Pickpocketing

Barcelona is a place that brings a lot of tourists. And, as often happens in large cities, a vast pickpocketing network has also sprung up targeting tourists. The good news here is that the vast majority of pickpocketing incidents in Barcelona are nonviolent, and happen without the victim even knowing. But it can still be a major downer. And we want you to have an awesome experience in our new town.

So here are a few basic tips to help you hang on to your things, so that you can focus on having a great time here.

How To Help Prevent Pickpocketing:

• If you’re a back-pocket person, shift your wallet to a front pocket on your pants. That small step will go a long way.
• If you’re wearing a backpack or purse, carry it on the front of your body. Carry a cross-body shoulder bag/purse (versus a handbag that could be easily grabbed). Unwatched zippers are easy to get into.
• Don’t have your cell phone out when you’re walking; keep it in a zipped bag.
• If you are approached by multiple people trying to engage you and ask questions, it’s probably best to just keep on moving.
• If someone “accidentally” bumps into you on the street or on the metro, check to be sure that they haven’t grabbed anything.
• Tables are not safe spaces. It’s not uncommon for pickpockets to just grab jackets and phones that are laying out on tables, so just decide on a place where you can keep them tucked away and safe, even while you’re having a coffee or meal.

Places To Be Extra Careful:

• The Metro: Close quarters and people hanging on to handrails makes this an easy target for pickpockets.
• La Rambla: It’s the primary touristic artery of the city. While we don’t have many recommendations along La Rambla itself, it is a place for great people watching, as well as a population density enough to conceal some of Barcelona’s more skillful thieves.
• Generally, anywhere there are large crowds in touristy areas.

For More Barcelona Travel Recommendations…

Check out our Gimme Some Barcelona Travel Guide, which includes a constantly-updated list of our best recommendations on where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Barcelona. Plus, we’ve also shared a bunch of our best Barcelona-specific travel tips, so that you can navigate the city like a local.

Also, feel free to download our Gimme Some Barcelona Google Map, which includes all of the recommendations listed in our travel guide.