Crime in Barcelona?

Does she carry a cross-body handbag with a wide strap? If so, she can easily position it securely on her hip. No pickpocket worries. If she's worried about YOU being pickpocketed, you can simply carry a front-pocket wallet.

Take her to the Tumi store in Stockholm, buy a crossbody bag and a money clip/wallet/phone case w/card slots, or whatever makes you feel secure. It will be cheaper than a ticket back to the US.

Thanks man. She already owns a cross body bag, but we'll check out the Tumi store anyway.

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did you have any unfortunate experiences with the criminal element

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I was there when the guys ran people over on La Rambla, soooo...

My hotel had a letter in the room warning of pickpockets. Restaurant workers would personally tell patrons with purses hanging over chairs not to do that. I saw one guy eyeing a carelessly positioned backpack until he saw me eyeing him, and he left.

Unemployment is high and I've read the police don't pursue thefts under a certain threshold. Hospitality workers are all very open about it being a problem. But, don't be an idiot and you won't get pickpocketed.

The other thing I will mention is that there are (at least 2 years ago) residents who are very anti tourism, so seeing signs and grafitti telling you to go home are pretty common. But we weren't accosted or anything.

Honestly I was a little worried about this as well but had no problems (my wife did get her bag almost taken in Seville though).

Just wear her purse across her, keep your wallet in your front pocket, coat pocket, or in a travel bag, and don't be an idiot.

Most pickpocketing happens on Las Ramblas, which we spent almost no time on because it pretty much sucks. You'll be fine.

Its a great, beautiful, wonderful city.

We just got back 2 weeks ago. No problems at all. the people are very nice and love tourism. The do have pickpocket issue but like others said wallet in front pocket and cross body purse. the pick pocket thieves hang around the public squares by the churches. The normal tourist areas.

If you have never been you need to go.

Thank you everyone for these awesome replies. Mrs. Lordguill feels much better.

I personally never had any issues there. La Rambla is notorious for that however. I think you just have to use common sense like you would in any big city. Barcelona is amazing and you guys will have a great time.

We spent a week in Barcelona in 2016. We stayed in the El Born section of Old Town and were walking the streets every night, often in to the early morning hours. Not once did we see a crime problem. I can't wait to go back.

We'll give that a try. I've definitely wanted to check out Park Guell.

Most of the tourist crime is not at night, its mid day when its busy, people are everywhere, tourists are tired, and people can be caught not paying attention to small theft.

There's a huge difference between being robbed in a confrontation and someone snagging your purse off your chair or phone off the table, most crime a tourist will see is the latter.

ETA: Board is slow btw, dissappointed its taken that many posts and no one has said "don't worry its safer then NOLA".