Barcelona

[fazer]

Does anyone have experience of taking a DSLR kit into Barcelona? One of the websites gives information about the cons and scams prevelant in tourist areas like Las Ramblas and Sagrada Familia, but probably no worse than London. There is further advice on pickpockets and bag-snatchers with cameras and camera bags on the list of losses.

Is Barcelona worse than any other capitol city, or do you just take extra care of your personal security as you would in any other tourist infested area?

 

[flossie]

Just be sensible and cautious about who you interact with. It also depends how much of an obvious target you make yourself - the older and more of an obvious foreign tourist you look, the more of a target you become.

Its probably a bit more prone to it than most cities, but not so much that you shouldn't take anything with you...

 

[Craikeybaby]

I didn't have any trouble when I was there last week, but then I wasn't carrying loads of gear around, just body and a fast prime.

If you want to blend in with the locals, go dressed for mid winter

 

[denz1968]

I have been twice and never had a problem. Just keep everything close to hand as you would in any large city. I used by backpack camera bag and no worries.

 

[akr]

Though we managed to get the stuff back, my wife got pickpocketed on the train in Barcelona, which was heaving and we were holding on and had our bags, which made us an easy target. 3 guys walking past through, one of them opened her bag, took cc, cash, phone etc, she didn't realise, but thankfully a fellow passenger told us he thought it had happened before they got off the train, after which ensued a lively conversation with said men! We have family near there, and we're going again in July so it has certainly not put us off.

Overall though, I find it pretty safe, and I'd say safer than walking around London. You're certainly less likely to be confronted with a group of neanderthals trying to mug you or otherwise!

As above really keep your wits about you as you would in London and you should be fine - and enjoy it, a great city with great people, and not a bad football team at the moment!

 

[fazer]

Thankyou for all your replies and putti ng my mind at rest. I do not intend taking loads of kit, just camera, couple of lenses and flash. If its no worse than London then I can handle that.

Lewis - your comment about dress was the same as I read on the site, basically to wear anything but shorts and flip flops.

Denz1968 - thanks for reasurrance on taking a back pack but as you have Nikon perhaps that would be a put off anyway, lol

Al - could'nt agree more about their football team, just sorry I wont be there for the Spanish F1