Pickpocketing In Barcelona?

Question

I'm going to Barcelona next month for a week with my best friend. We're two nineteen year old girls and I've heard that pickpocketing and mugging is rife in the city. Does anybody have any idea how to avoid this or has had experience with the issue? Any help would be brilliant.

Thankyou

Answer 1

Just take the same care you would in any big city, especially if you've been partying. Yes there is a problem, but keep your wits about you and you should be OK.

Try not to look too much like a tourist, keep bags closed, in front of you and the strap securely across your body, not hanging off one shoulder. Don't keep anything in back pocket if you're wearing jeans/trousers. Certain areas will be worse than others, probably around la Ramblas and the alleys/lanes behind it.

Common trick is where someone bumps into you and an accomplice dips bag/pocket while you're distracted.

We've been to Barcelona loads of times without incident, it's great you'll love it! Enjoy your trip.

Answer 2

just dont party so late at night and beware of people acting suspicious or funny looking people

just bring a weapon with you incase. pepper spray or something

Answer 3

Hey... I´ve been in Barcelona 9 months and I´ve never been pickpocketed, but even the locals admit it´s a problem...

just be careful on the metro... don´t have a backpack on your back that people can open withuot you knowing... i always hold my bag in front of me if i´m somewhere busy like that...or on la rambla.   also, dont leave things in your pockets that people can slip their hand into and take.

be careful in clubs... and if you have a jacket or anything, use the guardaropa (the cloak room). i usually use it, but the one time i didn´t and left my jacket on the side, it was stolen.

as for the beach, also be careful..

i went there after clubbing once, at 7 am in the morning, and there was NO ONE around. I went into the sea with my friend, and 2 Australian guys we´d met were stood on the beach watching us, and somehow a guy ran off with our stuff, and the Australians ran after them and got them back... but that´s like 7am when the beach is deserted... so be careful. When it´s busy, things could go missing all over the place!

Answer 4

Just be sensible and keep things out of sight.

Also be aware that some bars restaurants etc on las Ramblas add items to your bill that you never had !

Enjoy it though - it's a lovely city !

Answer 5

Pickpocketing is everywhere. The best thing to do is use your common sense. Dont go out with all your valuables ( keep some in the safe in your room). Keep any valuables in a zipped up bag or put it in your inside pocket.

Answer 6

pick pocketing is big in any major city...i deal with it my either having pockets sewn inside my jacket to keep my burse or wearing a money belt under my top or coat...my friend had 50 euros taken out of her bag so im glad i took the extra precautions.

Answer 7

When I was in Barcelona I didn't carry a bag, when I went out I took a small purse with only the amount of money I needed. I kept the purse inside my bra. The ramblas is notorious for pickpocketing. Beware of anyone pushing you.

Answer 8

keep bags zipped up, use traveller's checks, using a money belt will also prevent potential bag-snatching. Keeping away from alleyways and unknown areas, and when in large crowds always keep your personal belongigns close and well secured.

Answer 9

The worst place to go is Las Ramblas (the main tourist street). I've been there twice with two seperate groups of friends and 5 of us in total were either mugged or pickpocketed. If I were you I would stay at Port Olympique area - much nicer bars and restaurants.

Also, if you get mugged the Police are c**p and won't help you at all.

Answer 10

Hi, Just be on your guard at all times, pickpocket's are everywhere, not just in Barcelona,don't go down dark alleyways or "cut throughs" my friend had her purse stolen she was walking down a cut through and she said he had taken her purse before she realised it. I would wear a bag that ties around your waist, and never have your money or jewellery on display. They had these bags on sale in ASOS, i don't know if they still have them. Have a lovely time.

Answer 11

Answer to your first question.  Yes.

To protect yourself, make sure your money and valuables aren't reachable.  Keep them INSIDE if possible.  Don't look like you are too clueless.   Be aware of your surroundings.  Stay away from big, crowded, touristy spots, and don't look like you aren't paying attention.  Don't carry too much cash on you.  Keep an extra credit card, if that's how you're doing money....and keep your numbers, including any security codes, in your room.  If you carry a purse, have one with a long strap that you can carry over one shoulder, and under the other hand.  Keep your hands ON your purse.  I had to be warned a couple of times not to forget that my camera was hanging on my back, not under my arm.  I think I was lucky.  I still have it.  

Don't take your eyes off your luggage in airports and train stations, especially, and don't keep everything in the same place.  Passport in one bag, tickets in another, id in another, that way, if they take one thing, they aren't hanging around, they won't get everything.

In short, don't look like an easy target.  

I was in the police station reporting my husband's lost cards.  There were six or seven other parties in the waiting room

with us.  All had similar stories.  No violence.  No muggings (I don't think there are too many muggings...) just the valuables were there, then they weren't.  Some saw who did it, some didn't, but it was all the same.