How to avoid pickpockets in Barcelona

It has been already seven years since I left Barcelona for, first Belgium, and now the Netherlands. However, I did grew up in the city and so I was shaped to survive its environment. What is normal for me because of my upbringing, are extraordinary precautions for others. People think that there are now more pickpockets than 7, 10 or 20 years ago. That is not the truth, we just have now more tourists. And more social media. Because nowadays the information is much more available to everybody, it seems as the problems has gotten worse. In my honest opinion, it has not. For this reason, I think that all the precautions I learned to live with and all things that I have done all my life may help you with the following question: How to avoid pickpockets in Barcelona, or for the case, anywhere else.

Tiny disclosure first: Barcelona is a safe place to visit, do not hesitate to do so because of fear. There is almost no violent crimes (unless you get wasted and are very stupid), and while pickpocketing is common, it is easy to avoid it.

If you want to read about some things that you want to avoid (so that you are not the typical tourist) when you visit Barcelona see – 8 Things you should never do in Barcelona.

Common sense

Luckily, I am fortunate enough to be aware that in some areas of the globe, specially in the Northernmost countries in Europe, you can leave your purse open and no one will ever touch it. Unfortunately, Barcelona is not like that. As it are most cities in the Mediterranean. In all cases, you need to keep your eyes open and be aware of your surroundings. Don’t need to be paranoid or stress about visiting any specific area of the city, but understand that if you are easy prey, you WILL be targeted.

Concerns about your wallet

In summary, the easiest way to be targeted by pickpockets is to show off your goods.

Whether that is your wallet, your phone or your iPod, is really not the most important. So, if you are planning on visiting Barcelona and are interested on how to avoid pickpockets, the best you can do is avoid going to a shop and open a wallet with hundreds of euros inside. In my opinion, the best you can do is pay with card, but if you prefer cash, do not carry on you all your money. For example, I was recently for almost a month in a safari in Southern Africa. I had two wallets on me. One, well hidden with most of my money. A second one that I would use to pay in the small shops or vendors. Another option is also to keep most of your money in a hotel safe and only take with you cash for the day.

Because of this, even if you get pickpocketed, your loses will be minimal.

Although something obvious in my opinion, something else I consider of outermost importance is to never carry your wallet (men, this is for you), in your back pocket. In crowded areas, which are most popular tourist areas in Barcelona, it is very easy someone bumps into you, gets your wallet and then passes it to a colleague fast to avoid been found with the money on him.

The decoy option

When considering how to avoid pickpockets in Barcelona some people decide to take a “decoy” wallet. In this case, this is a wallet that they have in a very accessible and easy to steal place. For example, your back pocket. I do not really like this option because I think that while you may be cocky about that wallet you may stop paying attention to your surroundings and become an easy target to lose far more than your wallet.

How to keep your phone safe

There was a time, many years ago, when people would grab your phone and run with it. Fortunately, that no longer happens. To date, the easiest ways to lose your phone to pickpocketing are mostly two. First, someone bumps into you, and like for your wallet, they get your phone. Second, you leave it on a table somewhere while you eat/drink/whatever.

I was a few years ago having dinner with some colleagues at an Indian restaurant. A beggar came in with a small paper because she could “not” speak Spanish. She decided to leave some of the copies of it on the table. When none of us gave her money, she picked up her leaflets and left. With two of the phones that have been on the table. It is the most simple scam, the easiest to avoid, and one of the most common.

Backpacks and purses

Another very easy way to get in trouble in Barcelona are backpacks. In case you are in the metro, the bus or in a tram, please remove your backpack. First, because it is really annoying to have someone else’s backpack in your mouth. Second, because while you are in one of these places, it is very easy for someone to open your bag without you realizing it. If you are only wearing dirty clothes, whatever, but if you are carrying there a specific camera you bough for the trip, you may think twice.

Now, about purses. Fortunately, there is a gold tip on how to avoid pickpockets in Barcelona: always carry a purse with a zipper. And if on top of that you have another way of closing your bag, even better. I some times walk through the streets of the center and see people with an open bag taking a picture. If you want to take a picture with your phone, take it out. Then close your bag. Then take the picture. Otherwise your wallet may be gone next time you put your phone back in.

Finally, purses grow legs often when you are sitting at a bar or a table. In one hand, it is a crossed bag and it does not bother you, do not take it off. In the other hand, If you are more comfortable with it off, put it on the floor, between your legs, and get one leg over the handle. If you are sitting in very public places, some people use hooks to steal bags from under the table. If your bag is trapped by your leg, this will not happen.

Specific areas of the city

There are some very hot areas in Barcelona regarding pickpockets. The most obvious one is the Ramblas. There are lots and lots of people, most of them distracted and they are like candy for thieves. I some times walk through this area and see how they are targeting people. Most of these guys will accumulate by either Catalunya metro exit, or Liceu metro stop. You can see them chatting on the street by the stop and looking around observing people. Funny thing, most of them usually wear the same bag. If there are street performers or people showing you glowy things… They will also be around them.

If you want to read more about some of the nicest traditions we have in Catalonia and in Barcelona check out these posts: Christmas in Catalonia, Dancing devils in Barcelona or the Most Romantic day of the year.

Another area of the city hot for pickpockets is la Barceloneta, or the local beach. Usually, we locals never go to this beach because the sewers of the city end up right there. And the stories of floating things there are the stuff of nightmares. Yes, I know now you will also not go, but hey, happy to spread the knowledge. In any case, NEVER EVER leave anything unattended on that beach. Or any other beach in Spain. Importantly, if you want to swim and are alone, buy a waterproof bag. If you are two, one is left behind keeping everything safe. Meanwhile, people will come to show you scarfs, to offer you mojitos and massages. If you get distracted… you will be robbed.

Finally, another important are for pickpockets is the public transport. Of everything said before, be especially aware in metros and buses, since it is common that this happens. The metro line with more pickpockets is L3 (green line), and one of the worst bus lines is D20 (goes to the beach). Both lines cover very touristy areas and are a buffet for pickpockets.

How to avoid pickpockets in Barcelona, in Rome, or anywhere else

In order to survive the lion, you don’t need to be faster than the lion, you need to be faster than the other gazelles. Same applies here. You don’t need to outsmart all pickpockets in Barcelona, you just need to present a higher challenge than the rest of the tourists. They will go for the easy prey.

So, what do you think of my tips on how to avoid pickpockets in Barcelona? Would you add anything else? Let me know in the comments!