Barcelona - a safe city?

I had only been in Barcelona for about two hours when I was robbed. Not a great start to a holiday. With my wife, I had visited La Pedrera, which was one block from our hotel. Feeling good, we decided that we would walk to the Sagrada – first mistake (don’t walk in unpopulated areas)! Feeling thirsty, we stopped at a small bar for a beer and a bite to eat. Unknown to us, it is possible that we were already being watched. We left the bar and within moments it felt as though I had been targeted from above by one of Barcelona’s many parrots or pigeons. I raised my hand to my head to feel the mess. I stood looking at the gunk on my hand. From nowhere, a well-dressed man appeared. He also looked skywards and mumbled to himself. In broken English, he then offered to help me clean myself up – my jacket was also covered, as was my wife’s – this was no ordinary parrot pooh – but one specially concocted for the occasion. Another mistake – do not accept offers of help, even though they may seem genuine. The man then asked us to follow him, as he would find water to help clean me up. We followed – an even bigger mistake. He took us to the entrance of a block of flats, where he immediately found a bottle of water and some tissues (he was well prepared). He began cleaning the mess from my hair and back. He helped me to remove my jacket to make things easier (for him). Suddenly, he said he had to go – to fetch paper. He did not return. We decided to leave the scene. I continued to rearrange my clothing. At once, I noticed that my wallet was missing. My mystery helper had helped himself. Now you may say that we were stupid - perhaps we were. We were caught off-guard in a strange place and we did things that we shouldn’t have. But who was it that committed the crime? And then there was my first mistake, I had been carrying far too many valuables – cash, credit cards, cameras. In some respects, we were lucky – I only lost my wallet. We were not threatened with violence and we were not harmed. And there was only one robber. It could have been much worse. But it did spoil our time in Barcelona (which is a beautiful city) and the chances are that we will never return.

Great for: History/Culture

Last Visit: March 2007

10 March 2007 | A Yahoo! User

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mixed feelings

First of all, Las Ramblas is completely over-rated. Secondly, the people aren't as friendly as in other parts of Spain. thought it was ok but it didn't rock my world. Easter time may not be the best time to go - soem places shut down.

1 March 2007 | A Yahoo! User

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Barcelona Luxury Apartments

We had a wonderful time visiting Barcelona with the whole family this Christmas, walking around the city was marvelous. The weather was fantastic and our apartment was on of the best apartments in barcelona to enjoy with family and friends. We use the BBQ in the terrae while we enjoyed our spanish wine. To find the perfect barcelona we look in to blogs like top10apartmentrental.wordpress.com or travel reviews from TripAdvisor where people suggested this fantastic apartment in Barcelona called the Music Palace. We hope you can make it to Barcelona one day. We all want to come back for the summer. Cheers

Great for: Family Holidays

Last Visit: December 2006

26 December 2006 | A Yahoo! User

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;D

I think Barcelona was a great city with great atmosphere, and friendly people. I've read some of the reviews on Barcelona, and I've seen that alot of Americans thinks that Barcelona is expensive, right now traveling in europe cost the same everywhere you go, and in Barcelona you can fine many cheap and great places to go, I've got a beer in a great pub for only 2,3£. So it depends where you go. Maybe it's just because I come from Norway (one of the most expensive places to live in the world) that I don't think it was that expensive in Barcelona. But really; It's not more expensive than other big cities in Europe. If you thougt Barcelona was expensive, visit Oslo (the capital of norway) and you will se that Barcelona isn't that expensive after all.

Great for: Beaches, History/Culture, Theatre/Music, Nightlife

Last Visit: October 2006

20 November 2006 | A Yahoo! User

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Travel here at your own risk

Lost one credit card and 100 euro to men carry badges claiming to be police on a very busy, popular street. Feel lucky this is all I lost. Men were agressive and professional. Many pickpockets on the streets so be careful.

Last Visit: November 2006

16 November 2006 | A Yahoo! User

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Great place, fantastic people - loved it all!!!

Just superb! Everything was brillinat from arrival to departure. I'll be going back next year.

Great for: History/Culture, Theatre/Music, Nightlife, Family Holidays

Last Visit: August 2006

10 September 2006 | A Yahoo! User

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Restaurant Caruso (Ramblas), not again

The restaurant is very nice too bad that nothing else is :( I went there with a group of friends, the food was terrible by any standard, the service was bad and we were just ignored most of the time, when we pointed that to the manager he was VERY rude and a bit racist, not listening to any of our complaints threating us with the police. It's so bad that a nice place like that has such a bad service.

Great for: Family Holidays

Last Visit: April 2006

17 April 2006 | A Yahoo! User

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great city

rambla one of best streets in the world with its bars street entertainment sex show is a laugh and all in all excellent people.lovely clean city except for a few beggars but all in all second to rome for my favourite european city.nou camp is an awesome stadium too recommend you go in the museum.

Great for: History/Culture, Nightlife, Budget Travel

Last Visit: february 2005

27 February 2006 | A Yahoo! User

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BARCELONA shout it from the rooftops

Dislike hustlers on La rambla beware of shell games. But then La rambla is no more Barcelona than Leicester Sq is London. Like all tourist cities you need to wander a little off the main drags to find the real atmosphere. Once found it is wonderful. Great buildings, superb restaurants. Although on La Rambla I could wander La boqueria for hours absorbing the sights sounds and aromas. Once you have been you will always want to return. I have visited Barcelona on 7 occcasions for varyingf times of 3 to 6 days and I know I will still find lots to do and see when I go back, as I surely will

Great for: History/Culture, Nightlife

Last Visit: september 2005

15 February 2006 | A Yahoo! User

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chill-city-heavan

this is simply 1 of the best cities on the planet.people,food the lot,u ave not lived unless uve been ear!good fooballl team 2.henrick larrsson-"wee miss u brother"

Great for: Beaches, Scuba/Snorkeling, Skiing/Snowboarding, Hiking/Camping, History/Culture, Theatre/Music, Nightlife, Budget Travel, Family Holidays

Last Visit: February 2004

31 October 2005 | A Yahoo! User

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