Barcelona SCAMS and Tourist Traps to watch out for!
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- čas přidán 7. 06. 2024
- Tips and Advice to help you avoid the 13 most common SCAMS, Tourist Traps, and Rip-Offs when you are visiting Barcelona.
00:00 Intro
00:23 "Help" with your pictures
01:18 Be careful if you have kids
02:05 Don't forget this!
02:18 The Simpsons
02:31 A rose for your lady?
03:02 The "FREE" gift
03:33 Don't sign just anything
04:12 This can happen to you at home
05:30 We don't always think about this when we travel
06:32 Looking for a "Coffee Shop"
07:57 A ride from the airport
09:05 It's not always about convenience
10:13 Did you think I forgot about this?
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Be careful at the airport! Went to pick up my rental car, someone tried to tell me there was something wrong with the tire, while his friend reached in the passenger seat for my bag.
Unfortunately that happens elsewhere too
@@PatrickGuideBarcelona no it doesn't
I learned to keep walking and not stop, a firm NO will usually stop them.
Exactly! Good to see you back in the comments again!
I’m going to Spain in 3 months me and my family will be going to Barcelona for about 2-3 days my dad told me to research tourist traps and this really helped thanks!
Glad you found it! Enjoy
These are great descriptions of the scams that are out there! A good reminder about using the official websites to book tickets, as when we went to book SF there were so many websites to book thru and it wasn't always easy to see that they were not official.
We literally just arrived in Barcelona tonight and the first thing we saw was your video. Great info even for intrepid travelers. Thanks for posting or should I say "hats off to you!"
Thanks Ken! Hope all is well and you’re enjoying the city!
Crazy how those scams are EXACTLY the same on other cities. In Berlin we have exactly the same dresses, modus operandi...
Lot of similar things across cities, yes
Mostly done by gypsies. So no suprprise they are the same.
I travel a lot. Don't talk to anyone, don't make eye contact and have a focused serious look. Seems to have worked so far 😅
I fell for the rose scam when I was a teenager. Three of us girls were walking ahead of the adults. A man approached us and said "a beautiful rose for the beautiful ladies" and handed us each one. We were naive and thought he was being nice, so we took them. Then he hit my mom up for like 20 euros!
Oh no!
The ability they have to detect their potential victims is crazy. I work near Plaza Cataluña and when I go to work looking like a local they never talk to me but when I'm walking with family or on a weekend I suddenly become a target
😂 it’s interesting isn’t it?
Patrick, another really helpful video loaded with good information. Thank you
Thanks!
Thank you this was very helpful
Wonderful Video!! Thanks for the info.
Thanks Charlie
Great info..Patrick
I was once told to be rude with a firm NO to the mimes.
A firm no doesn’t have to be rude! But a solid no will work
this was highly informative and with visual evidence, great video
Thank you!
Great video!
Im coming to Barca next week...thanks tor the tips! Following u now
Thank you fo this, I'm visiting in April with my children so im glad we saw this so i can pre warn them about the scams!
You’re welcome! You’ll be fine
I very helpfull video 👍 Thank you.
Thanks bro. Love you loads.
Great information, thank you
You bet!
Hello Patrick 👋 Thank you so much for the information and tips. We are going to visit Barcelona in April. Your information is very important and helpful. Warm greetings from Belgium 🇧🇪
Hello Patrick 👋, we just returned from Spain 🇪🇸 yesterday. Yes, we visited Barcelona. The first day in Barcelona was hard raining 🌧 but the second day was nice weather. We wandered in the old town. It was a wonderful experience. The paella 🥘 dish is my favourite 😍 😋 👌
Thanks for your advice 👍 🙏 It helped me a lot. Greetings from Belgium 🇧🇪
Great advice. I have been to many major cities in Europe and Barcelona is the only place I encountered a pickpocket. They only got a protein bar because I have learned to make sure the important items are carefully hidden away. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks! Glad it was only a protein bar
You are awesome! Muchísimas gracias, el mes que viene voy a estar por toda Espana Y tus consejos me están ayudando mucho
Muchas gracias Adrián!
much appreciated!
Count you change at shops. Some sellers try to trick tourists giving less change, especially at groceries etc where people are waiting in line behind you.
I will be going to BCN next month. Thanks so much for the helpful information. 👍🏼
You’re very welcome!
In Barcelona now. Yup lots of clowns with balloons!! Got tailed a few times too, but had nothing of value in my backpack & had it clipped tight….so no problem as it turned out.
Barcelona is just gorgeous & wonderful. Worth the effort to visit!!!!!
It’s a great city!
Lately there's an Irish guy called Connor (maybe he changes names, dunno). His story is that he came to study at Pompeu Fabra and got his backpack stolen. first is gonna ask you to contact his mom and is gonna make you send a message su some random Irish number and after talking for a while he's gonna start asking you for money to make a phone call home because his phone got stolen. Pure scam, be aware!
I heard this story over and over that's why I know it's a scam, and he always approaches english speaking people!
I would give anyone you phone to use. You never know
Great tips. The bracelet scams are big here in Vegas with the fake Shaolin monks.
Thank you Patrick's
👍🏼👍🏼
Thanks for the feedback, going in April.
Were you safe?
Wow thanks so much. Heading to Barcelona next month for an F1 event. I am happy one in our crew speaks Spanish but I have sent this video out to all attending. I will be leaving my watch at home, wallet in front pocket, staying off the public wifi and picking up some Euros before we arrive. Fantastic video, the comments also have some good advice.
Enjoy it! What a great event
Nice one!
I really like the Simpson-Cardboard-scam. A couple of weeks ago I managed to see this guy live in the Gothic Quarter. And if you keep watching him you can see how his - I guess pinky - finger is provinding the movements to make them "dance" to the music".
What about those guys with those colorful flashy things at mostly Las Ramblas or Catalunya? They always shoot those things up in the air and sometimes catch them. Is it merely a distraction for maybe some of their partners?
With their pinkies? The flashy flying things, I don’t think are anything
I lived 3 years in Barcelona. I moved away. I'm much happier. If you will visit Barcelona, go in winter, avoid summer. Thanks for video. It's accurate.
Appreciate your support
Hi where can I find the official sites for tickets pls.
We arrived due to a late flight into Barecelona pre booked taxi and hotel, No taxi, tried dozens of times to phone the taxi no answer, so went to the Taxi queue which had dozens of taxies, but were sent to the last taxi in the queue which was battered and broken, but needs must, so we set off, he went the Scenic route (ie:- the longest way around) to our hotel, which was shut but after a while of knocking they let us in to a hovel, It was now 03:00 we had a short sleep until 06:00 for another extortianate taxi to take us the half mile to our cruise ship,
After two weeks we returned to Barcelona, and had a day to spend before our flight home, No place to leave our cases for the day until the hotel was available for the night
What a nightmare and will NEVER be back
Yes we had that done to us in Hong Kong. He took the scenic route. 10 minutes journey took 20 minutes. Would have walked but it was monsoon.
Me and my daughters come across the bracelet scammers in Rome, they seem friendly at 1st then become forceful.
Yesterday here in Liverpool I saw someone handing out balloons then ask.for money
I got done with the bracelet scam a few years back. There are always four or five guys standing at the end of la ramblas near Christopher columbus state. Now i just cross over on to the side walk
Yep, that’s a common spot for them
this bracelet could have happened to me eight years ago you must have played in rome black guys. She threw the bracelet at me, and when I grabbed it so that it wouldn't fall to the ground, she cried that she had a child who was also hungry. I gave him back the bracelet. I don't tolerate anyone looking at me as stupid.
Fell for the bracelet scam in Venice, never again will I let that happen
Uh oh!
Same but in Rome 😩
Im really nervous about arriving in Madrid Airport. Ill have my dog and my suitcases with me but im afraid that i wont have much awareness and someone will take my luggage or purse or even my dog. Can anyone give some tips about arriving at the airport and how to stay safe. Thank you
Pickpocket is an olympic sport in Barcelona
I don’t think that was accepted for the 2028 games 😂😂
@@PatrickGuideBarcelona they’re still qualifying. Hence the intensity of pickpocket athletes. I am in Barcelona, should have watched your video sooner. Got robbed eating outdoor, it was the paper on top routine. Luckily I took out all my cc and cash before hand at the hotel and left only one cc and 100 euro im my wallet.
Albeit i had money stolen once inside the safe deposit box at a hotel i stayed in Prague once. The hotel staff had a master key to open all the safes.
Great video, really helpful. ❤
@charlese665 sorry to hear that! Stay safe and enjoy!
Thanks for the great advice, Pat !!! Appreciate it! Quick question… i usually use credit cards to pay anything. Do i need to carry cash with me in Barcelona? Can i get away with credit cards for all places such as restaurants, museums, public transportation etc., ?
In almost all cases you won’t need cash. You can always take some out, but you don’t need a lot.
@@PatrickGuideBarcelona cool, thanks!
Just came back from Barcelona and do not want to go back for more. Be aware that what you see, usually from vlogers, may not match the reality. Barcelona is crowded, loud, busy, dirty city. Stay away from most attractions and you will find areas that are much nicer, pleasant with green parks. The food quality and prices in all tourist areas are high with so so food. The prices and quality outside of the main fares are much better. The spanish food packs a lot of fat, carbs and cals. No salad to be found anywhere, same with fruit on most of the menus. I did not see any crime and felt very safe during the day and at night, traveling alone. Not a place I would ever want to come back.
You can always use a passport card for identification and this is not valid for regular international travel but it’s a valid ID. Leave your passport where no one can get it.
3:19 that happened to me in italy and we he was so forecful and acted kind we couldnt do anything and had to pay 20 euros
We have just returned from BCN. We were too late to get tickets for the Sagrada, it was sold out on all the official ticket sites. Only one site still had some on offer, albeit overpriced. We took a chance. We finally received an email from China with the tickets attached. Until the very end I thought we had been tricked, but to our astonishment the tickets were actually legitimate. But next time we'll book in advance.
Thanks next month is our trip to barcelona i am ready but careful❤from israel❤
Have fun!
7:05 how could they NOT charge for what you consume??
Pickpockets are no joke, we caught one redhanded on the metro, thankfully didn’t steal anything, but just fyi. Love spain but jeez.
We reconsider our holiday and are going somewhere else, thanks.
Where are you going?
@@PatrickGuideBarcelona Switzerland 👍🏼
I'm leaving tomorrow for Spain and spending a full day in Barcelona
Nice!
When I was there in January, some guy on La Rambla was pretty insistent that I take a bracelet. He tried putting it on my and I asked him how much. He kept telling me it was free. I gave it back right away.
They always say it’s free
Be careful of the touchy feely ones as well. Don't wear watches or jewellery of value. Buy a 'my first watch' if you really need to tell the time
I know a lot of places want passport information to identify. Will a copy of the passport work? I would rather not walk around with my actual passport. TIA 🙏🏼 Your content is awesome 👍👍👍
It’s something I always recommend when traveling. Keep a copy of your passport and leave the original in a safer spot. What specific places want passport numbers? And thank you!
@@PatrickGuideBarcelonaI remember entering passport numbers for some high speed tickets and places like Alhambra. I don't think any of the Barcelona sites I reserved asked for passport numbers. Thank you Patrick!
can i buy tickets for la sagrada familia tickets in place ?
You need to buy them online
just avoid the whole region.. there are countries you can go without having to take a class how not to get scammed... just avoid the region, dry them out
Go to Milan. Its cleaner, safer and better policed. Was in Barcelona 6 months ago, Milan last week.
What you forgot to say about the people who are mute and try to get you to sign a piece of paper: they will try to pickpocket you underneath their clipboard.
Thanks, that was actually part of the dont sign anything section
Why would any tourist want to sign a paper to bring about changes or whatever?😂😂😂
@@rebeccagutierrez1960 I guess people just don't want to be mean and are taken aback by someone being deaf/mute.
Looking for a good VPN
Expressvpn
I would just avoid Las Ramblas altogether tbh 😅
I wouldn’t avoid it, but it’s not the place you need to spend your entire trip
@@PatrickGuideBarcelona true, it’s kinda hard to totally avoid it, especially on the way to the beach 🏝️
Ah yes, Barcelona, the only place I've had my pocket picked, and that was more than 30 years ago, and Barcelona had that reputation even back then. Shame the authorities are so powerless against crime.
I never travel with more than $250 in my pocket. Just use a credit card.
Got one of those f*cking clowns handing a balloon to our 3 year old. Afterwards she was so sad that she had to give back the balloon.
From the first 3 mins of this video, I don't see how this is scamming, unless they were selling something that didn't work afterwards. Trying to make money from selling roses, etc... is not a scam. People don't have to buy, so there is no scam, unless someone was in the background, pickpocketing while you are distracted.
Best thing we used to keep our card and some cash while in Barcelona are the Pacsafe Coversafe S25 Hidden Undercover Travel Bra Pouch. No!! We did not loop them in our bra, that would have been awkward when paying 🤣😅. We looped them in one of our pants’ front belt loop, then tucked them just under the waistband. Easy to whip out when paying and you can do it discreetly enough so it doesn’t look weird!
I’ve seen some new belts that look interesting
Scammers, doing the work locals won't do...
I will never go to Barcelona.
The easiest way to avoid these scams is simply NOT go to Barcelona. Think about another destination to enjoy your days off until the townhall of Barcelona organizes its public security better.
there are scammers all around the world. so we should stop travelling or what? nonsense
Maybe I’ll just not go to Barcelona.
Thanks
Funny
Go to Valencia. Much better, cheaper and no scamms.
so many things to take care of makes it an easy decision for me not to come at all!
Avoiding Barcelona, Madrid, Paris is the only way to enjoy safe vacations.
My mother got 200 euro stolen in Nice, France.😂
I was in Madrid several months ago. Carried my purse along. Don't look or act stupid. It went just fine. I'm 63 years old and traveled alone.
Best not to talk to anyone when you walking around. Just avoid them always no talk no smiles just enjoy your time with your family.
😂
😂
Bro I have them literally one dollar for a balloon. Why not buy it ?!? lol how are they scammers ? If that’s the case every salesman is a scammer . Come on bro, people have to make a living .
But not at our expense
I don't understand people who travel with small children (let's say
Why does the government allow this. Where are the police
Good idea is perhaps carry Monopoly money for clowns…
But then you’re just carrying Monopoly money around…
Use zippored pants, gents.
🤐
BARCELONA IS EACH DAY MORE DANGEROUS , THE MOST DANGEROUS CITY OF SPAIN AND THE MOST EXPENSIVE.
THE BEST CITY IS MADRID, SAFE, NOT EXPENSIVE AND THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CITY IN SPAIN.
Nope
Wanna know the biggest scams here? The number of advertisement breaks in your video!!!
14 then?
What a shame not to aknowledge all the work put into this video.. it's basically free content, if you don't think it is worth watching the advertisement, watch other videos :)
Don't travel to Barcelona, the a-holes grabbed my friends purse. Travel in the USA!!!!
I would, but it costs too much to get there...
Interesting and informative. Still, kind of weird that you seem to be mostly interested in filming yourself, making a long selfie video from Barcelona. Sorry.
Anyway, welcome and enjoy!
Why are you doing this kind of video?? You can do better..
Are you kidding? This is valuable for us travelers. Headed there next week actually.