What we know today is that Barcelona has a very colourful and active night life, and loads of cultural history. However, as in any large city all over the world, it’s always advisable to be cautious especially when walking around late at night. As promised in this blog post, we present some recommendations to avoid threatening situations during your evenings in Barcelona.
1. Travel in areas that are well lit and packed with people
Available time is very important because the more available time is the more exposed you are thus, when outside during the night ensure you stay in well lit and crowded areas. It is worth to note that most of the locations such as Las Ramblas and Gothic Quarter are safe and lively through the night. Lighting and seclusion should be avoided as these puts the concerned individuals at certain risks.
2. Be mindful of your belongings
One disadvantage of walking round the tourist area in Barcelona is the high rate of pick pocketing thus a visitor needs to be very careful with his or her property. Thus, travellers may prefer to wear occasionally in multicolour money belt or cross-body bag to avoid losing their value items. It advisable to avoid excess or indeed making oneself conspicuous with large amounts of cash or excessive jewelry.
3. Either take taxis or hire cars through hire Apps such as Uber and other similar Apps.
If you are forced to move at night then it will be safer to use contracted taxi services or well tested and reliable ride hailing services. Do not hire any unregistered taxi to discourage any killer from easily hiring one in a bid to attack their target. Taxis in Barcelona are generally easily found and can be flagged at taxi ranks, or ordered through ride hailing apps in the same way as Uber or Cabify.
4. Plan your route beforehand
As much as possible do take time to plot your movement to know how to get around the area before the night sets in. This will aid you in determining which districts to shop, transaccion modes to use, and assist you in avoiding getting lost, or being in districts that are unknown and less secure.
5. Watch out for common scams
It should be realized that con artists exist in every traveler’s paradise and Barcelona is no exception to this. Do not fall for normal cons like the ‘dropped ring’ or the fake petition trick as seen in this video. It is always good to keep off anyone who approaches with an offer or something that seems too good to be true, just saying no politely is the best thing to do.
6. They should also abstain from the use of excessive alcohol consumption
Barcelona is one of the city that comes highlighted when it comes to the night life and good cocktails but it is recommended to take moderation. Another risk to take on alcohol is that it lowers your inhibitions and thus puts you at risk from lurking disasters. Drink responsibly and be careful of yourself at all times.
7. If possible avoid personal cars and travel by public transport or through reputable transportation companies.
Barcelona has an efficient means of transport through the usage of Buses, metros and trams. These can be potential options to travel at night in the city safely and without the risk for a car jackings or something like this. In the case where public transport is inadequate or convenient; it is advisable to employ authorized transport means such as taxi services and other hired car services.
8. Travel in a group
When wandering around the city at night, the best option you may have is to go in large groups and not be alone. This offers an additional layer of comfort and should be considered if you’re going off the tourist trail or late at night. Plus it is advisable to inform someone close with your planned trip and when you are expected to be back.
Conclusion
Overall, Barcelona is a safe city, but there are certain day to day precautions that can ideally be taken at night while visiting bars or clubs. As you will have seen, making sure you are in well-lit areas, being vigilant with your belongings, planning your route and choosing reliable transport services you will be able to have a fun night out in Barcelona.
