I was stopped in the street watching a drunk friend fight a taxi driver.
A guy tapped my shoulder and gave me my shitty broken phone (mine had been stolen the day before).
He stole it from me but was worthless so gave it back

I had my phone stolen 3 times during the 2 years I lived there...and maybe a handful of failed attempts. Phone and bike theft are common. I had a great experience overall in BCN. Just be mindful and street smart, and you'll be fine. Que lo pases bien! Enjoy!

I think I'll change my flight haha just kidding! Where all of that occured? In the center? 👀 In my mind Europe in general was super safe! 😂

It's safe for you, not for your belongings :shrug:
(It's the first time in my life that someone steals me something)

Be careful in LATAM disguised_face haha

I'm from Barcelona, spent several months in Latam recently, including Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala... Latam is far from the pickpocket level of Barcelona. And "funny" fact, people from Latam are among the easier targets in Barcelona, because they think they can relax because they are in Europe 😅

I thought I could relax there 🙄

Pickpockets are everywhere...so definitely don't change your plans. Things happen in the places you'd expect...at tourist spots like Sagrada Familia, on crowded busses or bars, etc. I experienced it on a bus, in a disco, and outside a bar late at night. Once a young couple came up to me near the beach when I was walking home at night. The guy asked for a lighter, then grabbed my arm and tried to put it around his shoulder...but I pulled it back and immediately put my hands in my pockets (where my phone and wallet were) and walked away. I saw that coming as they walked towards me. So anytime someone tries to stop you, acts overly friendly, wants to shake your hand, etc...they're probably just trying to distract you so they can get into your pocket or bag. My first time in BCN, a group of young pickpockets worked together to try and take my shoulder bag as I walked into the metro. One guy patted my shoulder just above the strap as if he was dusting it off, so of course I turn my head to look behind me in his direction. At that same moment, the other guy tried to grab the bag from the other direction. If my bag had had a detachable strap, they would have walked away with the bag for sure. This all happened so quickly that when I realized what was going on, the guys had already left the scene and by that time I had walked onto the train. Doors closed soon after!

Anyway...you shouldn't let that ruin your time. It can happen anywhere. Just leave your valuables at home, and maybe use a security belt

I am planning on spending a month and a half in Spain soon. I have been to Barcelona before and loved it. Anyone suggest some place I might not have heard of that I need to see?

drjyzrqh well said

One week ago I could have said "I've never got anything stolen in my life, and I travelled in many countries" 🤞

That looks beautiful ambwrnq I will add it to the list!

Granada and Mallorca. And if you want something less touristy, Asturias is a region in the north with amazing nature, and even more amazing food. Very few international tourists go there I think, but very worth in my opinion

Anyone has any kind of feedback about "El Raval" ? Some friends told me "be careful al nigths" hahaha

Welcome to the club muuccw 😆

Thanks fzokgjpt !!!! I'll increase in numbers the community there 😉

I don't know how it is now, but many years ago was called the Chinese district and was out of the tourist circuit even if it's in the very center. There were plenty of drug addicts and prostitutes, and locals wouldn't get in there easily. At some point things started to change, and many nice restaurants, nightlife and fancy hotels opened there, and it started to become a mix. I remember going there once for lunch not so many years ago, and in one of the main streets there was something using heroine. I think it's a great area to go (or it was before the lockdowns). The best kebabs in Barcelona were there, and amazing places for drinks. But friends who lived there told me they could see people stabbed from their balcony somehow often. I think the bad reputation is more for historical reasons than racism (even if I agree Spain is quite a racist country), and I would surely go, particularly to Rambla del Raval and Joaquim Costa (for kebabs and drinks) the Gaudi house which is free on Sundays, but I'd use common sense, and avoid being there alone very late when there is nobody in the street, particularly being drunk

I've heard about drug use there ... but I feel like that happens in other places too. Good restaurants for sure

Sounds great! I can't wait to be back

🛬 kwwewqgr just arrived in 🇪🇸 Arrecife, Lanzarote, #spain

I loved in Raval for 4 years and never got robbed there.
Always in gotico or born

I'd say anywhere around Raval - Gotic - Pl. Cat can be sketchy after 2am 😂

Does anyone have any recommendations for renting a bike in Barcelona? Searched for the (traditional) shops to rent and it's 15 euros per day so not very suitable for a longer rent. Any pointers are very very much appreciated

Check the bike scheme ajuntament.barcelona.cat/bicicleta/en/services/public-bicycle-scheme|https://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/bicicleta/en/services/public-bicycle-scheme

It's probably worth it to buy a second hand bike on Wallapop :)

Yup, for long term go on wallapop or fb marketplace

praypraypray

Is anyone living in a coliving in Barcelona? I am looking for a room in one of those. I had been living in one room managed by Enso coliving but I am not happy at all with them and their service

I’m planning on being in Barcelona for September October - does anyone have any tips of where to find short stay apartment rentals ?

Flatio, Airbnb, booking, colivings

any hostel recommendations for Barcelona or Madrid? And anything about those cities 🙂

Anyone travelled around the Andalusia region and documented it anywhere? Heading there wednesday and haven't planned anything!

Lugaris Beach Apartments are great!

Awesome thanks for the tips

I liked the terrace in the yeah hostel in Barcelona

I've lived here for about two and a half years and never had any problems with petty crime. I also think the reputation of Raval as an especially dangerous place is exaggerated.

#Madrid #spain I am flying next week to Madrid from NYC and I haven't got a straight answer in what are the requirements to enter the country with the COVID situation and all. Can anyone enlight me on that?

I can’t post links yet, but hopefully I can guide you well.

You have to fill this form:
Google _“Spain Travel Health form”_

And here are the entry requirements depending on the country (this changes often, make sure to check it again hours before flying):
Google _“International travel and COVID-19 Spain ministerio sanidad”_

🛬 egmblucedfj just arrived in 🇪🇸 Malaga, #spain

I'd suggest downloading the spain Government app for the health form. It's very straight forward and with your vaccination status/previous Covid/PCR you will get a QR which they will scan it when you arrive at the airport

all the issues I had was during my first year when I was always drunk and had 0 care about my belongings.
after stopping going out and being careful, never again

My understanding is that you have to download that app and fill out that form there ahead of time.

Awesome, thanks

Does anyone know if US LPRs (permanent resident) is required to show proof of negative covid test when entering Spain from US? The Spanish and US embassy sites are showing contradictory information…

🛬 bssctovxlo just arrived in Mijas, #spain

🛬 bmjxoqyynwgbpmgy just arrived in 🇪🇸 Madrid, #spain

When in doubt, go with what the Spanish says. I would assume you need one.

Hey guys! What's the best place to get a reasonably priced apartment for a few months in barcelona?

Airbnb

Thanks guido. The problem is the Spanish are also contradicting themselves. 😕

Spotahome, or badi. com

i travel to Madrid on sunday, anyone from chile?

hebsaxrhnuzzgp - these 2 are amazing thank you!!!

send a message to airbnb hosts, they do discounts outside the app for long term

ok I'll try this thank you!

spotahome has very decent prices

Spotathome has great prices, anyone used it and had problems with the deposit?

i havent used any of these. my friend is in barca now and has used thehomlike . com yrcsf

I wouldn’t want to stay there, not because of burglaries but because it’s filled with tourists and the streets and buildings there smell badly of sewerage (old drainage etc).

It's a shit hole

🛬 ohuynimh just arrived in 💃 Barcelona, #spain

🛬 zbgpccpn just arrived in 💃 Barcelona, #spain

So which areas do you recommend? 🤔

To live?
Poble sec and poble nou.
Maybe Gracia.

Eixample has less life but it's close to everything

Yep, don't go there. The recommended area in hoodmaps is actually really nice

I lived in Raval and I think its not bad, there's a good and a bad area, there are some risks of burglaries but just make sure you have a good lock in check with host
wouldn't stay in gotico just because its literally next to raval and more expensive, usually shitter apartments, even born is better and born is just as bad

I wouldn’t stay anywhere in the center, rather walk 15mins from Eixample or Poble Sec

also lived in poblenou I find it a bit dead especially during weekends, only great thing is its next to the beach
eixample is my favorite one since its in the middle of everything and has tons of restaurant options

yeah, only thing I don’t like about eixample is the cars :disappointed:
but they want to do mini-areas where cars are forbidden like they did in Sant Antoni and Poble Nou

I'd also stay in gracia if its in the area closer to diagonal/eixample 😛

gracia has a bad thing for me if u live in Gracia u never go anywhere 😂

yeah exactly

it’s super nice and has everything so it eats u alive

its like living in a different town

a friend of mine lived in Comte Borrel for years , it was super nice.
now they also made it car free so its extra nice

yeah thats why raval is good, right next to that area and cheaper 🤐

I’ve said this many times here I’ve lived in Raval for 4 years and never had issues (north of Carrer Carmen).
but now I’d absolutely avoid it

vefkjpot I lived in Comte Borrell, to me still the best area. Prices increased 3x since they finished the St. Antoni market remodelation and made it a car-free area.

yup.
my friend was renting a 2 bedroom old AF flat for 1000€.

as soon as he left I think the rent went up to 1500€ minimum

🛬 szysadnihebign just arrived in 🇪🇸 Tenerife, Canary Islands, #canary-islands #spain

🛬 zjsrobvthzh just arrived in 🇪🇸 Tenerife, Canary Islands, #canary-islands #spain