Crime in Barcelona, Spain

Crime rates in Barcelona, Spain

Level of crime
57.22 Moderate
Crime increasing in the past 5 years
77.82 High
Worries home broken and things stolen
48.34 Moderate
Worries being mugged or robbed
59.11 Moderate
Worries car stolen
35.48 Low
Worries things from car stolen
52.16 Moderate
Worries attacked
46.56 Moderate
Worries being insulted
42.73 Moderate
Worries being subject to a physical attack because of your skin color, ethnic origin, gender or religion
28.03 Low
Problem people using or dealing drugs
60.38 High
Problem property crimes such as vandalism and theft
63.20 High
Problem violent crimes such as assault and armed robbery
47.36 Moderate
Problem corruption and bribery
55.19 Moderate

Safety in Barcelona, Spain

Safety walking alone during daylight
68.43 High
Safety walking alone during night
41.76 Moderate

Contributors: 824

Last update: November 2024

These data are based on perceptions of visitors of this website in the past 5 years.

If the value is 0, it means it is perceived as very low, and if the value is 100, it means it is perceived as very high.

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56 Comments so far
JOSE RODRIGUES on Nov 24, 2024:
Estive em Barcelona essa semana. Cidade limpa, organizada e apesar do intenso fluxo de turismo, o transporte público atendeu bem as nossas necessidades. Qunado fiquei sabendo que a taxa de turismo é 16,50 euros/dia por pessoa percebi o quanto a administração municipal tem de recursos para investir em melhorias com essa arrecadação toda. A cidade me pareceu muito bem cuidada e não vi nenhuma situação de insegurança. Quanto a comparar o custo de vida em valores unitários me parece um tanto destorcido, pois o que deveria ser comparado é quantas unidades daquele produto/serviço eu compro com o salário médio (ou minimo) daquele País/região. Isso demonstra qual o poder de compra e o custo de vida efetivo para quem vai ali morar. Se fosse pela lógica do site, qualquer cidade do Brasil seria um custo de vida menor o que não é verdade. Fica a sugestão.
gugga on Nov 15, 2024:
Jean, are you saying that Barcelona is not for beginners? Sounds like Brazil.
Jean on Nov 10, 2024:
Couldn't agree more with the comment below. Barcelona is only dangerous for tourists with no survival instinct, locals know better thats why they suffer x4 times less robberies than foreigners also almost 70% in robberies in the city are commited by foreigners, so crime in Barcelona is pretty much a foreign problem on both ways, if you live in a 90% Spanish/Catalan neighbourhood then crime won't be relevant unless it's a poor neighbourhood
Anonymous on Oct 30, 2024:
The majority of comments here is made by either ignorants tourists with a bad experience who specifically go and stay in well known sketchy places. I have lived in Barcelona for over 10 years and the only thing that happened to me was that my iPod was stolen and that's all. Barcelona is filled with petty crime yes but they target those people who stay in the city center and party. As a local, I know better than to avoid those areas so maybe you need to be better informed. Yes crime has risen since the pandemic but I can't tell you the countless numbers of times I have walked home at 2 in the morning and felt completely safe. And no, I'm not a typical white looking European who can blend into the locals. I stand out because of my ethnicity but compared to the US, I have never felt safer.
Anonymous on Oct 14, 2024:
WORST city I’ve ever been to. As soon as I arrived at the airport, I was STOLEN. The place was completely overcrowded, with barely any room to move. There were no visible police patrols in the arrivals area, which gave thieves the perfect opportunity to steal my bag with my passport and laptop inside while I was in a restaurant. When I reported it, the police were useless, making me wait over half an hour out of their iron gate, only to rush through my report and send me off. This city gave me a terrible first impression, and I will NEVER come back.
Boris on Sep 10, 2024:
Barcelona is to the brim with crime, its over-priced, gentrified and getting rougher by the day. Go somewhere else
Anonymous on Aug 26, 2024:
barcelona is totally crime-ridden and dangerous, i have watched it get worse over the last five years before leaving, they try to hide it to keep the tourists coming. Valencia is nice though, and very chill compared to bcn
Anonymous on Aug 15, 2024:
Angel comment is absolute trolling, from all the big cities Madrid is the safest, Barcelona Sevilla and Valencia are worse
Angel on Jul 01, 2024:
Very safe cit. We felt safe there compared to Madrid, MAdrid is really dangerous. Madrid is the Spanish city with more morroquians, (35.000) in BArcelona tehre are only 15.000.

2023, Madrid 26 murdered, Barcelona only 11.
anonymous on May 09, 2024:
I am british-asian, and don't speak spanish. should i expect racist behaviours against me in the pub, restaurants, etc?
Anonymous on Apr 16, 2024:
Used to be one of the best cities in the world now it's completely destroyed and ruined by immigrants from all over the world commiting all types of robberies and sexual assaults, foreigners love to complain about locals being "racist" knowing well 80% of crimes are commited by their lovely Magrebians and Central American friends, if you ask me there's not enough racism against them and I blame locals for letting politicians, immigrants and drug addicts turn their city into the biggest garbage in the country, there's no other way back but violence and unity against thugs and corrupts
Alex on Mar 29, 2024:
I can't believe this city is in Europe.It used to be beautiful and now its overrun by Muslims committing horrendous crimes such as burning cars,breaking into people s houses,mugging people and ect.Shame on Spain for allowing this to happen.
Anonymous on Mar 26, 2024:
When in Barcelona, on the 25th of September 2023 at around 10PM near the gothic quarter behind a macdonalds, i witness a fight between what I believe was a gang and one who was clearly on something and so where the two main men he was arguing with. It turned pretty nasty and weapons where brought out so we ran away. Came back a few minutes later and the man was on the ground surrounded by a pool of blood. There were many other people who saw this and police where extremely quick and were there but I haven't seen any news about it since and was wondering by chance if any other person happened to also be there.
Apart from this, Barcelona was completely fine.
Roger on Mar 15, 2024:
The city is done, leave now if you havnt already, the Barcelona that you knew and loved has gone.
Anonymous on Mar 07, 2024:
Reminder to anyone thinking America is a better option, people and children get shot and killed on a daily basis. count your blessings over in the EU.
Alex on Jan 05, 2024:
Barcelona is Africa.Monkeys everywhere,The Spanish race is going to go extinct in a few decades.This is what happens when you allow migrants and refugees into a country.
Anonymous on Jan 04, 2024:
I was trying to ask strangers to help me find a right bus as I didn't understand the system. No one knew or wanted to help me. In the end, a middle aged guy called me a stupid man.

Barcelona is one of the most loudest and chaotic cities, where people seem to be jaded due to high tourism. I wish that this influx of illegal immigrants continue so that I can witness Barcelona being burned to the ground.
Jens on Dec 27, 2023:
So guys this is my fifth time here for vacation I really love the city it’s beautiful and people are friendly
But there are so many sketchy people, pickpockets, goons and lowlife people who are up to no good.
I feel bad for the people who live here it’s full with masses of tourists and crime really out of control. I witnessed two handbag snatchings but couldn’t do anything :(
For your safety just carry what you really need and a small amount of money to hand out avoid whole Ciutat Vella when it’s dark and Lineá 1 on the metro
But I wouldn’t say that’s just Bcn almost every big city in Europe is so done like London and Paris
The politics and police do nothing about it its pretty sad
Marcel on Dec 05, 2023:
You can't take this seriously, this page can be manipulated by anyone and it's being manipulated by spanish nationalists to give Barcelona a bad image because we want independence from them and because there's a lot of Moroccans. Just check official stats and you will see how crime in Barcelona has decreased 31% since 2021 while in Madrid increased 11% and in Valencia which is way more dangerous it increased 78% in only two years, but of course according to this site crime in Barcelona is higher than Valencia, stats are stats the rest are just words.

If you want a honest review of crime in Barcelona then avoid La Mina, it's the only real dangerous neighbourhood in the city because of gypsies
Marcel on Dec 05, 2023:
You can't take this seriously, this page can be manipulated
CH on Nov 07, 2023:
I just arrived back from a 4 day trip to visit a friend. She was staying in an Airbnb in El Raval and invited me to stay. I rented a car and found an underground car park 1 minute walk from her apartment.

I arrived at around 11pm and parked my car then realised there was a fork in the road and I wasn’t sure which way my friends place was so I whipped out my phone to take a quick look. I then locked my phone and put my arm down by my side but still had it in my hand - I thought as I was only a 1 minute walk (not even that!) that it would be ok.

Needless to say I heard footsteps running behind me and a man in a hood and a balaclava grabbed my phone. I kept a grip on it and started screaming to alert a few people nearby and he gave up and ran away. A paper bad I had was also ripped open in the process and my things scattered all over the floor. Two men came over and I thought I was in even more trouble but they picked my things up for me and found me a replacement bag. My friend heard me screaming through her window.

Barcelona used to be one of my favourite cities but I won’t be going back.
Car stolen on Oct 30, 2023:
Just a friend of mine reported a car stolen while having dinner. Things are going crazy in Barcelona.
Anonymous on Oct 25, 2023:
Both my wife and I were walking from Barcelona Cathedral along the small avenues. We stopped by at a shoes shop. Very fortunate a tour guide told the shop assistance and us that someone was targeting me. He was helpful enough to call the cops. When the cops came, the robbers left and we were told that we were safe to leave.

We quickly left and wanted to get out of Las Ramblas. Along a big street two guys pounded on me from the back while pushing my wife away. One tried to grab my watch, the other holding me from the back. All these happened during the broad day light (11ish in the morning) with hundreds of people passing by. Two families from the crowd shouted and tried to help us while I was struggling with the robbers. In a few moment 6 cops arrived. The robbers ran away. Fortunately watch was still intact and only got a few scratches and bruises.

Would never come back again to Barcelona.

We do appreciate the kind help from the tour leader, the passer-by families and the cops who helped us.
Sherry C on Sep 19, 2023:
This happened on 9/13 around 1050 PM - walking through Las Ramblas after having a very nice meal....one guy bumped into my son and grabbed his necklace off, my son ran after him and saw that he passed the necklace to another man. My son who knows Spanish ran after the second guy grabbing his arm and started to yell in Spanish about the robbery. The 1st guy ran away. Me and my son created a loud commotion with many tourists stopping and store owners looking on...we were lucky my son got the necklace back. Loved Barcelona but too many petty crimes and feel unsafe walking around. Definitely not recommending to visit this city till crimes are better controlled. As a tourist my family did not feel safe
Debbie Howard on Aug 12, 2023:
Leaving Barcelona tomorrow. Have to say it is the worst crime ridden European city I have ever seen. The thieves are everywhere you look to pick Pickett so if you come bring nothing!! My husband was violently set upon for his watch and arm sliced with a knife in the process and I assure you we are smart enough that it was not a super expensive watch just did not matter they jumped him in broad daylight with hundreds of people around. We loved so many things about the city but the lack of police protection, action and crime is so so bad. I would recommend to stay away!
joe bidden on Jul 13, 2023:
we need to take back our cities by force. africans, illegal third world sheeet savages need to be killed, treated so bad that the few survivors run back home...politicians are purposely destroying our countries they need to be attacked so bad they flee the country...their children family constantly raped and assaulted
Anonymous on Jul 01, 2023:
Barcelona is off my destinations and should be off yours if you have any sense
Me and my partner attempted theft on the underground 6 months ago and my daughter robbed last week and can’t claim on her insurance because the police refused to give a crime number - Lost the plot big time!
Anonymous on Jun 25, 2023:
racism against certain minorities has increased a lot in spain for the last 5 years I feel it. If you are moroccan don't come here spanish and catalans are very xenophobique. me and my cousin that came here on holidays got robbed and beaten by fascistes and she almost got r*ped. this happened in May near Sants district
Chris on Apr 24, 2023:
I was physically assaulted near Parc Guell. Very violent punch to the face by a deranged man saying I had hit his son!?!! I am 65 and was punched very hard. Completely blind sided. He ran away when I said I was calling the police. Many bystanders just looked on. Police were NO help. They said if I didn’t know his name there was nothing they could do. No one seems to give a f**k about tourist in Barcelona. 4/24/2023
vania on Feb 20, 2023:
I live in bcn since 5 years and I was robbed once but it was 4 am in raval, just outside a club. never happened anything else to me, my wife or my teenage son ever. I'd say crime rate is pretty moderate
Anonymous on Dec 26, 2022:
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.
Anonymous on Nov 28, 2022:
So after roughly 12 years ater last being there and hearing everyone and everything gush over how this is the "best city in the entire world", I had the chance of going back to Barcelona in November 2022 to see what the hype was all about. Now let me start off by saying that Barcelona has lots of great things: the Sagrada Familia is a marvel, there are fantastic museums, and the city is filled with quirky sights.

However, this is hands down Europe's dirtiest city, and crime levels tend to be all over the place. If you keep a close eye on your belongings and stick to your group of friends, you should be fine. But there are parts of this city that border on feral and nasty.
anonymous on Nov 16, 2022:
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.
Anonymous on Oct 16, 2022:
I found people in Barcelona quite unfriendly with tourist. It is sort of biting the hand that feeds them situation.
Gringo Lindo on Sep 22, 2022:
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.
jk on Jul 24, 2022:
I visit Barcelona about 10 times every year and normally for 24 days. Personally I have never had an incident there
Anonymous on Jul 20, 2022:
Barcelona is no longer safe, lots of Moroccans robbing, you are safer in America where u can own a gun
Joanna on Jul 15, 2022:
Last December a friend of mine was murdered by young moors at the end of the Rambles. Decapitated by knife because he was trying to defend a tourist from being robbed.
I’ve been living in Barcelona since 2000 and in all my years here I’ve been robbed 5 times and my home broken in (morning time, while I was raking a shower). Every single instance these crimes perpetrated by moors.
I disagree wholeheartedly with a poster below that says that black Africans are the problem, I find them all those I’ve met extremely hardworking and kind people. Meanwhile the moors along with the tourists have made this city a dump.
Moving further inland because of these people.
Charles on Jun 18, 2022:
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.
Anonymous on Jun 15, 2022:
Just don't go to European countries with lots of black, unskilled immigrants. Crime galore! Not worth the headache no matter how beautiful the country looks. This isn't racism.. it's common sense.
Dae on Jun 07, 2022:
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.
Anonymous on May 24, 2022:
If you go to Barcelona, you have to accept that there is a 75% chance you will either have something stolen, or an attempt will be made to steal something from you.

If you are happy with that, go.

Otherwise, there are equally, or more beautiful cities in the world that are far safer and less trouble.

Is it really worth it?
Anon on May 05, 2022:
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).
Naoise on Mar 22, 2022:
Been there twice.First time attempted robbery with a knife. Second time pickpocketed by a group.
Anonymous on Mar 18, 2022:
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).
Anonymous on Feb 16, 2022:
We were to Barcelona on holidays.
Very nice and cool city and extremely safe.

After Barcelona we visited Madrid and we found out that Madrid was by far more dangerous, plenty of gangs of "macheteros" and North african teenagers chasing tourist, we saw one german stabbed by "macheteros" in Madrid´s high street, it was really sad:we didn t see anything like that in Barcelona.
Gabriel on Feb 13, 2022:
Was in Barcelona for a month and witnessed 4 muggings and was beaten by 3 men outside a club. The police did nothing.
Anonymous on Jan 29, 2022:
Very nice and safe city.
I loved the downtown and Barceloneta, extremely safe.
In huge contrast, we found Madrid very unsafe, all te city including Madrid s downtown, we were mu . In Madrid pickpocketing happens 24/7 but robberies, even violent ones can happen during the night.
Roberto on Jan 01, 2022:
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.
Max on Nov 30, 2021:
Lived in Barcelona for half a year, first in the area of El Raval and then in the Eixample district. Except from the main touristic areas, the city is generally safe. The situation is completely different in the city centre (El Raval and Barrio Gotico), La Barceloneta, and some peripheral districts. Most of the times people just want to scam you rather than actually robbing you, especially in La Rambla, but be careful anyways. Try to avoid the beach at night as it's dark and there are no controls whatsoever. Two of my friends got robbed (not pickpocked, robbed) and got their phone and some jewels stolen in two different parts of the city. The metro is generally safe, nothing happened to me and I didn't see any pickpockets. OBVIOUSLY, don't leave your stuff unattended at any time in any area of the city
Anonymous on Oct 25, 2021:
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.
Anonymous on Oct 25, 2021:
City is in general safe except, el born, gotico, raval and Barceloneta, especially not at night. Pickpocketing happens 24/7 but robberies, even violent ones can happen during the night. Don't walk home alone, don't look like a tourist and if you are very drunk take a cab straight to your hotel. Stay safe guys, this city is not what it used to be.
Working Trip on Sep 16, 2021:
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.
N on Jun 18, 2021:
Hey so I went for a week to barcelona two weeks ago and it was pretty nice I didnt really feel uncomfortable because I mainly go on busy streets and had always my hands on my bag or pockets. I would say it is worse like paris there were many sketchy people that you should avoid and you should better be in a group instead walking alone. Some shocking thing I saw is, where a young man from north … you know, is empting a woman bag on the street and looking for valuables. Few days after I got robbed at Hospitalet d Llobregat, a poor neighborhood that you should avoid as tourist … thankfully they didnt took my valuables away because I hid it very well. So barcelona was amazing but when you wanna go be prepared for the worse. Scream if something happens. Police dont do sh¡t.
Anonymous on Jun 16, 2021:
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.
Tom on Jan 19, 2021:
I live in Barcelona for over 4 years now and haven´t had one incident happen to me, day or night...
Be alert like any other big cities