What kind of vehicle do you need? A large SUV for a big family? An eco-friendly compact car to zip around the city? Whatever you’re looking for, Avis car hire at Barcelona Airport will have you covered. Our vehicles offer practicality, performance and comfort, so you can enjoy your trip as much as possible. Get in touch for more information about the exact models that are available.

The Roman colony of Barcino’s city walls -the remains of which can still be found in the old town - date back to the 4th century BC. However, it’s the striking Gothic architecture in Barri Gòtic, as well as the city’s intriguing modernist constructs around Eixample, that lend Barcelona its signature surrealist skyline. Late 19th-century works by legendary Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí are the star of the show, with the bizarre turrets of La Sagrada Família cathedral crowning Barcelona’s creative buzz.

Architecture aside, Barcelona has everything from a bar and restaurant-rimmed beach - host to many a music festival in summer - to a thriving arts scene. Museums are stacked with works by Barcelona-born Joan Miró, while its trendier quarters broadcast a thriving talent for street art. Foodies shouldn’t pass up an opportunity for a chilled aperitif - and tapas, of course -in the lively Las Ramblas market.

Summers in the city are sizzling, with August reaching peak temperatures of 31°C and La Barceloneta beach drawing in a flux of surfers and sunbathers. The weather in the Catalan city is always pleasant, though, making this a popular destination year-round.

Which side of the road?
In Spain, please drive on the right side of the road.

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: 120 km/h (74 mph)

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 135 cm 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.

We’ve unlocked Spain’s driving rules for your journey to help keep you safe and avoid the unexpected. Here’s a quick guide.

Venture beyond Barcelona’s bustling bars and cafés, and serenity awaits. The Montserrat’s lofty peaks, overlooking the city from a cool hour’s drive inland, are a favourite among hikers and nature-lovers. If scaling its slopes on foot feels a little too strenuous, a sedate five-minute cable car ride will deliver you to the mountain’s main observation deck for yawning views across the city and beyond.

Sun-worshippers should make their way along the Costa Dorada, which aptly translates as ‘gold coast’. Sitges, a sleepy coastal town by day, erupts into a cacophony of conviviality come evening, its bars and restaurants humming with fiesta spirit. Explore the Costa Brava (‘wild coast’) north of Barcelona for private coves - you’ll certainly find them around the pretty horseshoe bays of Calella de Palafrugell and Llafranc.

Girona is a 90-minute drive northeast of Barcelona and offers a cultural fix of a more genteel kind. Ascend 91 stone steps to explore its immense cathedral, which rose to popular fame in season six of Game of Thrones. If visiting in May, don’t leave without admiring the Temps de Flors, which carpets Barri Vell in a vibrant tapestry of flowers.

Hire car with Avis in Barcelona to access Catalonia’s vineyard-carpeted landscapes, golden beaches and pretty coastal villages.

Is it worth hiring a car in Barcelona?

Hiring a car in Barcelona means you can be sure to enjoy everything from the magnificent architecture and cultural attractions to the beaches and shopping. With a hire car you can also benefit from easy access to the many beaches, towns and places of natural beauty that lie beyond the city centre.

Can you hire a car by the day in Barcelona?

You can enjoy affordable rates when you book one-day car rental with Avis. Submit your trip details into the online booking form so you can see the available vehicles and their one-day car rental cost.

What is the best car to hire in Barcelona?

If you are staying in the city centre, you may feel more comfortable in a compact model that will be easy to park. Heading out of the city on a longer trip? Consider a snazzy convertible from our Prestige range or give your family a comfortable ride in an SUV or family-sized saloon.

What is the cheapest car to hire in Barcelona?

Avis offers a wide range of vehicles to choose from in Barcelona, including economical cars that suit all budgets. Book your hire car online, ahead of time, for the best rates.