Barcelona holds a special place in my heart since it was the first city in Europe I visited. After that trip, I couldn’t wait to travel and see more of the world.
The city is a great place to visit due to great food, and sites like Park Guell, Las Ramblas, Sagrada Familia and various other works of Antoni Gaudi.
While Barcelona is great for tourists and tourists bring in lots of money, they are also causing lots of trouble for the city.
The New York Post writes that, “Barcelona locals are fed up with the disruption that tourists are bringing to the city – in the form of urine-soaked streets, fighting and drug use.”
The problem has gotten so bad, that locals are supposedly moving away from some neighborhoods.
Tourists are getting wasted and passing out in the streets. Manel Martinez, vice-president of the Barceloneta Neighbour’s Association wonders, “Do you do this in your own country? We don’t understand how people end up in this state.”
The Post also mentions how tourists rent out apartments which are then used for parties, causing more trouble for locals.
Various drug issues are also being blamed on tourists like finding drug paraphernalia at local playgrounds.
Tourism might be causing some problems for Barcelona, but it sounds like some of these issues might be caused by locals looking to capitalize on tourism too.
Find out more from the New York Post here.
My SO and I have flown more than 6 million miles and visited countless cities around the world, but not Barcelona and Venice barbecue we’ve heard they are ruined by too many tourists and too many pickpockets. We have no desire to visit places jammed to the gills with nothing but tourists. So sad…
You’re right about the pickpockets. We were there some 5 years ago and were targeted by a middle aged woman and her younger companion on the train from the airport. She made several attempts to distract us but could also see neither of us were going to become victims and she departed at the second station but not before stating that was our station in one last attempt. Glad we went but will not go back again. Barcelona is first, and Paris second, when it comes to pickpockets!
I highly doubt you’ve flown that many miles combined and have visited “countless” countries if you’re afraid to visit either Barcelona or Venice because you’ve heard that there are too many tourists or pickpockets. Get a grip and quit lying.
I lived in Barcelona – in Barceloneta, in fact – for two years. Just went back and visited in May, and it was as terrific as I remembered. However, I also remember walking into my neighborhood establishments and thinking, “Ugh, where’d all these Americans come from?” Unfortunately, there are segments of American tourists who are just tone deaf to other cultures. The really drunk people getting obnoxious and puking though were usually European “football” fans and stag parties. I totally get why they’re fed up and where they’re coming from. It’s not all tourists, but the few terrible ones really dominate the perception.
Steve C- Great question…
Spain and barcelona in particular have the highest unemployement rate in Europe. Why would they want to drive away the biggest source of income?
Tom- Interesting perspective! I was there a long time ago so I appreciate hearing this feedback. Just curious- have you bee there recently?
Barcelona? You can have it! I’ve had nothing but bad experiences there. You couldn’t pay me to go back.
There are SO many better, more pleasant, higher value, more charming options in Europe and in the Americas. Why would anyone go to Barcelona and combine the high cost of Europe, the antagonism towards tourists, and general ick factor of the region?
As far as I’m concerned, if Barcelona doesn’t want tourists, their wish should be granted. Let them see how their antiquated, non-productive economy does then.
Are you sure you went to the real Barcelona? We were there two years ago and our experience was 100% different from yours. We found it quite affordable, the food good and the locals very pleasant. Anyone that wants to CAN pay me to go back.