By Car
Barcelona is promoting the progressive abandonment of the car in favour of improving mobility to benefit everyone, and relegating the use of the car to only when it is absolutely necessary. However, if you have no alternative to taking the car, you can share the journey with other users: you will save on fuel and environmental costs, reduce the occupation of public highways and enjoy your journey more. Also, seek to drive the least polluting vehicle possible and you will reduce the emission of particles and dangerous gases, as well as noise pollution, and benefit your health and that of everyone.
Reserve vehicle use for the occasions when it is unavoidable and use regulated city car parks efficiently, above or below ground. Car parking improvements substantially reduce traffic tensions and road indiscipline, improve the efficiency of the road system and make the best use of the available space. Check in advance and you’ll park more easily.
Related links
The city of Barcelona has various possibilities when it comes to parking your vehicle, under and overground.
> Network of 40 car parks and over 13,000 spaces designed for residents as well as businesses and visitors in all of the city’s districts. More information.
> Regulated street parking zones within the city’s urban plan. More information.
> If you come from outside Barcelona and you have no choice but to do so with a private vehicle, combine it with metropolitan public transport and park in the Park&Rides car parks near to rail or bus stations. You’ll avoid traffic jams and parking problems.
Regulation of street parking spaces
The area of regulated parking spaces was expanded to include city neighbourhoods that had not yet been included. Regulation benefits local residents more and responds to neighbourhood demands to prioritise parking for residents. Local residents are allocated free parking places which, until now, had been used by drivers from outside the neighbourhood, causing an increase in traffic density and more pollution in the area.
Renovation of parking meters
With improved technology that enables contactless payment and applies the environmental tariff corresponding to the vehicle's environmental label, something that benefits less polluting vehicles.
Application of street-level parking tariffs
The environmental tariffs include the criteria established by the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) for assessing the pollution levels of vehicles in regulated parking areas, in both Blue spaces and Green spaces used by non-residents:
- Zero-emission vehicles may park free of charge in Blue Areas for the maximum permitted period.
- The regulated time period runs without interruption from 9 am to 8 pm, Monday to Friday; from Monday to Saturday in the city centre and from Monday to Sunday, including public holidays, in beach areas.
- The tariff for fine cancellation is €9.
There are also mobility services in car parks: for bicycles, motorbikes and last-mile deliveries. And there are charging points for electric vehicles, space for car-share operators and Click & Collect services.
Improvements to urban goods distribution.
In the spring of 2020, a new free mobile app, SPRO, was launched for last-mile delivery professionals, to help them with parking at loading and unloading points in the city and the Metropolitan Area.
At the wheel, have a prudent and active attitude when you are driving. You live with other road users and you should respect and take care of them. Remember this advice:
- Pedestrians always have right of way.
- Wherever possible, travel on foot or by public transport.
- Always fasten seat belt.
- Do not use pedestrian areas and take due care when entering or leaving parking areas.
- Obey traffic regulations: road signage, traffic lights and speed limits.