Barcelona is a city with many reputations. Known for great architecture – hello, Gaudi! – beachfront vibes, delicious food…the list could go on. But there’s one reputation that isn’t so desirable; that Barcelona isn’t safe for visitors. Having visited Barcelona many times, both as part of a group, in a couple and as a solo female backpacker, I’ve had the joy of getting to know the city and really get to grips with how safe the city can be.

The first thing we always have to look at is what do we consider safe? If our home country is one that gives risks of being shot or the victim of serious crime, chances are you won’t be deterred by Barcelona. If you’re from a country with low rates of crime where you leave your doors unlocked, you might not feel as safe visiting Barcelona.

I’m from England where violent crime happens, but not frequently. Petty crime is far more common, and I know that with a few precautions it is easy to make yourself less of a target. Sure, anyone can be the victim of crime, but if you’re visiting a city like Barcelona where you’re more likely to be a victim of theft or robbery, then it’s a great idea to take a few precautions to try and minimise your chances of having your belongings stolen.

Check the location of your accommodation before booking

There are certain neighbourhoods that are less desirable for visitors to stay in, and even within the popular neighbourhoods there are parts that you might not want to have to revisit every day coming in and out of your hotel or airbnb. This is the case with every city in the world, but if you’re not familiar with Barcelona some tips to find a good location:

• Check reviews of the accommodation as many people will comment on the surrounding area as well as the accommodation itself.
• Have a look on Google Maps to see where the entrance of your accommodation is. For big hotels this will usually be on a main street, but for apartments the entrance can sometimes be down a quiet side street which might not be something you feel safe with.
  

  Be open minded

  Many people have the attitude that they would feel if someone was taking their phone out of their pocket, they’ve always kept their wallet in their back pocket with no issues, they aren’t the kind of person to be mugged. Unfortunately, petty thieves don’t think the same and also don’t care.

  They are very skilled at taking items without you realising as they have a lot of practice, and it’s becoming much more common to hear about people having their phones stolen right out of their hands as they stand in the street. It’s best to stay open minded that it could happen to you because you don’t want to be proven wrong by losing your valuables.

  I have been to Barcelona many times, and haven’t yet been mugged or had any items stolen, but I would never assume that I will be fine on every visit.

  

  Buy travel insurance

  Travel insurance can be picked up for a reasonable price and is a wonderful peace of mind against a whole range of things that can happen. Not only do most policies cover medical expenses, but also against loss or damage to property, flight cancellations and a whole host of other things that we hope won’t happen on our trips but possibly could.

  Send copies of your documents to yourself or a loved one by email

  Being stuck abroad with no copies of important documents like your passport or ID isn’t ideal if they get lost or stolen. Take a quick pic of the ID page of these documents and either text/email them to yourself or to a loved one so that in an emergency you can easily get a copy.

  How to stay safe while visiting Barcelona

  Don’t display valuables

  Safe travel 101, right?

  Barcelona isn’t a city where you’ll be in real danger by flashing fancy jewellery, but it is something to consider when travelling. If you are showing that you have valuable items like expensive jewellery or top notch phones then you’re more of a target than someone who isn’t displaying those things.

  Tourists are usually more likely to be the victim of petty theft than serious violent crimes, and often it’s a quick snatch and grab or taking things out of your pockets without you noticing.

  Don’t put your bag on the floor

  Barcelona is a city full of cafes and restaurants that offer the perfect place to relax, rest your feet while you’re sightseeing or to just watch the world go by. One thing to remember while you’re relaxing is to keep an eye on your belongings.

  It’s advisable not to leave your phone or camera on the table while you’re having a drink or bite to eat. As much as it might be right in front of you, for someone running or cycling past it’s easy to grab it and by the time you’re able to jump up to chase them they could be too far for you to catch.

  Similarly, don’t leave your bag on the floor next to the table or on the back on your chair. It’s best practice to either keep it on your lap or under the table but with your foot through one of the straps so someone can’t take it without you noticing.

  Use the right bag

  Definitely not here to give fashion advice, but a few things to consider when choosing the bag for your visit to Barcelona:

  • Does it have a zip?
  • Are there pockets and are they open to access or can they be secured?
  • Is the material one that can be easily cut through?
  • Is it small enough that you can put it in front of you when around busy crowds?

  If you can easily access the items in your bag as you’re walking around then so can someone else. It might be a pain having to keep taking your bag off to unzip it if you want to check your phone or get your camera, but it might be the difference between keeping those items or having them pinched.

  Think about where you put your phone

  At the risk of sounding like a hypocrite, I should lead this by saying when I’m in Barcelona, I do have my phone in my pocket. However, it’s never in a back pocket, it’s never poking out of my pocket and when I’m on public transport my hand is in the pocket on top of my phone.

  Many people keep their phones in their pocket in every day life, and this is completely fine if that’s your preference. But don’t let yourself be lulled into a false sense of security thinking that because it’s so close to your body someone won’t be able to take it without you noticing.