Barcelona Hire Car Tips, Experiences & Comparison

Barcelona – City of culture and joie de vivre

Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, has much that travelers want. Numerous museums attract visitors with interesting exhibitions.

The famous boulevard “Las Ramblas” invites you to stroll extensively and go shopping.

In the restaurants, lovers of traditional Spanish cuisine, but also the friends of innovative dishes will be happy.

And at night you can party in the clubs until the early hours. The surrounding countryside also has a lot to offer, so it’s good to have a hire car ready for free exploration. For rental and travel we have put together a few tips.

Taking over the hire car

It’s easy to find most rental agencies in El Prat airport. In Terminal 1, you will find them on the ground floor after the baggage carousels. In Terminal 2B, you’ll find stations in the arrivals hall and near customs.

But before booking, you should make sure that your rental company also has its station in the terminal. It also happens that a rental company is only located near the airport. In this case, you may have to wait a long time for a shuttle service and lose precious travel time.

Choosing the right hire car

The traffic in Barcelona is very turbulent, parking spaces are rare. It is better to take a smaller car to get around easily everywhere and also to be able to park the car.

Hire car prices

Many rental companies rent out their cars at very reasonable rates. But if a car is rented too cheap, you should study the conditions carefully. Often you can still find hidden additional costs, which then have to be paid at the station on site.

And from the supposedly cheap offer can then become a relatively expensive pleasure. You can find the best offers with our practical price comparison. There you can also see immediately which offer is really recommendable.

hire car price comparison Barcelona

Insurance

A small fender bender is part of everyday life in Barcelona’s road traffic. To be well protected, you should choose a fully comprehensive insurance without deductible.

And you should pay attention to the amount of coverage of the liability. It should be at least one million euros.

Because if people are injured in an accident or several vehicles are involved, it quickly becomes very expensive. You can find more information about insurance in our special.

age limit

Most rental companies only rent their cars to drivers 21 and older. Others charge a fee if drivers are under 25. And still others refuse to rent cars to drivers older than 75.

Accessories

Not all hire car stations carry accessories such as navigation devices. Others have such devices only in limited numbers.

Be sure to check the accessories list before you go and make your reservation well in advance to be sure to get the equipment you want.

Language barrier

Normally, you will have no problem with English at your hire car station. However, to be on the safe side, you should still write down the phone number of your hire car station in Spain. There you can ask for translation help in case of an emergency.

Free kilometers

If you are only going to be travelling around Barcelona and the surrounding area, you may be able to get a cheaper rental deal with limited kilometres. However, if you want to travel longer distances in your hire car, you should definitely make sure that all kilometres are free with your hire car.

Customer Review Hire Car

Most customers are satisfied with the hire car in Barcelona. However, some complain about long waiting times and inadequately cleaned cars.

Study our customer reviews before renting to be sure you end up with a provider where everything runs smoothly, too.

Safety vehicles

Most hire cars in Barcelona are roadworthy. Still, test the lights before your first drive and do a little brake test while still in the rental company’s parking lot.

Bail

Be sure to book with a rental company that only blocks the deposit on your credit card and does not collect it. Otherwise, you may have to wait quite a long time for the deposit to be returned after you return the vehicle.

Sights in Barcelona

Barri Gótic: winding streets with original shops

A city stroll in Barcelona might start in the Barri Gótic. Here you are in the oldest part of the city, winding alleys with small shops make up the charm of the district.

When strolling through this area, however, take good care of your valuables. Overly skilled pickpockets unfortunately make the streets unsafe every now and then.

Ramblas: Stage of the City

This also applies to the Ramblas, which are a must for visitors to Barcelona. Here you will not only find a charming shopping street leading to the sea, but the very big stage of the city.

Street musicians perform, jugglers show their tricks and life pulsates in the cafés and bars.

Cathedral: magnificent nave

Culture enthusiasts should not miss visiting Barcelona’s cathedral. It was built in the years 1298 – 1448. The dome and the facade date back to the 19th century.

If the mighty building is already impressive from the outside, the splendor inside seems to literally explode. Note the ornately painted windows, which create a special effect when a ray of sunlight falls through.

Museu d`Historia de la Ciutat: Explore the history of the city

You can delve even deeper into the city`s history by visiting the Museu d`Historia de la Ciutat. Here there are finds from Barcelona`s Roman past. The Picasso Museum is also very worthwhile. There are over 3,500 works by the great artist to admire in two noble palaces.

Casa Batlló at Passeig de Gràcia 43: Discover Gaudí

On a successful city break, you should also admire the work of a man who shaped Barcelona’s cityscape more than anyone else. Visit Casa Batlló at 43 Passeig de Gràcia and marvel at the distinctive architectural style of the great architect Antoni Gaudí. He is also the builder of the famous Sagrada Familia church.

Finding the good place

When hunger strikes after a long stroll around town, head for Euskal Etxea at Pl, aceta de Montcada 1. The tapas bar is considered the oldest in the city and offers genuine Basque cuisine.

Find a good hotel

There is no shortage of good hotels in Barcelona either. We recommend the Banys Orientals. The pretty rooms are stylishly decorated, the location is central in the Barri Gòtic and there’s every comfort in the house.

Exploring the surrounding countryside

Sitges: Exciting artist town

The artists’ town of Sitges is a great place for a trip from Barcelona. You can reach it in just under an hour’s drive.

As far back as the 19th century, wealthy intellectuals from Barcelona used the town as a summer retreat.

Many of the magnificent houses you built back then can be seen by following the Ruta de los americanos. It is well signposted and runs through the whole town.

The Museo Cau Ferrat is also worth a visit. Here you’ll find paintings by former owner Santiago Rusinyol, as well as his collection of blacksmithing. A stroll through the old town in the evening could be the end of the visit. Restaurants and cafés open everywhere, music plays and colourful lights give the place a special flair.

Suggestion of a round trip

Montserrat Monastery: home of Catalonia’s patron saints

The Monastery of Montserrat is a nice destination for a first round trip by hire car. You can be there in about an hour.

The monastery is located at an altitude of 721 meters and offers you fantastic views of the majestic mountain landscape.

Inside the monastery, the Black Madonna of Our Lady of Montserrat in particular attracts the faithful in droves. She is the patron saint of Catalonia and was created in the 12th century. You will find her in the apse of the monastery.

Figueres: Marvel at the Dalí Museum

Continue your two-hour drive to Figueres. A fantastic museum awaits you there. With the Teatre-Museu Dal, surrealist Salvador Dalí created not only an exhibition space but a total work of art.

Over a million visitors a year stroll through this fairytale museum, which even from the outside shows the eccentricity of the master. From November 1 to February 28, you can visit the museum from 10:30 am to 6:00 pm.

Last admission is at 5:15pm. From March 1 to June 30, the gates open as early as 09:30. From 1 July to 30 September, you can visit the museum from 09:00 until 20:00.

Last admission is then at 19:15. And from 1 October to 31 October is then open again between 09:30 and 18:00. Admission costs 12 euros.

Sant Feliu de Guíxols: Exciting mix of styles

The last destination of the first round trip is Sant Feliu de Guíxols. You’ll be there in about an hour. Awaiting you is a picturesque Catalan town that is not yet overrun by the tourist crowds. In the centre you will find an exciting mix of medieval buildings as well as baroque and art nouveau architecture.

In Sant Feliu de Guíxols, you can take a relaxed stroll through the streets and hunt for souvenirs in the numerous shops. And after a long day, your hire car will take you back to Barcelona in just over an hour, where you can reflect on your many experiences.

conclusion

Not only the vibrant Barcelona is fascinating. The surrounding area also has a lot to offer. With a hire car, all destinations can be reached easily.

And with our practical price comparison you will also always find a cheap offer, exactly for your needs.