As a Lisbon local, born and raised, I thank you for telling your story alerting to these problems. Even if I don't like reading "Lisbon is not safe", if this was your experience I understand it needs to be shared. If you're coming to Lisbon, or Portugal, try and get advice from locals on where to stay (not only for safety but mobility as well), what to avoid, precautions to have, etc. For example if you're booking experiences or activities, I'm sure you'll be fine asking them for some suggestions. I can tell you my family has lived in that street where you stayed (a long time ago) but now I would have told you to avoid it. Not only it isn't safe, it's not practical either. The green subway line is not entirely bad, there are some very good neighborhoods served by it, others not so much nowadays. About your experience with the taxi on arrival, they are going to try to upsell you, it's a business, it's on you to say no (at least from what I understood). But sure, nowadays I too recommend Uber or Bolt because you know beforehand what you're paying, for the car that you choose. Happened to me too, bringing a bag with luggage and the driver insisting it has to go in the back (meaning increased price), it's his car, I say no and call another one. Unfortunately in the police some have given up, either being accomplice or complacent with criminal activity. Much respect for those who still value their job. There are some GMS stores in Lisbon dedicated to Apple. I don't know if they have those services you mentioned. Someone in the comments said "Portuguese are not friendly". This is as bad as generalizations go. I've met many travelers and tourists, mostly in my photo tours and you bet I'm friendly, not because it's a business but because they are showing interest in my city and I'm motivated to help them enjoy it (both the city and Photography). Hope you decide to return to Lisbon in the not too distant future. Feel free to leave a message if you want and I'll help out making sure you'll have a better experience.
@@photographlisbon I agree with you that people in Portugal are very nice and friendly and I’ve never had problems with people in Portugal even in Spain where I was robbed the first police station I visited was closed and it was the local people that helped me to find another.
It’s one thing to be robbed, it’s a whole other thing to be robbed while you’re sleeping. You realize you could have been murdered in your sleep. Very scary.
@@EverythingIsBoffo Thank you for your reply to commiserate… I am still working out our PTSD regarding this experience, especially with motor scooters near our vehicle and sleepless nights since we got home to California. Your security is important and not being informed is a lack of fiduciary responsibility of the property owner to provide security knowledge to their clientele for safety and security in the area of the unit. Having just that little bit of knowledge will benefit everyone for a much better experience. Being proactive is better than not and ignoring a bigger problem! Thank you for listening… Hope you are well and look forward to your next video. - Jeff
As a woman who travels solo often, I fully research the neighborhoods that I am considering staying in, using YT, Google, etc. That’s the 1st step before booking. I then always use an alarm doorstop - it is piercingly loud!! I’m always on edge when I set it in place for fear that I am going to set it off & scare myself, lol. I also use a security lock that attaches depending on the way the door is made, because I’d prefer someone not to be able to open the door in the 1st place, and not trip the doorstop alarm. I never stay on a 1st floor (even at a 5-star hotel!), never with a window even cracked (air conditioning only!), and also travel with a small combo smoke/CO2 detector as they are not common at all, esp in Europe - I have a whole kit 😊. And I use all of these in both hotels AND AirBnBs. I avoid local taxis if at all possible, researching local ride share apps & setting them up before I arrive along with my local e-SIM cards, so I don’t have to worry about cash, language, as much as I can avoid it. Also, I add key emergency local numbers to my phone before I arrive. I don’t take anything for granted, I try my best to take any precautions that I can, and then enjoy myself. Because in the end, safety is an illusion to some degree. As a woman traveling alone often, I never make any assumptions about security.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us.. I’m sorry to hear that it happened to you guys.. Thank God you are both safe despite this horrific experience!
well not physically but that doesn't say anything about what it did to you emotionally. on the bright side you learned a lesson. thank you for sharing. i'm so glad you're safe. and i admire you for sharing your story and what you learned from it. so others don't have to go through the same thing. 😘☀️
@@EverythingIsBoffoI'm sorry you have been robbed, but you can be robbed in any place in the world! Dispate being now a trendy place and it's pretty easy to enter here and the crime is getting higher, Lisbon still is one of the safest capitals in Europe, but I guess that misleading titles grab more subscribers...
Hey again! I’m glad to have been able to brighten your day a little! After I said hello and hearing what you guys went through I wasn’t sure you wanted to be meeting one of your subscribers! Anyway, so sorry I wasn’t able to be more of a help!
You are all safe and you are not alone in this matter. Glad that you were not hurt and you can move forward and learn from the experience. My wife and I have experienced a similar situation trying to leave the Barcelona area 10/27/2024. Our vehicle was deliberately disabled on the road by a person on a motor scooter impersonating help on the highway. Our right rear tire was stabbed with a sharp instrument (boot spike) causing us to leave the road way where there was no soft shoulder to park. Being distracted by the ordeal the person on the motor scooter was not who they seemed to be as they played the role of distractor while another grabbed my phone, sling purse with all our money and identification, backpack with computer and other electronic equipment and my wife’s purse. We were left with only a single phone… It is a much longer story, but I wanted to get this out there. Do NOT accept help from anyone there in Spain while under distress, you will be the victim. We are safe and have made it home, that is what matters most!
We (our family of three) are very sorry to hear that this happened to you guys. I honestly don't think there is anything you could have done, as this sounds like it was done by a professional(s), and we are happy that you were not harmed. We appreciate your efforts with this channel as it's been so helpful with making our move to Valencia easier and more enjoyable. We hope to run into you one of these days so we can say hello.
As a self defense/combat instructor for decades (I teach Marines etc. combat skills,) I teach others to be what we call the yellow zone, which is a designated zone of awareness. The idea is that I expect to be robbed, so I must be prepared for it. I understand that thieves scout known rental units, and most often, in hot climates, they just climb in through open windows, so I always rent a unit with a/c. No a/c, no rental. As a traveler, I carry very little of value with me, and nothing of value is ever left behind in a room. When I go to sleep, I slide my laptop or iPad between the mattresses and my phone goes under my pillow. When out walking about, I have a money belt around my waist, not a carry bag over my shoulder. All backpacks must have chest and waist clips that I keep clipped around me, and the main compartment zippers are always double zippered, which I twist-wire shut. I am also aware of what's happening around me at all times, especially if I'm sitting down. My backpack is never where I can't see and touch it... There is much more, and electronic trackers can help, but as you found, they are limited, so it's best to just start thinking in a different way so that you are less likely to become victims. It's a shame it has to be this way, but when you get used to living in the yellow, it becomes natural.
Coming from the Philippines, we have had our fair share of burglaries even in nice gated communities. We are always vigilant when we travel, but we did not expect this to happen in Lisbon. We should not have kept that window open. Lesson learned!
@@EverythingIsBoffo I hear you. It's tough to learn this way, and it's very sad that they targeted you and have no problem stealing your hard earned goods with no remorse at all. It's the world we live in, so best to learn from it and not let your guards down again. You handled it as well as you could. And yes, I know of an expat couple (she's Filipina who lived in the US for 25 years) in the Philippines who had a burglar walk through their bedroom while they were sleeping. Crazy stuff. She screamed and the burglar ran out the sliding door. They never recovered the stolen goods, but they were happy to be safe.
@@rabukan5842 Agree with you entirely. Practicing situational awareness wherever you go will help you stay safe which in effect is what you refer to i.e. always being alert for the worst to happen so that you can prevent it by thinking strategically and tactically to keep you safe.
We just experienced a similar type of crime a couple of months ago in a smaller city in Belgium. The property we had rented was not an AirBnB, but a legal rental apartment in the centre of the city. Upon arrival, it was obvious that the place needed an entire crew of cleaners (not apparent in the listing). It was filthy. The owner sent 2 sets of cleaners and we strongly feel that this was how the robbery was planned. Someone entered the house in the middle of the night through the locked front door(keyless entry). Over €15,000.00 stolen, but at least we did not waken during the robbery. The host refunded our 2nd week stay, as we refused to spend 1 more night there. We are frequent travellers, always really cautious and usually avoid ground floor entry level accommodation. However, it was July and we were unable to find a place to stay near family whom we were visiting nearby. It was a shocking and very unsettling experience!
We've been following your channel for a couple months now when we first started watching Valencia videos ( we're moving next week ) -- I'm glad you're safe and hope you can brush this off as a reminder to trust your instincts ... we, all of your subscribers, do ! Hope running into you soon. Martin.
This happened to my son in NYC was told airbnb had air conditioning and didn’t and was robbed of everything 3 day in. I’m almost sure it was an inside job. Knowing this I will never stay in an airbnb.
This is super helpful! Thanks for taking the time to make this video. We're leaving for Lisbon and Spain in a few days so appreciate all the tips. We know to be careful with pickpockets in Spain, but never thought anything of Lisbon. So scary but glad you are both safe.
I’m glad you both are safe. I have been following your channel for about 2 years, when I was exploring moving to Spain or Portugal. Portugal has been sold as a safe country. That is because crimes are not reported. I hope you get some real help from law enforcement. Stay safe.
Look: There are thousands of thieves in Lisbon and Porto, and in Madrid and in Barcelona and in Paris and so on. 99% of them are foreigners too. From Romania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and so on. Madrid police has a list of 400 so Lisbon must be around that too. The stupidity of our politicians that say that if you rob less than 400€ that's nothing and so if if they catch you they can't do anything.
Definitely feel like the owner was in on it, there was maybe a camera in the unit? They saw your stuff and knew where it was. Also, didn't steal the TV?
Great, you are both safe and still sharing experience for people to be careful and warned. I would be stressed and shocked. Thank you! Keep safe always 🙏 ❤️
So sorry for this experience. I can imagine what you are going through. I had a similar experience some years ago and it took me months to get over it. My bag, keys, iphone and wallet were stolen. Every time it came to my mind I got so furious about the fact that there are people who really do this to others and all the inconveniences it had caused me. Phishing attempt 2 weeks later included. Had spent a year in Africa and nothing had happened and had to return to Europe to get robbed... From then on I observed all the people on the streets that look a bit shady and without occupation in a different way. I wasn't t naive before but couldn't imagine what is possible. And then one day (in my case like a year later) you will forget about it, it doesn't trigger you like that anymore. Lesson learned. Not to be repeated. All the best to you, you will be fine. ❤
Oh, I hope you feel better much quicker than I did. That was just me, don t bother about numbers, it s just my own rough estimation in hindsight. You are safe and sound that s the most important thing. And let s count our blessings, sometimes we forget about it and don t keep the right perspective. Who knows some good luck just waits for you around the corner… All the best to you. 🍀🍀🍀
My parents were robbed in July 2024 in Lisbon. I also have a student who fled Lisbon to the US in September, solely for the safety issue. It's getting crazy there.
You have to be streetwise. Last year a kid was stabbed in the neck by what seemed to sound like British tourists in Bairro Alto. Horrible scene that went viral on the internet. The police didn't solve it, and the national news made it look the kid was a gang member, only days after recognized as a victim. It's quite common to hear about robberies, shooting, drug traffic, etc. Even scams when renting or buying property.
What was the name (company) you rented from...so others can avoid this rental? Sharing your experience will help others. Other than this rotten experience in Lisbon, would you still recommend visiting Portugal?
I liked Belem a lot, and the grilled seafood was amazing. For a capital city, I think there are better cities like Paris and Madrid. And we heard Porto is better. Not sharing the rental yet because we're still filing claims.
Omg! This is so scary 🫣 How didn’t you wake up when someone walked by you. I took a Tuk Tuk tour to see Lisbon and the driver kept telling me this city is not safe.
We wore eye masks to have better sleep. Thank goodness we didn't wake up though, imagine what he would have done to us? There's a saying that someone who comes to your house at night when you are home won't just rob you but is prepared to harm you. If they come during the day while you are not home then they just wanna rob you.
You should have offered the guy in orange money to get your property (which is locked and almost useless) back. No questions asked. Offered him a ‘finder’s fee’.
Sending you both love. Thank you for turning this horrible experience into something positive and a learning point for your viewers as well. At the end of the day, these are only material things. What we care about is that you guys are safe. Treasures of the heart is the most important. 🙏🏾🪷
I walked 1 km from my hotel to the laundry mat right there a week ago. When my laundry was locked in I walked outside and saw what you saw. I walked to the square to find a police officer to watch me go inside the laundry mat. In the square crack was being smoked openly . The police waited for me to get out . 2 days later Africans in Portugal a protesting the fatal shooting of one of their people.
So sorry this happened to you! Since you have such a cute apartment in beautiful Valencia, have you thought about trying Home Exchange? You can stay in lovely apartments in great locations without worry about it being a tourist trap. It is a much more relaxing way to travel and your host usually goes out of their way to make sure you have a wonderful time. Let me know if you have questions about it
@@EverythingIsBoffo I have done it for nearly a decade without issue but I totally understand the hesitation. It ends up feeling more like you are hosting your most responsible friends. If you want to connect and ask some additional questions, let me know. Again, I am sorry for what happened to you in Lisbon. The same thing happened to some friends of mine
So sorry to hear about your experience in Lisbon. I’ve been there as well as in other cities throughout Pt several times in the past and have been fortunate in not having been robbed/pick pocketed. Suspect that during your first day there someone may have followed you back to your AirB&B from one of the Tourist attractions. I’ll definitely take your advice into consideration as a visit other cities/countries.
So sorry about your bad experience in Lisbon. My husband and I travel Portugal in October last year., we are from Canada . Prior to travelling to Portugal we know a couple who got robbed in Lisbon in the middle of the day by a man and a woman. We still went ahead with our trip and Thank God our trip was great! The Portuguese people are not very friendly though., We enjoyed Portugal however it’s not a place that we would like to come back.
Such BS I have been all over the world and the Portuguese are some of the most friendliest I have ever met!! I am sure its you anytime someone generalizes an entire cutlure because of the energy they put out there I know they are low iq and just blame everyone for their own problems
We had someone on our video mention your video, so came over to watch it. We had a similar thing happen to us on the 8th of September, someone got into our apartment as well. Our situation was slightly more because of our own stupidity, but incredibly similar with the police being completely incompetent, and the street where you saw the laptop taken to (with all the shifty people along 'Largo Sao Domingos') was where we had to walk up every day to get to our apartment. Sorry this happened to you guys as well, it definitely left a very poor impression of Lisbon for us. Much love.
@@Empalagation omg! It’s so scary! Yes we went to Sao domingo to follow the airtag and there were lots of people lurking about while tourists are getting into their lodging oblivious to the situation. Sorry about your experience!
Glad you're both safe. I can imagine how violated you must feel. I love Europe but this need for a heightened awareness can be off putting. Hope your insurance covered everything. Sucks that this happened but glad no one was hurt, considering you all were asleep when the robbery occurred. Stay well.
So sorry you experienced this. Scary. This is the 3rd time I've heard similar stories in Lisbon recently. They also sounded like inside jobs or careful targeting. I loved Porto, have not been to Lisbon. I'll pay close attention when I go.
Sorry this happened to you! Great tips on rental units and the tourism police. So far, I’ve only used hostels and hotels there. So many countries, the police don’t help with “small” thefts, and they’re no injury. AirTags only help you, but the police in many countries don’t use the information. Som taxis take credit cards, but you’d have to wait a long time. That happened to me, once. Bolt is less expensive than Uber, but I look at both apps.
You got swabbed because they saw you split up even though you were a group. Traffickers split up so if one gets caught, another makes it. It is best to simply stay together.
Thank you for sharing guys. I am really sorry you had that terrible experience. Whenever I go I’ll take extra care and stay at a hotel. How did the thieves know how to walk inside the house? Was the door forced? Terrible, terrible experience guys.
Sorry to hear that this happened to you guys. Glad you guys weren’t hurt. Anyway’s We’ll be in Spain next week.. Valencia is in our itinerary. We’ll take extra precautions. We’ll say hi if we bump into you.
Gosh I was just in Lisbon...sorry you had a terrible experience. I was actually robbed when I travelled solo to Spain a long time ago. Same...the police cant do anything. I understand how traumatic and panicky it can be especially in a foreign country.though having the thief inside whilst you guys are sleeping is next level scary!!
Sorry this happened to you. Absolutely terrifying. I hope we all stop using these apartments that are an absolute scourge on the local housing economy and go back to hotels.
Very sad situation. As others have suggested, this appears to have been a targeted burglary. While I have no investigative experience, it may be that there are numerous keys in the wrong hands who have access to the unit. Lisbon is considered one of the safest cities in Europe but petty crime is a reality in most major cities. Regardless of the destination, we all hope to enjoy ourselves without the stress. I hope you can overcome this at the earliest.
as a budget traveller you can travel by bus all over portugal like porto, aveiro, viseu, then salamanca all the way to madrid, which cost me 9 euro per ride because of close proximity, porto is the best place for me, because lisbon are too crowded , for supermarket the cheap one is continente which cost me a 3 euro for coffee juice and sandwich, be safe and happy travel in portugal
Thank you for your story, people need to wake up. My family and I just returned from Portugal a few days ago, while there everything went OK, but I speak the language , as I was born in Lisbon, but people need to be aware of this , Portugal was once the 3 rd safest country , but things have changed so much and for the the worse. Was this part of town Martin Moniz , well that is the meeting place for all of the "Refugees " , bad dudes !!!!!!
Hi! I have seen your videos in Valencia, Spain. And considering the calamity in Valencia this week, i remembered you both. Were you there that time of the flood? i hope you are both safe. 🙏
@@JacquelineTheGreattt hello. The city itself did not have much rain and there’s no floods, but the surrounding areas have been hit and it’s bad. Thank you for checking in.
I am sorry about your bad experience. I know how do you feel as once we have been robbed in similar way while sleeping. And almost like you I asked the TV make a simulation of the burglery and show it to the whole country. Just to teach others to avoid this nightnare. We are a latvian couple from Riga, now overwintering in Spain, Salobreña. And tomorrow leaving from Malaga to Lisbon for 3 nights, so your story helps us very well to stay safe. I completely agree with the comment of the gentleman telling us always to stay in the "yellow". It's sad but mandatory.
First and foremost, I’m glad both of you are safe! I’m sorry that you had to experience such an awful situation, no one deserves that. Thanks for sharing tips on how to be vigilant and the lessons you learned, hopefully it’ll help others who are planning to travel in the future. Be safe and take care. Have a blessed day 🙏
I discovered Porto yeaaaaars ago when it was not as popular as it is now. Unfortunately it is very crowded now but I still prefer it over Lisbon anytime.
cab driver robbed you ... the meter is already running faster it is the added fee, cab drivers are not allowed to charge anthing that is not in the meter
A very interesting episode. Leaving windows open anywhere in Europe is an absolute no no. Europe is certainly no safer than many parts of the US and I personally would avoid tourist apartments which are less secure than chain hotels. There is actually an advantage to ground and first floor rooms in respect of fire as it is easier to evacuate and fire can be a more present risk than robbery. You are right though that it is less easy to spot bad neighbourhoods in Europe. Ultimately, opportunist thieves are everywhere. Before booking anywhere note location, location, location. Crime stats by neighbourhood are available for most European cities. Very bad luck but these things can happen. Make the most of Spain now. I have been to the Philippines many times and never had an issue but it was in a beautiful small town in France where we had our car completely vandalised and ransacked. European towns and cities are like very attractive people, looks are superficial - its what goes on inside that can mess you up!
@@anenglishmaninoviedospain yes! We have to remember that it’s not disneyland just because we see castles! My mom’s friend was just robbed inside the Vatican! Lesson learned!
Hi from Western Canada. Sure sorry this happened to you guys. I guess that yes, a lower floor may not be safe on an Airbnb. When we book Airbnb's we read all the reviews to know what neighborhood is like, etc. Was your phone/lap top insured?
I've stayed in about two dozen airbnbs in Latin America without any incident. Imagine something like this happening in what's known as one of the safest capital cities in Europe. Crazy.
Sorry this happened to you. I have lived in Portugal for over 3 years. I am from the States. In my experiences here crime stats are hidden. Not easy to research. With that said, I am not surprised you experienced this. The brazenness does surprise me. The level where someone actually crawled into the apartment while you were inside. Unbelievable. I can testify first hand about 112 calls. I got stuck inside an elevator and called 112. Got hung up on three times. I guess the dispatcher did not speak English. No help. I decided to start screaming and yelling to get attention from people passing by. It worked. The public garage attendant helped me and my German Shepard crawl out through the wedged space to the upper floor.
So sorry that you guys went through this. Could you possibly do a video on what you can or cannot do legally if you confront someone breaking into your property. Here in the States we have laws that allow you to use necessary force to protect your self, family and property. We have family that moved to Mislata last year and when we visit I would like to know what is allowable under Spanish law. Thanks.
Lisbon is as safe as another major city in the world- New York, Madrid, Paris, London, Rome, etc The problem is the massive influx of Tourists - Overtourism and everything bad that It brings.
This is the most meandering video with long-winded stories I have ever seen. I realize you are trying to maximize your ad revenue. Unfortunately, my patience ran out way too quickly.
In the Philippines the police would have rushed to that apartment where the airtag was and knocked on the door. Wow Rossio area! My sister who's travelling around Europe stayed at Figueira By The Beautique Hotel near Rossio Metro Station last week. I have to ask her how she felt about the area.
definitely sounds like the owner of the airbnb had something to do with this. I know not all airbnb's are bad but this business should be shut down. There are hidden camera's in some of these rentals and it's a cashcow for slimy rental owners to steal from their guests.
I'm sorry this happened to you and ruined your experience in Lisbon. I traveled for work for 20 years, towards the end I started taking extra safety precautions. Invest in an alarm door stopper and small indoor camera. I definitely utilise my security devices when I'm staying at a short term rental property. My former boss and his wife were staying at a very fancy and expensive hotel in Naples, Italy, and their hotel room was robbed. It really shook them up and they cut their vacation short. Don't blame yourself it can happen anywhere. I know how violated you must have felt, I'm so sorry. I do have a question, is homeowners insurance or renters insurance a thing in Spain? Or any kind of coverage to have your items replaced?
@@EverythingIsBoffo that's a good idea regarding the protection for the devices. I hope they cover your losses. I'm also glad you weren't harmed physically by the intruder. It definitely rocks your sense of security. Stay safe.
You were the only Asians in the area, BUT sure as hell you were not the only Africans in the area. Everyone knows there are gangs of mainly African migrants in Lisbon that do this. I am sorry that you guys were the victims of this.
That's terrible. It really makes you want to be very careful when traveling. You can't be too careful. I agree with another commentor that it was an inside job and the owner is part of it. Good tip when you stay anywhere put something on door knob that will fall fall and make a lot of noise and it'll scare away the burglar.
In the US, we call this a home invasion robbery -- and again we're glad you are safe. Thank you for the sharing security pointers and they carry more personal relevance as we are vacationing in Spain right now, and staying in AirBnb-style apartments.
@@EverythingIsBoffo yes,it should be,specially for outsiders not used to such social pattern. however just maybe,these people that does it in those places are migrants just saying.unless their a drug addicted
I sorry this happened to you but this is a problem all over Europe and the police are not very helpful the first thing they tell you is “It’s all the immigrants “ I was driving in Barcelona and a man on a motorcycle slash my tire when I stopped at the traffic lights (at first I didn’t know he had done it or I wouldn’t have stopped) as I got onto the highway he was following me and he was indicating that my tire was flat when I pulled over to look at it he and his accomplice robbed us of all my money, credit cards and passport luckily for me they didn’t take my phone that was on the dashboard that I used to pay for a new tire and gas.
@@neptunemikethey could have been but I don’t know and I don’t think they should blame the immigrants because most immigrants are just trying to make a better life for themselves and family, the police need to set up sting operations to catch the criminals instead of blaming immigrants the problem can be fixed but no one cares about the trauma and how your vacation was ruined.
@@EverythingIsBoffo Martim Moniz has been a dump for years. Full of poorly integrated immigrants from Nepal, India, Bangladesh and pickpockets and gypsy thieves from Romania and Bulgaria.
Who unlocked the room's door for the scumbags? Was it left unlocked? If it was locked, sue the hotel, B&B, the owner of the accommodation. Registered accommodation must be held responsable for customers' losses in a burglary and they should be insured for such cases.
This is why I don’t go to Lisbon anymore. Did you leave the AirBnb a bad review? i would. highly recommend not using short term rentals anymore. it hurts the locals anyways
I am sorry of the bad experience you had, I personally would not ever sleep with an open window , Lisbon used to be ver safe, but unfortunately with so much immigration and from 3rd world countries, it has changed, and where there is a lot of tourism there robberies. Being robbed is not emergency unless the robber is in the house. I was robbed in my home in Canada, it took the police a day to come to my home. It is not all the green line to avoid, there are a lot of nice areas in that line. I was in Portugal this summer for a couple of months, had good experience in the places we stayed, it is important before booking to research the area,. As for the people being unfriendly I heard and experienced the opposite
Sounds like the owner knew this is a problem. When you complained about the no air conditioning and extra pillows, he had some involvement. We stayed on the upper area of the city in Lisbon. I didn’t care for Lisbon and actually preferred Porto. Never ever keep a window open at night on a low floor. The air tag is a great idea.
As a Lisbon local, born and raised, I thank you for telling your story alerting to these problems.
Even if I don't like reading "Lisbon is not safe", if this was your experience I understand it needs to be shared.
If you're coming to Lisbon, or Portugal, try and get advice from locals on where to stay (not only for safety but mobility as well), what to avoid, precautions to have, etc.
For example if you're booking experiences or activities, I'm sure you'll be fine asking them for some suggestions.
I can tell you my family has lived in that street where you stayed (a long time ago) but now I would have told you to avoid it. Not only it isn't safe, it's not practical either.
The green subway line is not entirely bad, there are some very good neighborhoods served by it, others not so much nowadays.
About your experience with the taxi on arrival, they are going to try to upsell you, it's a business, it's on you to say no (at least from what I understood). But sure, nowadays I too recommend Uber or Bolt because you know beforehand what you're paying, for the car that you choose. Happened to me too, bringing a bag with luggage and the driver insisting it has to go in the back (meaning increased price), it's his car, I say no and call another one.
Unfortunately in the police some have given up, either being accomplice or complacent with criminal activity. Much respect for those who still value their job.
There are some GMS stores in Lisbon dedicated to Apple. I don't know if they have those services you mentioned.
Someone in the comments said "Portuguese are not friendly". This is as bad as generalizations go. I've met many travelers and tourists, mostly in my photo tours and you bet I'm friendly, not because it's a business but because they are showing interest in my city and I'm motivated to help them enjoy it (both the city and Photography).
Hope you decide to return to Lisbon in the not too distant future. Feel free to leave a message if you want and I'll help out making sure you'll have a better experience.
@@photographlisbon THANK YOU so much for your comment and empathy.
@@photographlisbon I agree with you that people in Portugal are very nice and friendly and I’ve never had problems with people in Portugal even in Spain where I was robbed the first police station I visited was closed and it was the local people that helped me to find another.
It’s one thing to be robbed, it’s a whole other thing to be robbed while you’re sleeping. You realize you could have been murdered in your sleep. Very scary.
Exactly. This is why we still wake up in the middle of the night 😞
@@EverythingIsBoffo Thank you for your reply to commiserate… I am still working out our PTSD regarding this experience, especially with motor scooters near our vehicle and sleepless nights since we got home to California. Your security is important and not being informed is a lack of fiduciary responsibility of the property owner to provide security knowledge to their clientele for safety and security in the area of the unit. Having just that little bit of knowledge will benefit everyone for a much better experience. Being proactive is better than not and ignoring a bigger problem! Thank you for listening… Hope you are well and look forward to your next video.
- Jeff
this happened to many youtubers staying in airbnb when they were in france
Glad you’re all unharmed physically. Thanks for sharing. Really is a great reminder to fellow travelers not to be complacent. Safe traveling.
really a big thanks for the warning and reminder!
Hopefully we prevent more burglaries with this video.
What a horrible experience you went through. Thanks for bringing it to light, so others can be aware!
As a woman who travels solo often, I fully research the neighborhoods that I am considering staying in, using YT, Google, etc. That’s the 1st step before booking. I then always use an alarm doorstop - it is piercingly loud!! I’m always on edge when I set it in place for fear that I am going to set it off & scare myself, lol. I also use a security lock that attaches depending on the way the door is made, because I’d prefer someone not to be able to open the door in the 1st place, and not trip the doorstop alarm. I never stay on a 1st floor (even at a 5-star hotel!), never with a window even cracked (air conditioning only!), and also travel with a small combo smoke/CO2 detector as they are not common at all, esp in Europe - I have a whole kit 😊. And I use all of these in both hotels AND AirBnBs. I avoid local taxis if at all possible, researching local ride share apps & setting them up before I arrive along with my local e-SIM cards, so I don’t have to worry about cash, language, as much as I can avoid it. Also, I add key emergency local numbers to my phone before I arrive. I don’t take anything for granted, I try my best to take any precautions that I can, and then enjoy myself. Because in the end, safety is an illusion to some degree. As a woman traveling alone often, I never make any assumptions about security.
@@deeh9563 thank you for your tips! I have a portable CO2 as well! We will be buying the alarm for our next trip. Safe travels to you!
So sorry this happened to you - super scary. Thank you for turning it into a learning experience for your followers.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us.. I’m sorry to hear that it happened to you guys.. Thank God you are both safe despite this horrific experience!
@@jacquelineramos8113 thank you! Yes in the end I’m glad we weren’t harmed.
well not physically but that doesn't say anything about what it did to you emotionally. on the bright side you learned a lesson. thank you for sharing. i'm so glad you're safe. and i admire you for sharing your story and what you learned from it. so others don't have to go through the same thing. 😘☀️
@@ambravdl7893 I hope it does help warn others!
@@EverythingIsBoffoI'm sorry you have been robbed, but you can be robbed in any place in the world! Dispate being now a trendy place and it's pretty easy to enter here and the crime is getting higher, Lisbon still is one of the safest capitals in Europe, but I guess that misleading titles grab more subscribers...
Hey again! I’m glad to have been able to brighten your day a little! After I said hello and hearing what you guys went through I wasn’t sure you wanted to be meeting one of your subscribers! Anyway, so sorry I wasn’t able to be more of a help!
@@sharanx5007 no it was great to meet you! ☺️
Thanks for your valuable info . And be safe and enjoy the moment back in Valencia .
@@Youyanguang thank you! Happy to be back!
You are all safe and you are not alone in this matter. Glad that you were not hurt and you can move forward and learn from the experience. My wife and I have experienced a similar situation trying to leave the Barcelona area 10/27/2024. Our vehicle was deliberately disabled on the road by a person on a motor scooter impersonating help on the highway. Our right rear tire was stabbed with a sharp instrument (boot spike) causing us to leave the road way where there was no soft shoulder to park. Being distracted by the ordeal the person on the motor scooter was not who they seemed to be as they played the role of distractor while another grabbed my phone, sling purse with all our money and identification, backpack with computer and other electronic equipment and my wife’s purse. We were left with only a single phone… It is a much longer story, but I wanted to get this out there. Do NOT accept help from anyone there in Spain while under distress, you will be the victim. We are safe and have made it home, that is what matters most!
We (our family of three) are very sorry to hear that this happened to you guys. I honestly don't think there is anything you could have done, as this sounds like it was done by a professional(s), and we are happy that you were not harmed.
We appreciate your efforts with this channel as it's been so helpful with making our move to Valencia easier and more enjoyable. We hope to run into you one of these days so we can say hello.
As a self defense/combat instructor for decades (I teach Marines etc. combat skills,) I teach others to be what we call the yellow zone, which is a designated zone of awareness. The idea is that I expect to be robbed, so I must be prepared for it. I understand that thieves scout known rental units, and most often, in hot climates, they just climb in through open windows, so I always rent a unit with a/c. No a/c, no rental. As a traveler, I carry very little of value with me, and nothing of value is ever left behind in a room. When I go to sleep, I slide my laptop or iPad between the mattresses and my phone goes under my pillow. When out walking about, I have a money belt around my waist, not a carry bag over my shoulder. All backpacks must have chest and waist clips that I keep clipped around me, and the main compartment zippers are always double zippered, which I twist-wire shut. I am also aware of what's happening around me at all times, especially if I'm sitting down. My backpack is never where I can't see and touch it... There is much more, and electronic trackers can help, but as you found, they are limited, so it's best to just start thinking in a different way so that you are less likely to become victims. It's a shame it has to be this way, but when you get used to living in the yellow, it becomes natural.
Coming from the Philippines, we have had our fair share of burglaries even in nice gated communities. We are always vigilant when we travel, but we did not expect this to happen in Lisbon. We should not have kept that window open. Lesson learned!
@@EverythingIsBoffo I hear you. It's tough to learn this way, and it's very sad that they targeted you and have no problem stealing your hard earned goods with no remorse at all. It's the world we live in, so best to learn from it and not let your guards down again. You handled it as well as you could. And yes, I know of an expat couple (she's Filipina who lived in the US for 25 years) in the Philippines who had a burglar walk through their bedroom while they were sleeping. Crazy stuff. She screamed and the burglar ran out the sliding door. They never recovered the stolen goods, but they were happy to be safe.
@@rabukan5842 Agree with you entirely. Practicing situational awareness wherever you go will help you stay safe which in effect is what you refer to i.e. always being alert for the worst to happen so that you can prevent it by thinking strategically and tactically to keep you safe.
We just experienced a similar type of crime a couple of months ago in a smaller city in Belgium. The property we had rented was not an AirBnB, but a legal rental apartment in the centre of the city. Upon arrival, it was obvious that the place needed an entire crew of cleaners (not apparent in the listing). It was filthy. The owner sent 2 sets of cleaners and we strongly feel that this was how the robbery was planned. Someone entered the house in the middle of the night through the locked front door(keyless entry). Over €15,000.00 stolen, but at least we did not waken during the robbery. The host refunded our 2nd week stay, as we refused to spend 1 more night there.
We are frequent travellers, always really cautious and usually avoid ground floor entry level accommodation. However, it was July and we were unable to find a place to stay near family whom we were visiting nearby. It was a shocking and very unsettling experience!
@@marcosmit1141 omg so sorry to read this! That does sound like it could be them. Same with us, it was a licensed apartment not an airbnb.
We've been following your channel for a couple months now when we first started watching Valencia videos ( we're moving next week ) -- I'm glad you're safe and hope you can brush this off as a reminder to trust your instincts ... we, all of your subscribers, do ! Hope running into you soon. Martin.
Thank you Martin. Good luck on your move!
This happened to my son in NYC was told airbnb had air conditioning and didn’t and was robbed of everything 3 day in. I’m almost sure it was an inside job. Knowing this I will never stay in an airbnb.
This is super helpful! Thanks for taking the time to make this video. We're leaving for Lisbon and Spain in a few days so appreciate all the tips. We know to be careful with pickpockets in Spain, but never thought anything of Lisbon. So scary but glad you are both safe.
just got back from Lisbon a week ago and I felt very safe. it’s like any other city you need to be aware of your surroundings and use common sense.
@ thanks! Hope you had a wonderful time!
I'm verry sorry about what happened to you. It's unbelievable....!!!
Thank you very much for sharing this informations and warning others.
@@evap745 thank you for the kind comment! Safe travels to you!
I am sorry this happened to you...glad you both are good .
@@amettry thank you.
I’m glad you both are safe. I have been following your channel for about 2 years, when I was exploring moving to Spain or Portugal. Portugal has been sold as a safe country. That is because crimes are not reported. I hope you get some real help from law enforcement. Stay safe.
@@thedaisyesmeralda thank you!
Sounds like an inside job and the owner of the property knows something as if this happened before.
@@trangsmith1038 everything was just done through text and the cops had a difficult time getting them on the phone.
Look: There are thousands of thieves in Lisbon and Porto, and in Madrid and in Barcelona and in Paris and so on. 99% of them are foreigners too. From Romania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and so on. Madrid police has a list of 400 so Lisbon must be around that too. The stupidity of our politicians that say that if you rob less than 400€ that's nothing and so if if they catch you they can't do anything.
Yes
Definitely feel like the owner was in on it, there was maybe a camera in the unit? They saw your stuff and knew where it was. Also, didn't steal the TV?
@ yah they didn’t steal the TV!!!
I'm sorry this happened to you. Thank you for sharing your story. How scary and frustrating. I'm glad you're all ok.
@@patric5076 Thank you!
Great, you are both safe and still sharing experience for people to be careful and warned. I would be stressed and shocked. Thank you! Keep safe always 🙏 ❤️
So sorry for this experience. I can imagine what you are going through. I had a similar experience some years ago and it took me months to get over it. My bag, keys, iphone and wallet were stolen. Every time it came to my mind I got so furious about the fact that there are people who really do this to others and all the inconveniences it had caused me. Phishing attempt 2 weeks later included. Had spent a year in Africa and nothing had happened and had to return to Europe to get robbed... From then on I observed all the people on the streets that look a bit shady and without occupation in a different way. I wasn't t naive before but couldn't imagine what is possible. And then one day (in my case like a year later) you will forget about it, it doesn't trigger you like that anymore. Lesson learned. Not to be repeated. All the best to you, you will be fine. ❤
Thank you for sharing your experience! Hopefully we don’t feel this way much longer.
Oh, I hope you feel better much quicker than I did. That was just me, don t bother about numbers, it s just my own rough estimation in hindsight. You are safe and sound that s the most important thing. And let s count our blessings, sometimes we forget about it and don t keep the right perspective. Who knows some good luck just waits for you around the corner… All the best to you. 🍀🍀🍀
That's why I don't do air b&b. Sorry.
My parents were robbed in July 2024 in Lisbon. I also have a student who fled Lisbon to the US in September, solely for the safety issue. It's getting crazy there.
@@cafepraiaesucego2899 that’s a shame. It’s a Beautiful city. Sorry for your parents and friend. 😕
You have to be streetwise. Last year a kid was stabbed in the neck by what seemed to sound like British tourists in Bairro Alto. Horrible scene that went viral on the internet. The police didn't solve it, and the national news made it look the kid was a gang member, only days after recognized as a victim. It's quite common to hear about robberies, shooting, drug traffic, etc. Even scams when renting or buying property.
What was the name (company) you rented from...so others can avoid this rental? Sharing your experience will help others. Other than this rotten experience in Lisbon, would you still recommend visiting Portugal?
I liked Belem a lot, and the grilled seafood was amazing. For a capital city, I think there are better cities like Paris and Madrid. And we heard Porto is better. Not sharing the rental yet because we're still filing claims.
Omg! This is so scary 🫣 How didn’t you wake up when someone walked by you. I took a Tuk Tuk tour to see Lisbon and the driver kept telling me this city is not safe.
We wore eye masks to have better sleep. Thank goodness we didn't wake up though, imagine what he would have done to us? There's a saying that someone who comes to your house at night when you are home won't just rob you but is prepared to harm you. If they come during the day while you are not home then they just wanna rob you.
Why don’t you mention the name of this Airbnb & a link to it so we can avoid it.
I don’t understand why you wouldn’t
Because the case is still active and I'm filing a claim with them.
You should have offered the guy in orange money to get your property (which is locked and almost useless) back. No questions asked. Offered him a ‘finder’s fee’.
Sending you both love. Thank you for turning this horrible experience into something positive and a learning point for your viewers as well. At the end of the day, these are only material things. What we care about is that you guys are safe. Treasures of the heart is the most important. 🙏🏾🪷
@@timetravelrye it definitely soured our experience, but we are also thankful that we were not harmed.
I walked 1 km from my hotel to the laundry mat right there a week ago. When my laundry was locked in I walked outside and saw what you saw. I walked to the square to find a police officer to watch me go inside the laundry mat. In the square crack was being smoked openly . The police waited for me to get out . 2 days later Africans in Portugal a protesting the fatal shooting of one of their people.
This can happen in any city…best to stay in a hotel and if you can’t don’t stay on the first floor without security bars.
So sorry this happened to you! Since you have such a cute apartment in beautiful Valencia, have you thought about trying Home Exchange? You can stay in lovely apartments in great locations without worry about it being a tourist trap. It is a much more relaxing way to travel and your host usually goes out of their way to make sure you have a wonderful time. Let me know if you have questions about it
Maybe one day, I feel skeptical about entrusting our home to strangers, so I never tried it.
@@EverythingIsBoffo I have done it for nearly a decade without issue but I totally understand the hesitation. It ends up feeling more like you are hosting your most responsible friends. If you want to connect and ask some additional questions, let me know. Again, I am sorry for what happened to you in Lisbon. The same thing happened to some friends of mine
So sorry to hear about your experience in Lisbon. I’ve been there as well as in other cities throughout Pt several times in the past and have been fortunate in not having been robbed/pick pocketed. Suspect that during your first day there someone may have followed you back to your AirB&B from one of the Tourist attractions. I’ll definitely take your advice into consideration as a visit other cities/countries.
@@matthewhale2815 thank you, safe travels!
So sorry about your bad experience in Lisbon. My husband and I travel Portugal in October last year., we are from Canada . Prior to travelling to Portugal we know a couple who got robbed in Lisbon in the middle of the day by a man and a woman. We still went ahead with our trip and Thank God our trip was great! The Portuguese people are not very friendly though., We enjoyed Portugal however it’s not a place that we would like to come back.
Can you blame the Portuguese? They are becoming a minority in their own capital.
Such BS I have been all over the world and the Portuguese are some of the most friendliest I have ever met!! I am sure its you anytime someone generalizes an entire cutlure because of the energy they put out there I know they are low iq and just blame everyone for their own problems
I just got back from Lisbon a week ago and I thought the opposite…I thought the people were very nice and helpful.
Can you elaborate? On the robbery. Did the robber use a gun? Firearms are so strictly controlled in Portugal.
We had someone on our video mention your video, so came over to watch it.
We had a similar thing happen to us on the 8th of September, someone got into our apartment as well. Our situation was slightly more because of our own stupidity, but incredibly similar with the police being completely incompetent, and the street where you saw the laptop taken to (with all the shifty people along 'Largo Sao Domingos') was where we had to walk up every day to get to our apartment.
Sorry this happened to you guys as well, it definitely left a very poor impression of Lisbon for us.
Much love.
@@Empalagation omg! It’s so scary! Yes we went to Sao domingo to follow the airtag and there were lots of people lurking about while tourists are getting into their lodging oblivious to the situation. Sorry about your experience!
Glad you're both safe. I can imagine how violated you must feel. I love Europe but this need for a heightened awareness can be off putting. Hope your insurance covered everything. Sucks that this happened but glad no one was hurt, considering you all were asleep when the robbery occurred. Stay well.
Thank you! It was an absolute nightmare
Sorry to hear about your Lisbon experience. Also hoping you guys are safe if you are back home in Valencia.
So sorry you experienced this. Scary.
This is the 3rd time I've heard similar stories in Lisbon recently. They also sounded like inside jobs or careful targeting. I loved Porto, have not been to Lisbon. I'll pay close attention when I go.
Hope you guys are safe with the floods.
Sorry this happened to you! Great tips on rental units and the tourism police. So far, I’ve only used hostels and hotels there. So many countries, the police don’t help with “small” thefts, and they’re no injury. AirTags only help you, but the police in many countries don’t use the information. Som taxis take credit cards, but you’d have to wait a long time. That happened to me, once. Bolt is less expensive than Uber, but I look at both apps.
Thanks!
You got swabbed because they saw you split up even though you were a group. Traffickers split up so if one gets caught, another makes it. It is best to simply stay together.
Sorry to hear about the horrible experiences. Hope everything else is going well.
Thank you for sharing guys. I am really sorry you had that terrible experience. Whenever I go I’ll take extra care and stay at a hotel. How did the thieves know how to walk inside the house? Was the door forced? Terrible, terrible experience guys.
@@anabellabella2266 they used a garbage can and climbed up the window.
This is a great reminder for me to set up the small portable alarm that we carry.. I'm sorry this happened to you guys
@@JeffRhinoBannister ordering some extra protection for us as well!
Would you please share the info for the portable alarm 🙏🏼
Sorry to hear that this happened to you guys. Glad you guys weren’t hurt. Anyway’s We’ll be in Spain next week.. Valencia is in our itinerary. We’ll take extra precautions. We’ll say hi if we bump into you.
Gosh I was just in Lisbon...sorry you had a terrible experience. I was actually robbed when I travelled solo to Spain a long time ago. Same...the police cant do anything. I understand how traumatic and panicky it can be especially in a foreign country.though having the thief inside whilst you guys are sleeping is next level scary!!
@@JohannesLee sorry that happened to you as well. Very violating.
Sorry this happened to you. Absolutely terrifying.
I hope we all stop using these apartments that are an absolute scourge on the local housing economy and go back to hotels.
@@katiekrackers4210 thanks. It was a legal tourist lodging, they have permits and everything and were on expedia. But I understand what you mean.
Very sad situation. As others have suggested, this appears to have been a targeted burglary. While I have no investigative experience, it may be that there are numerous keys in the wrong hands who have access to the unit. Lisbon is considered one of the safest cities in Europe but petty crime is a reality in most major cities.
Regardless of the destination, we all hope to enjoy ourselves without the stress. I hope you can overcome this at the earliest.
as a budget traveller you can travel by bus all over portugal like porto, aveiro, viseu, then salamanca all the way to madrid, which cost me 9 euro per ride because of close proximity, porto is the best place for me, because lisbon are too crowded , for supermarket the cheap one is continente which cost me a 3 euro for coffee juice and sandwich, be safe and happy travel in portugal
@@meloscampos1707 we’ll have to check out Porto next time. But probably not for a long time. Thanks for watching.
Thank you for your story, people need to wake up. My family and I just returned from Portugal a few days ago, while there everything went OK, but I speak the language , as I was born in Lisbon, but people need to be aware of this , Portugal was once the 3 rd safest country , but things have changed so much and for the the worse. Was this part of town Martin Moniz , well that is the meeting place for all of the "Refugees " , bad dudes !!!!!!
@@maryhauser6523 yes the closest police station we went to was in Martin Moniz.
Good luck. Hope you guys are safe. Best regards.
Hi! I have seen your videos in Valencia, Spain. And considering the calamity in Valencia this week, i remembered you both. Were you there that time of the flood? i hope you are both safe. 🙏
Hey guys! I just saw that there is terrible flooding in Valencia! Please let us know you all are safe. 😢
@@JacquelineTheGreattt hello. The city itself did not have much rain and there’s no floods, but the surrounding areas have been hit and it’s bad. Thank you for checking in.
I work in the food deliveries in Lisbon mostly at evenings or at night and yes I can tell you it's never safe
So sorry to hear that.
Thank you.
Always listen to your spirit guide. ❤🎉❤
Are you guys okay in Valencia? Saw the flash Flood that is happening right now over there.
@@ourtravellifevideos6885 yes we are okay, far from the affected areas. Still a very sad day for the community.
I am sorry about your bad experience. I know how do you feel as once we have been robbed in similar way while sleeping. And almost like you I asked the TV make a simulation of the burglery and show it to the whole country. Just to teach others to avoid this nightnare. We are a latvian couple from Riga, now overwintering in Spain, Salobreña. And tomorrow leaving from Malaga to Lisbon for 3 nights, so your story helps us very well to stay safe. I completely agree with the comment of the gentleman telling us always to stay in the "yellow". It's sad but mandatory.
Was in Lisbon a week ago and literally 90% of people spoke English or spanish was very easy for me since I don’t speak portuguese.
First and foremost, I’m glad both of you are safe! I’m sorry that you had to experience such an awful situation, no one deserves that.
Thanks for sharing tips on how to be vigilant and the lessons you learned, hopefully it’ll help others who are planning to travel in the future.
Be safe and take care.
Have a blessed day 🙏
Thank you! Yes we'll be more vigilant from now on!
I hope you are both safe after the floods.
I discovered Porto yeaaaaars ago when it was not as popular as it is now. Unfortunately it is very crowded now but I still prefer it over Lisbon anytime.
cab driver robbed you ... the meter is already running faster it is the added fee, cab drivers are not allowed to charge anthing that is not in the meter
A very interesting episode. Leaving windows open anywhere in Europe is an absolute no no. Europe is certainly no safer than many parts of the US and I personally would avoid tourist apartments which are less secure than chain hotels. There is actually an advantage to ground and first floor rooms in respect of fire as it is easier to evacuate and fire can be a more present risk than robbery. You are right though that it is less easy to spot bad neighbourhoods in Europe. Ultimately, opportunist thieves are everywhere. Before booking anywhere note location, location, location. Crime stats by neighbourhood are available for most European cities. Very bad luck but these things can happen. Make the most of Spain now. I have been to the Philippines many times and never had an issue but it was in a beautiful small town in France where we had our car completely vandalised and ransacked. European towns and cities are like very attractive people, looks are superficial - its what goes on inside that can mess you up!
@@anenglishmaninoviedospain yes! We have to remember that it’s not disneyland just because we see castles! My mom’s friend was just robbed inside the Vatican! Lesson learned!
Were you affected by the flood?? Hope you guys are alright. Sending You and other people in Valencia prayers of protection. 🙏
@@yina8363
Hi from Western Canada. Sure sorry this happened to you guys. I guess that yes, a lower floor may not be safe on an Airbnb. When we book Airbnb's we read all the reviews to know what neighborhood is like, etc. Was your phone/lap top insured?
Don't skimp on cash - stay in hotels !!!! I will never ever use AirBnB again- deceptive!
I've stayed in about two dozen airbnbs in Latin America without any incident. Imagine something like this happening in what's known as one of the safest capital cities in Europe. Crazy.
@@ba8898 Europe crumbling...let's go brandon
Sorry this happened to you. I have lived in Portugal for over 3 years. I am from the States. In my experiences here crime stats are hidden. Not easy to research. With that said, I am not surprised you experienced this. The brazenness does surprise me. The level where someone actually crawled into the apartment while you were inside. Unbelievable. I can testify first hand about 112 calls. I got stuck inside an elevator and called 112. Got hung up on three times. I guess the dispatcher did not speak English. No help. I decided to start screaming and yelling to get attention from people passing by. It worked. The public garage attendant helped me and my German Shepard crawl out through the wedged space to the upper floor.
Thanks for sharing your experience! I would hate to be stuck in an elevator!
So sorry that you guys went through this. Could you possibly do a video on what you can or cannot do legally if you confront someone breaking into your property. Here in the States we have laws that allow you to use necessary force to protect your self, family and property. We have family that moved to Mislata last year and when we visit I would like to know what is allowable under Spanish law. Thanks.
Lisbon is as safe as another major city in the world- New York, Madrid, Paris, London, Rome, etc
The problem is the massive influx of Tourists - Overtourism and everything bad that It brings.
Air BnB is beginning to have a poor reputation...I am not saying that u shouldn't exercise due diligence when in a hotel ..
This is the most meandering video with long-winded stories I have ever seen. I realize you are trying to maximize your ad revenue. Unfortunately, my patience ran out way too quickly.
In the Philippines the police would have rushed to that apartment where the airtag was and knocked on the door.
Wow Rossio area! My sister who's travelling around Europe stayed at Figueira By The Beautique Hotel near Rossio Metro Station last week. I have to ask her how she felt about the area.
This is the reason I travel with a door jammer and alarm😢. Always ask for high floor and no AC, no bueno!
@@angelaallen7311 we just bought a door stop with alarm!
The first thing I saw when you entered your Air BnB were the cameras. Did the host offer to look at the video? Sorry this happened to you. 😔
That’s the 1st thing that caught my attention too. I was wondering why they never mentioned it. Maybe they were not bothered by it. I would be
We asked the for the footage but they will only release it to the police. So the cops have been calling them.
definitely sounds like the owner of the airbnb had something to do with this. I know not all airbnb's are bad but this business should be shut down. There are hidden camera's in some of these rentals and it's a cashcow for slimy rental owners to steal from their guests.
I'm sorry this happened to you and ruined your experience in Lisbon. I traveled for work for 20 years, towards the end I started taking extra safety precautions. Invest in an alarm door stopper and small indoor camera. I definitely utilise my security devices when I'm staying at a short term rental property. My former boss and his wife were staying at a very fancy and expensive hotel in Naples, Italy, and their hotel room was robbed. It really shook them up and they cut their vacation short. Don't blame yourself it can happen anywhere. I know how violated you must have felt, I'm so sorry.
I do have a question, is homeowners insurance or renters insurance a thing in Spain? Or any kind of coverage to have your items replaced?
@@stephs17 thank you.! we have renter’s insurance, I will ask them if they can cover it. i’m looking for portable protection devices right now too!
@@EverythingIsBoffo that's a good idea regarding the protection for the devices. I hope they cover your losses. I'm also glad you weren't harmed physically by the intruder. It definitely rocks your sense of security. Stay safe.
@@stephs17 thank you!
You were the only Asians in the area, BUT sure as hell you were not the only Africans in the area. Everyone knows there are gangs of mainly African migrants in Lisbon that do this. I am sorry that you guys were the victims of this.
Stop! Skin color, African. Yeah proliferation of stereotypes. Those Africans ARE Portuguese. As most Portuguese have an African ancestry.
There are some really good neighborhoods at the end of the green line at the north end.
No way 😢 sending ❤ we are sorry you had to experience this x Hope your next trip reverses these ! From Australia 🇦🇺
@@Bindi728 I hope so too!
Do your research and be careful. Common sense. Lisbon is safe. You were unlucky.
Sorry to hear about your experience.
thank you.
That sucks. I'm glad you are safe despite losing stuff. Which neighborhood did the robbery happen BTW?
It was close to Martim Moniz and Pena.
That's terrible. It really makes you want to be very careful when traveling. You can't be too careful. I agree with another commentor that it was an inside job and the owner is part of it. Good tip when you stay anywhere put something on door knob that will fall fall and make a lot of noise and it'll scare away the burglar.
In the US, we call this a home invasion robbery -- and again we're glad you are safe. Thank you for the sharing security pointers and they carry more personal relevance as we are vacationing in Spain right now, and staying in AirBnb-style apartments.
@@opcal3897 yes that’s why we couldn’t believe the inaction! Don’t open your windows!
BREAK IN!!!
@@fdsyku6-f5j so scary! Awful feeling when we realized.
@@EverythingIsBoffo yes,it should be,specially for outsiders not used to such social pattern.
however just maybe,these people that does it in those places are migrants
just saying.unless their a drug addicted
I sorry this happened to you but this is a problem all over Europe and the police are not very helpful the first thing they tell you is “It’s all the immigrants “ I was driving in Barcelona and a man on a motorcycle slash my tire when I stopped at the traffic lights (at first I didn’t know he had done it or I wouldn’t have stopped) as I got onto the highway he was following me and he was indicating that my tire was flat when I pulled over to look at it he and his accomplice robbed us of all my money, credit cards and passport luckily for me they didn’t take my phone that was on the dashboard that I used to pay for a new tire and gas.
So sorry to hear that. Our friend experienced the same thing!
was it an “immigrant” looking guy who did it?
@@neptunemikethey could have been but I don’t know and I don’t think they should blame the immigrants because most immigrants are just trying to make a better life for themselves and family, the police need to set up sting operations to catch the criminals instead of blaming immigrants the problem can be fixed but no one cares about the trauma and how your vacation was ruined.
What is the name of the neighborhood and street? I am going tomorrow and need to avoid!!
@@Lamards it was close to Pena and Martim Moniz.
@@EverythingIsBoffo Martim Moniz has been a dump for years. Full of poorly integrated immigrants from Nepal, India, Bangladesh and pickpockets and gypsy thieves from Romania and Bulgaria.
Who unlocked the room's door for the scumbags? Was it left unlocked? If it was locked, sue the hotel, B&B, the owner of the accommodation. Registered accommodation must be held responsable for customers' losses in a burglary and they should be insured for such cases.
Unfortunately we are not safe anymore.
Dang I am so sorry guys!!!!😢
@@cfef86 thank you!
This is why I don’t go to Lisbon anymore. Did you leave the AirBnb a bad review? i would. highly recommend not using short term rentals anymore. it hurts the locals anyways
@@rickchandler2570 now that the investigation has gone nowhere we will leave a review with Expedia.
TOURISTS, STAY HOME :) THANKS
Another reason to avoid AirBnb
I am sorry of the bad experience you had, I personally would not ever sleep with an open window , Lisbon used to be ver safe, but unfortunately with so much immigration and from 3rd world countries, it has changed, and where there is a lot of tourism there robberies. Being robbed is not emergency unless the robber is in the house. I was robbed in my home in Canada, it took the police a day to come to my home. It is not all the green line to avoid, there are a lot of nice areas in that line. I was in Portugal this summer for a couple of months, had good experience in the places we stayed, it is important before booking to research the area,. As for the people being unfriendly I heard and experienced the opposite
@@IngridBerg-t9p thank you. Lesson learned for us to be more aware of our surroundings and be vigilant.
You may be able to pursue compensation through Airbnb's Resolution Center.
It was through Expedia and we will file a complaint and a claim.
The way you were treated was awful. I’m so sorry 😞
Ainda á portugueses em Lisboa ?
Sounds like the owner knew this is a problem. When you complained about the no air conditioning and extra pillows, he had some involvement. We stayed on the upper area of the city in Lisbon. I didn’t care for Lisbon and actually preferred Porto. Never ever keep a window open at night on a low floor. The air tag is a great idea.
Yeah they did not sound surprised, and didn’t allow us to call them. Just text. No sense of urgency.
That is so frightening.