Barcelona Pickpockets: How to Stay Safe in Barcelona
In the last year, I’ve had a lot more people ask me if it is safe to travel to Barcelona. Since the terrorist attack in Barcelona in 2017, and the elections and protests regarding the independence of Catalonia, more people are certainly concerned about coming to Barcelona and are worried if Barcelona is safe to visit. To reassure tourists and visitors to Barcelona here’s why Barcelona is safe, and a few tips to avoid the notorious Barcelona pickpockets and not get robbed in Barcelona.
Safety in Barcelona
Violent crime in Barcelona is virtually non-existent.
The first thing I have to emphasize is that violent crime in Barcelona is very rare. I am surprised how often people ask me if I feel safe in Barcelona, as they have heard it’s a dangerous place! Gun crime just doesn’t happen here, and I feel much safer in Barcelona than I would do in many cities in the United States. Pickpockets in Barcelona are, on the other hand, annoyingly common. It is very rare that belongings are taken by force or with any threat of force, but no one can deny that pickpocketing is a problem in Barcelona.
Barcelona pickpockets are common all over the city, but especially in busy tourist areas like Las Ramblas and the metro. It appears to be a full-time job for some people, as they make a lot of money from unsuspecting tourists like us. However, even locals complain about getting robbed in Barcelona, it can happen so quickly you really have to be on your guard.
I lived here quite happily for a year without any trouble at all. Then my purse got stolen twice in the space of two weeks. Bugger, and bugger. And just over a year later it got stolen again. Bugger yet again.
I suppose at least they just took my purse, not my whole handbag, or phone and keys, but I was so annoyed! And felt stupid for ‘letting’ it happen. So these are my suggestions to help avoid these irritating occurrences, although they are by no means guaranteed to protect you, they will hopefully help to reduce the risk of falling foul of pickpockets in Barcelona. This video highlights some of the key places where the pickpockets work, and one woman’s crusade against them.
Tips to Beat Barcelona Pickpockets:
1. Be vigilant of your belongings at all times, especially in busy, tourist-heavy areas like the metro, La Rambla, the beach, bars and restaurants. Never leave your valuables unattended, even for a moment – and seemingly worthless belongings are at risk too; a friend of mine had his clothes stolen while kite-surfing in Barcelona! I try to wear a bag with a strap across my body to avoid bag snatching, although it isn’t common here it can happen. And I make sure the zip is facing forward to stop people sneaking their hand in behind you, and keep my hand on the bag as much as I can remember.
2. Keep your bag on your lap or in contact with your body whenever you are sitting down, on the beach, in a restaurant or bar, everywhere. Crafty thieves have been known to sneak under tables to whisk out handbags, and I once had a close call on the beach when a thief crawled on his belly across the sand to try and grab my bag from right next to me – luckily we spotted him just in time, but it was close!
3. Gents, do not put your wallet or phone in your back pocket. I would think this is bloomin’ obvious but I see it every day. You are begging to be robbed when you saunter down the street with a wallet poking out the back of your jeans and waving a proverbial flag saying ‘steal me!’ Front jeans pockets are better, but loose trouser pockets are also very easy for pickpockets to stick their hand in and pull out a phone or wallet. Consider a man-bag, or if you can leave it in the hotel safe, do it.
4. Ladies, bigger is better! you know how in your biggest handbag it’s always a pain to find your make-up, keys, or purse? Well, the pickpocket will find it pretty hard too – the more space and the more stuff you have in your bag (with the purse shoved in the middle), the harder it is to find quickly. Unfortunately, those little cute bags are all too easy to open & grab what’s inside.
You could try these hidden pocket items to foil the pickpockets in Barcelona:
5. Tourists, try not to be quite so obvious. It seems at least 50% of the population of Barcelona walk around with maps in their hands, looking quite lost. I get that it isn’t easy to find your way around, and I don’t want to put you off the good Samaritan who offers to help you – but do keep extra guard when anyone approaches you to help, or ask you a question; and they may not be alone, their partner in crime may be behind you waiting for the distraction and a chance to strike. If you need help with directions then ask at a café, or approach a friendly looking face and hope for the best. I would be very wary if someone offers to take you to the place, unless you are 100% sure they can be trusted, don’t go with them, just say thank you and be on your way – and perhaps ask someone else to confirm their directions.
6. Don’t get so drunk you can’t stand up. Unfortunately drunk, sleeping, or lost tourists are the easiest targets for pickpockets in Barcelona, so make sure you can handle your booze well enough to be aware of what’s going on. Try to keep your bearings, or stay in a group if you are very drunk so your friends can help you home or back to your hotel. If you find yourself lost and alone & need help go into a hotel and ask them to call you a taxi or ask for directions. Be careful not to fall asleep on the metro on your way home, as you become another very easy target.
7. Be especially vigilant on the metro. The metro is a favourite spot for pickpockets in Barcelona as there are lots of people, small spaces and they have time to plan their attack. ALWAYS keep your hand on your bag/pockets etc while on the metro. Be aware of any distraction at one end of the carriage, pickpockets often work in pairs or groups so are waiting for your attention to be focussed elsewhere.
8. Don’t flash the cash. Another obvious one, but pulling out a wad of 50s to pay for a €2 juice at the Boqueria Market isn’t the smartest move. Keep some loose change and small notes easy to hand and keep the wads either in the safe at the hotel, or well hidden around your person. Try and spread out your cash in different pockets/wallets so if one disappears it’s not the end of the world. You could even have a ‘decoy’ wallet with a small note in to keep in view to distract the thieves from the Real McCoy where the rest of your money is.
9. Look confident in what you’re doing. Pickpockets like an easy target, so anyone vigilant and with their wits about them is automatically a more challenging victim than a hapless idiot. Not that everyone who gets robbed is a hapless idiot. It does happen to even the best of us, so don’t feel bad about it!
10. Be prepared. Before you leave home, make a separate record of all your credit card numbers & the phone numbers to call and cancel them. Do the same for your phone in case that does get stolen – and call immediately to cancel it even before reporting it to the police! Keep a scanned copy of your travel documents – passport, visa, ID card, on email as well as a paper copy back at the hotel, so if they get stolen you can easily report it.
If you are one of the unlucky ones who does fall foul of the pickpockets in Barcelona, the next step is to act quickly. Report it as soon as you can – to the metro attendants if you’re underground, or the nearest policeman and they will tell you what to do. You will have to go to the police station to get a crime number to be able to claim on your insurance, which unfortunately takes valuable sight-seeing time out of your valuable day.
The most important thing to remember is to not let it ruin your holiday.
As long as you are safe, remember that possessions are just objects; phones can be replaced, money can be claimed on insurance, and the rest of Barcelona is still waiting for you to enjoy!
Where to Stay in Barcelona
Find a hotel in Barcelona on booking | hotelscombined | hostelworld
Looking for a hostel in Barcelona? I stayed at Fabrizzio’s Petit Hostel and loved it, read my full review of the best hostel in Barcelona. If Fabrizzio’s isn’t available then there are plenty of other hostels and budget hotels in Barcelona, I recommend using Hostelworld to check prices, read reviews and book your hostel online.
Or check the options on Airbnb. If you have never used Airbnb before, use this link to sign up & get $30 credit to use on your first trip!
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12 thoughts on “Barcelona Pickpockets: How to Stay Safe in Barcelona”
Great tips that should be applied everywhere when traveling. Thanks so much for posting this. It’s a good reminder.
As far as I know (hee), I never got pickpocketed in Barcelona — though I’d much rather be stealthily stolen from than attacked (probably most people would!).
I agree with most of these, and want to add that no matter the size of your handbag, it’s better to have one that properly zips instead of just kind of latches. Even better if there are multiple compartments with their own zips; my friend did this when we traveled to especially tourist-y places in Bali, and all she ever lost was her chewing up (that’s probably one disappointed pickpocket).
Gum. Chewing GUM. (Oops.)
My camera got stolen in 2000, on Mont Juic…it vanished in thin air, can´t believe how good some of those pickpockets are. Then again, only happened to me once in my 15 trips to Barcelona the last 20 years.
I´ve seen things “happen” on Las Ramblas, Barceloneta and the metro, though…Too many to write about here.
Ah it is impressive and very annoying how slick they can be, it just takes a moment of distraction or a lapse in concentration and you’re done for! its almost a rite of passage now to be a victim of pickpockets at least once before you truly know Barcelona but I wish it wasn’t like that! Thanks for sharing your experience Joachim!
I have lived in BCN since 1969, never been pick pocketed…
That’s impressive Sue! Do you have any tips to share? Touch wood, long may it continue!! 🙂
great tips! and I love the last paragraph. I was sooooooooooo nervous in Barcelona that I nearly let that ruin my time there. I hope to be less nervous on my next trip to that lovely city.
Thanks Toby! Come back soon! 🙂
I love Barcelona and always felt safe in the city. But its true you need to be careful while walking through tourist areas. Grat tips!
Absolutely, I have never felt unsafe walking around by myself at any hour of the day or night. As long as you’re aware of your surroundings you are usually fine! 🙂