An Unfair Reputation? How to Combat Barcelona’s Pick-Pocketers

BARCELONA- located in the North East of Spain set upon the Mediterranean coastline, a favourite with many but with a bad reputation for pick-pocketing. In fact, Barcelona has been unflatteringly dubbed as ‘The pick-pocketing capital of the world’ which for a truly stunning European city, and its locals is a massive shame. 

It is an unfortunate fact that many visitors to Barcelona are the target of petty crime. Even the most cautious of travellers can fall victim to this-and who can blame them? In a city with incredible architecture, beaches and sights galore, it is easy to take your eye off the ball whilst downing your second or third pint of San Miguel, not to mention demolishing the culinary delights at a traditional Spanish tapas bar. Here are some simple tips to make yourself less of a target and ensure you only return from your trip to Barcelona with incredible memories and your super expensive camera still intact; 

Invest In A Bum Bag/Fanny Pack

Once upon a time, a bum bag was something you would see only your responsible parents making good use of on family vacations. BUT NOT ANYMORE. Thanks to Coachella, Glastonbury and all other festivals across the globe bum bags are now officially a cool accessory. In a city where petty theft crimes are rife-they are your best friend. Top tip, hook the straps of the bag through belt hooks on trousers, this will make it impossible for potential pick-pockets to cut the straps off the bag. 

Another excellent choice of bag is simple across the body pouch bags. Top tip here is to wear these underneath your t-shirt/jacket, making it virtually impossible for the straps to be cut. The great thing about this style of bag is that they usually come with several zip-up pouch compartments, making you and your worldly possessions pretty much secure. 

It is important to remember that pick-pocketing is described as ‘petty crime’ because it is just that. 99% of would-be pick-pocketers mean no physical harm to you and their crime is purely a game of chance. They don’t want to interact with you and they certainly don’t want to be caught in the act. Keeping your valuables close to your body  and as difficult to access as possible is an instant turn off for this type of crime. Use it to your advantage, and treat yourself to some fab new holiday accessories. 

Situational Awareness

Barcelona is without a shadow of a doubt one of the most cosmopolitan cities on the planet. It attracts an elite clientele from art collectors to influencers. Barcelona is a stylish city, to say the least. 

Of course, pick-pocketers are unlikely to rip the Gucci shirt off your back or the Balenciaga’s from your feet. However, that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily a great idea to flaunt your most expensive wardrobe items in this city. Expensive watches/bangles are a no unfortunately, trust me, there’s a million ways to get them from your wrist without you noticing. If your casual day wear consists of high end brands with a hefty price tag, it’s not unreasonable to presume you’ve probably got something desirable to pick-pocket in your bag, right? It’s a small tip, doesn’t require an investment and allows your property to remain yours!

Barcelona is a completely unique city in the sense there is literally something for everyone. Intertwining a metropolis with several stunning beaches is not something a lot of European getaways can boast, but Barcelona pretty much has it all. This city provides many an enviable photo opportunity. Which leads me to my next point; situational awareness. 

Fancy title for a small act, but it really is worth bearing in mind. There are plenty of wrist straps for phones/cameras on the market. However, these are costly and quite frankly annoying for the user. Barcelona has many awe-inspiring buildings and of course, you will want to get the best snaps-and you’re not alone! Millions of tourist gather to take in Antoni Gaudi’s masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia. A truly stunning building which for me, was a highlight of my own trip to this city. At over 100 years old and construction nearing completion La Sagrada Familia is a true accolade to Gaudi’s artistic vision and creative talent. 

The bad news, however, is this world heritage site is a haven for pick-pocketers. It is so easy to become engrossed with this basilica. As crowds gather at its entrances this is the perfect time for pick-pocketers to strike without being noticed. Situational awareness is crucial here. Take your photo, hold your camera tightly and once done put your phone/camera back into your bag. Simple! Trust me, there is no angle you can position yourself in that can ever make La Sagrada Familia look better on your photo than in real life. Take your photo, put your technology back in a secure bag and spend some time moving around the site. Save the social media sharing and Instagram filters for once you are back at your hotel-Gaudi would probably thank you for laying off the filters with this piece anyway!

Pre-Loaded Currency Cards Are Great-but Don’t Rely Solely On Them Abroad

There are a whole host of pre-paid currency cards that will prevent you from having to carry wads of euros round with you. A personal recommendation is the Travelex Money Card. Load the card up with your spending money and away you go. They can be contactless, secure and some providers will issue two cards in case one becomes lost or stolen. They also allow for ATM withdrawals and there is 24hour assistance available with Travelex should you need it. These are a fantastic way to spend money abroad and stops the awkward counting out of notes and coins you may not be familiar with when paying for dinner. Again, making you less of a target for pick-pocketers. 

Whilst these cards are widely accepted at a whole host of shops, restaurants and tourist attractions in Barcelona, they may not be accepted in all places. Always take a modest amount of cash to cover essentials whilst you are out and about and keep this cash safe in your brand new anti-pick-pocketing bag which I’m presuming is on order by now!

Finally, it is important to remember that petty crime happens in every city in the world. It is a huge shame for Barcelona and its locals that the acts of a minority have left a bad taste of this city in many a travellers mouth. These simple tips will ensure your next Barcelona getaway is a good one. Be friendly and respectful to the locals and hotel staff, they really value your custom and undoubtedly would want to help you if you were to find yourself in any trouble. Most importantly relax and enjoy yourself! Barcelona has an incredible charm that will no doubt have you wanting to visit over and over again.

Catherine Dease

During my last visit to Barcelona, I stayed at the Grupotel Gran Via 678, which is a modern 4* hotel located in Barcelona City Centre, approximately a 10-minute walk away from Plaza Catalunya. Plaza Catalunya is a tourist hot spot where you will find many official Barcelona tourism companies providing easy access to all of Barcelona’s major attractions. My tip is to go for the Superior Double Room with a terrace, the hotel boasts a communal pool with outdoor sun terrace, Wifi throughout the property and an onsite restaurant. In comparison with other 4* rated hotels in the same area, I found this to be the best value for money. You can check out their latest room deals by clicking here.