Robbed? Tips for Safe Travel in Barcelona

I love this city, but the crime is a bit annoying. Barcelona’s crime is not the hard-core sort with guns and knives usually, but petty theft that is present in most areas of the city. Recently I was on vacation in my home town in the USA, and went to a bar with friends. As I clutched my purse tightly to my lap, I looked around and noticed that women in the bar had their bags over the back of the chair or even on the booths beside them…it was then that I realized what I had become: paranoid. I am paranoid for a good reason. This summer I’ve been counting the thefts I see on the metro, and have averaged it to about 1 a week. The worst places to get hit pickpockets are in tourist spots like the metro between Uquinaona and Barceloneta and any place around Plaza Cataluña or on the Rambla. If you do get jacked, then you will need to go to the police station, where there will most likely not be a translator, so bring a lot of patience and your Spanish phrase book. Robbed and Waiting and the Police Station Here are a few tips on how not to get

worked over and robbed in my adopted city: Ladies: bags in the front and it’s best to use a bag that has both a zipper and a flap. Gents: wallets in the front pocket. Leave your passport at the hotel /home. Carry a photocopy. Don’t leave your cell phone on the table at a bar or cafe. Bring nothing you see as valuable to the beach. Don’t walk around with a Nikon swinging from your neck. When possible, pay with cash. Pay attention. Be wary of people asking you to lite their cigarette on the beach and keep an eye on who gets in the elevator with you on the metro. Be a ninja. Being aware of the fact that petty theft is huge in Barcelona should be enough to keep you alert and problem-free. Post from: The Barcelona Guide

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Robbed? Tips for Safe Travel in Barcelona

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