Flying into BCN in late May, 4 nights, staying in Eixample. It’s my first time in Spain and I feel like I’ve read 1000 blog posts but they all say the same touristy stuff. Looking for the real talk.
Specifically:
How bad are pickpockets actually? Do I need a money belt or is “don’t keep your phone in your back pocket on La Rambla” enough?
The whole “nothing opens until 9pm for dinner” thing, is that real or exaggerated? What do you do between 5 and 9?
Any neighborhood that looks fine on a map but is actually a pass at night?
Anything sneaky like “don’t walk up to Park Guell from the south, the stairs are brutal in July”?
Just trying to show up less clueless. Gracias in advance.
Rather than read thousands of blogs, I’d visit the tourist office.
Barcelona isn’t dangerous, but petty theft is a sport; and you’re playing away. The people who get hit are usually the ones who look distracted, tired, or overloaded.
So stay alert, look like you know where you’re going, and travel light.
Don’t leave valuables on the edge of a table, or a bag slung over the back of your chair. It’s too easy to get a tap on the shoulder, or have someone approach your table with something in their hand to cover up what ‘was’ yours.
As for eating out. Locals eat late, but it’s not rigid and tourists can get fed earlier.
