Barcelona is the picturesque Prosperous city of Catalonia boasting astonishing architecture, deep history and an effervescent culture. However, like in any other big city of the world, the issue of security is a major concern for most visitors. In this blog post we talk about safety in Barcelona and try to give you some information that will help you not get into trouble while visiting Barcelona.

Safety as a concept: Barcelona

Allow me to state before going any further, that Barcelona is a safe city for tourists. But, as it is with any other city, it is not without its incidence of crime or with inherent dangers out in the streets. As with every large event, one must be able to know his/her environment, protect themselves from the physical surrounding, and ensure they follow important safety measures that would make the event as smooth as possible.

Tourist destinations and thefts

Being one of the most preferred travel destinations, Barcelona welcomes a great of tourists at any time of the year. Among the forms of criminal activity, the one that seems to be most widespread in regard to tourists is pick pocketing. But again, this might sound crazy to have something like this happening in your car, well let me tell you that with little awareness and preparedness, you can cut down on these drastically.

The pickpockets primarily work in areas with high levels of visitors traffic including; La Rambla, the Gothic Quarter, and the Segrada Familia. They mostly operate in groups; while some distract the tourists the others pick their property. To protect yourself, follow these essential tips:

• Lodge your valuables where they are easily accessible but not exposed or where they can easily fall into the hand of a thief: it is advisable you keep your valuable in a bag or pouch around your neck.
• Do not wear necklaces or rings or other flashy ornaments or carry a lot of money at the same time.
• Avoid people you do not know or have too much attention towards you.
• Be aware of your surroundings; people should avoid tight places like computer shops during peak times.

When you follow the above mentioned steps, you are less likely to be a target of pick pocketing.

Transportation Safety

However, transportation also plays a crucial role in safety in Barcelona as well . In case you take the metro, bus or even a taxi, there is necessity to be careful and secured. Here are some transportation safety tips:

• Take official taxis or professional app-based car rental services only.
• When using this means you should not share a taxi with other people you do not know especially at night.
• Lastly, when using public means there is always the risk of someone getting hold of your things so be alert.
• Care should be taken while soliciting assistance or directions when in transportation terminals.

An intervention of common sense and some level of alertness of the realities of the world can make ones trip in Barcelona to be free from hitches.

Additional Safety Precautions

As much as Barcelona is a safe city it is also important to take some extra measures to avoid any incident from happening to you.

Safe Accommodations

In any city, but particularly when selecting a hotel in Barcelona, safety remains the ultimate consideration. One ought to look at option of staying within settled areas or areas with low incidences of criminal activities. You can read feedback from other users, top rankings, and features offered to make a proper choice.

Emergency Contacts

There is nothing disappointing like going without knowing the emergency numbers in the country of visit. In Spain the general emergency number is 112 for police , medical or fire emergency. But it is always advisable to have the contact details of your country’s embassy or consulate.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is always a wise thing to have on any trip. It helps you meet financial requirements in the event of an accident or loss of your property through theft, illness or cancellation of a trip. Look through some travel insurance policies and select one that will be suitable for you.

Local Laws and Customs

The best way to avoid lots of mishaps is to read up on the legal system in Barcelona so as not to violate some law or the other. Source: [www.tripadvisor.com] Be aware of public behaviour and do not offend locals by not respecting culture, aka laws.

Conclusion

Over all Barcelona is relatively safe for tourists; however, similar to any other city, tourists should be careful of certain dangers or risks and should take measures to secure their selves and their belonging. As you continue reading this post and remember the guidelines I have provided above, you can easily have a fun-filled incredible experience when visiting the wonderful city of Barcelona.