Is Barcelona Dangerous? Safety Tips for Visiting in 2023

We visited Barcelona for the first time during winter in 2022, and have been going back ever since.

As street photographers, we are always looking for good light (especially during the winter months), and we thought that Barcelona would be a great destination for us!

As always, we were thrilled to explore everything this wonderful city had to offer, while also documenting it through our photos.

But, as many of you might already know, Barcelona is unfortunately considered to be the pickpocket capital of Europe. 

This connotation can be scary for a lot of visitors, and it sure did make us wonder if travelling there with two cameras would even be a good idea to begin with.

So, before we go through all our safety tips, let’s go take a look at some of the questions we’ve been asked since we returned from our trip:

Is Barcelona safe to travel to in 2023, and did we feel comfortable?

In short, yes! We definitely felt safe when we were in Barcelona. 

We walked through the city at all times of the day, from sunrise all the way to late at night, and never felt insecure or targeted.

It’s difficult for us to tell if travelling solo would feel as safe, given that we were travelling as a couple. But apart from certain areas in the city, like the famous Las Ramblas and the areas around Plaça de Catalunya, it felt just like any other European capital or big metropolis!

Does it feel safe to photograph in Barcelona? 

Honestly, photographing in Barcelona was a hassle-free experience for us!

Because of our nationalities, we can both easily pass as Spanish, so that might have influenced how much attention we were attracting.

However, as a safety precaution, we avoided having our cameras out when not necessary, and never in the metro. We also recommend you bring a good camera strap that you can wear around your neck or wrist, in the event that someone does try to grab your camera. 

Another accessory we used along with the strap was a camera clip. It allowed us to easily secure the cameras to our body, leaving our hands free when necessary.

Photographing around the main sights also felt very safe, especially because the number of photographers present at all times makes it very easy to blend in.

And what about people’s reactions to street photography in Barcelona?

This is an important point. We noticed that people in Barcelona are much more aware of their surroundings compared to most other cities we have visited, and definitely noticed our cameras.

This didn’t seem to bother anyone in the slightest, however, many people do try to avoid passing in front of the lens or stop to let you photograph. It can make getting a natural shot more difficult, because people tend to notice the camera and react accordingly.

We were never confronted by anyone, nor got any complaints. Unless you really get into people’s faces you should be fine.

Now, with that said, let’s go through our 7 most helpful tips on safety while in Barcelona!

Blend in with the locals by walking with confidence.

Scammers and pickpockets can easily spot a tourist in the crowd. Blend in with the locals by walking around just like you would back home. Always act like you know exactly where you are, even if you’re helplessly lost!  

Try to avoid to avoid physical maps, and rely more on your phone. If you need to check your location or directions, find a quiet spot away from the crowds to do so, such as a corner or inside an establishment.

Less is more. Don’t overdress and avoid expensive jewellery.

In Barcelona, people dress quite casually.

• Stick to the same clothes you would wear every day back home, and avoid anything that would label you as a tourist. We’re talking about hats, baseball caps in particular, college hoodies, sandals with socks, and so on.

• You can’t go wrong with a simple pair of jeans and a neutral looking coat.

• Women in Barcelona often use a backpack for daily activities, but they are very unlikely to use one later on in the day. For this reason, female travelers should avoid using one in the evening or at night, as it will likely attract more attention. Packing a purse or a sling bag to use in the evening is a must.

• Also make sure to avoid wearing any expensive looking jewellery or accessories, especially when it comes to wrist watches. Pickpockets often target tourists by looking at what they wear on their wrist and, even though they are unlikely to rip your watch from you, they’ll use it to judge how much of a valuable target you are.

Ditch or avoid using any book guides or physical maps when out and about.

Blending in is key when avoiding pickpockets,so leave your books and maps at home! Of course the locals don’t use them, so you’ll be essentially wearing a sign on your head that says “foreigner”.

Stick to using maps on your phone, and remember to do so discreetly.

Watch your belongings but do not overprotect them.

This might sound counter-intuitive, but hear us out!

Nothing screams tourist as much as someone walking around clutching a backpack in front of them. And we’ve seen loads. No local would do that, so you’re immediately standing out in the crowd. Not only, it shows a lack of confidence and also tells every pickpocket in the vicinity that there is something in your bag worth protecting, and in their eyes worth stealing.

What you should to instead, is try to put as many steps as you can between your valuables and the people around you. Ideally, you should get yourself a bag with zipped interior pockets. A thief will first have to open the bag, then locate the pocket, then open it and remove your valuables.

For good measure, we like to add an extra step by blocking the zippers with a steel carabiner.

When it comes to wallets and phones, we felt comfortable keeping them in either a pocket of our jacket or pants, but be sure to stash them in your bag if the place feels sketchy.

Keep in mind that these measures don’t guarantee you will never be pickpocketed. There might come a time when it does unfortunately happen, but taking these steps gives you a good fighting chance.  

Be aware of your surroundings and always keep an eye on any suspicious characters.

What we like to do when in unfamiliar places is to think like a pickpocket. We make analysing the people around us a game, and very often end up spotting the ill-intentioned folks before they spot us.

Of course, try to be discreet, and don’t start staring and making people uncomfortable. Just be always aware of your surroundings and, if you’re travelling with another person, keep an eye on each other’s backs.

Pay extra attention when using public transportation, especially during rush hour.

Metro stations are a playground for pickpockets.

Some of them are know to spend their entire day inside the stations, and it’s easy to understand why. People are often in a rush, distracted by the signs and the unfamiliar environment, and pressed against each other in the carriages.

All of this makes it extremely easy for a thief to get what they want.

We’re not advising you to not use the metro, as it is arguably the most efficient method to move around the city, but there are some extra steps one should take to stay safe:

• Memorise your itinerary before entering the metro so that you don’t look disoriented or lost, and spend unnecessary time inside.

• Make sure to put away all valuables and lock your bag if you can, especially if the metro is very crowded.

• Do not keep anything in your pockets if possible, unless you feel comfortable doing so.

• When inside the trams, try to position yourself away from the doors and with your back against the wall. This will limit the angles from which you can be approached, and also will prevent anyone from snatching your valuables and running out of the vehicle.

Do not carry your Passport and other important documents with you.

Spanish law mandates that everyone carry a valid piece of identification at all times.

We recommend you make a copy of your ID, passport or driver’s license, and leave the originals securely at your accommodation. The copies count as IDs, so there is no need to carry the originals with you.

If your room does not have a safe, you can always try to ask the reception to hold your documents. Never leave them sitting out in the open in your room.

Basic safety is the key to enjoying your holidays abroad.

You should always stay informed so that you don’t avoid visiting a city just because of its reputation. Barcelona surprised us in a very positive way, despite the stories we heard and read before travelling there. At no point were we bothered or pickpocketed, and felt extremely comfortable throughout our stay. 

We hope you enjoyed our guide, and that these tips will help you feel more safe and comfortable during your journeys!

Keep in mind that, while we wrote this article with Barcelona in mind, these tips can easily be applied to any city you travel to.

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