Barcelona safety

Safety issues for travelers to Barcelona

Although it’s not a seriously dangerous town, pickpockets and other thieves do work the night more brazenly here than in other comparable European cities.

That said, the street crime for which Barcelona once drew unwanted attention has diminished, due in part to an increased police presence and new lighting on dark streets in the Old Town.

Some wariness is still required, however, especially around the port area of El Raval after dark and whenever in transit, when your mind is focused on the sights and sounds, and simply finding your way.

Safe neighborhoods for hotels

Although the situation is rapidly improving, parts of the Ciutat Vella still have the slightly unsavory element acquired earlier in the 20th century.

When you’re looking for a room in Barcelona, I'd think twice about the old Barri Xinés (the southernmost part of El Raval, down by the port). It has improved dramatically in recent years, but a bit of dodginess still clings to this old sailors-in-port area.

Most of the Barri Gòtic is pretty safe now, as long as you’re watchful of pickpockets, and the northern half of El Raval—the part of the Ciutat Vella the west of La Rambla, up near the Plaça de Catalunya—is just fine (and packed with hotels).

I find the grid of the Eixample a bit boring, but it’s certainly a safe neighborhood in which to base yourself, and often you find rooms are cheaper there than in the Old City.

Some favorite tactics of Barcelona criminals

A favorite maneuver of criminals is to spit or spill a messy substance on you—while one member of the team offers to “help,” another relieves you of valuables. Men are more likely to suffer this; women are often the victims of purse snatchings.

Be especially alert in the older parts of town and around major sights.

Take the usual urban precautions: Use the hotel safe for any valuables and your passport, and keep only a day's spending cash in your wallet (keep the balance—along with credit cards, ID, and any other important documents—tucked safely away in your moneybelt).

Emergency numbers in Barcelona

In any emergency dial
112

Police: tel. 092

Emergency medical: tel. 061

Fire: tel. 080

Tips & Links

How long should I spend in Barcelona?

If you're just passing through, I'd give Barcelona at least two full days.

It is a lovely place to relax, however, so you might be happier spending 3-4 days.

» Barcelona itineraries

Useful links & resources

SIGHTS

Barcelona tourist info: Barcelonaturisme.com (info office), Guiadelocio.com (events mag); Catalunya.com (regional info), Spain.info

Sightseeing passes: Barcelona Card (20+ sights; transport; discounts), Museum Pass (6 sights)

Tours & activities: Viator.com, ContextTravel.com, UrbanAdventures.com, City-Discovery.com, Intrepidtravel.com, Gadventures.com

LODGING

Hotels: Booking.com, Venere.com, Priceline.com, Hotels.com

B&Bs: Booking.com, Bedandbreakfast.com, Airbnb.com, Venere.com

Apartments: Rentalo.com, Vrbo.com, Booking.com, Airbnb.com, Interhomeusa.com, Homeaway.com

Hostels & campgrounds: Hostelbookers.com, Hostelworld.com, Hostelz.com, Booking.com

TRANSPORT

Airfares:

Airports: Aena.es

Trains: Raileurope.com (throughout Europe), Renfe.com (within Spain), Bahn.de (throughout Europe), Seat61.com

Public transport: Barcelona Card (free transport; sightseeing); Search all public transit: mou-te.gencat.cat; Metro/Bus: Tmb.cat; Tram: Trambcn.com; Light rail: Fgc.cat; Taxi: Taxibarcelona.cat

Car rentals: Autoeurope.com, RentalCars.com, Momondo.com, Orbitz.com, Expedia.com, Travelocity.com, Kayak.com

Get a sightseeing / transport pass

Barcelona has two types of sightseeing/transport passes:

Barcelona Card:
- Free entry to 20 sights
- Free, unlimited rides on all public transport
- Discounts (usually 20%) at numerous other sights, activites, shops, and shows
- A guidebook
- Comes in 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-day versions
- » $45–$80
Barcelona Museum Pass:
- Free entry to seven museums (one entry each)
- » $40

There's a full description of both passes here, but in brief: The only museum covered fully by the Museum Pass that is not also covered by the Barcelona Card is the Museu Picasso (where you get only a 20% discount with the Barcelona Card).

You can also get discounts (usually 10% to 20%) on a wide range of sights, activites, and shows if you have a hop-on/hop-off bus ticket.

Barcelona tours