By Car in Barcelona

Getting around Barcelona by car is generally more trouble than it's worth. The rondas (ring roads) make entering and exiting the city easy, unless it's rush hour, in which case traffic comes to a halt. Between parking, navigating, alcoholemia (alcohol blood-level) patrols, and the general wear and tear of driving in the city, we'd say that subway, taxis, buses, and walking are your best bets in Barcelona.

For travel outside of Barcelona, the freeways to

Sitges, Tarragona, and Lleida are surprisingly fast. The distance to Girona, 97 km (58 mi), is a 50-minute shot The French border is an hour away. Perpignan is, at 188 km (113 mi), an hour and a half.

Parking

You can often find a legal and safe parking place on the street, and underground public parking is plentiful, easy, and cheap.

Traffic

Barcelona's rush hours take place from 8:30 to 9:30 AM, from 2 to 3 PM, and, intermittently, from 5 to 9 PM.

Local Car Agencies

Atesa (El Prat Airport, El Prat. 93/298-3433.) Vanguard (Londres 31, Eixample. 93/439-3880).