Barcelona advice

slinga

Been acouple of times now.
Best city in Europe imo.
No problems with crime and didn't see anything which looked suspicious and no Eastern Europeans around La Ramblas either.

We stayed in apartments which were much cheaper than hotels and in our opinion nicer.
Don't miss Restaurant 336 and chat to the owner who is very nice.

So much to see and so many good restaurants to eat.

Poc

I haven't been abroad in decades and am now worried that my lack of 'savvy' could get me into difficulty. I am going to Barcelona in May and would really appreciate a list of what the safety precautions are that people usually take.

So far Ive read not to put my hanbag on the floor, so I guess that means I wear it.

Wear my handbag across my body ( that's fine I do that anyway)

Leave most of my money in the hotel safe and only take out a small amount of money

As there anything else that I've obviously missed out. Be kind:):):)

andycris3107

There are a couple of ways to get from the airport without spending a fortune on taxis - the airbus leaves from both terminals and drops off at major points around the city. I don't know the exact price but around €6-8 should be about right.

You can also get the train from terminal 2 which will take you into Barcelona Sants (main railway station) and from there you can get a metro pretty much anywhere. Connections are good city wide.

FYI if you are flying into Terminal 1 (the new terminal) you will have to get a shuttle bus to the station. Terminal 1 is served by British Airways, Iberia, and Vueling, all other airlines arrive into Terminal 2.

There is a FCB official ticket booth at the top of Las Ramblas which sells last minute tickets officially.

The two hotels I mentioned (H10 Plaza Catalunya & Le Meridien) are good options - but you will pay a premium for location.

phatbear

Poc wrote: »

. I am going to Barcelona in May and would really appreciate a list of what the safety precautions are that people usually take.

I tend to find a glock 19 is all the precaution I need.


Barcelona is not Kabul or Mogadishu so you really will be fine the precautions you need to take are the same precautions you should take anywhere in the world.


be aware of you personal space, if someone is too close to you then move
don't walk around with mobiles phones in your hand, this is a bug bare of mine in any town or city as it means you aren't looking where you are going
don't take too much money out with you
keep your belongings where you can see them at all time
use your in apartment safe if you have one to store stuff when you are not in the hotel
if something looks to good to be true that's because it is
a firm "no" is an international language that anyone will understand, also helps if you are 16 stone angry looking and have the previously mentioned glock
always pick up a business card for your hotel and keep it with you that way if you do get lost you can jump in any cab and you don't need to speak the lingo for them to understand where you are going.


most importantly enjoy Barcelona it truly is a magical city and after all my visits im still not bored with it and if lady luck ever smiles on me it will be the 1st place I buy a property


these handy hints are the same as London, Birmingham, new York, berlin, ho chi minh, warsaw, Moscow etc etc etc.

vivatifosi

I've been to Barca about 10 times, love it there. Never had a problem with pickpockets, though have seen them around Las Ramblas and Sagrada Familia. Thought I'd mention the supposedly pick pocket proof bags by Travelon. They are cross body style, and inside the fabric is a slash proof mesh, plus inside the strap is a metal cord.. again more difficult to cut through. The openings have little lockable caribiner clips on. I've used that for most visits to Barca, Rome etc and have been really pleased with it.

This one...
http://www.travelonbags.com/anti-theft/classic/anti-theft-cross-body-bag