Sounds like you're just stupid.

That's a bit harsh. They are good at what they do, although it does surprise me that somebody could be well aware and then still get picked within 40metres.

The tips like using pockets with zips, and using two wallets etc. were certainly useful tips.

the only trouble we seen was a pick pocket getting beat up by 4 guys just off the rambles in a side street,the guy got his wallet back but the picket pocket got his just deserves,running away covered in blood.
and how bad r the black prositutes?got slapped for telling 1 to f*ck off,and plenty of their pimps down the side streets.
the only downside for are group of 7 was that 1 of us lost 100 euro on that spot were the ball was in the middle of the ramblas street.

apart from that had a brill weekend just a shame that there was no beer inside and the very very long and steep walk to the ground,and before anyone says about could have got the bus,im a stinge bag.

having been to barcelona on many occasions I stayed in a district nowhere near the ramblas and thus had no hassle, I went there for a pre match pint and got the tube. if you stay near the criminals you are more likely to fall victim to them and its not even close to the nicest part of the city anyway. whilst travelling stare back if needed to prove you know what you are doing and where you are going even if you don't and avoid dark areas and should be fine. look vulnerable and you will be and this applies everywhere. believe it or not barcelona has improved, it still has a long way to go though.

hi vernon,een you at the match,think i had you at least 3 times at halftime calling your nameout and you just didnt know where it came from even though i was hiding from you,top weekend mate

8/10.

I've just got back and practically stayed in the Ramblas areas for the entire 4 days and nights. Sorry to hear of people's troubles but I felt safe. Perhaps it would be different at 3am.

It wasn't that class fella and the 40 Euro to get in was shocking, now the Baghdad cafe is class (so i was told).

yes

yea, really stupid i guess for probably looking the other direction for about 3 seconds. People shouldn't have to walk around on guard 24/7 holding everything infront of them. Thats what i did for the rest of my time and it was pretty annoying. Can't say iv ever been to a rugby game before where the only people in the big que for tickets outside the ground are all people who have had them stolen.

been back less than 24 hours(neede to catch up on lost sleep)

i witnessed and spoke to numerous people affected by crime, barcelona is probably one of the worst cities i have been to for crime, i only spent 2 days there, choosing to spend time in perpignan in the days before and after the match, they had a huge music festival all over the town, it was fantastic on the sunday night, stages all over the town with different styles of music from jazz to thrash metal.

i've been to hamburg amsterdam sydney aukland london and glasgow on a sat night but barcelona is a pit of crime in comparison, it's so blatant in other cities if you catch a pick pocket in your pocket they would appear to show remorse, in barca they just smile and shrug their shoulders. then they return and try again, we were sat outside a bar and a pickpocket repeatedly came back and tried his luck, the waiter had warned us and told him to do one, it got to the stage where i had to threaten violence before he'd leave, ironically he returned with a friend later!
i had to clench my fists stand up and spit profanities at them, they weighed it up and sauntered of.
i was in a group of 6 and thought the whole thing was worrying.

i had very little money on me, no phone or wallet, no pocket on my wire shorts (cash in socks) and a pretty savvy traveller but believe the people who compare warrington and manchester to barcelona are total dingbats, wake up and smell the roses (pushed in your face by a morrocan)

it was blatant, our hotel was near the police station which had a long line of people waiting to report crimes 24 hours of the day! all nationalities all ages.


that aside i had a brilliant time

No, we shouldn't, but in that area it i well known that you do.

As you (I think) pointed out earlier that you would have to put yourself in a dangerous situation in this country, well that is what we all did by hanging around on the Ramblas. It is well known, and is mentioned on pretty every tourist site.

If you went to Sydney for Rugby and stayed in Kings Cross for example you would have to take the same care, and the point that it is annoying is irellevent (although I must admit Kings Cross was nowhere near as bas as Ramblas)

Ramblas isn't in England, it is well known how bad it was, and it was as bad as had been stated in advance (maybe worse based on the aggression).

When complaining about Barcelona, people need to look at where they were. My hotel was about 1k from Ramblas, and it was very safe round there. If you were in Ramblas, you were in a dangerous location, and you had to take precaution, no matter how annoying it might be.

Does it open up onto the beach? Are the bar staff dressed in the most minimal of bikins? If so, I have been there and it is flippin brilliant.

I know Becky. A bloke ran off with my wallet on first night at top of La Rambla near Catalunya Square. Luckily I realised quickly and chased him and he dropped it. It's a crime hot bed. A great weekend though, with the match, Olympic Stadium, the Nou Camp and the city tour, plus some great bars, making it special.