Barcelona - tips please.

My son is on honeymoon in Barcelona right now, sue. Seeing all the places you plan to go. I have no helpful tips, other than to beware of pickpockets, who are more prevalent there than ever. My son had his wallet taken last night, whilst visiting a restaurant on the Ramblas. On the plus side, they adore the city and are very happy they chose to go there.

What about this, Sue?

www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/products/barcelona-card.html

I came on to warn about pickpockets, and also thieves who follow tourist cars with foreign numberplates and hire cars on their motorbikes, hoping to steal from the boot or whip a handbag - whilst at traffic lights or in a quiet carpark. I have had several friends who have had to fend off thieves on motorbikes in Barcelona lately. Bags that go across your body when you are walking around, or a moneybelt around the waist, are best. I really want to go, we were supposed to go last year, but it put me off, one family I know was so shaken.

I've visited Barcelona and had no problems at all. It's just a matter of being cautious. Florence is equally notorious, but it would be a shame not to go and see such fabulous places.

Thank you for the warnings - I have heard about this. I usually have a cross body bag and as it February it will be under my coat. Dh secrets his wallet about his person somewhere!
We didn't have any problems in Florence on both occasions.

Well! DD and I must have been lucky. We had no trouble with thieves or pickpockets when we were there a few weeks ago.

We went to the Gaudi museum and the park up above the city, views beautiful, fountain amazing! And the ex Olympic park while we were up there.

We stayed near the Cathedral Catalonia. Cathedral (withgeese) and whole area round there, is amazing. Very old and atmospheric. Las Ramblas is great for just wandering (and buying tat)

In fact, I think Barcelona, especially the beautiful Gothic quarter, is made for just wandering, and looking, both by day and night.

Buy tickets in advance for Sagrada Familia. Very long queues to negotiate otherwise.

And the beach area is lovely too. (walkable from the Gothic quarter, but you will be on your knees when you get there) (got taxi back again in desperation )

And, in a certain little pavement tapas place, it is possible to get excellent French fries and hot chocolate for supper.

Just heard from my son. Spanish police told him young men are the biggest target group and pickpockets concentrate on restaurants, bars and clubs where they can jostle them going in and out of exits, toilets and suchlike, especially if they have been drinking. Son was quite merry when he discovered his wallet had gone as he went to pay their restaurant bill. Friends on a recent stag do have said on Facebook (where the crime was announced) that 12 out of a group of 20 were pickpocketed. Dear me!

janerowena Don't be put off. We walked around till very late at night and no sign of any trouble. (Except for the police trying to catch the fake handbag sellers on Las Ramblas. Which was very funny)

I did see that you had been there and had a wonderful time, and meant to ask if maybe the cars were perhaps the biggest problem, as apart from one, all the problems I have heard of have been car-related. I would love to go, but maybe we will fly rather than drive down through France.

Oh gosh yes! Fly. Don't drive all that way. A taxi into the city from the airport is reasonable.

Didn't have any bother with cars. Though taxi drivers seemed to push their luck a bit.

Madrid next for us. In October. Looking forward to that.

Would that be inspired by C J Sansom Jingl?
It`s a long time since we visited Barcelona, one thing I remember with pleasure was the mini cruise around the harbour there, it was lovely. Didn`t care overmuch for the city itself, apart from the Sagrada Familia, but got very frustrated trying to get a photo of it, never did manage to get it all in!

I`m off to Barcelona in October and planning to do the same things as you Sue will be keeping my across the shoulder bag close to my chest and wobetide any thug who tries to take it!!!!

I'm calling in in December, one day only while on cruise

numberplease Yes. Must do some homework before I go.

Son has had his faith restored today. Dining in a nearby tapas bar and mentioned they are on honeymoon whilst chatting to the barman. They were given a free bottle of Cava and a round of applause from the customers

It's a great place to visit. The airport has a bus that drops you right in the central square. If you stop to look at a map make sure your back is against a wall, we used doorways, no pick pockets can come from behind or the side!
I didn't carry a bag at all. DH had trousers with concealed pockets and we only took out the money we needed and left everything else in hotel safe.
The two circular tourists busses were great, you buy a couple of days passes and hop on and off. A lot is easily seen by walking.
Don't stop if asked for directions etc by con men. Be a real tourist, pretend yup don't understand and keep walking!
Have a lovely time! X

I lived in Barcelona for a year, many years ago. We had driven through Scotland, England, France and into Spain, with a few household bits of stuff filling the car, even around my feet. (passenger)
Barcelona was lovely, the underground/metro easy to manage, and we had no bother for the year we were there.
First month was spent half board in a very cheap hotel on the Ramblas while we found an apartment. Every night there was soup for starters... green or brown!!

One place worth a visit is the Monserrat Monastery. A day trip from Barcelona, high high up. And a wonderful change from the bustle of the city.
It is an incredible place and such a bonus of you hear the choir which I think performs daily.

Sorry it's spelt Montserrat.

It`s a hair raising drive up to Montserrat, but well worth it. There was a wedding when we were up there. We took some lovely pics up there.

It`s a hair raising drive up to Montserrat, but well worth it. There was a wedding when we were up there. We took some lovely pics up there.

Sorry, repeated myself!