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Barcelona. Pick pockets in Las Ramblas

Barcelona is probably the Pick pocket capital of Europe. I am aware of numerous people who have suffered this fate here. So take out the minimum with you, gents do not put anything in your back pockets .do not leave anything like cameras phones on your table when dining outside. Keep a note of your credit card number and emergency phone number in case it is stolen. These pick pockets are extremely clever and are the masters of the slight of hand . I wore A body bag under my trousers 
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Comments

  • I love Trip Advisor's advices https://ir.tripadvisor.com/static-files/c9463e08-2ab8-4619-aeb4-3f876f7c54c2 of emptying out your wallet as the smaller the bulge the less interested the women pickpockets
  • I have a travel waistcoat with internal zipped pocket - ideal for wandering around known suspect locations.
  • la531983
    la531983 Posts: 2,553 Forumite
    1,000 Posts First Anniversary Name Dropper
    On my visit to Barcelona I thought Las Ramblas was all fur coat and no knickers, we found similar streets in the city that were much quieter and with better (and cheaper, probably) restaurants. 
  • I wear a small backpack which has a zipped pocket against my back. I use that for purse, mobile and keys etc. 

    The main front pockets for things with no or minimal value. 
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  • I've travelled all over the world and Las Ramblas is by for the worst I've seen for pickpockets and other street crime. I got chased by a couple of scallywags and only escaped by diving into a bar behind a bouncer.
  • photome
    photome Posts: 16,530 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Bake Off Boss!
    edited 22 September 2023 pm30 12:33PM

    LAs Ramblas is the only time I have ever been pickpocketed, luckily I caught the guy in the act and he did a runner
  • daveyjp
    daveyjp Posts: 13,159 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Saw a theft on Ramblas by a group of kids about 11-12, classic distraction, but the guy at the table was crazy leaving a €50 note on show to pay his bill.

    It isn't just Barcelona.  We were in Alicante this summer and every day the police were arresting pickpockets and searching the gaps in the breakwater rocks for hidden stolen goods,
  • My husband was targeted on the metro in Barcelona.  She was very clever with her coat over her arm but husband sussed her and moved quickly.  She wouldn't have got anything anyway as he usually wears Rohan (no affiliation) shirts with zipped breast pockets for his phone and I carry all the money and cards in my small cross-body bag.  
  • zagfles
    zagfles Posts: 21,256 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Chutzpah Haggler
    I'm surprised anyone gets pickpocketed on Las Ramblas given all the constant warnings you get from everyone in the tourist industry and travel advice sites etc about pickpockets there. First time we we there it was like a challenge to get to the end with all our stuff still with us :D 
    We did a walking tour which included a few metro rides where the guide had a code word she'd use if she spotted a known pickpocket!
    But we never had a problem there, even with late night travel, no particular precautions other than the usual of having wallet phone etc in tight front pocket, though I did have a firm grip on my phone when I was using it to navigate.
    From what I hear the pickpockets will tend to target those who look richer, eg wearing designer clothes, expensive watches etc.
  • zagfles
    zagfles Posts: 21,256 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Chutzpah Haggler
    la531983 said:
    On my visit to Barcelona I thought Las Ramblas was all fur coat and no knickers, we found similar streets in the city that were much quieter and with better (and cheaper, probably) restaurants. 
    Yes, same with any major tourist destination, the shops/restaurants in the tourist areas are generally overpriced and rubbish, try to find somewhere off the tourist trail where the locals go for good food. After all a restaurant aimed at tourists doesn't have to be good, they're only there for a few days so probably won't be coming back, but a restaurant aimed at locals has to be good otherwise they'll go out of business.

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