Advice on travelling to Barcelona

[James_33]

I'm travelling to Barcelona next week with my 2 young daughters and wondering if anyone can give me any advice on the do's and don'ts whilst there, little anxious if i am honest as i very rarely travel in the UK let alone abroad and what with two young girls in tow who are overly excited at their first trip abroad which they should be I've also read a few stories on pickpockets and how even the most observant of people have been had for their possessions without them even knowing.

Is travelling on the Metro safe or better catching Ubers? My daughters think I'm being a little OTT but I don't think you can be too safe in today's world, so any advice would be much appreciated 👍

[vikingaero]

How young are your daughters? Barcelona isn't that big and very walkable without using the Metro. But I can understand with young tired legs.

It's really the usual sensible things. Wife should have over shoulder handbag with zip/opening tucked inwards, spread cards and cash between you. If you have a rucksack, make sure valuables are in hard to reach pockets.

There can be problems on Las Ramblas late at night - years ago there were a group of 12 of us. Woman in walking in front gets handbag snatch. We give chase, until the 3 miscreants pull a knife on us and we back down. Not worth it for a handbag.

[Zaichik]

like any other big city just take care and be aware of your surroundings. Barcelona is great and there is lots to see and do (even though Valencia is nicer).

Be aware that some attractions that are well worth visiting with children (like Park Güell) need booking in advance to avoid disappointment.

Metro is good, but the city is also quite walkable , though some distances are quite significant and can be hilly (getting from Las Ramblas to Park Güell or Sagrada Familia is a long walk up hill so better on the metro).

[toon10]

Las Ramblas is a nightmare for bag snatchers, pick pockets and scammers. I didn't use the subway so can't comment but I'd definitely be wary.

[James_33]

One of them is 13 the other is 12, the Mrs isn't going with us as it's not really her thing and isn't keen on the idea of flying so was given the go ahead for me to take them on my own as it's really a promise kept to them as the pair of them are big FC Barcelona fans, I've heard a few tales about Las ramblas and how it's a pickpockets paradise for unsuspecting tourists to be parted with their possessions, I think a lot of my worry is down to me personally as i suffer with anxiety so doing something like this in a place I've never been before is a big thing for me, so just wanted a bit of a heads up on what to do and not do whilst visiting, even if it is only for 4 days.

[chip*]

If you value your wallet, back off pronto if a seemingly friendly local grabs you for an impromptu dance on the street.

Despite our warning, a mate who enjoy his drinks (I would class him as an alcoholic!) found out the hard way, but I suspect they target those in a drunken state.

[dundarach]

Go and enjoy, took my dopey 12 year old son and smart arse 14 year daughter (and Mrs Dundarach) last summer, stopped on Las Ramblas, absolutely no issues what so ever.

Went out for food every evening, drank and was merry, saw the sights, wandered from there to the Familia Sangrada (sorry can't be bothered checking spellings, you know what I mean) and all was fine!

However:

We all had a chat about safety

We didn't wave phones and cameras around

We kept bags safely near us at all times

We stuck together

We kept our eyes and ears open

We were not stupid thick tourists we all see around us


Go and enjoy, wonderful place, friendly, warm and inviting, crack on!

Lastly get to the real ale places, they're lovely, suitable photos below!!!

Edited by dundarach on Tuesday 28th January 13:49

[hellorent]

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[isaldiri]

There are some areas around las ramblas, mainly around the southern ish areas you probably prefer not to turn into if late at night but tbh, I've always found it fine as long as one is being sensible. Just make sure you don't seem completely clueless and keep your phone/wallet in a safe place - but that kind of applies in any major city as well. North of placa catalunya is pretty civilised as well.

The metro is ime definitely fine to be using rather useful to get around- get a t casual for easy travel around the city as well. Lots of great places to eat as well - do enjoy!

Edited by isaldiri on Tuesday 28th January 19:50

[GCH]

Keep your wits about you - normal big city rules plus a little extra. The scum there are experts at picking, always work in groups and will have your wallet/phone/bag contents gone before you even realise.

Personal space is the number one rule. If anyone gets in it, make it immediately known for them to f*** off. Loudly.
Stuff in zipped pockets, hold bags in front of you zipped closed. Phone not on the table or held out in the street. Jacket not on back of chair, especially with valuables in the pockets.
The metro can be a rats nets of scum looking for tourists, and watch out for the all too common escalator trick. In the street look out for the footballer scam too (used to be Beckham...no idea who it is now?)
It is a very walkable city, just be especially careful in the barri gotic / el raval in the immediate vicinity of la rambla at night where stuff can get shady, fast.

Amazing city, although Madrid is nicer. Just stay aware and you will be cool and the gang.

ps. Tapas24. Order a bikini. Repeat.

[Rich Boy Spanner]

I've been there about 9 times over the last 30 years, including with children. Had no trouble. as above, usual awareness of surroundings matters. Neighbourhoods can change fast too, and for instance some in-between the beach and Sagrada Familia are a bit iffy. Bring comfy shoes, as you will walk miles, and miles. The metro is fast and worth using. The cable cars at the marina are great fun but buy the return ticket as it's a long walk back.

[Macneil]

The street layout makes navigation easy, so great for walking. We paid a visit to the Olympic Park by bus and walked back through the park.
I think with your girls you're going to avoiding the trouble spots by default, I don't imagine that you'll be wandering the alleys of the old town after midnight.

Will they fancy the Camp Nou tour, or even a match?

[dontlookdown]

dundarach said:

Go and enjoy, took my dopey 12 year old son and smart arse 14 year daughter (and Mrs Dundarach) last summer, stopped on Las Ramblas, absolutely no issues what so ever.

Went out for food every evening, drank and was merry, saw the sights, wandered from there to the Familia Sangrada (sorry can't be bothered checking spellings, you know what I mean) and all was fine!

However:

We all had a chat about safety

We didn't wave phones and cameras around

We kept bags safely near us at all times

We stuck together

We kept our eyes and ears open

We were not stupid thick tourists we all see around us


Go and enjoy, wonderful place, friendly, warm and inviting, crack on!

Lastly get to the real ale places, they're lovely, suitable photos below!!!

Edited by dundarach on Tuesday 28th January 13:49

This. Have the "safety briefing" with your kids, and go and enjoy yourselves.

[raceboy]

Can only echo the already quoted advice about just be as careful as you would be in any big city, but it's a great place and had no problems in the 3 times we've been.
I would recommend the hop-on-hop off bus tour as some of the sights are a little far apart and this is a good value safe way of hitting all the main attractions in a day, it even goes to the Camp Nou Stadium.
https://www.hoponhopoffbarcelona.org/