Driving and parking in Barcelona

We generally advise against driving in Barcelona. Instead, park your car in one of the garages, where you can often find cheaper long-term rates that allow for multiple entries and exits. Searching for street parking can be time-consuming and frustrating. Alternatively, Barcelona offers an excellent public transport system.

The metro, trams, buses, and other modes of transport are affordable and convenient for getting to nearly all attractions. There are also various public transport passes, some combined with attraction entries. With basic options like the Barcelona Card and Hola BCN!, you can use public transport freely in Barcelona.

Zona de Baixes Emissions (ZBE) - Low-Emission Zone

The ZBE - the low-emission zone - covers the city of Barcelona (excluding the industrial area Zona Franca, Vallvidrera, Tibidabo, and Les Planes), as well as Sant Adrià del Besòs, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Esplugues de Llobregat, and Cornellà de Llobregat.

The regulations are similar to those in German low-emission zones. Entry is only allowed with an environmental sticker. The ZBE restrictions apply Monday to Friday from 07:00 to 20:00. Outside these hours, any vehicle can be driven.

Petrol vehicles must meet at least Euro 3 standards, and diesel vehicles must meet at least Euro 4 standards. Motorcycles and mopeds must meet Euro 2 standards. Older vehicles are permanently banned from entering. Exceptions are made for special vehicles, such as those for people with disabilities or emergency vehicles.

Entering without authorization will result in a fine.

Registration for foreign vehicles

If you want to enter the ZBE with a vehicle not registered in Spain, you must register your vehicle. You can do this on the registration page of the Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona. Even vehicles that are exempt from ZBE restrictions must be registered. You can complete either a day or long-term registration on the registration page. Fees vary depending on the type and vehicle, but are generally only a few euros.

Parking garages in Barcelona

Parking spaces directly at attractions are rare and often occupied. Even minor parking violations can result in your car being towed.

The municipal parking operator B:SM

B:SM (Barcelona de Serveis Municipals) is the largest parking garage operator in Barcelona. They operate over 49 garages and parking lots with more than 14,000 spaces for cars, motorcycles, buses, and RVs. The facilities are generally very modern and well-equipped, with features such as lockers, restrooms (including accessible ones), disabled parking spaces, charging stations for electric cars and motorcycles, and security. The spaces are also more generously sized, making it easier to navigate with larger vehicles.

Here you can find an overview of the parking garages, or reserve your parking spot online for a stress-free parking experience.

The parking reservation system Parclick

With 257 parking garages on offer, Parclick is one of the largest online providers of parking spaces. Parclick also offers nearly all B:SM garages and lots. You can easily reserve a parking space for your vehicle online with Parclick, often at a lower price than on-site. This way, you have a guaranteed parking spot.

Here you can book your parking space via Parclick online and compare prices.

Parking tickets via Parclick and public transport

Private parking garages in the city center

Expect to pay around 25-35 € per day for privately operated parking garages in the city center. Many of these garages are small and cramped, which can be problematic if you have a large vehicle. The amenities are not as extensive as those offered by the B:SM public parking options, but the price is often slightly lower.

Parking rates and discounts

Here’s what you should expect to pay:

• City center parking garages: 25 - 35 € per day
• Parking near major attractions: 30 - 35 €
• Parking near the cruise port: 20 - 30 €, depending on the distance from the port
• Long-term parking (e.g., at the World Trade Center): 20 - 25 €

It’s worth comparing rates for longer stays, as they can vary from day to day: there are weekend rates, day and night rates, and various discount offers. At Parclick, you can also purchase monthly tickets and compare prices from multiple parking garages, allowing you to save up to 70%.

In addition to the regular parking rates, B:SM offers various discount options:

• Hourly Parking: With Park & Go, you can park for up to six consecutive hours or simply pay the hourly rate.
• Day Passes: Park in a pre-selected garage for one to 30 days with unlimited in-and-out privileges.
• Parking in all B:SM Garages: Park in any B:SM garage for seven days with unlimited access.
• Season Tickets: Special rates for parking for two months or more, with unlimited in-and-out access.

Parking spaces for motorhomes and buses

There are two guarded parking lots in Barcelona for motorhomes and buses:

• Garcia Fària-Diagonal Mar, located on the northeastern edge of the city at Pg. García Faria, 71, near the Fòrum.
  The maximum vehicle height is 4.50 meters. A reservation is recommended. From here, you can easily reach the city center with the Metro L4 or the Bus Turístic (summer).
• Parking Bus Moll d'Espanya, in the center of Barcelona. The rates are the same as at the Garcia bus parking lot (no reservation via Parclick).

If you need waste disposal services, the quickest option is to drive along the coastal road to the nearest campsite north or south of the city. Barcelona itself has no campsites.

Charging stations for electric vehicles

All B:SM parking garages have spaces with charging stations for electric cars and motorcycles. There are also numerous parking spaces with charging stations throughout the city of Barcelona. However, parking in these reserved spaces without charging your vehicle can result in being towed.

Disabled parking spaces

Public disabled parking spaces, green and blue parking zones, and loading/unloading zones can be used free of charge (ensure your permit is clearly visible). However, restrictions regarding maximum parking duration apply, as indicated on signage. B:SM and privately operated parking garages usually have disabled parking spaces, but they are subject to regular fees.

Parking at hotels

Many hotels in Barcelona offer their own private parking or underground garages. Prices range from approximately 15.00 to 30.00 € per day at a mid-range hotel, and 25 to 45 € per day at a city-center or luxury hotel.

You can check prices in the hotel descriptions. A list of hotels with parking can be found by selecting the "Parking" option in our Hotel Search.

Traffic rules in Barcelona

In general, the same traffic rules apply in Barcelona as in the rest of Spain and Europe. However, there are a few specifics to consider.

If you are not used to driving in a southern European city, it can be an adventure in Barcelona! We recommend parking your car in a garage, parking lot, or hotel underground garage and exploring the city using the well-developed public transportation. You can get around very well in Barcelona without a car.

The special "Parking Service" of B:SM

B:SM offers a special "service" if your car is parked illegally or on a disabled parking spot: it will be towed. This happens quickly and is very expensive for the driver. You will find out where to retrieve your car from a sticker placed where your vehicle used to be. You can also find this information on the B:SM website.

Illegal parking

Illegal parking should be avoided at all costs. Yellow lines on the roadside indicate that parking is strictly prohibited. Blue road markings indicate a paid parking spot, while green-marked spots are reserved for residents or permit holders. In Spain, traffic fines are quite high - even by Central European standards - and in Barcelona, towing happens very quickly. A red sticker on the ground where your car was will indicate where it has been taken.

Under no circumstances should you park in a disabled spot or other reserved spaces without proper authorization, not even "just for 5 minutes." Not only is it antisocial, but it's also expensive, and you will have to retrieve your car from the municipal impound lot.

Speed limits and alcohol

In Spain, urban speed limits depend on the number of lanes: cars and motorcycles can drive 30 km/h on single-lane streets. On roads with one lane for both directions, without road markings and sidewalks, the limit is 20 km/h.
On roads with two or more lanes per direction, the limit is 50 km/h. Only on expressways is a higher speed allowed, as indicated by signs.

On rural roads, the limit is 90 km/h, on expressways 100 km/h, and on highways 120 km/h. Cars with trailers weighing up to 0.75 tons can travel at 80 km/h on rural roads and expressways and 90 km/h on highways. Cars with trailers over 0.75 tons are limited to 80 km/h on highways. Motorhomes up to 3.5 tons can drive 50 km/h in urban areas, 80 km/h on rural roads, 90 km/h on expressways, and 100 km/h on highways. Motorhomes over 3.5 tons are limited to 80 km/h on expressways and 90 km/h on highways.

The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.5‰. For novice drivers, whose license has been held for less than two years, the limit is 0.3‰. However, if you drive erratically or are involved in an accident, a lower limit may apply.

Breakdowns, accidents, automobile club phone numbers

Towing with private cars is prohibited. Anyone leaving their car on the road in the event of a breakdown outside urban areas must wear a reflective safety vest.

In the event of an accident, always notify the police. The general emergency number is 112.
You can find the telephone numbers of automobile clubs on the Emergency Contact Numbers page.

Phone use in cars

Using a phone in the car is only allowed with a hands-free device. Headsets and similar devices are not permitted.

What must you have in the car?

• Your driver’s license
• The vehicle registration
• Green insurance card issued by your insurer
• Spare bulbs are also mandatory
• Two warning triangles. This allows you to warn oncoming traffic as well.
• A first-aid kit is, of course, essential
• A safety vest for each passenger

Children in the car

Children under 10 years old are only allowed to sit in the back seat, and a suitable child seat must be used for those under 1.50 meters in height.

Fines

Fines are very high, even by Central European standards, and even minor offenses can quickly cost hundreds of euros. It's a myth that the police in Spain and Barcelona are lenient with traffic violations. The opposite is true: rules are strictly enforced with no room for negotiation!

For example, the following penalties are imposed:

• Exceeding the blood alcohol limit (0.5‰): from 500 €
• Up to 20 km/h over the speed limit: 100 - 300 €
• 21 - 30 km/h over the speed limit: 300 - 600 €
• More than 50 km/h over the speed limit: from 600 €
• Using a mobile phone while driving: from 200 €
• Not wearing a seatbelt: from 200 €
• Running a red light: 200 €

Illegal Parking:

• General: 80 - 200 €, depending on the location and severity of the violation
• Unauthorized parking in a disabled spot: 200 €
• Parking in front of a hydrant or fire access: 200 €

Fines for non-Spaniards must be paid immediately to the police, who will issue a receipt.

Cars are towed fairly quickly. The city of Barcelona has its own fleet of tow trucks for this purpose.

Due to the EU-wide uniform enforcement assistance agreement, fines of 70 € or more are enforced throughout Europe.