Find parking before you arrive
Parking in Barcelona: where to park, prices, and reservations
Parking in Barcelona can quickly become expensive, especially in the city center. Whether for a few hours or several days, it's often easiest to book a parking spot in advance to know the price and location before entering the city.
Compare parking in Barcelona and plan your arrival: prices, street parking, park and ride, and the low-emission zone (ZBE).
- Parking Across Barcelona
- Compare Prices
- Book Before Arrival
- Short or Long Term
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Book Parking in Barcelona
In the center of Barcelona, looking for a parking spot at the last minute is rarely the best solution.
With Parclick, you can compare available parking options based on:
- your dates,
- the neighborhood,
- the duration of your stay,
- opening hours,
- the maximum vehicle height,
- whether you can enter and leave more than once during your stay.
Whether for a day or several nights, booking allows you to know the price before you arrive and avoid circling the city center looking for a space.
In Brief
Parking in Barcelona Made Easy
| City Center | Few parking spaces available on the street |
|---|---|
| Covered parking | The simplest solution for several hours or several days |
| Blue Zone | Short-term parking |
| Green zone | Priority for residents; visitors can generally park for 1 or 2 hours |
| Residents only | Certain areas are off-limits to visitors during regulated hours |
| Prices | Vary by zone and vehicle emissions category |
| Park and ride (P+R) | Leave your car on the outskirts and continue by public transport |
| Low-emission zone (ZBE) | Check the access rules before driving into Barcelona |
| Van / campervan | Check height, length, and type of vehicle accepted |
For several hours or several days, booking a covered parking space in advance is generally easier than street parking.
Budget
How much does parking cost in Barcelona?
The price largely depends on the location and the duration of parking.
On the street, Barcelona applies different rates depending on the zone and the vehicle's environmental classification.
Blue Zone
Rates range approximately from €1.15 to €3.75 per hour, depending on the zone and the vehicle. Parking is generally limited to 1 or 2 hours.
Green Zone for Visitors
Visitors can also park in the standard green-zone parking spaces. The non-resident rate currently varies approximately from €1.40 to €4.25 per hour, depending on the zone and the vehicle.
The maximum duration is indicated on the sign and is generally 1 or 2 hours.
Covered Parking: Compare the Total Price
There is no single rate for covered parking: the price depends on the neighborhood, dates, and package. To compare two offers, use the same entry and exit times and check if multiple entries are included.
For a full day or several days, compare the price of a covered parking space booked in advance rather than moving your car between street parking spaces.
Street rates verified on October 13, 2026, for AREA zones A and B. Some areas have different rates; check the price shown on the parking meter or in the app.
Choosing the Right Area
Where to park in Barcelona
The best parking isn't necessarily the cheapest: choose a location that saves you from driving across Barcelona.
© Barcelona.com
Center, Rambla, and Plaça Catalunya
If you're staying in the city center or want to explore the Gothic Quarter, El Born, or La Rambla, book a parking spot in this area and leave your car there.
© Robert Rutkowski, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sagrada Família
The streets around the basilica are very busy. A nearby covered parking lot is much more convenient than searching for a spot on the street.
Regulated Parking
Can you park on the street in Barcelona?
Yes, but much of the street parking is regulated.
Blue Zone
Blue spaces are intended for short-term parking.
The maximum duration is indicated on the sign and is generally 1 or 2 hours.
Green Zone
Green-zone parking spaces prioritize local residents, who benefit from a resident rate.
Visitors can still use standard green-zone spaces by paying the non-resident rate. The maximum duration is generally 1 or 2 hours.
Spaces Reserved Exclusively for Residents
Note: Some spaces are marked “residents only”.
Visitors cannot use them during the hours when they are reserved for residents.
Hours and Payment
Charges generally apply in the blue zone from Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 8 PM; Saturday may also be regulated in the city center, and Sundays and holidays near the beaches. For visitors, the hours for green spaces vary by sector, often from 8 AM to 8 PM or 10 PM, Monday to Friday or Saturday.
Pay at the parking meter or with the smou app, checking the license plate, zone, and authorized duration. Always follow the parking hours and restrictions shown on the street sign.
Important: green does not automatically mean "off-limits to tourists." Always check the street signs: it specifies whether it is a standard green zone or a space reserved exclusively for residents.
Save on parking
How to find affordable parking in Barcelona
A few simple rules can help you avoid unpleasant surprises:
- book before your arrival,
- compare several parking options around your destination,
- for multiple days, compare packages rather than hourly rates,
- avoid using the car for every trip in Barcelona,
- check if your reservation allows multiple entries and exits,
- choose a parking facility a little farther from the center but close to a metro station.
For several days, a parking spot slightly outside the center but well-connected to public transport can be cheaper than one located in the heart of Ciutat Vella.
The smart choice is often: reserved parking + metro, rather than car + parking at each visit.
Free Parking
Is it possible to park for free in Barcelona?
Finding a free parking spot in the center of Barcelona has become difficult.
Outside of regulated hours, some spots may be free, but this depends on the area and signage.
Therefore, it's not advisable to plan a trip relying on a free spot near your hotel or a monument.
The right move: never rely solely on the color on the ground. Check the sign before leaving your car.
Avoid driving in the city center
Park and ride and parking on the outskirts
Another option is to leave your car on the outskirts and then reach Barcelona using public transport.
The Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona has several park-and-ride facilities, P+R, connected to the public transport network.
This solution is particularly appealing if:
- you're visiting for the day,
- you prefer to avoid driving in the city center,
- your destination is easily accessible by metro or train,
- you're looking for an alternative to city center parking.
How to use the AMB P+R?
Parking is free for registered users who comply with the service conditions. Before your arrival, register on the AMB P+R Aparcaments d’Intercanvi app and check the parking occupancy.
Activate the parking in the app, make at least one trip using public transport with a compatible ticket, then follow the validation instructions and end the service when you vacate the space. Single and return tickets are not accepted.
The maximum duration is generally 24 hours, with local exceptions: at Llobregat Centre, parking must end before 11 PM on the same day. The regulated service operates from Monday to Friday, from 5 AM to 11 PM, excluding public holidays.
This setup is suitable for a day visit; if you plan to leave your car for several days, choose a parking facility offering an appropriate package.
Note: a parking facility on the outskirts is not necessarily outside the low-emission zone (ZBE). Check your route before you leave.
Before driving
Check Barcelona’s low-emission zone (ZBE) before you drive
A large part of Barcelona is located within the low-emission zone (ZBE, also called the ZBE in English).
Access conditions depend on the vehicle and its registration.
If your vehicle is affected, you might consider leaving it in a parking area located on the outskirts or outside the affected zone, then continuing by public transport.
Before booking, check that your vehicle is authorized to travel the entire route to the parking area. A parking reservation does not exempt you from the access conditions to the ZBE.
Driving a foreign-registered vehicle? Check the low-emission zone (ZBE) rules before you leave and before booking parking.
Vans, caravans, and motorhomes
Where to park a van or motorhome in Barcelona
The traditional underground parking lots in Barcelona are not all suitable for tall or long vehicles.
Before booking, always check:
- the maximum height;
- the allowed length and width;
- the type of vehicle accepted;
- whether overnight stays are permitted.
Some Useful Solutions
Camper Park Barcelona
Located at Carrer dels Motors, 69-75, in Barcelona, this private parking facility is specially designed for motorhomes and vans. Check directly with the operator for availability, access hours, and included services.
BSM Bus Garcia Fària
The listing for this parking facility near the seafront indicates a maximum height of 4.5 m and an entrance at Carrer de Josep Pla, 14. Confirm with BSM that your vehicle type and dimensions are accepted before heading there.
Good Parking Auto-Caravanas Viladecans
This option located in Viladecans is designed for caravans and motorhomes. It allows you to leave the vehicle and then reach Barcelona with the R2S line. However, it is not permitted to sleep in the vehicle overnight.
For a van under 2 meters high, some traditional parking lots may also be suitable: just check the dimensions before booking.
Motorhome: opt for a parking area truly suited for large vehicles rather than an underground parking facility chosen solely for its location.
At the airport
Parking at Barcelona Airport
If your goal is to leave your car at the airport during your trip, the needs are different: T1/T2 parking, long-term, shuttles, and private solutions.
We cover this topic in our dedicated guide to parking at Barcelona Airport.
This page is primarily dedicated to parking for visiting Barcelona. If you need to leave your car during a flight, please visit our page dedicated to airport parking.
If you're coming to Barcelona for several days, the easiest option is to park the car once and leave it there.
Book a parking spot near your hotel or a metro station, then get around on foot and by public transport. You'll avoid traffic, searching for spaces, and having to find parking at every stop.
And if you're coming with a foreign-registered vehicle, check the low-emission zone (ZBE) rules before you leave, not once you've arrived in Barcelona.
Prepare Your Arrival
Everything You Need to Know About Driving and Getting Around in Barcelona
Plan your arrival and transportation before hitting the road.
© Enric, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Barcelona’s low-emission zone (ZBE)
Check whether your vehicle is allowed in Barcelona’s low-emission zone.
© Patrick1977, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Barcelona Metro
Once the car is parked, the metro is often the easiest way to explore the city.
© Wistula, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Airport Parking
Parking T1/T2, long-term options, and solutions for leaving your car during your trip.
© Falk2, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Transportation in Barcelona
Discover all the options for getting around the city.
FAQ
FAQ - Parking in Barcelona
For several hours or several days, the easiest option is usually to book a covered parking space near your accommodation or Plaça Catalunya, then explore the city center on foot or by metro.
Rates vary depending on the zone and the vehicle. Blue zones cost approximately €1.15 to €3.75 per hour and green zones for non-residents cost about €1.40 to €4.25 per hour.
Yes, in the standard green-zone parking spaces. Non-residents must pay the corresponding fee and can generally stay for a maximum of 1 or 2 hours. However, spaces marked as exclusively reserved for residents are not accessible to visitors during regulated hours.
It is sometimes possible outside of regulated periods or in certain areas, but it's hard to rely on a free spot in the city center. Always check the signage.
Yes. The AMB Park & Ride facilities allow you to leave your car on the outskirts and continue your journey using public transport. They are free for registered users who meet the conditions: activation in the AMB P+R app, travel with a compatible ticket, and a maximum duration generally limited to 24 hours. Check the specific conditions for the chosen parking facility.
Yes, in some cases, but a parking facility on the outskirts is not necessarily outside the low-emission zone (ZBE). Check the full route to your chosen parking facility and the rules that apply to your vehicle.
It's not mandatory, but it's particularly convenient in the city center and for several days: you know in advance the price, the address, and the parking facility’s features.
Camper Park Barcelona offers specialized parking for vans and motorhomes. BSM Bus Garcia Fària states a maximum height of 4.5 m, but you should confirm your vehicle's acceptance with the operator. Good Parking Auto-Caravanas in Viladecans is another option, without overnight stays on board.
It depends on the parking facility. Permission to park for 24 hours does not necessarily mean you can sleep in your vehicle. Check the operator’s rules before booking. The Good Parking Auto-Caravanas option in Viladecans allows you to leave your vehicle, but not to sleep in it overnight.
Near the Sagrada Família, you can choose BSM Mercat Sagrada Família parking facility, with the entrance located at Carrer de Mallorca, 435, Barcelona, then walk to the basilica.
For Park Güell, the BSM Travessera de Dalt – Park Güell parking facility is located at Travessera de Dalt, 51, Barcelona. You will then need to walk to an entrance of the park.
Check availability and maximum height before booking. Avoid relying on finding a street spot around these very popular sites.
For T1/T2 parking, long-term options, and solutions near the airport, check out our dedicated guide to parking at Barcelona Airport.