Hey y’all, I’ve just booked a trip to Spain for next July! I’ve got a few days in Barcelona before touring around the Sout. When I told my girlfriends about this they warned me they had seen so many stories of pickpockets everywhere in Barcelona this year so now i’m worried. How concerned should I be? Anyone know how bad this is right now?
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I was there in 2024. It’s crowded compared to when I was there in 2000. Yes, I’m old. I practice vigilance wherever I am. I took Metro from airport to my hotel and had no issues. If you’re going to southern Spain, be more wary in Cordoba just outside the Mezquita. There was a lady who gave me a sprig of rosemary, had been in contact with my dead grandmother, and my grandmother wanted me to give her money. She had several ladies surround me too. Be more wary of things like that. My grandmother wouldn’t send messages that way. She’s more direct. 
I’ve known people who were pickpocketed when I was in same area and I always had a vice grip on my my purse. On my trip to Spain this past September—mainly along the Camino, I got cheap change purses from Amazon and kept credit cards separated and cash in a couple different places. No cash and cards together. I’d put them in zippered areas inside my purse or even my front pocket. I also had a cross body purse and kept it in front of me. That way someone would have to feel me up to get my money. I know that was drawn out, but I never felt unsafe.
Hi Tracy and others i went on an aprroximately 14 day guided tour with europamundo which was absolutely fantastic itinery and guides. was warned several times about pick pockets at many tourist locations eg las ramblas
I had a staff member back where i worked who was spanish and i got the full unadulterated politically unfiltered story .
advice was
- never have a back pack as you are a tourist standing out plus easiest to pick pocket
- most pickpockets are from overseas i was told by Maria watch out for illegal immigrants coming in illegally as they cant get spanish social security so have to steal .
both these simple statements were proven correct on this tour .in our spare time on fist day I had not bonded with anyone yet as i travel solo and yes a kenyan fellow approached me carrying my man bag middle of the day and tried to distract me by saying “ nice shoes “ so i looked down even though my friend maria said to be on high alert. i realised this quickly looked up and his hand was inches away from my man bag strap attempting to do a grab and run . when i looked he was within 2 feet of me and our eyes met his had was slowly raised from where it was attempting to grab my bag and he pressed his knuckles with a silver skull ring up to me like hit knuckles all is good etc mates etc . he was definitely going to grab my man bag . this was madrid .
on the whole tour it was me with that failed attempt and also a lovely older gentleman who yes wrongly wore a backpack . he always was with his wife and his brother and sister in law at all times he said yet he had his newly purchased shirt removed from his back pack with none of the elderly family seeing it .
NO BACKPACKS . stay in groups . do not accept anything offered by anyone eg plants branches jewellery etc dont communicate with the sellers of cheap tourist rubbish on nthe street and yes they work in african gangs usually from kenya . these i am not aware if are legal immigrants . if something seems cheap there is a reason . do not buy water in a queue for a tourist sight eg madrid palace . it is likely empty bottle refilled with tap or whatever and seal broken . buyer beware
I have been to spain twice a year apart. I never had any issues on subway as i worked it out second time its not as easy as you think with limited spanish .
I hope this has helped and in this day and age I sadly have to say I have no racist ideas or thoughts and I have indian and african friends so what I say is what happened to me .
I hope this is of some help but please do NOT put your trip off because of this . wonderful country and friendly people just incredible . take basic security precautions etc and you will be fine . please avoid walking alone as i did you are a serious target as i found out and narrowly avoided on my first day . I asked the tour guide why we werent warned about a certain illegal immigrants from africa being the most likely muggers/pickpockets and i was told we can’t say that these days but no disagreement from what i said
viva espana
nigel
tracy
as long as you know july will be really hot and i mean 40 degrees most places have linited air con .
i went twice in 2024 and 2025 in april perfect time not too hot or cold .
If you love the heat it will be fine otherwise it will be a cooker