No matter where in the world you travel, tourists can be the target of scams which might leave them out of pocket. Such was the case for one holidaymaker who visited the Spanish city of Valencia and was left seething after just four hours in the city. Sharing their experience to a Reddit forum, the anonymous tourist described being in Valencia as “tourist scam after tourist scam”.
Valencia is the capital of the autonomous community of Valencia and is the third-most populated municipality in Spain.
The city attracts approximately 2.3 million international tourists each year according to the Valencia Tourism Agency, and some of the busiest tourist attractions are among the worst areas for scams.
“Yesterday I arrived in Valencia,” the tourist wrote on Reddit in 2022. “I love the architecture and the style of the city, but why is it that every time as a tourist you get f****d over? I am 20 years old and had to save up a whole while to get to visit here. And in just being four hours on site, three times I got or almost got scammed.”
They continued: “Problem one is the tourist menus…Me and my girlfriend ordered two cocktails, after a while we started speaking to other Dutch customers, and when we both got the check, for the exact same amount of drinks, we got different prices?
“When I go to a [club], I get charged €7 per shot, when the card only said €3.” [SIC]
The tourist also mentioned being harassed by sellers and street performers for cash to buy flowers or watch a live musical performance. “Not good first impressions even though this is a beautiful city,” they added.
Of course, Valencia is a beautiful city and as long as you have your wits about you, tourist scams can be avoided. According to experts from Valencia Property, some of the worst locations in the city for scams include the Central Market, Torres Serranos and The Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
When visiting Central Market, Valencia Property’s expert said: “One of the best places in Valencia can be one of the worst for tourist hordes. Make sure to go early to avoid tourists and don’t try to have a coffee at Camarena’s bar in the market because locals don’t do that.
They will go to the old man bars around for a decent coffee at half the price and without the queues.”
Similarly, at The Plaza del Ayuntamiento, they advise walking just 100 metres away from the town hall in any direction. “You can find better cafes, better prices and fewer tourists,” they said.