Madrid, Barcelona..Anything dangerous for an American?
 

Hi,

I've never been to Spain, nor do I know anything about it, but my wife would like to go there. Safety is my top issue with going to foreign countries, but I'm not a freak about it. I did have a couple near disasters in Jamaica when I first went overseas, so I'm a bit more cautious. Thanks if you can help:)

Kurt

We go often to Spain, never a problem because of our nationality.On the contrary people are
welcoming and we have always a great time. That is why we go back. Having said thais Spain and most of Europe requires that any tourist should be alert.

I've never felt the slightest concern for my personal safety in either Madrid or Barcelona. They are just not in the same category as a place like Jamaica. I was in Madrid solo in 2000 and with my sister, both of us over 60 years old, and clearly American/foreign-looking, in 2004.

What you should be cautious about is pickpockets and the like. There will be many posters on this board who have never had a bit of trouble with pickpockets and purse-snatchers, and who will maintain that you simply must be aware of your surroundings. Others, such as my sister, have been robbed, despite being so cautious as to be paranoid. When she was robbed, we were having dinner at an outdoor restaurant when a young man pretending to be a waiter got away with her purse.

Fortunately, she had given me her passport and her debit card to put in my money belt, so all she lost was the camera she kept in her purse.

I always keep any large amounts of money and my credit cards in my money belt, except for a little mad money in my pants pocket.

You mean like eating too much Tapas in Barcelona? :-)

Kurt, I am appalled by your post.

First, (other than countries where the US is actually pursuing a war) why should the danger level for an American anywhere be different than it is for an Irishman like me? Do you think pickpockets or rapists are politically motivated?

Second, if safety is your top issue, you have messed up your priorities. Safety is one issue -- yes, important -- but if it is ahead of a desire to see and experience another place and another culture, then the purpose of your travel is distorted.

Let your wife go to Spain. Accompany her if she would like you to. If you go, open your eyes to the fact that Spain is a civilised country, as are European countries generally.

Kurt, you had your knickers in a knot about going to Italy too, and you obviously survived.

But it seems it still hasn't penetrated that you are less in danger of muggings and drive-by-shootings in Europe than in the US...

Pickpockets can be a problem but as far as random violence goes, the US is much worse.

Oh yes, we Europeans are delighted when Americans travel to Madrid and Barcelona. They distract pickpockets from the rest of us tourists. NOT

Sweetheart, those pickpockets don't care if you're American, African or Chinese. I'm organising a trip for 20 Swiss to Barcelona and we're taking the same safety precautions as everyone else. I'm going to stress that everyone wears a moneybelt or something similar where they can hide their money. No wallets in front or back pockets. Purses with only small amounts of money. Travel books and maps are to be used in a cafeteria or in a doorway only.

I'd like to think by taking a few precautions we can enjoy Barcelona's food, drink and sights in a relaxed way.

Jamaica is overseas for an American?

I am still wondering what Jamaica has to do with Spain....

I ran into a Texan at the Torres vinyard who post the second Bush election was trying to be Canadian. (lets think sounds Texan..) anyway these fears are real.

The risks are the same as any major part of US but they will not look the same to you.

For example you don't have Roumanian Gypseys in the States but you will find them in Spain. Do you have the mayonaise trick in US?

So be aware of pickpockets and dark corners. Note that in Spain the awake hours are in two parts and therefore extend longer than they will in the States.

Certain areas are known high risk. So the Ramblas in Barcelona is a great zone to visit and has Olympic standard pick pockets. Once you know this then you are prepared

Spain consists of more than the two handful of major cities and the capital region. "Going to Spain" does not necessarily mean that you are limited to 2 days in Madrid, 2 in BCN, and another 2 in Sevilla.

Not saying that I would consider it necessary, but if you big cities make you nervous, you could skip Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Sevilla, and tour the remaining 97 percent of the country, and probably have experienced "more Spain" than the typical city hopping tourist.

Spain is absolutely no more dangerous for Americans or anyone else than any place else in Europe, and Europe in general is safer for everyone than the US - if by safe you mean risk of personal harm (mugging, murder, rape). In terms of pickpockets, anyone who is a tourist anywhere has some risk - that includes someone from Iowa going to NYC or from South Carolina going to Boston - as well as Americans, Brits, etc going to Spain, Italy, etc. That is why when you are traveling you wear a money belt with passport, credit cards and any large amounts of cash.

I've been to Spain three times in the past couple years, one of those times as a solo female, and always felt extremely safe.

Kurt, out of interest, where do you live ? I'd venture to suggest that Europeans regard the US as much more dangerous than any European country.

Kurt,

You were concerned about going to Italy also but I remember you had a great time. Just remember not to buy rattlesnake eggs this time.

Have a great time and write a trip report!

Aloha

Well, I'm not sure I agree that you are going to be LESS in danger of pickpockets in the US than in Barcelona which is, IMO, "pickpocket central" bit I agree completely with the others: we have been to Madrid, Barcelona, and numerous other Spain locations, and recently, too, and have never felt "unsafe" in any way, shape, or form.

Your "near disasters" in Jamaica should have little, if anything, to do with your thinking about travling to a non-third-world place such as Spain.

Thanks to all you who posted a non-negative or funny response.

I prefer to travel where I don't have to be conscious of where my wallet is at all times, or who may be trailing me. Its a bullsh!t way of traveling..What intelligent person wants to be constantly on guard for the local dirtbags to victimize you? I have been to most of the large American cities and not once have I ever been robbed or felt danger, or even felt like I was treading in a bad area (except for the day I erroneously exited the subway into Spanish Harlem NYC,wearing a suit and tie..Yikes!).

And for those of you who are appalled--get a life! Perhaps your problem is my being American. And FYI, If you've ever been in a situation where you are being aggressively stalked by the local criminals you will learn what its like to be terrified in a country that's foreign to you. Let's see how confident you feel after this happens REGARDLESS of the country you visit.

Since European major city layouts are different than most of those of US cities, the problems are also different.

I have read in other threads how dangerous it would be for a tourist to take a shortcut thru this or that "not so good" residential area in L.A. or Chicago or Miami or XYZ - and that you should rather stay on the freeways.

I think most here can agree that with regard to pickpockets, Madrid and Barcelona face more problems than e.g. Helsinki or Zurich.

But: There are simple precautions against pickpocketing available, and no one runs around waving a bunch of hundred Euro bills, carrying all his credit cards in same wallet as cash, in the outside compartment of a bag pack, in a crowded subway. I doubt that any New Yorker or anyone from DC would do it on his home turf. So most precautions are plain common sense, and just need to be adjusted a bit according to the local "danger level".

I doubt that any critizism here has anything to do with you "being American" (Oh my god, I love this argument as much as the discussions on what shoes to wear in Paris - not.). Most Europeans are simply used to "being in a foreign country" - some of us on the Continent only need an hour by car to go to 2 or 3 "foreign countries".
When "we Europeans" go to Madrid, we just split and hide the cash simply a bit better than in other places, and hope for the best.

I'm sure that the Spaniards will be as welcoming to you as to any foreign tourist, and the local pickpockets will or won't take a hit on you on a non-discriminatory basis. ;-)

Used to ride the NYC subway on a regular basis. Never been pickpockeed or felt unsafe. We have been targeted on many occasions in Madrid and Barcelona, (we travel with our kids, rendering us somewhat vulnerable). Always wear a money belt.

Mango7 wrote: "And for those of you who are appalled--get a life! Perhaps your problem is my being American."

I declared that I was appalled, and I have a life that suits me very well -- including having visited both Madrid and Barcelona and exited safely.

No, I don't have a problem with your being American. What appalls me is that you imply that you might be subject to special dangers because you are American. That type of ethnocentricity is, at best, naive.

As to your concerns about travelling and being constantly on your guard -- it's simply not like that. If it was, I wouldn't travel as much as I do. All you need is to habituate yourself to taking some common-sense precautions, and then get on with enjoying yourself.

But you don't seem to like the idea that people might disagree with you, or have a different take on life than yours, so I suspect that you might not believe me. Or even consider me your equal.

My husband and I spent 4 days in Barcelona last May and felt safe where ever we went both day and night. Violent crime is not really an issue there although I have heard of pickpocketing and such, we had no problems whatsoever.