MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Misses wants to go on a city break, thinking about Barcelona anyone got any opinions good or bad
Yes, tis awesome and easy to get to
Absolutely. Best city i have been to!
Yes.
Si.
Oui.
Jah.
For sure, blud!
Etc.
Yes - fab place!
I'm going there in a couple of weeks, riding there on the motorbike.
Rachel
Booked đŸ™‚
Hold onto your wallet/purse. Thief central.
Aye, my wife had a backpack nicked from the back of her chair, inside a restaurant, with the coat untouached on top of itHold onto your wallet/purse. Thief central.
(backpack only had a worn-out pair of filthy shoes in it that she was going to use for walking back to the hotel đŸ˜† )
Hold onto your wallet/purse. Thief central.
*Yawns wearily*
That old dross again. Yes, there are pickpockets in Barcelona. And in New York. And in Paris. And in London. And in Hong Kong. Etc.
I used to go there once every six weeks or more at times. Never once had a problem, nor did any of my colleagues travelling there with me, or those who worked, and indeed lived, there.
It's a great city, and, like any city, it's not without faults.
steveoath - Member
Hold onto your wallet/purse. Thief central.
Everyone says this, but is it?
Or was I just lucky.
Love the place.. Mad as a box of frogs, but yeah, a great City.
Going back in a few weeks, 3rd time in six months,
Been with my dad and my Brother for the footy, tapas and drink, it was superb,
Went back with Mrsosoxo, and it was fantastic,
Going back with Mrsosoxo and the kids, staying in an apartment near the beach, in a quieter part of town, it will no doubt be fantastic.
Make sure you go inside of Sagrada Familia, it's well worth it and took my breath away, Casa Batllo was awesome too.
Enjoy!
Barcelona's bloody brilliant.
Why wouldn't you?
Not for me - hated it on my weekend there. Ridiculous queues for the main sights (do book in advance is the lesson there). And yes, other cities also have pickpockets, but nowhere have I seen them operate so blatantly. One followed by girlfriend (I was lagging behind) until I bumped into him.
San Sebastian on the other hand… crazy food scene, better beaches, great walks, more manageable size, prettier. No unfinished cathedral.
San Sebastian on the other hand
I live in San Sebastian. Go to Barna, seriously. IME you're just as likely to be relieved of your phone or wallet if you're out in the old part of San Sebastian as in Barcelona.
I lived in Barca for two and a half years and my feeling is that you are far more likely to be pick pocketed there than London or New York, (dunno about Hong Kong) but then who says my anecdotal old dross non evidence is worth more than anyone else's đŸ™‚
Still, great city, have fun!
Is Barcelona a good base/starting point for a week? Looking at options for early october with a mixture of culture and fun stuff
Most disturbing thing I ever saw was in barcalona.
A practically naked guy standing on a box in the street flaying himself as some sort of performance.
That old dross again. Yes, there are pickpockets in Barcelona. And in New York. And in Paris. And in London. And in Hong Kong. Etc.
WTF, how did you miss out Birmingham New Street from this list of so called illustrious destinations.
It was art
WTF, how did you miss out Birmingham New Street from this list of so called illustrious destinations.
Well, I was listing places I've been to and that others might wish to visit, you see. đŸ˜‰
Heard haigh hall is lovely this time of year, do you know it?? Lol
I'm there right now, great city so far!
RS, seek out Passadis del Pep. Unless you don't like seafood, in which case, don't.
That old dross again.
yawn...
I've worked as an expat in 6 different countries, worked on a boat visiting different numerous different ports and traveled extensively through eastern europe and asia visiting some fairly interesting and less reputable places along the way. Barcelona is the only town where a transexual hooker has tried to pickpocket me, although unsuccessful.
I might have just been unlucky in Barcelona, but if you go, keep a good eye on your belongings as you would in any centre of population, would be good advice.
Cracking city, spent a month there.
RS, seek out Passadis del Pep. Unless you don't like seafood, in which case, don't.
I'll be giving that one a miss then, but thanks anyway!
I like Barcelona a lot and usually I dislike touristy places. But there's a good mix of real city and theme park. The one thing that winds me up is the sagredo familia. Such a monument to corruption. A good firm of builders would have it finished in 18months.
Best tip is hire bikes. Really shrinks the city. And now august is over. Cal pep should be open again. Best tapas anywhere.
Heard Barca has been getting increasingly edgy outside of the main touristy areas - I think they might be pulling an Athens ..
I love BCN, you'll have a great time. Best city in the world? Some great hills in tje distance which im sure contain super trails.
TIPS
Don't eat in the centre of a beautiful square it will cost you twice as much.
If you want peace on a beach don't go to the nearest one, the beaches after the port don't have condoms floating about in the sea or as many guys asking if you want water or beer.
Get a zone1 t10 metro ticket, really easy tube system.
Book online for places like the picasso museum or you'll be queuing for two hrs.
Found it a little underwhelming and far too crowded. Avoid the Rambles trashy and probably the only main st where me and my mate were propositioned by hookers (when one of us said no she asked the other) hundreds of trashy market stalls.
Some good things but plenty of other cities I'd head to first.
One of my favourite cities
I got told off for calling the city Barca, apparently that is exclusively used for / by FC Barcelona
Been to Barcelona and Rome in the last 2 years with the mrs, personally prefferred Rome but Barcelona was amazing. Gaudi gardens are stunning!
Mam got pickpocketted on a train, I'm not one for scaremongering, I think tourists are targetted in every city.
Not my favourite city, the Gaudi gardens are great and I liked the indoor food market, but I wouldn't go out of my way to return, I would put les rambles down as one of the most horrible streets I've ever walked down.
For me, Rome wins everyday.
We saw people robbing and running in the Ramblas and running for the underground. Still enjoyed it there, but take as little out with you. Regardless of people saying its boring mentioning it, I haven't seen it happen anywhere else, so openly. Gaudi stuff was great, but 3 days there and we had had enough ......... Back to the quiet life đŸ˜€
Going to Las Ramblas is like going to Leicester Square in London. It's not representative of the best bits of the city I think.
[url= http://www.traveldudes.org/travel-tips/top-five-european-cities-pick-pockets/11922 ]Out of date but Google "pickpocket capital of Europe."[/url]
Carry your valuables in an inside chest pocket and you'll not be a victim. No visible signs of wealth. I always carried a second wallet with enough notes for a fix in another pocket to hand over if threatened.
Methods:
the scooter grab - pillion cuts strap of bag and away they go. Good runners don't bother with a scooter.
The distraction - if anybody talks to you, bumps you etc. there's someone else there to empty your bag or pockets.
The opportunist - using an iphone 6 outside the disco at 4:00 is making yourself a target.
The money belt/pouch grab - Grab the strap or cord, cut it and pull - the valuables are yours.
I lived in Sitges and worked in the Ramblas commuting by train without incident. The closest I got to being ripped off was 1/ by my boss who later did three years inside for fraud 2/ by the bank. All ended well but I was thankful to return to small-town France where if someone asks for a cigarette it's because they want a cigarette.
Madame's American colleague was robbed twice in a one-week holiday in Barcelona.
Edit: in answer to the original question: yes.
Is Barcelona a good base/starting point for a week?
If you're using Ryanair, and you're staying for a week, you might want to spend a day or two in Girona where the Ryanair airport is. It's really nice.
I never had my pocket picked in Barcelona, or Naples for that matter, but I did in Aberdeen.
I've been to Barcelona quite a few times, never had a problem - usual big city rules apply: wallet+phone in front pockets or zipped inner jacket pocket; any bag zipped closed; careful in crowds, particularly getting on/off buses etc; don't leave your phone or bag on a table while you're eating... and no problem.
Personally I prefer Madrid to Barcelona, but both would be great for a weekend break in Spain.