Barcelona is a beautiful city, with people and places that remain in your heart and memory long after you’ve departed. Barcelona is also a major metropolis and one of the most heavily touristed cities in Europe. As such, there are always some parasites and other unsavory elements that are attracted to the good living and crowds of people for their own immoral, and illegal personal gain. Of course, we are referring to theft. Luckily, violent crime is rare in Barcelona; so you don’t need to worry about being hurt;  but not so lucky is the fact that petty theft is commonplace- especially in the touristic areas of the city.

Us here at Come2BCN decided to write this short guide as a way to help you stay secure in your person and belongings while you’re in Barcelona. Hopefully this will make you more aware of the techniques thieves use and allow you to enjoy your time in the city without undue worry or paranoia. After all, nobody wants to spend their time in Barcelona dealing with credit card companies and cops!

The old city is a favorite hangout of petty thieves, especially at night

Rule # 1 – Stay in control

Just because you are on vacation and having a good time doesn’t mean you can let your guard down and be oblivious to the world around you. If you are blatantly out of it, falling down drunk, or otherwise unaware or unable to be aware of your surroundings your risk for being a target of theft increases dramatically. The easiest targets for the (sober) thieves are the beligerently drunk people that think Barcelona is some type of all-inclusive resort. By all means, drink as much as you want. Just don’t lose control. By simply paying attention and listening to your gut instinct, most problems can be avoided. 

Rule # 2 – Know where you are

The vast majority of robberies take place in and around Las Ramblas and the old city, at the beach, around Parc Guell, and in the areas immediate to La Sagrada Familia. On the Metro, 90% of robberies occur on the blue (L5) and green (L3) lines, especially in the stations Diagonal and Sants Estacó. Why? Simple. It’s where the visitors are. We’re not saying avoid these areas- they’re some of our favorite parts of the city! Rather, be aware that you are in areas frequented by thieves and adjust your level of caution accordingly. And be especially aware at night in these areas. In all other neighborhoods of the city you really don't have to worry as crime is disproportionately concentrated in the touristic zones and old city. 

Rule # 3 --  Know your enemy

On public transport: Thieves on the metro/trains usually look for people with backpacks or large handbags that they are not paying attention to. They generally work during rush hours, when the trains are packed. Their modus operando generally involves reaching into a backpack or bag slung  behind the shoulder and then leaving the train at the next stop. Avoid this by holding your bags in front of you while on the Metro. Also, please note that the turnstile area of Sants Estació metro station is a notorious hangout for thieves who rob people while they are buying or swiping their tickets. 

On the street: Be wary of anyone who approaches you in an overly animated and friendly manner. Normal people, if they want to talk to you, will maintain their distance and speak to you in a respectable, calm manner. Thieves like to act like “best pals” with their victims and put their arms around their targets as they walk and talk. The most common robbery technique involves a guy putting his arm around you and starting to dance. Next, he will hook his leg around yours and simultaneously reach in your pockets. At this point, it’s generally too late and your stuff is gone. If this begins to happen, get the person away from you by any means necessary, make a lot of noise and cause as large of a scene as you can. Draw attention to you and to him. Next, make sure you have all your stuff before you let him out of your sight. The scum that operates like this usually try and play their failed robbery off as an innocent mistake and fade into the shadows in shame.

Conclusions

Violent crime is not something to be worried about while in Barcelona, but being vigilant about your personal belongings is vital to having a safe and enjoyable holiday. By maintaining awareness about where you are and the people around, you the vast majority of undesirable situations can be avoided. Now that you’re savvy about the streets of Barcelona, get out there and experience everything this dynamic and impressive metropolis has to offer. 

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