I have one. When in the Costa Blanca area, specifically on the Levante beach Benidorm (or anywhere else you see them), if you’re lounging on the beach, NEVER EVER EVER, buy a cocktail or drink from the guys walking around selling them. Not only are they NOT affiliated with any of the restaurants along the beach, but they prepare those drinks in the back alley, sometimes in a dirty van so they’re not seen. They give you the worst and cheapest alcohol, prepared in horribly filthy conditions with zero regard for hygiene. Avoid them at all costs.
Another very useful video blog for those less familiar with Spain. I’ve lived in Spain for 25+ years so would add a couple of minor points: Re ordering food. Yes, tapas is ideal for a light meal for one person, or ordering a couple or more tapas makes a meal for one more varied. And yes, ordering “una ración” of the same maybe far too much food & of course more expensive. However, there’s often the option of a happy medium of “una media ración” - half portion. Just ask the waiter. There’s usually portion sizes to suit everyone. Re the scams involving people claiming they need money to “get back to…” usually because of some concocted emergency, don’t be fooled! As you say, they are very convincing, smartly dressed, & well-versed. But they can also be found in airports, usually in the car parks next to the terminals. I’ve had them approach me at Malaga airport, always well presented. I politely told them I had no cash on me & walked on despite their pleading & sob story, but I can well believe others being taken in. Hope this helps!
This is more of a tip for USA travelers: Don't go into a regular restaurant in Spain thinking about asking for "Tortilla Chips & Salsa". Just because Spain & Mexico share the same language, that does not mean that they share the same culture. Look for a Mexican restaurant; there may be a couple in Barcelona or Madrid. I actually overheard an American tourist, at a neighbouring table, asked a waiter this at a Barcelona restaurant.
I grew up in Spain and did nursing school there. I just wanted to point out what was mentioned in the video: some beggers have very obvious medical conditions, weird body shapes, etc. But Spain has a really good social and health care system. So most of the times they decide to NOT get treatment in order to get more money from tourists. The rest of the recommendations are also quite true :) but Spain is an amazing country otherwise, specially for tourists 🩷☀️
the beggars with obvious medical conditions, are for the most part from Romania and/or Bulgaria and are part of organised crime. Very many of these conditions are totally fake and there are plenty of vids to be found on how they perform their "act". It also needs to be clarified that Romania & Bulgaria have free healthcare.
It's the same everywhere. Even in The States, which sadly does not have socialize medicine, the cities where the beggars tend to be are liberal cities that tend to offer Social Services for them including job training, temporary housing, food, and even some medical. However, they tend to refuse treatment. Some of it is because they have mental disabilities where they don't trust the government, etc, or like how you said, they know they'll make more money off of tourists.
We saw the "here's a gift for you" scam in several different Spanish cities and I also had to save my goodhearted boyfriend from one on our first day in Malaga. As for the "wrong clothes" thing: I see it all the time here in my hometown (Zurich, Switzerland). People who walk around in shorts when everybody else is wearing coats and long pants. It screams "I'm a tourist" from miles away.
Let everyone dress like they want! We are all unique! I have trained my body not to be cold, so l will dress summerful where you where your skipants! Who cares?? All that matters is that you be happy with who you are! And not what others find you should wear...say... be...!
I wouldn't call most of this a scam, it's called not being oblivious and paying attention. Agree that your tip regarding ATMs is a good one and don't ever give anyone cash - ever.
The thing I noticed in Seville was the touristy places always charged for the bread even if you didn't touch it, but instantly dropped it off the bill when you queried it.
I spent 3 days in Barcelona about 10 years ago, and nearly got pickpocketed every day... I spent the last half my last day on the Tourist Bus to keep safe, couldnt wait to leave. I was respectful, etc, but as a single guy, and clearly not a resident (reddish hair, Irish looks) i guess i really stood out Beautiful Place, terrible safety wise for solo tourists.
hahahahahaa by the fourth day you should have a fake wallet ready to be stolen, as a decoy for your real wallet! Sorry about your experience, at least you have a funny story to share. It is probably much worse these days, 10 years after. Cheers from Spain!
Most pickpockets in Spain are foreign, and they target Spaniards as well as people from other countries equally making no distinctions whatsoever. Remember, no matter how many foreign tourists there may be, internal tourism from Spaniards traveling to other parts of Spain is as important economically as the one by foreign tourists. The Spaniards you see in tourist areas are most often tourists too (from other parts of Spain), and they are equally targeted by pickpockets.
Regarding petitions: usually the belief here is that they want your address and send then some other members to your home. As they are europe wide organized it doesnt matter whether it is in a different country. Quite popular in Berlin by Sinti and Roma
Mark, as someone who has enjoyed consuming travel and nature docs my entire life, I bestow upon you the honored position of Modern Rick Steves and heir apparent of Rudy Maxa. You get it, and i always enjoy your videos. Thank you.
Whenever I travel, I leave most of my stuff at the hotel and I take just my credit card, I.D, medical card some extra money and my cell phone, in a small fanny pack. That’s the way to avoid troubles and to keep your things under control. And also beware if you leave your cell phone at a bar or restaurant table, specially in the terrazas…it can go with the wind. About accommodation scams, that’s a huge issue for locals too, they’re pushing people out of their places. I read a while ago that a fortnight in Rías Baixas (in Galicia) would be around 1.900 euros.
Be careful with pickpockets in the undergrounds of largest cities, such as Madrid or Barcelona. Do never leave bags on the floor unatended or don't wear your wallets in the back side of your jeans/trousers.
3 месяца назад
The fake bags on the floor sold everywhere (not only Spain) is not a scam. If you believe a you are buying a Louis Vuitton for €30, you deserve to be scammed
The free bracelet/flower thing happened to me in Washington DC years ago. I was so mad lol I didn't give her any money but it caught me off guard. Coming from Latin America I used to have the feeling that I can figure out all of the scams and outsmart scammers/pickpockets, but apparently people get creative in other countries too. 😅
We traveled the whole Western countries and spent time mostly in Spain and Italy. We ran into a gas station scam in Malaga off the highway. My husband paid for a full tank and when I started the car, it was less than half. The Good thing is that we noticed that right away and he went back to mention it. The person at the register apologized and filled our gas tank full.
Well, we let our guard down on top of Montjuic in Barcelona and a guy on an E-Scooter ripped my wife's phone out of her hand and dashed away down the road. Luckily we had apple care but this was a major inconvenience and the police was utterly useless. We could even locate the phone in a building in Hospital de Llobregat, but they said there are several parties living at this address and it's impossible to get a warrant.
Ilegal immigrant on a E- Scooter. Many criminals from other nations have come to Spain in the past 20 y to make an easy living due to the soft crime laws. The police truly can not do anything because the liberal legal system favourr thiefs and criminals.
We're going to Spain in TWO DAYS! I have a question: if we are four adults traveling together, isn't it best to order "raciones"? Thank you in advance!
The real thing about the jamin iberico is, is that er is so many qualties of this ham. 50 grams may cost €3 or €50. And to the untrained eye it all the Iberico hams looks the same.
Jamón Serrano per grams or a plate/ ración or tapa / is not a scam. It is the way things work in Spain for everybody. You have to read very good the menu which you can almost find everywhere in English and other languages as well. And if you have some doubts, ask the waiters. They are very helpful.
Mistake I made for Andalusia in March: not bringing shorts. Andalusia can have summer weather in March. You need to have shorts just in case it happens so you don't sweat in your jeans.
We can also have snow in March too. This March was cold wet windy and also had a big snow dump here in the Sierra Nevada. Pack for all types of weather. Except maybe July and August. Today is June 11th and here in the mountains it's 17⁰c, cloudy and starting to rain.
If you ask a glass of wine, make sure the waiter fills your glass in front of you and that the waiter doesn´t bring your glass without seeing the bottle of wine. A Rioja wine is more expensive than other wines. Make sure you get the wine you ordened. And not a wine of a worse quality if you ordened a Rioja wine for example.
Got pickpocketed my first day in Madrid just crossing gran via to get a coffee. Lost all documents and 500 euros. Survived the rest of the trip paying with my phone and electronic digital driving license. We learned next time i will keep everything under zipper pockets.
I also want to add that today the pickpockets in Barcelona do venture outside of the center. Basically anyone is a target late at night/during the fiesta. It's always good anywhere in the world to be conscious. There are tons of recent stories of locals being robbed or other Spaniards, not just tourists although tourists are an easier target. It's about the phones
Not a scam, but when I was in my early 20s (about 10 years ago), I had quite a few female acquaintances who went to Barcelona and ended up being the victim of assault at the hands of young men there. I don't know if it's gotten better in the years since, but I always advise young women to really keep their wits about them when partying in Barcelona. It can get dangerous quickly.
For those who don't understand the concept of a Tapa versus a Ración. A Tapa is a taste of something, it's small , it's a bite or two. A Ración is a portion for 1 person, but European style portion. It is not going to be Italian American or Cuban style portions. Remember that the way they eat is , appetizer, first dish, second dish, and desert. Each one of those is small so you can have a full lunch or dinner. Unless you eat paella, many times they don't mix the carbs with the protein in the same plate. They are eaten separately.
How are the prices in the shops at the beginning scams? Anyone should know how to read the prices and weight. Those that are actually scams are found in all other countries as well. The beggar scam is often run by a leader of a clan who collects the money at the end. I recognize some in my neighborhood and have seen some guy or another in a Mercedes giving instructions to them, even adolescents. There are also mothers with young children in the clans begging.
Don't buy cocktails drink at the beach in Barcelona from the man who pass buy with a bag of them, you don't know how they make them. But is ok to get a can of beer as long they are sealed
It is. Here in Andalucia it is still law that tapas ( quite often served with bread ) comes free with particular drinks. Sure it is calculated into profit margins, but should you ask for a drink sin tapas, you will still pay the same price for the drink.
Not Spain, but my daughter was in Rio de Janero last fall and was in a taxi at a stop light with the window rolled down *just a bit*. She was looking at her phone and someone reached in and took it.
La flor gratis que después te pide dinero suele ser un negocio de una etnia concreta que no se puede nombrar, son fáciles de identificar, otra carga que tenemos que soportsr los españoles.
I was hunted by a pickpocktier on a bus to Park Guell. I kept my money in a transparant plastic sleeve. I noticed her looking at me when I was putting it back into my pocket as I was getting on the bus. I then noticed her getting near me. She was using her tote bag to cover her hand reaching for my pockets. It was fun. I had lots of pockets on my shorts and she tried to get to all of them. When she was getting close to the pocket with my money in, I moved to the other side of the bus when a crowd were getting off. She moved with me. She gave up when I sat down. Then theres another one which I wasnt sure was a scam. I was taking pictures on my smartphone with my family at Sagrada. Then this beautiful woman approached and offered to take the picture for us. I declined. Because I wasn't sure if she would run off with my smartphone.
@@reddwarfer999 I keep most of my money in my wallet. The sleeve is for few notes and change. Saying that, kind gentlemen working at the train station said it was a bad idea as it would attract pickpockets. He was right.
@@DubCmusicTV it was luck, I guess when I noticed her. She was attractive, wearing sun glasses. Number of people I spoke to who've been to Spain had their wallets stolen. One was 'lucky'. As his wallet was lifted, the undercover police apprehended the pickpocketier in the act, but he had to spend the lengthy afternoon/evening at the police station sorting out the statements.
I am in Spain for many months the last 3 years. I only had one lady giving me sage... and ask me for money. So...? I can miss 1 euro... she happy and me not plunching into poverty...🤷🏻♀️ Let's try to be nice to the other! That makes a much better world!🙏🏼🙏🏼
That is just daft. There are scammers in every nation. You don't just have to go to the major tourist hotspots. This is a beautiful country where you will find both amazing sites to visit and fantastic people and culture. Honestly where I live in Andalucia you can leave your car running while you pop in the local grocery store. Please do visit, you'll have an amazing time if you just go to the smaller places. Don't be put off by reports, come to rural Spain and then just do day trips to the bigger sites of interest. You won't regret it.
Respectfully disagree. Yes there are touristy areas but there are plenty of area that offer an authentic Spanish experience. Stay in a local neighborhood and find some tapas restaurants. Try some of the great hiking trails that overlook the city. Take a bike ride through a park. Strike up a conversation at a plaza. There’s plenty of activities for everyone to enjoy. I had a wonderful time and encourage you to give it another chance
They are not, this video paints the wrong picture of this country. All major cities worldwide can be dangerous. Spain is in general extremely safe and honest. Where I live you can leave your car running whilst you go into the grocery store for example. Don't believe everything you are told about Spain. It's a fantastic country.
And don't take it out needlessly. I've seen so many tourists near La Rambla literally just holding their phones in their hands while walking around and looking at the architecture. If you're not using your phone, put it in your bag. Also, there's no need to take a thousand pictures. Just enjoy the experience without your phone.
@@jdm9251 In 30 years in the UK I have never been mugged but last two times I went to Spain I had my phone stolen. Your comment is just silly. In the same way British people move to other countries Spanish people do the same. Next!
I was sitting at a table outside a bar in Alicante a few years ago and a guy wearing a business suit came up to me and asked me where the beach was. A few things I thought were odd. One, why is he going to the beach in his suit? Two, he can't have been looking for the beach for long as it's just round the corner and there are signs everywhere. Also he said ¿Dónde es la playa? which is incorrect. It should be ¿Dónde está la playa? So I knew he wasn't Spanish. Anyway, I told him, he said thank you and left. A few minutes later my wife realised her bag was gone. It had been the old distraction trick. He distracted us whilst his accomplice sneaked up behind and took her bag. I have to say that in decades of going to Spain I've only had that and one other incident so it's not so bad really.
10:29 Even in my hometown in South Carolina (a regional vacation spot), you have to dodge timeshare salesman in the summer tourist season. Truly an international experience!
I was just in Spain for a week and a half and honestly I felt very safe the whole time I was there. There’s definitely some beggars but that’s in every big city so I’m used to just ignoring them and I wore a crossbody bag the whole time to ensure all my valuables were in front of me and kept nothing of value in my pockets. Good call out on not eating at places on la rambla or plaza mayor, those are definitely tourist traps. Wouldn’t call tapa/racione a scam though…it’s basically the same as restaurants having dishes that come in different sizes (small/medium/large) like you have in USA/UK/Canada
I have to say many of these thieves are not local, there's not much control about what type of people are entering Spain and how many bad illegals are around, so sad.
The weather warning is so true - take layers (I even include a thermal vest) and a pak a mac (they are now fairly stylish brands - not the old hoodie type pak a mac). My best keep warm item is pashmina - put it round my neck or body and feel warm instantly.
Even on Airbnb I got scammed. Romania. The host accused me of damaging her TV. She sent a fake photo and Airbnb believed her. Another attempt by a host in Portugal - that one they didn’t get away with. But in Romania I was out $600. Don’t think Airbnb knows what they’re doing.
Everyone on Facebook need to see your videos! Because boy I tell you I have never seen some of the most uninformed people in my life in those travel group pages lol
Agreed! Most of those tips seem to be for Americans that live in the suburbs. 😂 I live in a decent size city and when my friends that live in the suburbs of smaller cities come to visit, I have to go over things like, no don't talk to that person, let's move on. Don't give money to that person for public transportation, etc... Just y'day I saw an unhoused woman who is always begging on the streets eating at an Indian restaurant I cannot afford. 🤣🤣 She was in the restaurant's patio, with her table full of different dishes, and she can eat.
When on vacations, anywhere, I never reply to stranger asking for something, by something I mean everything, money, petition, direction, ... and on top of that all those saying "you win this or that, please follow me", I'm just not interested.
Great video, Mark. I'm off to Madrid in July for 3 nights (going to see Metallica twice hehe) and I will definitely be keeping these tips in mind. Muchas gracias from Dublin! ;D
I´ve been watching your videos for years despite not really traveling to those places but Im getting ready to go to Spain so yeayyyyyyyyy , your video is right on time!
@DennisBonich I know and I have one of these but I hate to fumble under my clothes when I have to pay for things. Much easier just to pull my wallet from my pocket, pay and put it back to the pocket.
Spain a different country. Its people, its food, its monuments, its very warm and well-kept Mediterranean beaches, Blue flags, and its services with plane flights and magnificent free highways. 90,000 million tourists are expected by 2024. There must be a reason.
I had my phone stolen in Chile a couple years ago so now I treat it like it's a stack of $100 bills. Many years ago I fell victim to the Bird Poop scam in Ronda, and I lost about 150 Euros, stupid me. And the scam you mentioned about the weight of the food in grams reminds me of the Tea House scam in China where the tea is priced PER GRAM.and the bill is $500 per cup. (Don't worry I didn't fall for that one.)
A typical distraction is young women twirling in very brightly colored dresses in Barcelona. We saw a young man with one short leg looking poor and begging for money by the Royal Palace in Madrid. That evening, we saw him with his mother, dressed nicely and enjoying the holiday festivities. Men should wear a money belt and women should use purses with locking zippers and a strap that can't be cut.
Dealing with pocket pickers is quite easy. Have a cheap chinese wallet with a paper inside saying: "hello, i'm a cop and i'm watching you as you read this". Obviously, keep your real wallet in somewhere out of their hands reach. You can always put a gps locating device inside the fake wallet, and when it gets stolen, go the cops and show them the map.
People take vacations and travel and they invest to enjoy in their vacations (which is usually not free) , but everything gets ruined by these incidents This is really upsetting and can literally make angry the whole travel and u cannot wait for going back home Why is that? Why there's no full protection from the authorities? It's not hard ! Why do these scammers grow like a rotten weed all over their ? And tourists keep going their like it's nothing!
I've spent quite a bit of time in Spain and have lived in Sevilla the last 2 years and there is not the same level of pickpocketing in Sevilla as there is in Barcelona. I've never had attempts in Sevilla but have had several in Barcelona. Be careful at ATM's, one time I had a kid put up a blank sheet of paper on my screen while I was trying to retrieve cash, fortunately he wasn't good at it and he got nothing. Another time near the Sagrada Familia there was a couple that were working together, one young woman stopped me to ask where McDonalds and I noticed out of the corner of my eye that behind me there was this guy who was reaching for my backpack. They ran off when they realized that I was on to them. So, definitely be aware of distractions. As far as tapas/raciones, that's not a scam, they dont do that to trick you or anything, the pricing is clear. It's your fault if you don't understand how it works. I think this video needs to be split in two, one for true scams and one for things that aren't necessarily scams but things to be aware of.
Por desgracia los españoles tenemos que soportar estas cargas no deseadas. Los carteristas son extranjeros no españoles. Los que venden ilegalmente también suelen ser extranjeros.
This video was really useful and interesting! Thank you friend for sharing such valuable information.We’ve subscribed to the channel to stay updated on more helpful content like this. Great job and keep it up! 👍💛
I'd always say NO to random people trying to get me involved in something that looks sketchy. Being like someone making a new friend out of nowhere, or giving a gift etc. I feel theyre boundaries that I would impose to prevent myself becoming a hapless victim while still enjoying the beauty of these places
As a local from Barcelona, I must stress the ATM scam. Also, do not use ATM's that are not from a bank -that is to say, that are not literally stuck by the door of Santander, Sabadell Bank, whatever. In the town centre there's lots of ATM's randomly in shops, in the street, etc. and the comissions are huge. That's a legal scam but a scam nonetheless
Show about bad air conditioning every where no matter where you book from. Am not sure if it’s exactly a scam. It tended to get really hot in Spain and their air conditioning is not very good and you start to feel it from The airport.
@woltersworld I am not sure if you are aware, but you should make clear those pickpockets are in their vast majority non spanish but inmigrants from a different country. If you don´t make that clear, it seems you are saying "the spanish people will take your belongings..."
Okey, I thought I would be worse, even though I am a spanish and never had a problem of being robbed. Well at least, they don't use violence acording to the video, so that's very nice. For the other things in the video about food and drinks: You can always chek the menu to know the prices, so you don't get sueprised, because it looks that you were dissapointed when you ate a "racion" of something and had to pay for it. Look it's top notch food and about 250 grams of it, what do you expect? To have it for free with a beer?
Hi..we are going to barcelona, seville, madrid, day trip to cordoba n granada mid june. Does it get chilly or windy at night or evening? Do we need jacket?
Hace calor. Soy de Málaga. Pero trae alguna chaqueta para la noche... Hace días que llevamos ropa completamente de verano, y las playas llenas de gente. Feliz estancia en España 😊
Unlikely Perhaps up north but I'm just outside Granada and our night time temperature at the moment ( June 11th ) are around 18⁰c. I would however still bring a coat of some kind as you can never tell what the weather will do, although let's be honest, our summer is pretty predictable to be fair. Today though for example is 17⁰c at 14:00 and cloudy here in the Sierra Nevada and looking like it could rain. So yeah bring a coat incase. Also I suppose it depends where you are travelling from. If you're coming from Saudi Arabia then you'll probably find it cold hey 😂
Cmon Mark- this is clickbait. I’m disappointed that you titled this video “scams.” None of these are Spain-specific scams. These are mostly common sense alerts applicable to any European city. Do better, please!
Agreed. He's got to make content to make money but I'm watching fewer and fewer of his videos these days. The information density is gone, too much click bait and fluff. But his 'what not to do' angle is probably what got him so big over other travel bloggers, so I accept his marketing is apparently working.
