there are many very "professional" pick-pockets, esp. in the metro and Las Ramblas. That is where I was targeted - if you sit in the metro stations you can see them at work, just be very aware of any bump or door blockage. They really are quite good even with zippers and hidden pouches so the best advice is to not carry much cash or all you cards - let alone your passport or other valubles. In my case they took out my coin purse, removed cash and threw the purse with the credit cards in a nearby trash receptacle so my loss was pretty minimal. Don't cancel your trip but do be aware.

I wouldn't "worry" about it but I wouldn't ignore it and pretend such crime doesn't exist and not act appropriately. And no, I wouldnt' say it was "isolated" cases which implies it rarely happens. I've been to both places and had no problem but I don't have my belongings in such a way to have problems, and I don't go to suspect areas late at night, etc. The point is it isn't violent crime where they will attack you and beat you up and forceably remove your belongings. Not to say that cannot happen as I'm sure it can as in many big cities, but that isn't typical street crime.

I wonder if the forums you are reading are really referring to "robberies" or pickpocketing? Because those are legally two different things, at least where I live. I would not say robbery is a big problem, although it can occur.

Wear a money belt, be alert, and enjoy two of the most wonderful cities in Europe.

I'll be in both Madrid and Barcelona in the coming weeks. I've been to both several times in the past, and I don't hesitate to return.

My sister did have her purse stolen by a clever thief pretending to be a waiter when we were at dinner in an outdoor restaurant, but she had given me her passport and ATM card to carry in my money belt, so she didn't lose much.

If I carry a purse, I always loop the strap through the leg of my chair and keep my purse on my lap. If a thief tried to take the purse, he'd have to pull me and my chair along with him.