Barcelona. Safe?

indiabravo

indiabravo

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Iain
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Hi guys,

Off to Barcelona this week and looking forward to being a tourist tog for a few days. I've heard some horror stories about Barcelona being a haven for thieves and pickpockets so looking for any tips from people that have been there, particularly with regard to camera safety *double checks insurance*!

Cheers,
Iain
 
I read/heard about all this pick-pocketing business!!

Went over there with my camera gear, and never had a problem....

I suppose its like anywhere you go though, just be wary of your stuff, keep it close to you, and keep a watchful eye about whats going on around you....

That goes for anywhere though, barca, london, paris, anywhere! :)

Do you know whereabouts you're going?

Enjoy though, its a great city! :)
 
Staying in a hotel just off Las Ramblas where the dodgy people seemingly make their living. I suppose reading the various tourist forums you only hear the horror stories and rarely from the people who had no problems. Vigilance and common sense I think/hope!

Thanks for replying,

Iain
 
I've only ever had two attempted car jacks. One in Barcelona when driving through the north African quarter out of a car park. And the other on a dual carriage road just north of the city.

Be vigilant and don't leave the tourist trail. And for fun on the ramblas stand still to the side, and just watch. Try not to see the tourist and you'll see them blend in the background scouting and very cleverly organised at work.

Despite those personal experiences I still go back, just be vigilant and not a fool.
 
I went to Barcelona last year and had no problems while there, I was concerned too with all the stories you hear of.
I did buy the most un camera like bag I could find and nearly everyone in the city carries bags ,handbags and rucksacks on their front so I did the same.
Never leave bags etc over the back of chairs in restaraunts or bars, often the staff will prompt you to move them too.
I carried the minimum cash and cards with me when out and about and left the rest in the hotel room safe.
I found a small wallet that attaches to your waistband next to your skin and used that instead of keeping pockets full of cash wallets etc.

When I was taking pics I had the strap wound round my wrist and kept the camera in the bag out of sight the rest of the time.

Read up on the various scams and methods that the lowlifes use and just be aware of whats going on around you, the scumbags will mostly go for the easy targets.

Enjoy the trip Barcelona is a beautiful city with plenty to photograph and if you're sensible you shouldn't have a problem and I suspect its no worse than visiting London anyway.

Oh and the Red and Blue tourist buses will get you everywhere to see the main sights.
If you're going to visit the Segrada do it early before the cruise boats off load or you'll be queuing for ages.

Rob
 
Been there twice myself without issue but was very careful however do know one person who was pickpocketed on Las Ramblas & also one beefy copper who had his wallet pinched on the underground on New Years Eve a couple of years ago. He was prevented from going after them by the locals on the train who made throat slitting signs to him to dissuade him.

Apart from that Barcelona was lovely & I wouldn't hesitate in going back
 
Barcelona is my favourite city that I've visited, every thing about the city took my breath away. Yes there are pickpockets but as you say common sense and a little awareness and you'll be fine. A lot of the pickpockets are children looking to lift a purse from an open handbag. Keep your camera strap around your neck and your camera bag zipped up and don't leave stuff on the back of chairs so they can't just snatch and run and you'll have no trouble at all. The pickpockets will eye up thousands of people a day and only go for the very easiest of targets so a little forethought about where your valuables are and how easily they are for you to protect and how difficult they are for others to access is all it takes :)
 
It is a great city - Las Ramblas can be manic - but plenty of photo ops - you'll never see so many live animals for sale in one place and there is always some good street entertainment.

Have a look at the Pacsafe range of bags etc if you are worried - they do slashproof / secure bags that are very well regarded.
 
I've been to a few places and like to think of myself as pretty savy, Barcelona is the only place I've ever had anyone try to pick my pockets.

It wasn't some dodgy looking type but an old lady and seemingly her daughter begging for money down one of the small touristy alleyways and being pretty forceful about it. Fortunately I figured out what was going on pretty quickly and had to be quite forceful myself - no harm done to either party though and nothing went missing.

There did seem to be more beggars etc than anywhere else I've been so being vigilant won't do you any harm, having said that it's a fantastic place to visit and this incident certainly wouldn't deter me from visiting again in future

Simon
 
Just to put it all into perspective in all the travelling I've done I've only once had someone try to pickpocket me and that was by a 50 something year old woman in a 90s bar in Sheffield. Had I not been sober I'd never have felt something sliding out of my pocket and certainly wouldn't have reacted quick enough to snatch it back.

As people have said, all cities have their darker sides. Just take care and be aware of who's around you and if something feels unusual it will definitely be worthy of suspicion.
 
Great tips guys thanks a lot, heard a lot of horror stories but my minds eased a bit now. Now to enjoy myself!

Cheers,
Iain
 
Yes I mist admit those bars for over 90s are a nightmare. No respect for the youth :-)
 
Stayed in Las Ramblas a couple of years ago and from my personal experience the horror stories about pickpockets are all true. Normally very brazen and not even trying to hide what they are doing. Generally found it was a couple of girls that would accost you, especially in the quieter streets, draping themselves all over you and blatantly shoving their hands in your pockets. It happened to me more times than i care to remember but after a while you can see it coming. How to deal with it?

1) Don't walk the backstreets on your own with stuff you aren't prepared to lose.
2) Be sensible - If you wouldn't do it in your own home city don't do it there.

That said, they were never really interested in camera gear - probably too bulky and hard to shift on quickly. Be safe and enjoy it, it's an amazing city!
 
I've done 4 or 5 visits to Barcelona and never encountered a problem. I've always had a camera and/or rucksack and have spent loads of time on Les Ramblas.

Enjoy your trip and just use your common sense.

Steve
 
I was there in April and enjoyed it. In saying that, of all cities I have visited in the world, it is the one I least relaxed in after an incident on Las Ramblas where I stopped for a coffee. Two teenagers ran up to us, covered the table in clipboards and frantically babbled ... clipboards were actually to cover my iphone with the intent of stealing it. Waiter further down the street noticed and chased them. Lesson learned from the incident, keep phone in pocket and don't set on table. Just keep your wits about you :)
 
hi we went to barca in feb for a long weekend, i took my camera and carried my lowepro slingshot everywhere, alot of the time i kept the aw cover over it to be safe and carried my money in stow pockets on my travel trousers (berghaus and north face mke great examples) i never had a problem, however in a shop next to the sagrada my wife had an eldery woman feel her back pocket to see what was in it, she just turned and bluntly said "theres nothing in there for you love" the woman hastily walked off. so i would say just be aware but dont be put off by the stories, every town in every country you can get mugged or pick pocketed or worse, enjoy and definately do the camp nou tour its well worth it!
 
I was walking along Las Ramblas with a friend a few years back when a couple of local lads came up to us and started acting very friendly (arms around shoulders, asking where we were from, very chummy). After a few seconds, I looked down to see one of them attempting to pull my compact camera out of my front trouser pocket without me noticing!

Just be sensible, vigilant and insured.
 
I've been a few times and only had two 'experiences', neither of which resulted in any theft.

The first was a woman distracting a man while her accomplice went for his wallet. He realised and they ran off.

The other time two lads tried following me, but I kept to the busy areas and they soon gave up.

I think, like most cities, if you keep your wits about you you'll be fine.
 
I've been three times over the last few years and never had any problems. :shrug: I never felt uncomfortable, and went walking all over the place, sometimes at night. I always have my camera gear in a rucksack, but there was so much to see I walked around with my camera in hand (with the strap wrapped around my hand).

Big cities attract the scum of society though, be that Barcelona, Rome or London. If you put in guides to any big city you get the same warnings. I think as has been said, be as careful as you would be in any big city. Obviously some stories are true as some people have attested to here, but has put into context of the number of tourists who visit.
 
Barcelona has a bad rep, I know several people that have been pick pocketed, and a couple that have been mugged. Just keep your wits about you.
 
my sister had her camera nicked there a few years ago, but she'd put it under her chair, which wasn't wise. I had no problems there 2 years ago, but we did see a youth peering into rucksacks as people gathered to watch a busker. In dodgy areas, i normally have one of those little climbers clip things attached to my camera bag, and clipped to my belt, in case the strap gets slashed.
 
I was there a few months back and didn't have any problem.
 
When I went my wife was mugged, her rucksac was stolen, pretty scary experience. On the flight back home quite a lot of people had similar experiences. We loved the city and will go back, we will be better prepared, for example I will get a camera strap with steel cables in it. I will also wear a money belt.
 
Been once and never again. Very threatening atmosphere around ramblas. I don't see why i should spend a load of money going on hols in order to feel like Im some sort of prey. I have been all over the world with all sorts of camera kit with no probs using sensible precautions but Barcelona is another experience id rather not repeat.
 
Do you lot go round with a sign saying "MUG ME" ?

I just can't believe it's as bad as it sounds on here.....

Steve
 
You can be sceptical all you want Steve. First attempted car Jack was at the rear doors whilst waiting for the light to turn green. Thank God for auto locking doors especially considering I had a two year old in the back.

Second time I was more vigilant and we spotted them approaching the vehicle with what looked like a gun in their hand. I didn't wait until they touched the car and went through a red light.

Maybe it was just a dream and we are making it all up. ;-)
 
Looks like everyone has differemt views on Barca...

Maybe some of are very lucky :) and others very unlucky! :(
 
Blimey, I had never heard any stories like this when I went with my brother a few years back. I never felt intimidated or had any trouble. In fact, it was one of the best weekenders away I have had, its such a wonderful and beautiful city!
 
I've heard from a few people who go regularly to barca that las ramblas can be unsavoury at night.

but they go back cause its such a brill place otherwise. just be canny and not guillible
 
Hey despite my personal experiences I still think it is a wonderful and beautiful city. Just have to be more aware than in other places I've been. Still go back there.
 
I would be VERY careful around Barca. Went there (albeit around some of the more dodgy areas and side streets) and was accosted by several prostitutes - one of which tried to pull my wallet out of my pocket while the other one distracted me in other ways! Luckily I was sober enough to know what they were doing.
Another night I had to fight my way out of a situation with 3 guys who were trying to sell me "Charlie" and circled me in a dark alley way just off La Ramblas.
Another night we got talking to a load of girls in a bar, one of which had a black eye and her face was really bruised. She was beaten with a tree branch by 4 men who stole her compact camera, nothing else!
Another night while watching some street performers the guy I was travelling with felt someones hand in his pocket - on his iPhone - luckily he felt him and gave him a sharp elbow jab to the face which was enough to scare him off...

Bottom line for me would be I would never take my SLR anywhere near Barca - massive shame as its such as nice city :(

Its too easy to say avoid the dodgy areas - but when you're there you'll realise just how interwined the streets are and it soon becomes very dodgy anywhere you go!

Fantastic place, just proceed with caution!
 
futureal33 said:
I would be VERY careful around Barca. Went there (albeit around some of the more dodgy areas and side streets) and was accosted by several prostitutes - one of which tried to pull my wallet out of my pocket while the other one distracted me in other ways! Luckily I was sober enough to know what they were doing.
Another night I had to fight my way out of a situation with 3 guys who were trying to sell me "Charlie" and circled me in a dark alley way just off La Ramblas.
Another night we got talking to a load of girls in a bar, one of which had a black eye and her face was really bruised. She was beaten with a tree branch by 4 men who stole her compact camera, nothing else!
Another night while watching some street performers the guy I was travelling with felt someones hand in his pocket - on his iPhone - luckily he felt him and gave him a sharp elbow jab to the face which was enough to scare him off...

Bottom line for me would be I would never take my SLR anywhere near Barca - massive shame as its such as nice city :(

Its too easy to say avoid the dodgy areas - but when you're there you'll realise just how interwined the streets are and it soon becomes very dodgy anywhere you go!

Fantastic place, just proceed with caution!
Click to expand...

:gag::shake::gag:
 
Barcelona is no more or no less 'safe' than any other city. Just take whatever precautions you would take while out and about in your own city when you are there. Would you leave your bag on the back of your seat while in a cafe over here? Would you walk round the streets with hundreds of pounds in your wallet? Would you have an open backpack on your back?

You can be accosted by prostitutes, pickpocketed, brutally murdered, attacked by rabid dogs or be fleeced by street traders in any city in the world. Just go on holiday, keep your hand on your ha'penny and you will be more than alright.
 
Haven't been myself but i have a few ideas.

When you're carying your gear around, use a backpack type camera bag.
( one that goes over both shoulders ) and that has a clip strap at the front.

For the zips, get yourself some small padlocks from your local DIY store and lock the zips.

Camera - over neck with strap, perhaps have 1 hand on it if you feel it's a dodgy area.

Really you should be ok, but there's a few ideas if your really concerned.
 
inlineadam said:
Haven't been myself but i have a few ideas.

When you're carying your gear around, use a backpack type camera bag.
( one that goes over both shoulders ) and that has a clip strap at the front.

For the zips, get yourself some small padlocks from your local DIY store and lock the zips.

Camera - over neck with strap, perhaps have 1 hand on it if you feel it's a dodgy area.

Really you should be ok, but there's a few ideas if your really concerned.
Click to expand...

For a more secure backpack, try one with it's main opening facing your back like a Lowepro Flipside.

Padlocks on zips are useless.

Camera strap wise, something like a Sun Sniper Steel strap will not only prevent someone cutting your strap and whisking away your camera, but will also rest your camera by your hip so it's a little less obvious. Plus, you can hide it better under a coat and the strap itself is a little more inconspicuous without any giant Nikon or Canon branding on it.
 
Depends what you mean by safe really. It may be as safe as many other cities for you personally, but your gear isn't. Just get insured, be sensible, and don't worry about it.
 
I was in Barca last April and found it was a beautiful city, I openly carried my DSLR camera and had no problems with pickpockets.
But I must admit that late at night, some of the side streets off La Ramblas seemed less safe.

I carried all my personal belongings in a little backpack. If you can easily get to your wallet or phone, so can a pickpocket!

A couple of weeks ago in London I stopped a pickpocket, he was going through a young tourists bag, whilst she was waiting in a bus queue.
She found it hard to believe that an old bloke in his 50's could be a pickpocket!

Pickpockets are everywhere and are not always "young huddies"
 
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