Since the Olympic Games in 1992, the road infrastructure in Barcelona and its surroundings has greatly improved, however, like other European metropolises, it still suffers from heavy traffic, parking problems and narrow one-way streets that make it difficult to find your way around. Therefore, if you intend to enter Barcelona with a rented car, do so using the semi-circular roads - Ronda Litoral and Ronda de Dalt, which allow easy access to all districts of the city.
 

◾ Parking in Barcelona

You can park a few metro stations away from the center of Barcelona and from there continue by public transport. Another option is to park in the regulated parking lots scattered throughout the city, of which there are many.
The areas where vehicles are allowed to park in the city are the "blue zones" (zonas azules). Payment is made using meters and automatic machines between the hours of 09:00-14:00 and 16:00-21:00. Be sure to place the receipt you received in a prominent place behind the windshield before you leave the place. Please note that the "green areas" are reserved for residents only and parking in them with a rented car is prohibited.
 

◾ Car pick-up points

El-prat International Airport, located about 12 kilometers southwest of the heart of Barcelona, ​​is an excellent pick-up point for those arriving in Barcelona, ​​and especially for those wishing to explore its surroundings.
If you choose to focus on Barcelona itself, know that you can also take the car at one of the rental stations located in the city center. If you choose this option, you can use the RENFE R2 train that goes to the Sants and Passeig de Gràcia stations, which are well connected to the subway. Another option is to use the Aerobús which will take you quickly to the Plaça Catalunya area, or other buses.
 

◾ Leaving the city

Interested in going on a trip with the rental car north or south of Barcelona? The exit to the north is mostly made through Nudo de la Tinitat - the main road junction from which the traffic is deployed towards the Costa Brava, the Pyrenees and Manresa. The AP-7 highway (partly a toll road) is the most recommended in this regard. The southern exit of Barcelona routes traffic to Llarida, Zaragoza and Madrid via the AP-2 toll road or alternatively towards Tarragona along the Mediterranean Sea, for a journey of about an hour and a quarter on the AP-7 highway.

You can also travel with the rental car from Barcelona to neighboring countries such as Portugal, France, Andorra or Gibraltar (subject to the prior approval of the rental company), but you cannot travel to the Canary and Balearic Islands or Morocco.

Be sure to mark the countries to which you wish to travel to already when you start booking the car on our website (or telling our representative if you are making the booking via phone), so you will receive written confirmation from the supplier and will be covered in terms of insurance and road service.

Please note that in some countries in Europe, a special sticker is required for driving on highways, which you can purchase in kiosks at the borders.

The responsibility of purchasing the sticker is the renter's alone, so make sure to stick it according to the local guided and make sure if a sticker is needed whenever you exit a country and enter another.

Driving in Barcelona during the winter season

◾ Snow chains

Note that snow chains are mandatory in the snowy areas.
The winter season starts in November and ends in March. For drivers who intend to travel in the Pyrenees or other snowy areas, it is recommended to order snow chains in advance and make sure when picking up the car that the chains fit the vehicle's tires (available at the rental stations from which it is then customary to go to ski resorts such as Geneva, Lyon and Grenoble). They must be installed according to the signs.
 

◾ Ski rack

Some of the rental companies offer a ski roof for rent to connect to the rental car. The ski roof must be ordered in advance. The canopy is suitable for two pairs of skis only and is an additional cost to the rental company to be paid when picking up the car.

Please note that it is not possible to attach the canopy to all vehicle groups. It is recommended to find out in advance that it is indeed possible to add him to the invited category.
 

Pay attention! At very low temperatures the fuel in the tank may freeze.

We recommend parking the vehicle in an underground or indoor parking lot and/or adding antifreeze to the fuel tank when refueling (which is a special substance that prevents freezing), the antifreeze can be purchased at gas stations if necessary.
 

For more tips regarding renting a car during wintertime click here

and for important tips regarding renting a car abroad click here

Booking a car in Barcelona with Ofran will allow you to enjoy the benefits of traveling with a rental car in and out of Barcelona, exploring all the sites and attractions that interest you and the freedom to do so according to your schedule.

Also, you'll be able to choose from a wide range of car groups the most suitable car for your vacation in an easy and comfortable process and with great prices.

Ofran wishes you a safe and pleasant trip with your rental car in Barcelona

Las Ramblas

The most famous street in Barcelona is actually about a kilometer and a half of promenade, which starts from Plaça Cataluyna and ends at Port Vell. It has always been considered the main tourist stronghold in the city, and today it presents a combination of coexistence between the new and the old - with stands selling technological gadgets alongside flower sellers, ice cream carts, and candy stands offering a taste of crema catalana, the local version of crème brûlée.
To the question, whether it is important to keep our belongings close to us, the answer is still yes. Pickpocketing is an activity that has not yet disappeared from the local landscape, but the visit is a must - as 78 million visitors a year will testify.

Camp Nou
The home of the football club - FC Barcelona attracts millions of tourists every year, who are not necessarily football fans but still want to touch the glamour. The huge stadium - which currently holds 99,354 seats and is a candidate for expansion - offers a museum dedicated to the team and its stars (Messi in the lead), a walk through the players' tunnel and acquaintance with their many trophies. Games are held according to the game season and publications, and if you prepare well, you can even find tickets to watch a game.
 

Day trips from Barcelona

Port Aventura Amusement Park - renting a car in Barcelona will allow you to reach one of the most favorite family attractions in Spain and Europe in general. The park is located an hour's drive from the city, in a town called Costa Daurada, which also contains spectacular architectural buildings and charming beaches. The park complex includes a water park called Caribe Aquatic Park, a large golf course and hotels.

Teatro-Museu Dali - the museum is located in the hometown of the famous painter, Figares, which is on the Costa Brava - about an hour's drive by rental car from Barcelona. The painter himself is the one who designed the structure of the museum, and the museum displays a variety of the works of the surrealist artist. In order to enjoy the visit even more, you can take a guided tour of the museum to get more information about the various works and the fascinating life of the artist. It is recommended to devote about two to three hours to the visit, and you can even go for a pleasant lunch break in the area around the museum.

Barcelona with children

  Parc de la Ciutadella

Ciutadella Park offers a number of activities that are friendly to children and the whole family, most of which are also free.
Fountains, walking paths, wide meadows, museums and a zoo, the park is about 70 acres of endless possibilities for family activities. You won't want to miss the Cascada Monumental, a statue of Venus and a two-level fountain, the huge display is awe-inspiring and calming at the same time, especially when next to it is a lake designed for pleasant and peaceful boating.
 

  Park Guell

Gaudí's beautiful garden, with an emphasis on the amazing colorful lizard, is one of the prominent symbols of the city. Children will enjoy exploring the environment and enjoying the display that feels like a giant amusement park. The design characterized by a fantasy style will stimulate the imagination, and the whole family will enjoy the view from the terraces and benches.

  Tibidabo Amusement Park
An amusement park on the top of the mountain that houses a large number of old and classic facilities, alongside new facilities. This park also has the notable advantage of its location above the city, and it allows a wide and beautiful view of all of Barcelona.


                                         
 

Shopping in Barcelona

As the metropolis of Spain, Barcelona is also a center of attraction for shopping enthusiasts of all kinds, since a number of brands loved by Israelis in particular are Spanish, including Zara, Pull & Bear, Mango, Stradivarius and more.
You can find all of these in the city at fairly affordable prices, in central streets or in shopping malls.
 

  Portal del Angel

A pedestrian walkway about 250 meters long that goes from Placa De Catalunya towards the old port. Most of the big and well-known fashion brands are here, along with some special shoe and jewelry stores.
 

  Diagonal Mar

The mall is about 300 meters from the famous Mar Bella Beach. In the mall you can find the central Primark branch of Barcelona, ​​and of course other favorite brands.
 

  Passeig de Gracia

Tourists who are also interested in more luxurious options will enjoy this shopping street in particular. The street also leaves Placa De Catalunya, but towards the mountains. Among the shops you will find prestigious brands such as Jimmy Choo, Gucci, Armani, Chanel and Swarovski.
The spectacular local architecture alongside the luxury stores create a combination of a unique and incomparable shopping experience.