The Most Stupid Thing You Can Do in 5 European Capitals

Some of these foolish acts forced me to spend a night in a police station, while others resulted in a few days in a hospital. One of them even resulted in the authorities refusing me entry into Qatar (it is a long story… subscribe to my profile and maybe I will tell it in another article in the future).

In my defense, most of my mistakes were due to ignorance— remember what they say, that pain is often the best teacher.

It might be fun to tell those stories years later after they’ve happened. However, they are not always made up of pleasant experiences.

Some of the events described in this article occurred to me, while others occurred to friends; hopefully, however, none of them will occur to you.

Listen to “NEVER do these things in Paris, Rome, Warsaw, Prague and Barcelona🗺” on Spreaker.

1 — To Exchange Money at THIS place in Prague, Czech Republic

This is not the first time that I write about why Prague disappointed me. But some things must be said more than once.

Never (and I mean never) change money on the street, particularly in tourist-heavy areas such as the Old Clock’s environs. You can be certain that you will be scammed if someone approaches you in front of an exchange office and offers you a better rate. Most of the time, you will be unable to obtain Czech money. You’ll wind up with some east-European currency that won’t help you much in this country!

If you need Czech money (and you will, given the Euro is not legal cash here), use an ATM.

Always inquire how much you’ll get for your money if you come across an exchange office (and there are many of them everywhere). Many exchange offices deceive you into thinking you’re receiving a good deal. After you sign the bill and receive half of what you expected, you could be astonished. Please keep in mind that once you sign the bill, you cannot get your money back because your signature indicates that you have accepted the offer.

2— To Buy THIS THING in Poland to Use as Decoration

If you visit Poland in the autumn and enter a supermarket, you will notice that entire shelves are covered with red, yellow, and transparent glass lamps crafted in a variety of motives.

One might even believe that Poles have a special fondness for romantic dinners under candlelight with all of these sophisticated lanterns, and you might be tempted to buy one for your living room.

Don’t do it. These are known as znicz nagrobny, and they are placed on cemeteries during All Saints Day (and other celebrations, like Christmas). It is a way to remember those who have passed away.

On a side note, the ballet of thousands of lantern lights is a very interesting spectacle to see for those who visit cemeteries in Poland during the all saints holiday.

3 — To take pictures with the Legionaries in Rome

That one didn’t happen to me — I always thought it was kitsch to take pictures with a guy dressed up in a costume if you were already an adult.

But often kids (and some not-so-young fellows) are frequently tempted to pose for photos with these men dressed as Roman legionary soldiers who stand in Rome’s busiest tourist areas.

They will initially be friendly and even smile for your photograph. After that, they will charge you a fee, and if you do not pay, things may quickly turn violent. If you call the cops, likely the police will take the side of the street artists in this case — after all, you asked to take a picture with them.

4 — Have a Deep Breath at Paris Metro Tunnels.

Paris metro STINKS. It is among the most disgusting, distasteful, filthy, and disturbing senses that a city outside of a war zone can offer you.

The scents of the Parisian subway will vary between rotten eggs, urine fumes, and human excrement. Some homeless people who spend their days in Metro stations use the passageways and platforms as restrooms.

If you need to use the Paris underground public transport, it may be a good occasion to check for how long you can hold your breath.

5 — Walk around La Rambla in Barcelona without paying attention to your surroundings (and valuable stuff).

The place itself has its charm. La Rambla is a 1.2-kilometer-long tree-lined pedestrian boulevard in the center of Barcelona. This street is close to some of Barcelona’s most notable attractions, such as the La Boqueria market and the Palau de la Virreina.

According to this, the hordes of visitors attracted pickpockets, scam artists, and individuals harassing you to buy useless things. It’s doubtful that you’ll be able to fully appreciate this street’s architectural gems while zigzagging among unwelcome street vendors.

There’s also a risk that, as it happened to me, some nimble petty thief may grab your sunglasses from your head or the wallet from your pocket.

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If you enjoyed this article about travel tips for Europe, here are a few other reading suggestions for you:

The 10 Most Beautiful and Captivating Gardens in Europe!

THESE Are the Cheapest Cities to Fly to In Europe

International Flight Tickets: 4 Tips to Pay Less

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Levi Borba is the founder of the Expatriate Consultancy, creator of the channel Small Business Hacks and the channel The Expat, and a best-selling author.