Barcelona question

[pirate cruiser]

Saw a recent article about Barcelona residents complaining about too many tourists especially from cruise ships-we are on Oosterdam in Sept. for our first Med cruise. Has anyone encountered any animosity from locals and are there any suggestions while we are there-we are getting into Barcelona a day early to get acclimated-thanks for any thoughts.

[highscar]

Just be aware of your values.   One bad experience we had was a 8-10 yr old girl at the direction of her mother, attempted to put her hand in DH pocket.  She said she had dropped her hat and was attempting to pick it up.  Other than that we enjoy the city.  

[OlsSalt]

Pickpockets and hassled by mimes on the Ramblas - which is the main tourist pedestrian area. Still fun to see and wander the side streets and large public market. Just pay very close attention to your belongings and do not get distracted.

 

There are plenty of other areas to explore away from  this main tourist attraction, so a little homework ahead of time will pay off to see the unique this city offers. Do explore the many outdoor Tapas cafes - small snacks for a leisurely early evening people watching parade.

[kazu]

To answer the OP’s question - I saw no animosity from any of the locals in Barcelona when we were there late fall nor have I ever seen any.

[Sir PMP]

It's not the Catalans they are beautiful, it's the imports, always stay alert and don't walk around with a Hal bag.

[dawnvip]

We've sailed out of Barcelona several times and also visited as part of a longer Spanish tour. 

 

We love Barcelona! Never felt any animosity, and never felt any personal security concerns either, although we are experienced travellers and always stay aware of our surroundings. Subways are usually the worst place for pick-pockets.

 

The Barrio Gotica is a great place to wander around, but often packed with tourists, as is Las Ramblas. High end shopping district along Passeg de Gracia. Great beach walk and seaside restaurants along Barceloneta.

 

The port is about 20 - 40 min taxi depending where you are staying in Barcelona. Could be longer if the traffic is bad. If you have time, go up the hill to Monjuic Castle where you can see the cruise-ships in port.

[pirate cruiser]

Thanks for the replies-we have a hotel booked and will try to blend in !

[mskaufman]

We have sailed from Barcelona three times and visited one other time.  We have never seen any animosity from locals. Every time we are there we find something new to see.

[edinburgher]

 In common with many other popular cities across Europe, in recent years Barcelona  has been experiencing "over tourism issues",  which bring difficulties for residents. and for a few years now  local authorities have been introducing new rules for short term accommodation suppliers, in particular Airbnb in an effort to reduce tourist numbers.  Some room only rentals have been banned and apartments are required to be licensed, but  some which are not are still advertised through booking platforms. If you plan to rent in Barcelona, you are expected to check that the accommodation is legally licensed.

 

My understanding (perhaps wrong) is that there is also talk about possibly reducing the number of cruise ship calls and some lines have been using Tarragona instead.

Edited May 28, 2023 by edinburgher

[John Bull]

Pick-pocketing in Barcelona is probably worse than most European cities, but not drastically worse and shouldn't be over-emphasised.

But that's not what you're asking.

 

I've never encountered any animosity, only friendliness

Spain does after all rely heavily on the tourist trade.

 

You can try to blend in as much as you like, but you'll still be a tourist.

Typically I used to dress like a local, read a menu in Spanish, & order my frittata in pretty decent Spanish.

The waiter would then say in perfect English "would you like chips with that" .

Very deflating 🤣🤣🤣

 

There's certainly animosity to cruise ships in some cities, Venice for example, because of infrastructure damage and passengers making it crowded but spending nothing on hotels and other tourist facilities and precious little in restaurants & cafes.

But once ashore there's nothing to distinguish cruisers from other tourists - unless they're on a walking tour behind a guide with an NCL paddle, or wearing an RCI cap or carrying a Princess shopping bag.🙄

 

Barcelona has waaay more visitors than cruise passengers, and to the best of my knowledge cruise ships aren't a problem there 

 

JB 🙂

[Harters]

Barcelona is well used to tourists. It's a favourite "long weekend city break" destination for Europeans. I doubt whether cruise passengers make up a significant proportion of a day's visitors.

 

The risk of pickpockets is probably the same as in any crowded major city, particularly those which attract tourists who often to leave their usual common sense at home, because they are relaxed and on holiday. Don't take all your valuables out with you so that, if you become a victim, you have not lost everything . And be careful where you keep things - like don't keep your mobile phone in the back pocket of your jeans.

 

By the by, the only time we've been a victim of pickpockets was in the Spanish resort that we visit annually. Not in a crowded area and very skilfully done when we looked back on it. Lost a couple of hundred Euros - annoying but not a disaster

Edited May 28, 2023 by Harters