Trip to Barcelona - Advice please

Doshwaster

mcduff16 wrote: »

Every person that I know that has been to Barcelona (all at different times of the year and different age groups) has either been mugged or pickpocketed so really be careful where you put your wallet etc.

I haven't but I've had quite a few close shaves. The main problem is around Las Ramblas at night. If you are male, the prostitutes and pickpockets work together - while a "lady of the night" approaches you from the front, one of her accomplices will go for your pockets and bags while you are trying to get rid of her. I was once chased down the street by two guys and only escaped by running into a bar behind the safety of a bouncer. The police don't seem to care.

Whatever you do, if you are picked pocketed don't run after them into one of the numerous sidestreets off Las Ramblas. They know the lay of the land much better than you.

Leave everything in the hotel apart from the cash you plan on spending that day plus, perhaps, a credit/debit card for emergencies which should be hidden on your person.

northerngeezer

mcduff16 wrote: »

Every person that I know that has been to Barcelona (all at different times of the year and different age groups) has either been mugged or pickpocketed so really be careful where you put your wallet etc.

That's reassuring (LOL)

Our first choice was Rome but then a cousin of ours went and got pickpocketed, and reading further about Rome mentioned loads of incidents so we decided on Barcelona.

phatbear

I've never had any problems this could down to my physical presence, however ive seen teams at work on the subway and felt obliged to draw the potential victims attention to the situ, its like all things you just have to be aware of your surroundings and belongings.

Personally, for petty crime, i found rome far worse than barcelona

getmore4less

Although not central it is a 10 min walk from a train 15min to center and there is a bus.


The travelodge can be as low as €10 per room some cheap dates in Aug.

Another option again not central are the holiday inn check this thread(checked 16-18 2n Aug €55pn sleeps 2)

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1535105

If into el prat then look at the train to franco station and this hotel(or others in the area)

http://www.hoteldelmarbarcelona.com/?lang=en

We stayed there after a cruise and got a good(€50) rate, not a bad location 10-15min through gothic to la rambla.


A favourate of the cruise people is right on la rambla near plas de cataluna the continental.
http://www.hotelcontinental.com/web/

includes drinks and snacks


again try appartments not dne this but others have said this is best for a alongr stay and more people

costas1234

northerngeezer wrote: »

Hi,

I'm thinking of taking my family (6 members in total) to Barcelona in mid August for around 7 days.

Flying from Leeds/Bradford via RyanAir hopefully.

Is Escape Prepaid card best to pay for flights ?
Any good cheap central hotel recommendations ?
Is 7 days too much/too less ?

I would appreciate any advice/comments

Thanks

The H10 Itaca hotel in Barcelona is fab and was not too expensive when I visited recently. The pre paid card I have is the Eagle Freedom cashcard though I don't use these too often. Not sure about the time frame, I visited and saw a lot of this excellent city in a few days and really enjoyed my visit.

northerngeezer

Hi,

Just me again...

Any good apartment or apartment website recommendations

Thanks again

SallySunshine

follow on from other thread.

Some of the cheaper hostels are dumps, very thin walls and as they are cheap probable lots of late night revellers etc. Some areas to stay are definitely better than other.

look at OwnersDirect.com.

Refine your search by numbers in your party etc., they really do have some spectacular apartments. Think I am going for an older building, hopefully thicker walls etc.

Don't forget some have additional cleaning charges though.

By the way my neighbour had her handbag slashed and stolen as they were coming out of their hotel on a Sunday morning, 2 guys, he actually gave chase to one but the other ran up and pushed him over, the queue at the police station, reporting these incidents was around the block!

SallySunshine

Sorry, that should have been Owners Direct.co.uk.

Here is a link to it, for what you need.


http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/search_results.asp?specific_location_vchar=barcelona&class=advanced&arrival_offset_int=-1&action.x=29&action.y=11