SCARY BARCELONA
 

I was planning to go to Barcelona this Octobre. But i read and heard lots of things about scams in the streets...Is it really true?<BR>Anyway...Can anyone recommend a hotel for less than 80 euros near Ramblas?<BR>Thanks,<BR>Al

I suppose that there are scams and pickpockets in the Rambas area and even some of the shopkeepers will warn you, but we had no problems at all. Just be aware of what is around you.<BR>

Hello Al,<BR>What a load of old cobblers!<BR>Like any city in the world Barcelona suffers from scams and pickpockets but as long as you have your wits about you and do not flaunt any wealth you may have you are safe.<BR>Hotel Peninsula is in a side street just off Las Ramblas down by the Boquera market. Excellent budget accommodation.<BR>Enjoy Barcelona, it is a super city.<BR>Regards<BR>Maggie.

Al,<BR>Agree with the previous two posters. There is street crime, pickpockets and such are the most common, be aware of your surroundings and don't carry anything too valuable. The usual precautions will serve you well. Barcelona is a gorgeous city and we had a splendid time there, even though my husband's Traveller's Checks were stolen from his jacket pocket ( watch out for people who brush off your jacket). Anyway, that's why he has TCs--he called AMEX and we enjoyed our trip.As for a hotel, try the Gran Via..close enough to both the Ramblas and the Gothic Q., but you avoid the noise of the Ramblas. I think it's in your price range.The Hotel Peninsula sounds like a good bet , too.

We just returned from 4 weeks in Europe and spent some time in Barcelona. We walked the length of Las Ramblas, strolled the winding streets of the Gothic Quarter, visited Sagrada Familia, etc. and never had a problem. That said, after reading posts re: pickpockets, we were award of our surroundings at all times, I kept my camera in my sportsac when I wasn't taking a photo and my husband kept his money protected. And, in a restaurant where we ate one night, the manager asked me to keep my purse on my lap, rather than the floor beside me. On the other hand, my husband thwarted a would-be pickpocket on the #28 tram in Lisbon. My advice is to be aware at all times, wherever you are.

Barcelona is on my list of places I'm dying to visit soon, but I must say I have never had so many people I know tell me they were ripped off there. <BR><BR>I know it's just hearsay, but a very savy friend who has traveled a lot had an old woman try to get into his around-the-neck travel pouch, if you can believe it. I suppose he had it out of his shirt to get some money, but talk about "right under your nose"! Can't imagine how she thought she'd get away with it.<BR><BR>Other friends who had just spent a year traveling mostly in Asia and Africa (so you know they were in travel mode) also got ripped off on the Ramblas. The guy actually fought with one of the thieves and got some of his money back.<BR><BR>Just seems like every time Barcelona is mentioned someone has a story of getting ripped off. I'd still go in a heartbeat, but I would be a bit MORE watchful, wary, security-conscious than in other places. More like the level of Mexico City than Tokyo.

I was in Barcelona 2 years ago and didn't experience any problems. Just walk quickly through las Ramblas, don't stand around and gawk. Gran via hotel is in good location. We stayed @ hotel Suizo(?) for $90 in the Gothic quarter.

So what if you stand around and gawk? Maybe because I live in a large city, I am used to being aware of my surroundings. Go to Barcelona and enjoy it. Be cautious - don't stick out (don't be the typical US tourist with sneakers and shorts on) and you will have a great time. Take your time down Las Ramblas and enjoy one of Europe's great cities.

This is starting to look like that tired "DO NOT GO TO SPAIN" thread.<BR><BR>You are cheating yourself by not going on the premise that you'll get ripped off. Like any major city in the world, there are bad people there. Common sense will thwart any pickpockets though. October will not be as bad as June either.<BR><BR>Standing and gawking is OK. There is a lot to gawk at. Watch yourselves on the metro and don't carry a lot of $ & gadgets with you. That's what your hotel safe is for.<BR><BR>I'm sure there will be a couple of dozen more posters that will say they got robbed there. Put it in perspective though. There are thousands more that visit and leave without a problem.<BR><BR>Go to Barcelona and enjoy it. It truly is one of the most wonderful cities in the world.

Just be aware specially in:<BR><BR>- Internet cafe<BR>- Ramblas<BR>- Gothic quarter<BR>- Metro stations crowded with people<BR><BR>- Avoid neighbouhoods like "Barrio Chino"<BR><BR>If you are carriying a bag put it ALWAYS in your front.<BR><BR>They are some pickpockets but if you are aware you won't have problems. <BR>I will recommended better a hotel in Rambla Catalu&ntilde;a than in Ramblas.

Another stupid post. Now it's Barcelona. What would you say if all people would stop going to New York or Miami because of the crime we hear about long ago? Stay home if you're so scared and have´such fear about coming to Europe. This stinks already.

Washington DC has one of the highest crime rates in the world.<BR><BR>Most cities in Europe are relatively safe when compared with similar-sized cities in the USA. Of course, no city anywhere is completely safe, especially towns that attract large numbers of tourists. Always take precautions (e.g. security belt) and a healthy sense of paranoia when travelling anywhere.

I've been on my own and had absolutely NO problems.

I was there for one day & had 3 attempts by pickpockets.All during the day near the Ramblas.I was able to watch innumerable scams going on.Anyone who says that it is like any other city is going about with their eyes shut.There is a special webpage for Barcelona scams (try a search), what other city has that?<BR>There have been many reports here on Fodors of an uninterested attitude by the police.<BR>Go there, but take extra precautions.<BR>"having your wits about you" as some suggest will do no good if you are beaten to the ground - muggings are becoming more common, some have reported on this site that they were mugged on the doorstep of their accomodation.

We spent 5 days in June in Barcelona, and had no trouble at all. In fact, some posters on this board had made Barcelona sound like a hotbed of thievery and vice, so the complete absence of any such activity was the biggest surprise!<BR>Stayed at Hotel Gran Via...when booking ask for a back room with a large balcony overlooking garden. If you are on a budget, a spacious balcony is almost a room in itself. Have a great time.<BR>

I was in Barcelona from Oct 5-12 and felt completely safe, just like I do at home (NYC). Like anywhere else in the world, just use common sense. I walked all over the city and used the Metro and encountered no problems. It's a great city - enjoy.

I was just in Barcelona for 2 nights, Sept 23-24 and one other night, Sept 28th. The first 2 nights I was with a girlfriend and her 2 friends and when I returned I was on my own. I did not experience ANY problems with pickpockets. However, I did not carry my usualy daypack and nice camera. Instead I carried a small travel bag across my body and a point and shoot camera. I kept my eyes open and didn't have any problems. I stayed in the Barrio Gothic near the cathedral and walked by myself to dinner/tapas (10 minutes away) and back to the hotel around midnight. Of course, I stayed on the main streets and there were other people all around. I exercised the same common sense I would here at home!<BR><BR>Unfortunately, I can't say the same for a friend of my girlfriends. They arrived 2 nights before me and went out drinking the first night (jetlagged also). Her friend got very drunk, met a guy and went off with him by herself. She was mugged just off the Ramblas and was of course carrying a purse with all of her credit cards and passport and also carrying an expensive SLR camera. She spent the night at the police station filling out reports and my friend and her friends spent another almost full day at the american consulate getting a temporary passport issued. What a nightmare! <BR><BR>I would say that Barcelona, like any large city, has it's fair share of crime. However, I do believe it is safe as long as you exercise common sense and good judgement.<BR><BR>