Advice on travelling to Barcelona
Discussion
I'm travelling to Barcelona next week with my 2 young daughters and wondering if anyone can give me any advice on the do's and don'ts whilst there, little anxious if i am honest as i very rarely travel in the UK let alone abroad and what with two young girls in tow who are overly excited at their first trip abroad which they should be I've also read a few stories on pickpockets and how even the most observant of people have been had for their possessions without them even knowing.
Is travelling on the Metro safe or better catching Ubers? My daughters think I'm being a little OTT but I don't think you can be too safe in today's world, so any advice would be much appreciated 👍
Is travelling on the Metro safe or better catching Ubers? My daughters think I'm being a little OTT but I don't think you can be too safe in today's world, so any advice would be much appreciated 👍
How young are your daughters? Barcelona isn't that big and very walkable without using the Metro. But I can understand with young tired legs.
It's really the usual sensible things. Wife should have over shoulder handbag with zip/opening tucked inwards, spread cards and cash between you. If you have a rucksack, make sure valuables are in hard to reach pockets.
There can be problems on Las Ramblas late at night - years ago there were a group of 12 of us. Woman in walking in front gets handbag snatch. We give chase, until the 3 miscreants pull a knife on us and we back down. Not worth it for a handbag.
It's really the usual sensible things. Wife should have over shoulder handbag with zip/opening tucked inwards, spread cards and cash between you. If you have a rucksack, make sure valuables are in hard to reach pockets.
There can be problems on Las Ramblas late at night - years ago there were a group of 12 of us. Woman in walking in front gets handbag snatch. We give chase, until the 3 miscreants pull a knife on us and we back down. Not worth it for a handbag.
like any other big city just take care and be aware of your surroundings. Barcelona is great and there is lots to see and do (even though Valencia is nicer).
Be aware that some attractions that are well worth visiting with children (like Park Güell) need booking in advance to avoid disappointment.
Metro is good, but the city is also quite walkable , though some distances are quite significant and can be hilly (getting from Las Ramblas to Park Güell or Sagrada Familia is a long walk up hill so better on the metro).
Be aware that some attractions that are well worth visiting with children (like Park Güell) need booking in advance to avoid disappointment.
Metro is good, but the city is also quite walkable , though some distances are quite significant and can be hilly (getting from Las Ramblas to Park Güell or Sagrada Familia is a long walk up hill so better on the metro).
One of them is 13 the other is 12, the Mrs isn't going with us as it's not really her thing and isn't keen on the idea of flying so was given the go ahead for me to take them on my own as it's really a promise kept to them as the pair of them are big FC Barcelona fans, I've heard a few tales about Las ramblas and how it's a pickpockets paradise for unsuspecting tourists to be parted with their possessions, I think a lot of my worry is down to me personally as i suffer with anxiety so doing something like this in a place I've never been before is a big thing for me, so just wanted a bit of a heads up on what to do and not do whilst visiting, even if it is only for 4 days.
Go and enjoy, took my dopey 12 year old son and smart arse 14 year daughter (and Mrs Dundarach) last summer, stopped on Las Ramblas, absolutely no issues what so ever.
Went out for food every evening, drank and was merry, saw the sights, wandered from there to the Familia Sangrada (sorry can't be bothered checking spellings, you know what I mean) and all was fine!
However:
We all had a chat about safety
We didn't wave phones and cameras around
We kept bags safely near us at all times
We stuck together
We kept our eyes and ears open
We were not stupid thick tourists we all see around us
Go and enjoy, wonderful place, friendly, warm and inviting, crack on!
Lastly get to the real ale places, they're lovely, suitable photos below!!!
Went out for food every evening, drank and was merry, saw the sights, wandered from there to the Familia Sangrada (sorry can't be bothered checking spellings, you know what I mean) and all was fine!
However:
We all had a chat about safety
We didn't wave phones and cameras around
We kept bags safely near us at all times
We stuck together
We kept our eyes and ears open
We were not stupid thick tourists we all see around us
Go and enjoy, wonderful place, friendly, warm and inviting, crack on!
Lastly get to the real ale places, they're lovely, suitable photos below!!!
Edited by dundarach on Tuesday 28th January 13:49
There are some areas around las ramblas, mainly around the southern ish areas you probably prefer not to turn into if late at night but tbh, I've always found it fine as long as one is being sensible. Just make sure you don't seem completely clueless and keep your phone/wallet in a safe place - but that kind of applies in any major city as well. North of placa catalunya is pretty civilised as well.
The metro is ime definitely fine to be using rather useful to get around- get a t casual for easy travel around the city as well. Lots of great places to eat as well - do enjoy!
The metro is ime definitely fine to be using rather useful to get around- get a t casual for easy travel around the city as well. Lots of great places to eat as well - do enjoy!
Edited by isaldiri on Tuesday 28th January 19:50
Keep your wits about you - normal big city rules plus a little extra. The scum there are experts at picking, always work in groups and will have your wallet/phone/bag contents gone before you even realise.
Personal space is the number one rule. If anyone gets in it, make it immediately known for them to f*** off. Loudly.
Stuff in zipped pockets, hold bags in front of you zipped closed. Phone not on the table or held out in the street. Jacket not on back of chair, especially with valuables in the pockets.
The metro can be a rats nets of scum looking for tourists, and watch out for the all too common escalator trick. In the street look out for the footballer scam too (used to be Beckham...no idea who it is now?)
It is a very walkable city, just be especially careful in the barri gotic / el raval in the immediate vicinity of la rambla at night where stuff can get shady, fast.
Amazing city, although Madrid is nicer. Just stay aware and you will be cool and the gang.
ps. Tapas24. Order a bikini. Repeat.
Personal space is the number one rule. If anyone gets in it, make it immediately known for them to f*** off. Loudly.
Stuff in zipped pockets, hold bags in front of you zipped closed. Phone not on the table or held out in the street. Jacket not on back of chair, especially with valuables in the pockets.
The metro can be a rats nets of scum looking for tourists, and watch out for the all too common escalator trick. In the street look out for the footballer scam too (used to be Beckham...no idea who it is now?)
It is a very walkable city, just be especially careful in the barri gotic / el raval in the immediate vicinity of la rambla at night where stuff can get shady, fast.
Amazing city, although Madrid is nicer. Just stay aware and you will be cool and the gang.
ps. Tapas24. Order a bikini. Repeat.
I've been there about 9 times over the last 30 years, including with children. Had no trouble. as above, usual awareness of surroundings matters. Neighbourhoods can change fast too, and for instance some in-between the beach and Sagrada Familia are a bit iffy. Bring comfy shoes, as you will walk miles, and miles. The metro is fast and worth using. The cable cars at the marina are great fun but buy the return ticket as it's a long walk back.
The street layout makes navigation easy, so great for walking. We paid a visit to the Olympic Park by bus and walked back through the park.
I think with your girls you're going to avoiding the trouble spots by default, I don't imagine that you'll be wandering the alleys of the old town after midnight.
Will they fancy the Camp Nou tour, or even a match?
I think with your girls you're going to avoiding the trouble spots by default, I don't imagine that you'll be wandering the alleys of the old town after midnight.
Will they fancy the Camp Nou tour, or even a match?
dundarach said:
Go and enjoy, took my dopey 12 year old son and smart arse 14 year daughter (and Mrs Dundarach) last summer, stopped on Las Ramblas, absolutely no issues what so ever.
Went out for food every evening, drank and was merry, saw the sights, wandered from there to the Familia Sangrada (sorry can't be bothered checking spellings, you know what I mean) and all was fine!
However:
We all had a chat about safety
We didn't wave phones and cameras around
We kept bags safely near us at all times
We stuck together
We kept our eyes and ears open
We were not stupid thick tourists we all see around us
Go and enjoy, wonderful place, friendly, warm and inviting, crack on!
Lastly get to the real ale places, they're lovely, suitable photos below!!!
This. Have the "safety briefing" with your kids, and go and enjoy yourselves. Went out for food every evening, drank and was merry, saw the sights, wandered from there to the Familia Sangrada (sorry can't be bothered checking spellings, you know what I mean) and all was fine!
However:
We all had a chat about safety
We didn't wave phones and cameras around
We kept bags safely near us at all times
We stuck together
We kept our eyes and ears open
We were not stupid thick tourists we all see around us
Go and enjoy, wonderful place, friendly, warm and inviting, crack on!
Lastly get to the real ale places, they're lovely, suitable photos below!!!
Edited by dundarach on Tuesday 28th January 13:49
Can only echo the already quoted advice about just be as careful as you would be in any big city, but it's a great place and had no problems in the 3 times we've been.
I would recommend the hop-on-hop off bus tour as some of the sights are a little far apart and this is a good value safe way of hitting all the main attractions in a day, it even goes to the Camp Nou Stadium.
https://www.hoponhopoffbarcelona.org/
I would recommend the hop-on-hop off bus tour as some of the sights are a little far apart and this is a good value safe way of hitting all the main attractions in a day, it even goes to the Camp Nou Stadium.
https://www.hoponhopoffbarcelona.org/
Taking kids that age sounds better than the weekend I had in autumn with mine (3&6), was stressful as f*ck just trying to keep them close.
People mention Ramblas, and whilst we were briefly on it and had no issues, I don't see what the big draw of it is really, it's just a big street with loads of sh*t tourist shops.
Recommend a great lunch spot - Terrassa Martins up top of montjuic hill - we wet going to get a cable car from the beach but queues were horrid so jumped in a cab!
Enjoy, I love the place but need to go again when the kids are older!
People mention Ramblas, and whilst we were briefly on it and had no issues, I don't see what the big draw of it is really, it's just a big street with loads of sh*t tourist shops.
Recommend a great lunch spot - Terrassa Martins up top of montjuic hill - we wet going to get a cable car from the beach but queues were horrid so jumped in a cab!
Enjoy, I love the place but need to go again when the kids are older!
Jungleland said:
Taking kids that age sounds better than the weekend I had in autumn with mine (3&6), was stressful as f*ck just trying to keep them close.
People mention Ramblas, and whilst we were briefly on it and had no issues, I don't see what the big draw of it is really, it's just a big street with loads of sh*t tourist shops.
Recommend a great lunch spot - Terrassa Martins up top of montjuic hill - we wet going to get a cable car from the beach but queues were horrid so jumped in a cab!
Enjoy, I love the place but need to go again when the kids are older!
It's not just las ramblas itself but some of the surrounding streets I suppose, some of which are shadier than others. It's kind of hard to avoid the area as there are some awfully good restaurants scattered around and obviously it's just off the Boqueria market which as touristy as it is, is definitely worth a wander if you've never been there before..... People mention Ramblas, and whilst we were briefly on it and had no issues, I don't see what the big draw of it is really, it's just a big street with loads of sh*t tourist shops.
Recommend a great lunch spot - Terrassa Martins up top of montjuic hill - we wet going to get a cable car from the beach but queues were horrid so jumped in a cab!
Enjoy, I love the place but need to go again when the kids are older!
We stayed in an interesting hotel that while we found it a bit annoying that the roof was open to the public, it does have a cracking view of the city, and not that many people did know it was open so it was never as busy as this video... 
https://www.barcelo.com/es-es/barcelo-raval/galeri...
It's on Rambla del Raval, and has a few neighbours that the mainly elderly American tourists found a little unnerving, it's next door to a homeless shelter
But to go up to the roof/bar you just walk in, and take the lift to the top, there's even a small pool to sooth your feet in.
https://www.barcelo.com/es-es/barcelo-raval/galeri...
It's on Rambla del Raval, and has a few neighbours that the mainly elderly American tourists found a little unnerving, it's next door to a homeless shelter
But to go up to the roof/bar you just walk in, and take the lift to the top, there's even a small pool to sooth your feet in.
James_33 said:
I'm travelling to Barcelona next week with my 2 young daughters and wondering if anyone can give me any advice on the do's and don'ts whilst there, little anxious if i am honest as i very rarely travel in the UK let alone abroad and what with two young girls in tow who are overly excited at their first trip abroad which they should be I've also read a few stories on pickpockets and how even the most observant of people have been had for their possessions without them even knowing.
Is travelling on the Metro safe or better catching Ubers? My daughters think I'm being a little OTT but I don't think you can be too safe in today's world, so any advice would be much appreciated ??
We got Ubers everywhere - there were 4 of us so the cost was roughly the same.Is travelling on the Metro safe or better catching Ubers? My daughters think I'm being a little OTT but I don't think you can be too safe in today's world, so any advice would be much appreciated ??
I'd be wary of pickpockets if I were you. I was quite naive until I found the zips on my rucksack had been fully opened only when we got back to the hotel.
Barcelona camp nou ground is currently a construction site so prepare to be disappointed.
Hop on Hop off is good but much cheaper to jump on local buses.
Go to Tibidabo for an old school theme park with stunning views of the city.
La Rambla is busy but we had no problems.
Wouldn't bother with a flamenco show.
La Bouqera market - expensive but fun people watching.
Hop on Hop off is good but much cheaper to jump on local buses.
Go to Tibidabo for an old school theme park with stunning views of the city.
La Rambla is busy but we had no problems.
Wouldn't bother with a flamenco show.
La Bouqera market - expensive but fun people watching.
MOMACC said:
Hop on Hop off is good but much cheaper to jump on local buses.
Probably true but the level of convenience, the tour guide commentary and weather permitting open top busses is worth a little extra.MOMACC said:
Go to Tibidabo for an old school theme park with stunning views of the city.
A much further walk than we expected but did chance upon a classic Porsche garage on route.Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff