Barcelona is a densely populated city and at times it can be hard to find somewhere to park your car. If you can avoid driving to Barcelona then this is recommended. However, the convenience of travelling to Barcelona by car will often override the effort of finding parking spaces during your stay. Here are a few tips for hassle-free parking in Barcelona.
Free Parking in Barcelona
You can park your car for free in a number of outdoor car parks in Barcelona. If you would like to park your car for free in Barcelona, you can do so near Zona Universitaria and Vall d’Hebron metro stations, by Bogatell beach, and on Montjuïc Hill near Plaça Espanya.
Park Your Car and Leave it During Your Stay
Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes
If you are getting to Barcelona by car, you might want to consider leaving it in a parking space during your stay. Although not cheap, an indoor car park has the advantage of 24/7 security. If you are renting an apartment, look out for ones that include parking spaces in the price and leaving your car here whilst you take advantage of Barcelona’s good value and efficient integrated public transport system which includes the metro, bus and trains. Barcelona is a cycle-friendly city; another alternative is to hire a bike for your stay.
Here are some indoor car parks in Barcelona:
- Estació del Nord Bus Station: Located on Calle d’Ali Bei, 54, close to the Arc de Triomf metro station.
- Plaça de les Glòries: This car park is situated in an ideal location at the intersection of three major Barcelona streets, Avinguda Diagonal, Avinguda Meridiana and Gran Via de les Cortes Catalanes.
Street Parking
An ‘area blava’ parking sign in Barcelona
Many parking spaces in the centre of Barcelona are reserved for local residents. If you are parking on the street ensure you pay attention to the signs and restrictions so that you don’t have to pay any fines or get your car towed! The Area Verde (Green Zone) is reserved for residents, however non-residents are permitted to park here if they stick to the time limits and pay a fee. Make sure you check that the space is not reserved exclusively for local residents. There is also an Area Blava (Blue Zone) where parking is allowed at certain times of day.
Pay attention to the signs as parking restrictions vary across different areas of Barcelona.
So there you have it, our guide to both free and paid parking in Barcelona! Whether you decide to park in Barcelona or opt for a public transport, we hope you have a fantastic stay in this wonderful city!
