Around the city

Compared to other European or American cities Barcelona cannot be considered a dangerous city. Usually, crimes are not violent, this means there are no weapons involved and people do not often get physically hurt.

Pick pockets are quite common in touristy areas such as Las Ramblas. Be very careful with your belongings! It is very important that you follow the advice of the IES staff, host families and Spanish fellow students.

Please, take the following points into consideration:

1. Avoid walking alone at night
2. Take taxis instead of public transportation
3. Always be aware of your surroundings
4. Carry all your valuables in body pouches, never in a backpack
5. Carry photocopies of passport and leave the original at home
6. Leave credit cards at home if you know you won’t need them
7. Don’t follow strangers advice, they may try to distract your attention
8. Don’t give your address or take strangers to your lodgings
9. Don’t give strangers any information about the IES location