Car Rental in Barcelona

Why rent a car in Barcelona?

Barcelona is a great destination. A true world city, it has plenty to offer in terms of culture, history, and atmosphere. Having your own ride will let you explore its different neighborhoods, as well as the rest of Catalonia region.

Top ways to enter Barcelona

• Barcelona El Prat Airport: Barcelona’s main airport is one of the largest in Europe and offers flights to countless destinations not only in Europe, but also Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
• Girona-Costa Brava Airport: Serving Girona, Catalonia’s second city, Girona Airport is just 74 km (46 mi) north of Barcelona and is favored by low-cost airlines.
• Reus Airport: Small, cozy, and mostly busy during summers, Reus Airport is located in Tarragona Province and is about an hour and a half’s drive away from Barcelona city center.

City facts

The home language of Catalonia is Catalan, still the first tongue of many Barcelona natives. While Catalan is related to Spanish, the two languages are not mutually understandable, and retains a much stronger French influence. Spanish is also understood and spoken by practically everyone in the city. The general knowledge of English is high.

Climate. Although Barcelona is further north than many other cities in Spain, its location on the Mediterranean ensures it enjoys warm and mild winters. The summers, on the other hand, can get very hot, and getting properly hydrated is important.

Barcelona is home to 9 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Antoine Gaude designed 7 of them.

Some local specialties that you won't want to miss are:

• Paella - Dish made in a large fried pan with rice, garlic, peas, tomatoes, and sherry or white wine and topped with seafood.
• Patatas Bravas - Twice-fried potato cubes served with a spicy tomato sauce and garlicky aioli. 
• Jamon Iberico -  Red Iberian ham served in thin slices and often enjoyed with slices of Manchego cheese.
• Gazpacho - Cold soup made with extra-riped tomatoes, bell peppers, garlic cloves, sherry vinegar, and extra virgin olive. Perfect for the hot Barcelona summers.
• Chorizo - Vibrant-red pork sausage that is found cured, smoked, and often found hanging from market stalls.

Top sights and activities

• Gaudí Architecture: The unique ideas of the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí can be observed throughout the city in buildings of which La Sagrada Familia is just the most famous one, but by far from the only example. Barcelona is a metropolis of arts, and works of Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso can also be seen in the city galleries.
• La Rambla: Barcelona’s beating heart and main tourist attraction, walking La Rambla is the most Barcelona thing you can do. Proceed at a leisurely pace as you appreciate the food market, the street artist performances, and the general atmosphere.
• Maritime Museum of Barcelona. Fittingly located inside the Gothic building of the former Barcelona Royal Shipyard, the Maritime Museum is dedicated to the seafaring and trading history of Barcelona, two industries that made the city the metropolis that it is today. From early navigational instruments to reconstructed ships, it is a fascinating place to explore. Located near the coast in the very center of Barcelona, the museum is easy to access from anywhere in the city.
• The Barcelona Cathedral. Officially named The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, it is the seat of Barcelona’s Archbishop and one of the most picturesque places in town. The gothic architecture and panoramic roof make it one of the most visited places in town.
• Picasso Museum. The legendary painter spent a large part of his life in Barcelona. He lived, studied, and, of course, painted a lot of pictures there, so now the city is home to one of the biggest Picasso collections on the planet.
• Sant Sebastià Beach. Mostly referred to as Barceloneta, the city's beach was artificially made for the 1992 Summer Olympic Games and is one of the biggest draws of Barcelona.
• Camp Nou. Home of FC Barcelona, one of the most iconic football (or soccer) clubs not just in Spain, but the whole world, Camp Nou is among the both largest and most atmospheric football grounds there are. Even if you are not a football fan, visiting the stadium on a matchday is a very memorable experience (though it is a good idea to book the tickets in advance).

Traffic and parking

• Speed limits - 50km/h (31mph) in built-up areas, 90km/h (56mph) on most standard roads, 100km/h (62mph) on standard roads that are either one-way roads, roads with more than two lanes for at least one direction of traffic and roads with shoulders more than 1.5m wide, and 120km/h (74mph) on motorways (called autovías in Spain).
• The car documentation and insurance always has to be inside a vehicle.
• The driver and all passengers are required to wear seatbelts.
• Children up to the age of 12 and measuring less than 135cm travelling on the front seat of a car must be seated in a child restraint system adapted to their size and weight.
• Unnecessary use of audible warning devices (horns) is prohibited
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.02% for novice drivers
• The emergency number is 112.
• There parking areas in Barcelona can be generally divided into three parking types: free parking, the Green Area (more info) and the Blue Area (more info). Do note that some paid parking areas may become free during the weekends.
• The Green Area (Àrea Verda) can be recognized by green painted lines. The price will vary depending on the location. You cannot park in Green Area for more than 1 or 2 hours.
• The Blue Area (Àrea Blava) is a paid parking area for everyone, with time limit varying between 1 and 4 hours depending on the place. If you want to park here, you must purchase a ticket at the machines on the sidewalk and place it in a visible area of your car.
• There are also free parking opportunities in Barcelona. Although many are not in the city centre, you may find a lot of them convenient. Some examples are: the subterranean parking of supermarket La Maquinista (Calle Potosí, 2), the area next to Parc Ciutadella (Calle de Ramón Turro), Montjuic area close to Fundación Miro and area around Calle Icaria
• There are also many paid car parks in Barcelona, varying in price and proximity to city centre. Look up the on that might suit you the best on the official website.

Toll roads

Most of the roads inside the country are toll-free. Toll roads are called ‘carretera de peaje’. On maps and road signs, all toll roads have to include a letter P after the road type. The payment method may vary depending on the road, but most will accept cash. Regardless of the region, the average estimated price is €9.5 ($11.25) per 100km by car. See the official website for prices and more information.

Ideas for day trips

• Castelldefels: Located in the southern suburbs of Barcelona, the beaches of Castelldefels are popular with everyone from football stars to foreign travelers and natives of Barcelona
• Lleida. Sometimes overlooked by foreign travelers, the inland parts of Catalonia can be fascinating to explore, especially if you have your own ride. The farms, vineyards, and towns are where the traditional Catalan culture continues to thrive. Lleida, the largest inland city and a fine destination in its own right, is about 160 km (100 miles) northwest of Barcelona and can be reached in about two hours.
  
• Girona. Similar to the beaches of Barcelona, but of a more untamed flavor, the coastal area of Costa Brava is an amalgamation of beaches, small coastal towns, and opportunities for water sports. Girona, the largest city in the region is an hour’s ride northeast of Barcelona and also has one of the best-preserved Jewish quarters in Europe.
• Montserrat Monastery. Situated in the Montserrat mountain range just 45 km away from Barcelona, this spectacular monastery is one of the biggest attractions in Catalonia. It combines the stunning natural beauty of the region with the amazing architecture of Santa Maria de Montserrat abbey.
• Valencia. Just 3 hours away from Barcelona, Valencia offers golden beaches, an incredible aquarium, and one of the very best zoos in the entire world.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Spain is the Ford Fiesta, but travelers tend to also choose the Fiat 500 and the Ford Focus a lot. The most popular car types are economy, compact and mini.

Further destinations

For more about traveling around Spain with a rental car, check out our complete guide.

• Provence and Southern France: From scenic coastal villages next to Mediterranean beaches and famous old cities like Marseille and Nice, the iconic Provence is France’s most famous destination after Paris. Ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit you crossing the border.
• Valencian Community: Located next-door to Catalonia as you go south along the coast, the Valencian Community is home to unique culture, cuisine, and wine traditions, and boast the best paella in the whole of Spain. The region is also famous for the Costa Blanca including the resort city of Benidrom with its beaches and nightlife. 
• Andorra: The small mountainous principality tucked high in the Pyrenees between the borders of France and Spain, Andorra is one of Europe’s smallest countries but also an absolutely lovely place to visit. Many visitors come for the stunning, snow-capped peaks but stay for the delicious cuisine, relaxed vibe, and hospitality of the locals. Andorra is not a member of the European Union nor the Schengen Area, so if you are visiting the Schengen Area on a visa, you’ll need a multiple-entry one to either return to Spain or go on to France. It’s also a good idea to let your car rental company know in advance that you plan this trip, although most will allow it. The trip from Barcelona to Andorra takes about 2 hours and 50 minutes.
• Madrid: Spain’s capital and Barcelona’s rival is different in atmosphere, but just as fascinating thanks to its busy cultural and music life, interesting history, and monumental architecture.
• Aragon: Lying west of Barcelona and centered around Zaragoza, its capital, Aragon offers beautiful villages in its hillsides and valleys, and numerous outdoor activities in the mountains. 

Car rental prices in Barcelona

• Convertibles - from $11 per day
• Small cars - from $3 per day
• Medium cars - from $6 per day
• SUVs - from $6 per day
• Large cars - from $26 per day
• Station wagons - from $12 per day
• Vans - from $12 per day
• Premium cars - from $44 per day

Money-saving and other tips

You can do a number of things to get a good car rental deal in Barcelona:

• Compare rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Barcelona is the cheapest in April when renting a car is about 28% cheaper than the yearly average and 51% cheaper than renting in July.