Crime in Barcelona, Spain

I lived in Barcelona from 1992-1998. At first, I fell in love with the city. After six years I decided to come to England to improve my English. After a year, I decided to stay here for good. Great opportunities to study and work. I never looked back. Spaniards were racists/xenophobes (not everyone though), while in the UK there are people from every country in the world, all coexisting peacefully and all of them with the same opportunities for advancement.
Living here, I traveled back many times to visit Barcelona and some friends I had then. The last visit I made was possibly in 2008. Very disappointed about people being so loud and rude there, compared to the way most people in the UK behave: politely.

My son was stabbed in Barcelona in October 2022.
Jumped by a gang of 7.
He was a week in ICU,and nearly lost his life.
The knife just missed his heart. he nearly bled to death and had internal bleeding.
He will be scarred for life in both senses of the word.
Apparently there were a further 2 stabbings that weekend.
The hospital were amazing and the crime logged with police.
But those people are still out there.
be careful.

I have lived in Barcelona for over 10 years and never had a problem. It is a safe and beautiful place in my opinion.
All tourist areas in the world have problems and I am never there.
Enjoy the beautiful city.

Barcelona is no longer safe, lots of Moroccans robbing, you are safer in America where u can own a gun

While I have had no problem living here, the impression is that safety has worsened. Most troublesome areas, doubtlessly Ramblas area and surroundings, also other tourist places. I won't mention areas where tourists have no business. In any case, try not to look too much like a tourist, and don't look ostensibly distracted or "lost" in those areas. If you know where you go, and just continue your path, you will be fine.

Also, and this is a phenomenon that appeared more or less during the last six years, which I really feel I should mention: if you see in those areas small "bands" of young boys (most were part of the numerous boys who migrated alone in recent years from the Maghrib area, and these particular "bands" have become used to bad "street life"), be wary if they look like they are keeping an eye on you, particularly if you are visibly wearing valuables.

They are called locally the "relojeros" (as they work with watches, "relojes"), they have lately become quite specialized in stealing expensive watches (Rolex, Patek Philippe, etc.). They identify people wearing them, and once the victim is chosen, they can follow him/her for a long while. The price is worth it, for them. The best thing is not to show anything of value. They have been reported to become violent in some instances, shoving or violently grabbing from their victims to steal their belongings, or even brandishing knives.

Try to avoid Las Ramblas, Barrio Gótico, and Raval during the night or pay the consequences. The same places during the day are not dangerous but are plenty of pickpockets, the Metro (subway) too. There are not violent but very effective in their "job". El Carmelo and La Mina, are not good places at night either. If you pay attention and try to not look like a tourist, you'll enjoy the city without problems.

I spent 5 days in Barca for my honeymoon. I was pickpocketed on the 2nd night, took my phone. I chased the guy and then was counter-chased and tried to be run over numerous times by a gang on motorbikes. The chase lasted for 30 mins. I got in a taxi but he refused to take me when we were surrounded by the gang who literally blocked every exit around us. It was a very scary situation. If I hadn’t just had my wedding with photos of my family and friends on that phone, I wouldn’t have been so determined to get it back. There are a lot of scum bags in the world, but there seems to be a high concentration in La Rambla area (Gotica, Raval & Barceloneta).

I have been living in Barcelona for more than a year, and in my experience, it's a very safe city. I don't understand why some people say it's dangerous... It's really not. People asking me for money, is the worst that happened to me, but they are not violent or anything like that if you refuse to give them money.

Of course, I still try to avoid some areas, and I almost never go out late at night (not my lifestyle). So my experience is safety during daylight in decent areas mostly (all areas except El Raval and La Mina).

Was in Barcelona for a month and witnessed 4 muggings and was beaten by 3 men outside a club. The police did nothing.

Most comments on this page look like fake. Probably from haters. The city has its share of problems, but it's definitely a very safe place. Look at homicide rate for instance, it's ridiculously low in Barcelona (as in most southern European cities). My girlfriend and I always feel safe at day and night, additionally I have noticed that people here are really concerned about gender equality and men are very respectful toward women. If I have to go to Rambla area I take some more precautions, but as in most touristic cities, nothing dreadful.

I have lived here for 3 years and I think 20 of my friends including myself have been robbed in the Ciutat Vella and Barceloneta district in this period. Many what seems to be north african immigrants that do not seem to have any place to go (not that it matters but Im not white myself, but there is no need denying the obvious). Societal failure for sure, that make the city way more unsafe than I initially thought before moving here. Never thought I would feel safer in the city centre of London, but I definitely do.

Had a colleague who was held at knife point by a group of "none Spanish native" people, to withdraw all his money from the ATM when he was walking back to his Airbnb at night.

It's safe to say that Barcelona has seen better days.

Being pickpocketed is quite common, specially in touristic areas. Being robbed or assaulted during the day, even in front of hotels and/or restaurants, happens more often than not (so don't wear expensive watches or jewelry while visiting).

It's sad to say, but during my recent visit, I felt that they are not too welcoming of foreigners or tourists as much as they used to.

Beautiful city, but be very careful while visiting.

Extremely safe city.
Have a look at the comments, no English native speakers at all, mainly Madrid people writing against Barcelona due to gelousy since Barcelone is safer and more appealling fir foreigners, ranking among the 10 most visited cities in the World (Madrid does not)...and is not even the capital !
Madrid has the highest rates of violent crime in Spain by far, no wonder the expat Western community is largest in Barcelone by far than in a rough city like Madrid.

The monkeys are destroying everything, thx Mayor of BCN and filthy politicians

This city is definitely going down the sink. Safety is a major concern nowadays. Sad, very sad to see the centre of the city has become a really dangerous area during night time, and a paradise for pickpocketing during daylight.

I've been in Barcelona many times and nothing bad has ever happened to me. You just have to be very careful around "El Raval" and "Ciutat Vella" in general, especially at night as it's the most dangerous neighbourhood but others like "L'Eixample", "Sants-Montjuic", "Gràcia" and especially "Horta-Guinardó", "Nou Barris", "Les corts" and "Sarrià-Sant Gervasi" are the safest ones.

I honestly, wouldn't suggest anyone to live in "Ciutat Vella".

I was in Barcelona with my teenage daughter for 7 days and 7 nights. I was aware of the petty theft before coming and had heard many stories regarding pick pocketing and theft of watches and jewellery in particular in las Ramblas. I had no intention of going to an area that had such a high rate of theft regardless of how vigilant i was as i would not be able to relax at all in such an environment. I took precautions with my belongings and was vigilant during my time in Spain especially in madrid and Barcelona. I did not "dress to impress", both my daughter and i wore baggy clothes with deep pockets, my daughter wore an old baggy jacket over her clothes to cover her pockets even though it was hot. When i needed to carry my passport i carried within my bra under my arm pit so it was not noticeable. I kept things close to my skin on the metro and in crowded areas. I put my phone and euro within deep front pockets that i kept my hands close to. All other items i carried in a bag on the front of me. Regardless of my awareness and vigilance i was robbed. I placed my bag between my legs while sitting down in a shop. It was a shoe shop with low stools and there were 3 shop assistants present. I took my hand off my bag to turn to my daughter for 3 - 5 seconds. When i turned back the bag was gone. Nobody saw it happen!!! Regardless of my vigilance i did not feel it happen. These people are good at what they do and work in groups. I would say we were followed and watched for that moment when vigilance is not there.
Barcelona is a beautiful city yet my impressions of areas within Barcelona are that of a weird Dystopia were crime rules and is openly allowed to be carried out. The police station i had to report my robbery at was on Las Ramblas. From walking there the groups that are carrying out the robberies are openly obvious. The police are not helpful and say "this is Barcelona, it is an international city". Nobody wants to say it for fear of seeming racist or stereotyping groups of immigrants. When at the police station many people were doing reports. The thefts of belongings from safes within hotel rooms was the most common. This is not a matter of being vigilant of your belongings. This is a matter of avoiding certain areas of Barcelona all together including staying in them. The level of vigilance that is required for these areas is unsustainable and affects enjoyment. I tried not to "behave" like a classic tourist and draw attention to myself yet i was robbed while momentarily sitting in a shop. My impressions were that gangs work together and you are watched along a long line of people. From the information i gathered in the police station and the amount of people doing reports i would say your belongings are unsafe when staying in hotels in the Las Ramblas area and i would avoid this area all together.

Just got violenlty robbed by 3 young north african men last week. Police said no need to file a report, but I should go to the hospital to have my wounds looked after. Sadly enough, there is very little police can do due to very low (if any) penalties for this type of crime in Catalunya.

Watch out for the muslims in barcelona, its pretty much little syria here

Very nice city.
Extremely safe, 3 week stay trouble-free.
We will be back soon, hopefully next year.

Many people in Barcelona are happy to ignore the security problem.
Even the new head of the security is threatening the patrols that are helping the people getting robbed in the metro. Now we have one stab or more / day. Good job Catalunya! Focus more on the safety of your people than on your fake Catalan republic.
Goodbye Cataluña and good luck.

I have lived in Barcelona for 8 years and right now any statistics from previous years don't count at all. There's a lot of robbers based in the city at the moment due to the lack of control of illegally occupied homes. I guess I cannot make any comment on the specific segment of the population who is causing all this, but if you go there just remember, the face is the mirror of the soul.

Barcelona is getting worse and worse.
More pickpockets, violent robberies and also increase in rapes.
At night you have to avoid Raval, Gotico and El Born.
Such a shame for this beautiful city but no one is managing to get the laws changed.

What a lovely cit; had read the below before going and therefore took precautions but I felt very safe with my young family and will definitely be going back.

I just got my gold-chain pulled off my neck by a thief. Never stop to anyone if somebody asks for a cigar or yell for help

It is worrisome how the crime rate is increasing in the city the last years. Barcelona is not a very dangerous city but recently has security problems like: steals, terrorism, drugs, violence, rapes, illegal sellers...