10 destinations where travellers are most likely to get pickpocketed
WHEN travelling to foreign lands you have to be smart and exercise extreme caution since being a visitor makes you an easy target for criminals.
No place is immune from crime and no matter how attractive a city may seem, looks can be deceiving.
Money.co.uk analysed Tripadvisor reviews for popular attractions and transport stations around the world and this data revealed the worst places for pickpockets.
Las Ramblas, Barcelona: Spain The place with the highest number of reviews that mention pickpockets is the famous Las Ramblas pedestrian walkway that runs through Barcelona, with a total of 3271 pickpocket reviews. Las Ramblas is a very crowded place at the best of times.
Eiffel Tower, Paris: France The Eiffel Tower ranks in second place with an overall total of 2 569 reviews. Specifically, keep a close eye on your belongings as you walk up the main street from the metro station to the tower itself.
Trevi Fountain, Rome: Italy Rome is a magnificent historic city although it has struggled with pickpockets and one of its most targeted historical landmarks is the Trevi Fountain, with more than 2 200 pickpocket reviews.
Charles Bridge, Prague: Czech Republic
Charles Bridge in the city of Prague
in the Czech Republic is a medieval stone arch bridge that crosses the Vltava river. There are 1 081 pickpocket reviews on this tourist site. Sacré-coeur, Paris: France
The Basilica of Sacré Coeur de Montmartre (Sacred Heart of Montmartre), is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It’s located at the summit of the butte of Montmartre and from its dome, it is possible to see all of Paris. Despite being a sacred place, you could possibly get pickpocketed on holy grounds with 914 reviews mentioning pickpocketing. Colosseum, Rome: Italy
The Colosseum is the largest ancient amphitheatre ever built, and is still the largest standing amphitheatre in the world today, despite its age. However, always exercise caution as the popular site has 666 reviews mentioning pickpocketing.
Old Town Square, Prague: Czech Republic
Old Town Square is home to the Orloj, a medieval astronomical clock mounted on the Old Town Hall. Old Town Square has 646 reviews on pickpocketing.
Louvre, Paris: France
The world’s most most-visited museum, and a historic landmark in Paris, France. 598 reviews mention pickpocketing at the beautiful site.
Notre-dame de Paris, Paris: France
Paris being a popular tourist destination could explain why there are more reviews mentioning pickpocketing at tourist sites. The cathedral, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. However, the medieval Catholic cathedral has 408 reviews mentioning pickpocketing.
Família, Barcelona:
Sagrada Spain
Sagrada Familia has 407 reviews on Tripadvisor mentioning pickpocketing. It is the largest unfinished Roman Catholic Cathedral and a popular tourist site due to its Gothic architecture.
Despite the temple being viewed as holy grounds, it is advisable that you pay close attention to your belongings when visiting the site.