Whether you’re only starting to dream of your next holiday or in the final stages of planning your adventure, it’s worth bearing in mind hot-spots for pickpockets & tips to keep your belongings out of harm’s way.
According to a survey conducted by TripAdvisor.com, pickpockets are often the biggest nuisance for tourists, particularly in the major European cities. Out of 1260 people surveyed, 12% said that they had been pickpocketed. Not a big problem?
Amelie Hurst, a spokeswoman for the site says:
“Pickpocketing is a true art, and while thieves can strike anywhere, home or abroad, tourist hot-spots often yield far richer-pickings. The combination of an awe-struck traveller and a bag bulging with local currency, not to mention passports, cameras and credit cards, is an appealing prospect for any light-fingered thief.”
Both travellers & editors contributing to TripAdvisor voted for the cities that they believed were most likely going to see tourists get their bags pinched and here are the ten cited as the worst:
1. Barcelona, Spain
The second largest city in Spain takes out the top spot as the most likely place to get your belongings pickpocketed.The most famous street in Barcelona, Las Ramblas (also called La Rambla), was voted the ‘perfect place to get your purse poached.’ One reviewer even compared Barcelona’s pickpocketing to soccer - a generally practised & accepted sport.
2. Rome, Italy
Italy is famous for food, wine, art, architecture & the Renaissance. While Rome, its capital & largest city, is sadly also famous for pickpocketing.Watch out for pickpocketers around the Trevi Fountain or the Pantheon, where thieves may nab your camera with a ‘quick snip of scissors’ or ‘clever handiwork with a zipper.’Travellers beware: 5 of Rome’s top 10 most popular attractions* are busy, outdoor attractions.So, when in Rome… look after your stuff!
3. Prague, Czech Republic
In 1993, after the split of Czechoslovakia, Prague became the capital city of the new Czech Republic. Prague’s an Eastern European tourist magnet with many treats. Sadly, the locals also have plenty of tricks up their sleeves.The famously beautiful Charles Bridge is lined with baroque statues and presents fine views of Prague Castle, the Vltava River & many more of Prague’s famous attractions. TripAdvisor focuses on Charles Bridge as a particular pickpocket favourite – so be careful when taking a romantic stroll along the bridge from the Old Town to the Lesser Town. Travellers beware: 6 of Prague’s top 10 most popular attractions* are busy, outdoor attractions.
4. Madrid, Spain
Spain’s capital city located in the heart of the peninsula and right in the centre of the Castillian plain takes out the 4th spot on the hit list. El Rastro flea markets as well as the crowded Metro have pickpocket networks, so be wary while browsing for those souvenirs & travelling around the city. Visitors should also be wary while taking in culture at one of the many museums in Madrid, where thieves may prey on distracted tourists.
5. Paris, France
Even the City of Love is not safe from this list.Paris, also known as La Ville-Lumière, the City Of Light, has a dark side. Its nickname originates from its fame as a centre of education and ideas during the ‘Age of Enlightenment’, and later to its early adoption of street lighting.The Paris region receives approx. 45 million tourists annually, 60% of whom are foreign visitors and unfortunately many fall prey to pickpocketing. Whether catching a cruise on the Seine, looking down on Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower or walking under the Arc de Triomphe keep a close eye on your belongings. Travellers should be especially cautious on the Metro system.
6. Florence, Italy
Ah beautiful renaissance Florence. The great Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Donatello & Raphael (not to be confused with those ninja turtles!) called this fine city home. With the amazing calibre of artists hailing from this city, there is an abundance of beauty to admire & culture to take in.Travel +Leisure Magazine voted Florence as the more desirable city to visit in the world and it’s not hard to imagine why. However, make sure you keep an eye on your desirables too.TripAdvisor says: “When admiring Michelangelo’s David, or its replica in busy Piazza della Signoria, be alert that others may have their attention on your wallet.”
7. Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires, a seductive port city stretches south-to-north along the Rio de la Plata. The capital & second largest city in Argentina has been a gateway to the country for centuries. Its architecture is an eclectic mix of Spanish, French & Italian elements, and it’s been said some areas even resemble Barcelona, Paris & Madrid! Famous for the Tango, Eva Peron & much more, this city was voted second most desirable city to visit after Florence, Italy.However, if while sightseeing you find you are suddenly covered in ‘bird droppings’ (most likely mustard) and a ‘friendly’ local (most likely a thief) happens to be standing by with napkins to help you clean up, be warned, they’re after your stuff.Travellers beware: 5 of Buenos Aires’s top 10 most popular attractions* are busy, outdoor attractions.
8. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam, Holland’s largest city, has over 1million push bikes but only 700,000 Amsterdammers! Well, they do have 15,000km of bicycle lanes in Holland to take them for a spin on.Whether visiting Amsterdam to take in some culture at one of museums (they do boast more museums per square foot than anywhere else in the world!), visit one of the thousand original and still working windmills, take a lazy bike ride along the canal or just to party, it’s worth bearing the following advice in mind.”Don’t be too taken in by the canals and the friendly, laid-back atmosphere – pickpocketers have been known to take advantage,” say traveller advisers.
9. Athens, Greece
Greece’s capital is named after one of the most important goddesses in Greek mythology, Anthea – the goddess of wisdom, war, the arts, industry, justice and skill.Many historical personalities were born in this city and even more lived & worked here. Socrates wandered the streets, discussing philosophical questions with people he met. Demosthenes preached against the Macedonians and both Plato & Aristotle taught here.The first place you should visit when in Athens is of course the Parthenon on the Acropolis or the sacred rock as the Greeks call it. Standing up there you can practically feel the magnificence of ancient Greece and breathe in history. However, make sure you keep your bag close to your chest as this area was listed as a hot-spot. Travellers beware: 5 of Athens’s top 10 most popular attractions* are busy, outdoor attractions.
10. Hanoi, Vietnam
Ha Noi means within the river and was the name given to the capital by King Minh Mang back in 1831. Situated on the right bank of the Red River the city is known for its European-style public squares and tree-lined boulevards. With over 600 temples, pagodas, monuments and colonial architecture it’s a beautiful and very unique place to visit.The tangled streets of the Old Quarter are a favourite stomping ground for tourists and backpackers alike. The 36 Pho Phuong (Streets) now function as an outdoor shopping mall and as such does attract thieves.Travellers beware: 5 of Hanoi’s top 10 most popular attractions* are busy, outdoor attractions.
Whether or not you’re travelling to any of the cities listed above, don’t fret, TripAdvisor has also released their top 5 tips to keep your belongings out of harm’s way & more importantly out of the hands of the sneaky pickpocketers.
Top 5 tips to avoid being pickpocketed:
- Never keep your wallet or valuables in your rear pocket, even if it buttons – it’s by far the easiest target.
- Beware of the distraction tactic. Dropping something near you, squirting something on you, or simply jostling you. Be on guard when in crowds, and secure your belongings.
- Pickpockets often work in pairs or groups and it’s not just the usual suspects. Be cautious with any strangers—sometimes people who don’t look like they’d be a threat, such as children or the elderly, can be part of larger operations.
- Stay alert in confined spaces and near passageways. Try to avoid standing near the doorways of trains as groups of pickpockets can rush at you when the doors open.
- Before you set off on a trip, pare down the contents of your purse or wallet as the smaller the bulge, the less likely pickpockets are to covet it.
“Not always a basic ‘lift-and-run’ operation, expert pickpocketing can sometimes involve more complicated scams,” said Christine Petersen, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. “Travellers need to be aware of all kinds of tricks meant to distract them from their belongings while enjoying popular world attractions.”
So the key thing is to keep your wits about you, and you should be rewarded with keeping hold of your valuables.
I’ve visited several of the top 10 cities (Barcelona & Paris to name my faves) and consider myself lucky as I didn’t get pickpocketed & neither did any of the people I was travelling with.
Have you been pickpocketed? Do you agree or disagree with the list? Did TripAdvisor miss any tips?
Katherine is a freelance writer currently based in Sydney. She bought a one-way ticket to Australia in 2006 and has never looked back! Born in Wales, raised in Qatar, Alaska & the UK has meant her love of travelling & experiencing new cultures was instilled in her from a very young age. Keen to pay off her debt, save for that illusive home deposit & buy the dream home, she’s only swayed from her course when a far-away land beckons or Mimco or Witchery are having a sale.
In Rome I was approached by a young girl of about 6 who had a large piece of cardboard held out in her left arm with only the fingers showing and as she came up the fingers were twitching so as we watched her hand trying to understand what she wanted her right hand tried to pick my pocket fortunately my partner noticed and knocked her away.
Watch out for phoney photo takers who will come up to you and pull a camera out their pocket and ask you to take their photo against a building or object and will then try and befriend you and then suggest taking your picture with your camera. suggesting you move back and leave your bags out of the picture . A fellow thief then drives up quickly bundles your possessions into the car and make off. Similar scams operate particularly around the Vatican and main tourist attractions.
If driving ensure that and bags are locked in the boot or handbags are either out of site and not on the back seat or secured to the car in some way. Driving from Rome to Naples in heavy traffic with windows down people on scooters will sometimes drive past trying to take items out of the car.
There was advice from NATO at one time was not to wear a watch whilst driving as the scooter drivers would try and snatch the watch by cutting it off your wrist. Wearing it on the other wrist would not help as there were reports of people having a cigarette stubbed out on their arm so as they then moved their other arm across the watch would be taken.
As a frequent traveller over the years I would always recommend that people carry only a small amount of money in their “User” wallet and include a few non current cards like old phone cards, old membership cards etc. It also doubles up as a mugging wallet which you offer to muggers or throw as far as you can and then run in the opposite direction. Do not openly count money in the street or in public view as in some cities it is inviting attention particularly where it is a poor economy.
Graeme, thank you for sharing your wise travel advice. Hopefully less people will get mugged as a result of it.