"El Raval's Drug Flats” walk-through Barcelona’s Most Dangerous Neighbourhood 🇪🇸- Into The Hood 

If any series is gonna blow up outside of Australia, outside of people who know who Spanian is, it’s this one. Keep going with this bro, do this all over the world lad

Dude who pointed at himself was trying to tell you put your backpack on your front :D

Genuinely impressed you're doing those drone shots. The effort pays off. Quality of this series is great. Keep going.

Very interesting video. I've lived in Raval for 5 years and sure it is rough, there are a lot of drugs and some shit happening, but the rough charm is something unique that attracts tourists and foreigners moving to Barcelona. It's pretty gentrified, used to be way worse from my understanding. Many of these streets that looks sketchy are housing tons of hipster kids, skaters and people with decent amount of money. It's grim, but personally I loved it and never felt unsafe, although you always have to keep your guard up still. They test you and if you act like a tourist, you are an easy target.

First video I’ve seen of this guy, subscribes 2:30 into the video, this is great content, seems like a genuine guy and very informative. Keep it up brother. Love from the UK

I'm a new subscriber from the UK and I think Spanian is amazing...loving all the videos, espcially the scary laugh...Me and my wife binged watched him for 3 hours the other day. love it

Spanian only aussie I consistently watch. Into the Hood and All Eats are both great shows.

I just got back from Barcelona, go there often as my daughter lives there. That’s 50 minutes of my life I won’t get back watching that. I’ve walked through the Arab quarter often, never had a problem. It has more of a reputation as being dangerous at night. During the day just petty stuff which can happen in any European City. Few simple rules, don’t put your wallet in your back pocket, in fact I take out one credit card and a few Euro. Don’t put anything valuable in a back pack, in a crowded place they will slice it open. Don’t film walking down the street with a camera or phone, spot the tourist! If you are lost walk like you know where you are going. If you want to consult you phone for directions, find a seat, sit down and pretend you are playing on your phone. Don’t walk around with ya phone in your hand they will snatch it or leave it on a table at a cafe etc. They also love to get you when you are trying to buy a subway ticket at a machine. You can see the suss people usually when you come out of the subway, especially around Las Rambla and El Espana. I have been down that ally with the prostitutes, nobody hassles you. As for the graffiti , every shutter on every shop in Barcelona is the same. Every ally and every street in Barcelona has those narrow alleyways, not just the Arab quarter. The locals were warning you that you stick out like dogs balls the way you were walking around. Final rule don’t engage with anyone with paint faces, dressed as characters or offer you anything especially when it’s supposed to be free. Don’t trust anyone. I’m a 65 year old skinny white blonde guy and never have a problem, stick out like dogs balls down there. You blend in, you were never going to have much trouble, only the camera was drawing attention to yourself.

I live in Barcelona. I walk these street often to cut through to other places. I've never been hassled down there because I'm not looking to start shit with anyone or cop anything. If you're basically on your way no one gets in your face. The place is tame.

To be true, I honestly didn't think I'd like this from you. But I did bro and I found it quite captivating. Barcelona is one of my favourite cities, but never seen it from this angle. I appreciate it. Thanks.

Because of your history i love how you can interpret certain situation's. Its really entertaining to get your perspective. Best series so far, straight out

U HAVE A HEART OF GOLD SPANIEN!❤

loving the series, every single video has been very entertaining and informative. would love to see you do a IRL stream when travelling, i reckon the viewers would love it

I like the concept of your channel, good for you for doing something positive by showing these places to the world. Keep it up!

I am a 55kg woman and am not afraid to walk around Raval at night. Tourists are targets for robbery because small scale theft is a misdemeanor; not a crime. Otherwise someone might just want to sell you something, or help you find a club to smoke weed or get laid. Generally not out to hurt anybody. Lots of immigrants in Raval; doesn't mean they are dangerous people.

First video of yours I’ve watched, know so many lads who’ve been robbed on weekend breaks from England to Barcelona, all lads who look like they can handle themselves robbed at knifepoint, you’ve got some balls walking round by yourself 👏🏼👏🏼

You walking through the streets brings back memories of the time I spent there a couple years ago. Loved it coz the vibes were way better there than in France & Italy. Actually felt more safer there and people were nicer. Definitely would go back 10/10.

I used to live in raval myself and never had any problems, you can see why it’s called the ghetto but I’ve always felt safe there being a blond hair blue eyed male. Loved to see a little trip down memory lane this video but i still missed some more crime hotspots in raval then the ones showed which are way worse. But further more great video!

You are good at drone filming , & it makes a HUGE impact , Establishes the focus on , and context of the Hood .

A food review in every episode is a must 💯

Spanian should just go to every hood and fight the baddest dude there, Russell Crowe fighting round the world style lmao

Love what you are doing and showing us . Thanx👍

Wicked videos feels like a minute since I seen a proper hood walkthrough that’s not in America. Would make it way better if you managed to speak to the locals as well. Can’t wait for the next one 💯

Love your work!! Keep going 🙏❣️

G’day, legends! I recently stumbled upon this channel, and bloody hell, it’s a cracker! The content is top-notch, informative, and entertaining. I love how the host shares their experiences and insights, making it fair dinkum and inspiring. The videos are well-produced, and the topics covered are diverse and thought-provoking. I reckon you should give The Spanian a squiz for a ripper experience!

I think you're the first person that has walked almost the whole raval while recording and getting into the most dangerous streets of this hood. You've got good skills to analyze the situation, place and people. I like that you're street smart! Big up and keep it safe bro!

😂😂😂 mate... feeling the luv in that' last alleyway lol Stay safe Spanian , 🙏 love your content 🇦🇺

Loving the authenticity, keep up the good work mate.

Would like to see inside one of those flats with the balconys down every street I wonder what it would be like staying in one of those

"This is a very dangerous place, thankfully I weight 110kg and have scary face tattoos". While walking next to a 43kg Asian man with a fanypack and umbrella 😂

I lived in Raval and I walked around at any hour of the night and never had any problems. I am a foreigner and I never saw anybody being robbed in Raval as it is not a tourist destination. I never considered Raval to be dangerous at all. It is an immigrant neighborhood in the center of the city. However, I did see women getting their purses snatched several times in El Gotico district which is a very nice area that all the tourists go to. There are much worse neighborhoods in Barcelona outside the city center.

Someone needs to pick this up as a tv show. Dude I would watch it 100% I also love the way you just explore and show all the street art as well

Was in Barcelona last month. My girlfriend and I walked through this area so many times, including at 2-3am. I learned after being in Barcelona for a month that as long as you don’t look robbable you got no worries. Anytime we went to a worse area I’d just glance at anyone walking towards or behind us and kept my head on the swivel. Any beggars or scammers come immediately tell them no and walk away. They are persistent as fuck, anyone who didn’t immediately shoo them away was followed.

Your sense of humor and channel is dope

Anyone else see the pick pocket happen at 24:08

It is so safe that he can even walk and record without his camera/phone being stolen

Mate ill be brutally honest. I first saw your videos around Sydney were you were basically giving tips on how to commit crimes. The average person doesn’t want to see that crap bro. These videos you’re doing now are really interesting and entertaining. They are 1000000 times more worth watching. Keep up the good work

I remember my sons telling me about you doing a vid on Campbelltown I’m 60 now and really enjoying your vids good work turning your life around

Definetly should go to the boroughs/estates in London

The name 'Raval' originates from the Hispanic-Arabic word arrabád, meaning a suburb on the city's outskirts, usually home to the poor and marginalised. The neighbourhood dates back to the 14th century, when Barcelona was in the grip of bubonic plague as it swept through Europe. ‘Barcelona is built like a colonial city, where the city of whites is strictly separated from the city of the indigenous people. In the city of the ”whites” the streets are broad, lofty, well-paved, often decorated with flowers and the apartment blocks are well arranged so that they do not shade each other. On the other hand, in the city of the ‘indigenous’ people, the streets are narrow like ravines’ HE Kaminski (1936)

I find funny ( interesting) how people from Australia, America or Europe talk about “ the most dangerous hood” without been in Brasil, Argentina, Colombia… South America yet 😅

If you’ve ever spent any time in downtown LA, Barcelona will be a walk in the park for you.

18:38 is my old street I lived on for 3 years. The flags are signals for drug gangs. I forgot what each color meant exactly but there were flags that signaled drugs were available, flags that signaled the cops were nearby, and flags that signaled no supply.

I'm a local, and I lived in Redfern, Sydney, NSW for a year back in 2006 one of the most dangerous hoods in the city along with Kings Cross and all I can say is those were quieter than some hoods in Barcelona. You've been lucky filming around with that smartphone, a bunch of Moroccan kids could have smuggled you easily in no time at all. El Raval can be really tough.

I’ve been going to Barcelona since 2000. Back then you had to be careful of pickpockets in Las Ramblas but I regularly stayed in and around El Raval and never had a problem walking right through the heart of that quarter. The place took a turn for the worse around 2015 when there was a large influx of immigrants living in the area and the few prostitutes and dealers who before would be in the alleys multiplied ten fold and and began to openly deal and solicit on Las Ramblas the most famous Barcelona walking area. The police do literally nothing though in truth there probably isn’t enough of them and the courts probably don’t back them. The Gothic quarter on the other side of Las Ramblas used to be the bohemian but very scruffy area where you’d more likely be more guarded where you walked but now it’s completely turned round. I was last there in 2021 and had three female work colleagues with me who had never been to Barcelona before. I took them everywhere but not into Raval and at all times I was very conscious of having them in my sight and not far away. Once walking down Las Ramblas with my wife a dealer tried to sell me something which I just said no to but then he said something derogatory about my wife. He clearly never expected me to speak fluent Spanish but he got a real shock when I stopped and confronted him shouting loudly in Spanish that I was going to break his face. He quickly scuttled away. I wouldn’t have done in deep in El Raval nowadays. It’s such a shame but as shown in this video this area is a North African and South/Central American immigrant shithole.

The best video, the Barcelona center, the Raval.

20:30 - yes. I’m a journalist based in Europe and the Arabic/Muslim areas are indeed not only the most dangerous but the most hostile against the natives (spaniards in Spain, parisians in Paris). Ironic but it’s different than early 20th century immigration where populations wanted to assimilate to the local culture and contribute. Sadly, the arabs and Muslims in particular want nothing to do with local culture and norms. Entitlement and indoctrination that has resulted in no-go zones all across Europe due to hostility from this community in particular.

I've never walked through there during the day. It seems kind of peaceful compared to nighttime. Maybe it was the rain/drizzle. The architecture is very interesting in a quaint kind of way in the light of day. You've triggered my curiosity to visit this neighborhood during the day the next time I visit Barcelona. Great laneways and colourful characters for some decent street photography. Rock on!

Yeah fella keep up the good content im a first time watchers and im defo going to carry on watching much respect pal

It's so dangerous that you do a long-vlog format in this neighbourhood. LOL

You should have done a walk down La Rumbla after dark... I had no idea how good/bad it was, but it was an eye opener. Keep up the vids ledge.

Great video & drone footage , merry Xmas keep up the great work , thanks for sharing

What does let’s og mean?

Thanks

This is hilarious! Was just there last week. Cab driver dropped my wife and I off at the first square you mentioned. We asked him to drop us in the gothic quarter. We were ready for a drink after a long flight so we went to the first bar we saw in the square. We had luggage sized backpacks and they looked at us a little sideways. Sat down in the square to drink and definitely saw people glancing as if we didn’t belong. Everyone else knew each other. I wouldn’t say it felt dangerous. But I definitely made sure to move in a way that would show them I’ll handle business if they bothered me. Good video!

As someone who is 6ft 5 and 200lbs, I can completely recognise what he says about how he looks determines how the different levels of criminality respond to him. I've been able to travel the world relatively unscathed and be immersed in experiences most people would feel threatened in simply because the street gangs don't want to mess with you... HOWEVER that DOES change the further up the food chain you go. The people higher up in these gangs see you as a threat to their respect / standing in their gang. Loving this guy though... His humility is refreshing!

I would definitely consider your appearance to be an advantage there! I've been to three notoriously dangerous (or at least shady) places: Darlinghurst Rd. in Sydney, which I understand has been "cleaned up" (bummer!), the Tenderloin District in San Francisco (I was a social worker) and an area of downtown Nairobi that I accidentally walked through. It's interesting how your demeanor automatically changes to match the environment. Some people aren't able to do that, so they need to always stay out of sketchy places. Some aren't even able to sense when they're in a bad area.

I've lived in Barcelona most of my life, and I've worked at El Raval "La Boqueria" Market specifically and studied at the EOI (Language School), I wouldn't say El Raval is the most dangerous, that's La Mina from my perspective. I've grown up having my school shot from a madman in the building in front of it and seeing crowns of flowers at pretty much every lamplight, marking a murder. It's kinda chilled out a bit, but yup, I'd say La Mina and El Raval are up for discussion.

Interesting area ! Must be really carefull thought.

I've lived in Raval for 26 years, I go down these streets every day and many nights. To me it seems ridiculous to present it as a dangerous ghetto. You go round filming people without consent, including the sex workers collective on their street, and someone will say something (BTW: you could have saved the sexist comment). Next time, go to the neighbourhood of big time thieves, people who've got rich ripping off people, locals and tourists alike. It's called Pedrables, up towards the mountain. As someone already commented, in Raval most people treat others with respect (tourists don't always, sadly).

Barcelona has the same problem as Marseille, Paris or Malmö. I won't say which one but everyone knows which one it is. ⚠☪😉

Quite nice, all alone adventures 🤩👊🏽👊🏽👊🏽

24:05 Did anyone else catch the guy pick pocketing someone!?

If you’re nervous Spanian I’m effing petrified 😂 middle aged white Nonna with a cane from Vic here and I grew up in the northern suburbs hood. Go you good thing ❤

el raval is pretty chill tbh... I'd have been more curious to see a night walk in hospitalet

😂😂😂 he's so much exaggerated

I like this content and series, and it's an interesting look into places people might not go. That said, Raval ain't that bad. Lived in Barcelona for 5 years, go there regularly. Sure, it's got problems, it's poor, there's drugs, etc. Tourists get pickpocketed (but that's true in the nice touristy bits of Barcelona too). But walking about, day or night, nothing's ever really happened and never felt unsafe.

Buen video tio ! Se tiene que saberlo como esta el barrio de mañ

Do you edit these yourself bro?

Bro if you ever come to Dublin, go to Darndale

The Chinese dude at 17:30 heard 3000$drone and turnt around 😂

I'd pay good money to see spanion deliver justice to scammers on the street. Good money.

Careful brother, Spanian you're a large guy but you never know what people out there are willing to do over nothing

I thought North El Raval was so sketchy at night. Poblec sec near montjuic is my low key favourite area - away from major tourist spots, not crowded, but lovely chilled at streets and plenty of eatieries and wine bars.

I was wondering if you did the drone footage, you should organize one day to see the sights and get drone footage then the next day do the hood filming

Loving it ❤

31:33 You are right bradda those two ladies are Filipino. Auntie with a short hair wearing a glasses a typical Filipino getup and always armed with umbrella is straight legit Filipino. Lets Oggg!

This shit should be on tv !

At it Spanny 👊🏾 Real one. Doing God’s work in the most dangerous joints on the planet, then just illing on the streets here in Petersham.

i have 6 years of living in barcelona and 3 times my phone got robbed and it always go to Raval in certain of way for sure I never get the luck of recover my iPhones but im not crazy to go there alone as a woman.

As a Barcelonian I would not say el Raval is the most dangerous hoods in the city. It just turns out it is located in the city center, close to the tourisc area and that why it has became more popular. But hoods like La Mina has always been far more dangerous

That lad was speaking Moroccan dialect and he was arguing about some family/friends problem where someone he trusted wanna sell something they were both involved in behind his back 😂

Spanian, I liked this episode - much like most people, I'm sure. I think you should get an interpreter and head to areas like this and try to talk to the locals in the hood. People watch you because you’ve lived this life, if you could connect with the hoods you’re going through it would be much deeper… also you might be able to get an invite into the locals houses and hear their stories. Keep up the good work man.

I did not know about this guy until 3 days ago, and I am absolutely bummed to realise there are only 4 episodes of this series! I am absolutely hanging for more episodes man! These are so good!

I love how REAL spanian is. 'i am this tall, 110 kilos, covered in tattoos and i look like someones whos been to jail' this is times when it makes it better and when it makes it worse. such an intelligent bloke. the kind of guy youd love to have on your team and hate to be against but you wouldnt have a bad word to say about him either way. im proud of him turning his life around and becoming just a top bloke. spanian, your someone actual kids and teens should be looking upto and i hope you know that and are proud man. if my kid told me you were a role model for him, id tell him to heed your words and dont make the mistakes you did but that he picked a good person to look upto. keep on keeping on man.

you should try and get in contact with someone who lives in the area before you head in so you can get a feel for what its like to live there etc from an actual local and maybe they will show you a crazier side to it as well.

Brus, you should get a guide on your next trip so you can go inside the buildings and talk to the people around the hood. It would take your videos to the next level. Otherwise, great work man, absolute legend. I'm with you for this journey 💯

Mate, found this channel through your Sydney walk through. I love how you're just honest, not over playing things, just, this is how it is. I've been around for nearly 5 decades. I've seen a lot. But, mate, you've open my eyes to things I've heard about, people I've met told me about, and you go out and are sharing that life experience with the world. And I'm one of them learning. I've seen a lot, but Far from everything. Love what you're doing, I hope it brings success.

24:05 am I tripping or did that lad just pick pocket the guy bending down?

I lived and worked in el Raval 1996 to 1998, the best time of my life. I am Catalan living in Oz now. Back then i was a Registed Nurse carrying A$10.000 worth of morphine and other meds for palliative care use around the neighborhood. Us nurses didn't wear uniforms, but when we walked those streets people would give us way. It was like the parting of the Red Sea: everyone knew who we were and no one was stupid enough to mug us, we helped the elderly, the sick and dying, the AIDS patients, the tuberculosis ones... there is honor amongst thieves, and one does not shit in one,s own nest. I got my 1st tattoo in Carrer Nou de la Rambla. I still visit my friends in several bars in there and I miss the piss smelling narrow streets with everything I,ve got. My 1st partner lived and died in el Raval from heroin overdose (suicide, intentional). A part of my heart is in el Raval forever.

24:07 that lad pickpocketing was so smooth 🤣

Been Barcelona many times, El Raval is not dangerous, it's just a very unlucky place for tourists who aren't street smart. I've been in some weird stair ways in buildings to buy weed etc, never had a problem. I've had friends who have been pickpocketed/robbed, but they were either drunk or dumb enough to put their bags down and not keep an eye out. These petty theives cover most of the center, however there is more around El Raval with it covering one of the main streets etc. Best thing to do is - Don't look like a tourist (advice for any country), and don't talk to randomers that approach you.

You should link up with Kurt Caz for some of the South American ghettos. His Spanish speaking and general knowledge of South America would really help the series out.

Why I was full on nervous for him? 😅 Also did anyone translate that convo 47:46? just interested 😂 LessssOggg!

I lived in Spain for 6 years, 2 hours north of Madrid. Bought an old flat in a working class suburb, which reminds me a lot of where you were walking around. Back in Oz now, but man, you're giving me a walk down memory lane. You were wanting to get in to the hallway of those flats. Usually the doors are well secured because of squatters. Once they get access to your apartment it is very difficult to get rid of them. Really,nothing much to see. Mailboxes, stairs and an elevator .

If you look closely from 24:10. It looks like you just filmed a guy getting pick pocketed. 😮

Fellow Aussie travellers. Just recently went to Barcelona...what a place :D

El Raval is seedy and a bit rough in some parts with some crime, but nowhere near as bad as he makes it out to be. It's a really characterful "barrio" (not "hood") and mostly safe to walk around during the day. I lived there for 15 years and never had any problems, even walking home late at night as so many people were about. You have to keep your wits about you and take care of your belongings, the same as in many parts of Barcelona where tourists are a target for thieves. And there are drug dealers and prostitutes, but they leave you alone if you don't bother them. In this video it was clearly filmed when most shops were shut so there aren't so many people going about their daily business. Despite the outside appearance of buildings and narrow streets, many flats have been done up - you just have to look on a property website to see how nice some of them are. I lived in a flat on fourth floor with a narrow, shabby staircase and no lift, but once inside the flat it was lovely and light. I was less keen on being serenaded by Filipino neighbours on their karaoke every weekend though :) It's interesting to revisit the area in the video, despite the many adverts which interrupt it.

"You're in the middle of El Raval. Angry faces only" 😂😂😂 Best quote, love it. Found your channel yesterday and been binge watching ever since. Your personality and content is just so relatable.

Absolutely fascinating series, thanks Spanian. I can imagine it gaining international popularity to the point that you're invited into these hoods as a guest. People want to tell their stories, and have done since the dawn of time. There's definitely value in the content as it is now, with you walking through just as anyone else would. Perhaps also some of your audience could connect you with leaders in these communities and give you a different level of access?