Barcelona car hire
Our Barcelona car hire services are conveniently located at Barcelona-El Prat Airport in Terminal 1, on the ground floor just after the baggage claim, and in the arrivals hall at Terminal 2, making your arrival into and departure from the vibrant Spanish city a breeze.You’ll also find our car hire services at Barcelona Sants Train Station and at major coach stations across the city. Wherever you choose to collect your vehicle, our efficient team will be on hand to check you in swiftly and efficiently so you can get on and enjoy your trip.
Famous for its outlandish Gaudí constructs, cosmopolitan nightlife and laid-back beach, the Spanish metropolis is the largest in the country to skirt the Mediterranean Sea and provides a bustling gateway to Montserrat’s soaring peaks, the tranquil bays along the Iberian Peninsula and Catalonia’s expansive landscapes.
We offer flexible one-way options, so you can pick up your hire car from one location and drop it off elsewhere at the end of your stay. Should you require this service, please inform us ahead of time and we will arrange it for you.
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Popular Avis car hire locations in Barcelona
Exploring Barcelona
Set up as an ancient Roman colony before staking its claim in the Kingdom of Aragon, Barcelona has a depth of history harking back to the 5th century. Today, its rich cultural heritage, wealth of art galleries, dynamic design scene and fresh Catalan cuisine draws in 5.5 million tourists per year, ranking it as the most visited city in Europe.Reaching heights of 31°C in August, late spring and summer are the most popular times to visit. However, Barcelona continues to enjoy a warm Mediterranean climate well into autumn and its winters are mild, making this an appealing destination year-round.
A multitude of festas occur throughout the year, ranging from the live music festivals that commandeer Barceloneta beach during summer to the annual La Mercè celebration in September. Catalonia’s largest festival, it showcases the province’s rich food and wine, seasoned with a sprinkling of history, in a four-day series of colourful parades, concerts, fireworks and correfocs, or traditional ‘fire runs’.
Scattered among Barcelona’s busy streets and markets are several World Heritage buildings, including famed architect Antoni Gaudí’s Cassa Mila in the old-meets-new Eixample district, the surreal Park Güell in the north of the city, and impressive architectural feats by modernist Catalan local, Lluís Domènech i Montaner.
Beyond Barcelona
Once you’ve indulged in the city’s thrills, Catalonia’s rural treasures are easily accessible with a hire car from Barcelona. The dramatic Montserrat mountain range lies an hour outside the city and juts 1,236m above sea level. Seeking a challenge? Hike up to the sacred Benedictine Monastery Santa Maria de Montserrat atop one of its peaks. It’s considered to be the area’s most important pilgrimage site and remains a popular place of worship for Benedictine monks and locals.Enticing oenophiles is the rolling wine country that encircles Barcelona. Encompassing many Cava houses, journey out into the 300,000 hectares of vineyards and farmland to discover the many traditional barrel-lined bodegas in the vicinity.
A string of whitewashed seaside towns are all within comfortable driving distance from Barcelona. Vibrant Sitges, known for its annual carnival in early spring, and the tranquil fishing villages of Cadaqués and Roses, make good destinations for a quiet swim and sunbathe without the crowds that throng on Barceloneta.
Hire a car with Avis in Barcelona to make the most of the spectacular countryside, sleepy villages and pretty beaches surrounding Catalonia’s cosmopolitan capital.
Spanish road rules
Country driving laws- Mobile phones may not be used at all whilst driving
- Do not use headphones when driving (except hearing aids)
- Dipped headlights must be used in poor daylight visibility
- Always use indicators, you will be fined for not using indicators when needed
- Cyclists have right of way, at all times
Speed limits
All speed signs will be in km/h. For a standard Avis rental vehicle with no trailers: Urban areas:
- 50 km/h (31 mph)
- Rural areas: 90 km/h (55 mph)
- Motorways: 120km/h (74mph)
Unless indicated by road signs.
Child safety / Seatbelt laws
- It is compulsory for the driver and all passengers to wear a seatbelt
- Children aged under 12 and less than 135cm tall must be seated in an appropriate child restraint for their size
- Children aged under 12 are not allowed to sit in the front seat
Please note - it is the child’s parent/guardian or vehicle renter’s responsibility to fit the child seat.
This road rules information is for provided for general guidance only. We endeavour to keep the information up to date and accurate, but any reliance you place on this information is at your own risk.