Driving in Barcelona

Driving car and parking in Barcelona

As a matter of principle we won't advise you to drive a car in Barcelona. It is chaotic and difficult for Non-Spanish people standards; parking spaces are rare and expensive. Alternatively, you have a very well-developed public transport with buses and subways which easily take you to all places of interest. The Barcelona card offers free use of public transport in combination with free admissions to many attractions.

You have to drive the car used only in Spain. As a rule of thumb helps: Next orient and the traffic in mind. For the traffic behind you is also the car behind you.

It is useful in selecting your hotel to take account of the presence of a car park - on Barcelona.de it can be done by choosing “additional options” and then selecting “with a parking lot”.

Everything about car driving

Driving in Barcelona is getting used to, here are some useful sites:

Parking in Barcelona

Also false parking should be avoided at all costs. Yellow stripes on the roadside shouldn't be used at any costs to park you car. In Barcelona cars will be quickly towed away. At the space at which your car stood, there will be a label stuck on the street with the location where your car is kept.
We have dedicated a separate page for parking in Barcelona.

Speed Limit and alcohol

Inner town the speed limit is 50 km/h, on country roads 90 km/h on highways 100 km/h (roads with more than one lane in each direction), on motorways from February 15, 2011 the speed limit on is reduced to 110 km/h. RVs or trailers teams with up to 7.5 tonnes may roads to 70 km/h, on highways 80 km/h, on motorways and 90 km/h.

The permissible limit for alcohol in the blood is 0.5 per cent. For drivers whose driving licence is less than 2 years ago, it is 0.3 per cent.

Breakdown, accident, telephone numbers of automobile clubs

Towing by private cars is prohibited. Any person who has a breakdown and therefore leaves the street must wear a reflective jacket.

In case of an accident in principle notify the police. The general emergency is here 112.
The telephone numbers of automobile clubs, please refer to the page numbers in an emergency.

Phoning in the car

Phoning in the car is allowed only with handsfree. Headsets, etc., are not allowed. Penalties are here from 90 to 300 €.

What do you have to be in the car?

For car documents, you need your driving licence, vehicle licence and the green insurance card, which is issued from your insurance.
Also mandatory are spare bulbs and two warning triangles, so it may also warned the oncoming traffic. Of course, the association box may not be missing.

Children in car

Children up to 10 years, only taken in the back seat and up to a size of 1.50 metres there must be available an appropriate child seat.

Fines

The fines are very high, especially for alcohol and speed enforcement. It is a rumour that the police in Spain and Barcelona interprete the rules rather loosely. The opposite is the case, the rules are strictly applied and is no negotiating leeway there!
The fines are to pay for non-Spaniards immediately to the police. This give you a receipt.
An EU-wide uniform enforcement assistance agreement came October 2010, so fines will be collected in your home country. Do you rent a car on the way, the fine from the car rental company requires you in the bill.

Content

Hired Cars in Barcelona

Flights to Barcelona

Barcelona Card

Hop-on Hop-off Bus