PalenQ

There have been numerous posts on Fodor's about folks being victimized in Barcelona and Madrid. I'll copy some of these.

No it's really kind of silly to say all that have not been victimized on one side and those who have on the other.

No not nearly 50% of tourists here are victimized. But the occurence seems to be shockingly high for Europe.

The chances of your being victimized are relatively low - and a whole lot lower if you know the extent of the problem.

Author: nessundorma
Date: 08/20/2006
My husband had his pocket picked in the train station at the Plaza d'Espagne in Barcelona.

When I was walking with my husband down an alley in the Barri Gotico in Barcelona, a young man sneaked up behind me and grabbed the rather large nylon sack/bag I was holding in one hand. I so startled, I simply hung onto it, and then I screamed at the top of my lungs, at which point he let go and ran away.

Since that time I have not carried a purse anywhere I travel. I keep my unimporant items in an ordinary plastic shopping bag. I keep money and a credit card in a small zippered coin purse that straps over my wrist and has a ring loop that slides over my middle finger. It's called a Yazzy Sport bag.

In Madrid, my husband and I were walking near the Prado, on our way to Retiro Park, when we were approached by a young man carrying a map who asked us to help him find the Prado. We were trying to show him, using his map, when we were suddenly approached by a much older man who flashed a "Polizia" badge and demanded to see our passports. We began to explain that our passports were in our hotel safe, when I suddenly realized it was a scam. I firmly grabbed my husband's arm, announced it was a scam, and headed straight for a nearby group of construction workers. The two guys disappeared.

Because of my negative experiences, I tend to view Barcelona and Madrid as more risky than other places. I would ask your hotel desk to circle on a map any neighborhoods that are not advisable. I would avoid wearing jewelry, and if you stay out late drinking or wind up tipsy, get a cab.

julies

Frankly, while Barcelona is okay it certainly wasn't a place we plan to return. We were rather underwhelmed compared to other places we've visited. Seville wins hands down in our book if you are looking for a comparison.

Book a concert at the Opera House. A delightful way to hear good music and look at the beauty of the setting.

Don't waste your time or money going in Gaudi's Sagrada Familia. This is paying big bucks to tour nothing more than a construction site as far as we were concerned. What you can see from the outside is all you need to see.

Robert2533

I feel sorry for those who have been "under whelmed" or disappointed by Barcelona and Madrid. They certainly are missing out on a lot of great times. These are two of the world’s great cities to "live" in, as is Paris.

Pegontheroad

I loved Barcelona. The architecture is fabulous, especially the Gaudi buildings and the Palau da Musica. The human statues (usually) of religious figuressuch as Jesus and the Virgin Mary, and other folks, e.g., the Grim Reaper with a skeletal face and a scythe, beckoning passersby, were things I'd never seen before.

Seeing the Sardana and hearing the many musicians in the street as we walked to the Placa San Jaume was thrilling.

I'd go again in a New York minute, despite the fact that my sister was robbed of her purse in an outdoor restaurant by a nice young man whom we had taken to be a waiter--as he obviously planned.

Fortunately, she had given me her credit card and passport to put in my money belt....

artlover

We LOVED Barcelona and are going back in April. For me a real positive is all the Gaudi architecture that is so amazing. Don't miss Parc Guell! Also, the view at sunset from the Miro museum.
We missed the tour of the Opera House and DD said not to this time...can we buy tickets online?

We didn't have any trouble with pickpockets, but I don't carry a purse and DH wears a moneybelt.

One thing that really surprised me was how clean the water was by the pier--I could actually see the fish in it! Unusual for a big city (I know, I live in Seattle).

Mary_Fran

I'm PegontheRoad's sister, and it was my purse that was swiped from my lap by a stealth thief as we sat at a table at an outside restaurant, with no one else around but a young man who approached our table as if he were a waiter. Only after he disappeared around the corner of the building too quickly did I think to check for my purse, which he'd lifted without my even noticing it. Barcelona is well known for its thriving pickpocket culture, and having been a very cautious victim of a thief, it annoys me wheen people drag up the same old defenses that it's no worse than any place else. It IS worse.

Nevertheless, one of the things that surprised me most about Barcelona was the strong police presence I saw in the area of our hotel, the Regencia Colon, which is kitty-corner from the cathedral. Within a single long block, I saw three separate policemen stationed approximately half block apart. Maybe hotels like Hotel Colon and Regencia Colon slip them a few bucks for the extra protection. I don't know. But it did reassure me that at least the city appeared to be trying to create a safe environment for tourists.

Another thing that surprised me was how many locals seemed to be lounging on benches on the plaza in front of the Cathedral, enjoying the passing scene, and the dogs frolicing about. The area is the heart of tourism in Barcelona, but it's not been abandoned by the locals, especially the elderly.

Mary_Fran

Oops! I meant to second Padraig's comment about the coffee in Barcelona being surprisingly good. The coffee in Spain gnerally was my favorite of any of the European countries I've visited, which includes France, Denmark, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Germany (unusual but lovely coffee), Austria, and Italy.

Our coffee in Spain always seemed to be piping hot and delicious.

Dukey

As another follow-on...if you are at all interested in interior decoration and can get a tour, or at least a look, inside the Liceu (opera house) much less a performance, you won't regret it.

You'd never know the place had burned down three different times.

missypie

Thanks so much, everyone.

PalenQ

Barcelona Pickpockets Real Life StoriesCar Crime In Barcelona - What you need to know if you intend driving a car in Barcelona · Passport Safety - tips to keep your passport safe ...
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...ckpockets.html - 29k - Cached - Similar pages

How To Beat Car Crime in BarcelonaReal life stories of car and motor crime in
Seems Barcelona's tourist office is so concerned about the city's spate of street crime it has to issue special warnings.

No more problem here than in other European cities...i think not and such comments only create a false sense of security that can lead to one being victimized. Realize the extent of the problem and the probability of being vitimized goes down due to increases alertness.
Should you become totally paranoid - no but just realize that there are problems - probably won't be targeted but chance is much much much more than most European cities.

Barcelona with some safety tips to help you have a safe visit when driving in Barcelona.
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...fety-tips.html

PalenQ

Author: laclaire
Date: 01/19/2007
I debated about posting this, but here goes. Consider it a case study of petty crime in Barcelona.

Last night I went to one of the VIP Bread and Butter (Barcelona's fashiion week) parties, and for it I wore black high heeled, knee-high boots, a retro dress (high neck, long sleeves, to just above my knees) and my black leather jacket (these details are important) that was just longer than the dress. I spent my last 7€ on the cab to get there (I had not been planning on going out), got my wrist stamped and had a wonderful night, which ended around 4 a.m.

I have walked home (a very safe area in the Eixample) a million times, and at all hours. The difference here is that I am normally in business attire or casual jeans and a top.

Mistake #1: single female dressed rather seductively walking anywhere alone at 4 a.m.

I decided to take advantage of the time difference and the walk home to call my mother.

Mistakes #2 and 3: talking on a cell phone that late (means you are not paying attention) and in English (meaning to everyone that you are super foreign and thus, a target)

I was walking along chatting with Mom and saw a guy on my side of the sidewalk. Normally, I would have crossed the street to avoid him, but I was literally right in front of my building, so I just kept walking.

Mistake #4: going against my better judgement to avoid the only guy on a lonely street.

I stopped to tell my mother I was going inside and would lose coverage.

Mistake #5: stopping for longer than it takes to open the door. Moving targets are not appealing.

While saying goodbye, the guy came up behind me, grabbed the bottom of my dress/coat and lifted it up to my waist. I have never screamed so loud in my life and he ran, but slowed to a walk a few yards away muttering something. That is when the most impressive stream of Spanish curses flowed out of my mouth, which stopped him dead in his tracks. And that is when I took chase, all the while screaming horrible things like "pedophile, assassin, you killed him!," and anything that i thought would make others want to chase and hurt him. Unfortunately, the streets were empty.

When I finally gave up the chase (high heels), I looked in my hand and saw my phone was still open. Mom had heard everything and was panicking. I explained and then said "I'll call you tomorrow," hung up and walked back home.

What have I learned? To practice what I preach, no matter what the situation.

Walking home at night is OK depending on your clothing and ability to get out of a weird situation (ie, if you can't run, take a cab), but if you don't met those requirements, don't do it, even if you have to borrow money. Women, this is especially true.

Do not walk and talk on a cell phone (in any language, really) late at night. You look unaware.

Empty street except for one guy and he is on your side? Cross the street no matter how close to your destination you are.

He did not steal anything, nor did he touch/harm any part of my body, but I woke up this morning with an intense feeling of upset. Does he live in my neighborhood? What if I had not been loud/strong/angry enough to react how I did? What could have happened?

This is not to scare people off of Barcelona. This is to say that no matter how long you have been here (or any city, for that matter) and how safe and savvy you feel, you must obey the basic rules of self preservation at all times. Even if it is fashion week.

PalenQ

This Fodor post by a Barcelona resident sums up my position - street crime is rife in Barcelona but by following common sense tips below it can be avoided probably. The poster got ripped off, once violently hurting her shoulder, because of her lack of knowledge of the problem - a sitting duck. I think she/he gives excellent advice for Barcelona.

Author: laclaire
Date: 09/01/2006
I now live in Barcelona and am very good at not getting mugged, but was not when I visited when I was younger. Once my wallet was stolen from my backpack while going up the stairs of the Sagrada Familia, and the second time my lovely new leather purse (which I was wearing for the first time) was ripped off my shoulder, leaving me with a strap burn on my neck and the strap in my hand, chasing the guy down the street yelling "hijo de puta." And once my cell phone got stolen, but that is another story.

Anyways, in those cases I was unaware of my surroundings. I had my wallet in the front pocket of my backpack. That is stupid. Then the purse thing, well, I heard running steps before it was ripped from my shoulder, and did not think to grab my stuff, which is now a reaction for me when I hear running. The cell phone, well, I was reading my e-mail, answered it, and then put it in my jacket pocket, which was hanging on my chair. Again, really dumb. I am not saying those things were my fault, but I am now much more aware and can tell when something is about to happen. So, here you have my list of how not to get robbed:
1) if taking the metro, use the stairs, not the escalators. I have never once heard of anyone getting robbed going up or down the stairs whereas most metro theft happens on the escalators.
2) in crowded spaces (metro, clubs, Ramblas, etc), hold your bag with both hands in front of you.
3) never go down streets unless you see women (prostitutes do not count on this one) and children. That is especially helpful at night. Also, if you see a street with just a few men, avoid it (especially in downtown BCN) because oftentimes they get you in there and work as a team. Ihave observed this from a friend's balcony numerous times.
4) Don't carry your valuables where people can see them. I actually say don't carry valuables period.
5) Trust no one.
6) If you feel a bad vibe, move away from it. I have been walking down a street and seen someone coming towards me that I thought was "off" and have turned right around and left, or run ahead to a group of people I didn't know but felt were not sketchy and walked close to them. Safety in numbers.
7) feel free to racial prifile your way through the city. I don't mean to sound crude, and frankly, every group in the world has robbers, but after numerous attempts at being PC and getting screwed, I won't even speak to random members of certain ethnic groups. In fact, I was dating a guy from one of those groups and he was the one who told me that if one of his compatriots walks up to me and asks for a light/cigarette/the time/etc, it is because I am going to get mugged.

I guarantee you that if you say there were not even any close calls, you simply were not paying attention. These people are professionals and they are very good at what they do. I have seen some robberies that were very impressive and once a friend and I were at a table and she got robbed and neither of us noticed (her bag was between her feet under the table and somehow the thief got under there and cut the strap. . . WTF?!).

Yes, December is a slow month, but everyone's gotta eat no matter what, and if that is what puts food on the table, they need you to be there.

missypie

Okay, so young ladies with cell phones are going to follow us and figure out that I'm the one carrying the cash and credit cards, send a message to others who are going to assult me and steal my cash and credit cards. My husband is definitely not the cautious or protective type...I guess I'll need to appoint our 16 year old son to be my bodyguard.

PalenQ

Author: Dukey
Date: 08/20/2006
The "crime" I've personally experienced in Barcelona consisted of being pickpocketed on the Metro.

Author: nessundorma
Date: 08/20/2006
My husband had his pocket picked in the train station at the Plaza d'Espagne in Barcelona.

When I was walking with my husband down an alley in the Barri Gotico in Barcelona, a young man sneaked up behind me and grabbed the rather large nylon sack/bag I was holding in one hand. I so startled, I simply hung onto it, and then I screamed at the top of my lungs, at which point he let go and ran away.

Since that time I have not carried a purse anywhere I travel. I keep my unimporant items in an ordinary plastic shopping bag. I keep money and a credit card in a small zippered coin purse that straps over my wrist and has a ring loop that slides over my middle finger. It's called a Yazzy Sport bag.

In Madrid, my husband and I were walking near the Prado, on our way to Retiro Park, when we were approached by a young man carrying a map who asked us to help him find the Prado. We were trying to show him, using his map, when we were suddenly approached by a much older man who flashed a "Polizia" badge and demanded to see our passports. We began to explain that our passports were in our hotel safe, when I suddenly realized it was a scam. I firmly grabbed my husband's arm, announced it was a scam, and headed straight for a nearby group of construction workers. The two guys disappeared.

Because of my negative experiences, I tend to view Barcelona and Madrid as more risky than other places. I would ask your hotel desk to circle on a map any neighborhoods that are not advisable. I would avoid wearing jewelry, and if you stay out late drinking or wind up tipsy, get a cab.

missypie

Palenq, you've quoted Nessundorma's comments twice now...and some even deal with Madrid instead of Barelona. Are you going to keep posting these horror stories until I cry uncle and say I'm too scared to go to Barcelona?

PalenQ

OK enough. It just gets me when folks say there is no more problem here than in other European cities.

missypie

And no one is going to pat me on my vitual head and say, "Missypie, don't worry, I'm sure you'll be fine"???

I guess I have to pack my messenger bag every morning thinking, "What would be okay to lose?" One credit card. A tiny bit of cash. (The rest in DH's money belt.) As for ID, didn't someone mention that a copy of the passport would do for ID? But even when you get a copy of your passport stolen, don't you need to report it and get another?

lincasanova

please pay heed to the considerate warnings you are gettng from some first hand experienced travellers and RESIDENTS.

I am meeting a journalist tomorrow who will be on her own tonight in downtown Valencia.

she intends to go for a stroll around the old town, etc.

my first words of advice were exactly what you have been told.

beware,.. but do enjoy yourself!

i think it is difficult for some of you to understand that there is an entire subculture of professional thieves who have a mission every single day and minute of the year. they LOOK for prey.

i have seen it in action. believe me.
i have seen barcelona and madrid VIDEOS filmed from hotel rooms of the kids/youth working the crowds.

but FORTUNATELY i have never been robbed in 35 years... however.. I doubt i will be able to go another 35 with that track record.

a very lax judicial system has helped propogate an unusual amount of petty crime in this country.

enjoy your trip.

and i wouldn´t call it negativism.. just a touch of reality. i work with students and foreign expats daily and i can tell you, it is unreal.

just ask your local consulate how many reports they do a week.

kraav

Hi Missypie, count me in as loving Barcelona until my personal event, read it at(Attempted purse snatching casts a pall on the city of Barcelona). That said, am I sorry I went? Absolutely not. Did I feel stupid, especially since I've read and heard everything and thought I was so careful? Yes. Would I go back? Only if there was a compelling reason to, not just to visit the city. But yes Missypie, don't worry, everything is going to be fine.

PalenQ

<And no one is going to pat me on my vitual head and say, "Missypie, don't worry, I'm sure you'll be fine"???>

no - read lincasanova's very well crafted response - from a local. You're chances of being fine increase the more you're aware of the problem and take proper precautions. Those who say there is no more problem here than other places do a disservice from their ignorance of the problem.
Henny Penny