Enjoying a Barcelona bike rental is an increasingly popular way to explore the Catalan capital. And why not? With an increased focus on the environment and minimizing energy consumption, the city is trying to do its part.
Thus, cycle paths have been given priority over automobiles on many of the city’s main streets. And significant investments in cycling infrastructure have made Barcelona one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world.
So why not take advantage with your own Barcelona bike rental? Let’s learn more.
Why a Barcelona Bike Rental?
It’s not exactly Amsterdam, but Barcelona has over 200 km of designated bike lanes (with more on the way.) Even the main roads are accessible, and the fantastic Barcelona weather is perfect for cycling, so why not take advantage?
With a Barcelona bike rental, you can go anywhere in the city. Practically every one of Barcelona’s main attractions is reachable by bicycle.
Don’t believe me? Check out the map of bike lanes in Barcelona.
Bike Hire Barcelona
Before going any further, it’s important we quickly mention the Bicing bike hire network. Once you’re in town, you’ll surely encounter numerous large banks of red bikes for hire throughout the city.
Unfortunately, this network of bikes is strictly for the use of locals. But don’t get discouraged! There are plenty of great spots to rent bikes for travellers like yourself!
The Best Bike Rental in Barcelona
For the best bike rental in Barcelona, I recommend Barcelona Rent a Bike.
Why?
Well, for starters, they’re conveniently located just steps from Plaça Catalunya and Las Ramblas. This places the shop within walking distance from most Barcelona hotels or Barcelona hostels.
It’s also a short walk from main Barcelona transport stations like Urquinaona, Catalunya, Universitat, and Liceu. Furthermore, the surrounding areas are ideal for taking your first pedal around the city and its amazing seaside boardwalk.
Booking Bikes Online in English
Not only has Barcelona Rent a Bike become the Barcelona bike rental spot due to reliable service, durable bikes, and amazing prices (starting at €7.95.) But they also offer some of the most flexible rental windows in the business.
Rentals include two locks and Shimano gears (one document per party left as a deposit).
Natural, the bike rental also includes a helmet.
You can rent your bike in Barcelona using the button below.
Barcelona Bike Rental Location and Hours
The bicycle shop is located at Carrer de Montserrat, 8, 08001 Barcelona, Spain – just a couple minutes walk from the famous La Rambla.
You can pick up/drop off your rental bike between 10:00 am and 8:00 pm, Monday to Sunday.
🚲 Need some bike tour ideas? Check out my post on Barcelona’s best bike tours.
e-Bike Tours of Barcelona
If you’re looking for less peddling but still want that thrill of a cool Mediterranean breeze in your hair, this one is for you.
This 90-minute e-Bike ride through the city’s tops sights like Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, Las Ramblas, El Born, and La Pedrera unveils the city’s magic in a new light with a friendly, professional, knowledgeable guide.
Each booking includes a helmet, insurance, and a bottle of water.
Rides depart daily from Arc de Triomf at 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.
Barcelona Bike Itineraries
In general, the most bike-friendly areas in Barcelona are the following:
- Barceloneta beach
- Ciutadella Park
- La Rambla
- The trendy Born neighbourhood
- Montjuic
- Sagrada Familia basilica
- Casa Batllo and La Pedrera
- The Olympic Port
Barcelona Bike Itinerary 1: Barcelona to Badalona along the Sea
The bike lanes that run along the sea are a treat for the eyes – and lungs!
If you’re looking for a Mediterranean view and that familiar sea breeze, this one is for you. The lanes extend northeast from Barceloneta all the way to Badalona.
This is a 14 km trip.
Along the way, you’ll pass Barceloneta Beach, the Port Olimpic, and many more of Barcelona’s best beaches. There’s also El Fòrum and the mouth of the river Besòs.
What’s good about this trip is that the road is completely flat, so it’s perfect for families looking for a good day out but with minimal stress on the knees – and the mind!
Just follow the “Ronda Verda” signs.
Barcelona Bike Itinerary 2: Montjuic
This one is for bike riders who are a bit more advanced.
With this itinerary, you’ll get a decent workout in, plus add the option to visit various museums, sporting grounds, parks, and an amazing bird’s eye view of the city.
We depart from Plaça d’Espanya and end at Paral-lel metro station. This way, you can end the ride with a little pedal through the old city.
This trip can be anywhere from 6 to 11 km long, and it’s decidedly uphill, especially at the beginning during the first trip from Plaza de Espanya to the Municipal Pool.
If you’re looking for some great breakpoints, I’d rest at Montjuic Castle to admire the famous Olimpic Stadium or explore Poble Espanyol.
You can get a map of this itinerary on the Ronda Verda website.
Barcelona Bike Itinerary 3: The Essence of Barcelona
Who needs that fresh country air? Here we’re going for the city!
This 10 km long bike ride through the Old City (Ciutat Vella) and Eixample is a fun and relaxed way to discover the top attractions in Barcelona.
I would start in Plaza Catalunya, then duck into the Gothic Quarter and see the Barcelona Cathedral. After this, I’d cut over to the Born area to check out the Santa Maria del Mar and Ciutadella Park.
After a small break in the shade of the park, I’d carry on to the l’Arc de Triomf and Paseo de Sant Joan, eventually taking a right down Carrer de Valencia, where we can’t miss the Sagrada Familia.
From here, follow Carrer de Provença toward Paseo de Gracia and follow it downhill past La Pedrera and Casa Batlló and back to Plaça Catalunya.
If you’ve still got energy, you can take La Rambla down to the Columbus Monument, the Barcelona cruise ship port, or even the beach.
Barcelona Segway Rental
It’s the hip new thing to do, this segway rental business.
I never thought it would take off, yet I see the area near the beach absolutely full of them. The appeal? Being able to get from A to B without even peddling! 😉
While I wouldn’t recommend one for getting to Barcelona’s essential sights, they’re still a ton of fun.
You can rent a segway in Barcelona for as little as €10.00.
I’d recommend renting a segway for only a couple of hours to cruise around the beach but not to get around the city – renting one for a day or two can get pretty expensive.
Skateboarding and Rollerblading in Barcelona
Look around the streets, and it’s clear Barcelona might be the European capital of rollerbladers and skaters. Seeing the city this way gives you easy access to the tiny streets in the historic centre and most of all, it’s great exercise and just plain fun!
Two shops to consider when renting rollerblades or a skateboard in Barcelona:
- INERCIA: a very professional spot for renting rollerblades and skateboards. Head to the Inercia website to see prices. Make sure you bring a piece of ID to rent. The shop is located at 10 Roger de Flor near the Arc de Triomf metro stop (red line L1)
- BARCELONETA SURF SHOP: Great service, great products. It’s impossible to miss this classic surf and skate shop along the seafront. You’ll find it at 80-84 Passeig de Joan de Borbó near the Barceloneta metro stop (yellow line L4)
Places to Rollerblade & Skateboard in Barcelona
- MARBELLA SKATEPARK: you’ll find this just a couple of metres from Mar Bella beach, and the closest metro stop is Poble Nou (yellow line L4) – it’s brand new and filled with locals.
- THE BOARDWALK: all along the seafront, you’ll find a designated lane for bikes, rollerblades, skateboards, segways etc. Start at the courtyard of the world-famous W Hotel (the sail-shaped hotel by the beach) and head all the way to the Forum.
- MACBA: found right in the heart of the eclectic Raval neighbourhood – the square in front of the MACBA modern art museum is the place for skateboarders.
- SANTS ESTACIÓ: another massive square found at metro stop Sants Estació (green line L3 or blue line L5) with tons of skate spots.
- PARC DEL FORUM: You’ll find the biggest concert and festival space in Barcelona at the metro stop Forum-Maresme (yellow line L4). The sheer amount of concrete, benches, ramps etc., make this another famous skateboarder spot.
- ARC DE TRIOMF: at the Arc de Triomf metro stop (red line L1), there’s a very long, narrow stretch of pavement starting at the Arc and going all the way down to Ciutadella Park.
Barcelona Bike Rental FAQs
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Is Barcelona a good city for bicycling?
Absolutely! Barcelona is considered one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world. The city boasts over 200 kilometres of bike lanes that connect all the major attractions and neighbourhoods. And the city’s flat terrain and mild Mediterranean climate make it perfect for biking year-round.
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Can tourists use the Barcelona bike share network?
Barcelona’s public bicycle sharing, Bicing, has stations throughout the city. Unfortunately, these iconic red bikes are targeted mainly at commuters. As a result, we recommend tourists opt for a Barcelona bike rental.
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Where can I rent a bike in Barcelona?
There are numerous bike rental shops located throughout Barcelona. Many are conveniently situated near popular tourist areas such as the Gothic Quarter, El Raval, and near the beach in Barceloneta. Our preferred option is to use Barcelona Rent a Bike, which is located near Plaça Catalunya.
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Can visitors take a Barcelona bike tour?
Yes, there are several Barcelona bike tours available. These tours provide an excellent way to explore the city and offer a unique perspective on Barcelona’s stunning beauty and vibrant culture.
Ready to Rent a Bike in Barcelona?
Any questions on your Barcelona bike hire or any other environmentally friendly transport options will be answered ASAP in the comments below.
Otherwise, get out and enjoy your Barcelona bike rental to the fullest!
Until our spokes cross again🚴🏽♂️
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April 1, 2019 at 2:23 pmHi Ash, Do you have any suggestions for cycle tours? Thanks
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April 1, 2019 at 3:00 pmHi ZS, The ones that I did that were really informative were the ones at Barcelona-Rent-a-Bike and also the Steel Donkey tour (which is a bit more 'alternative' and containing secret spots)... can't go wrong with either, such a nice city to take a ride in! Ash
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January 17, 2019 at 8:13 pmWhat airport transportation do you recommend for Hotel Arts? If you rent a bike, is there a place to park it at Casa Batllo, Barcelona Cathedral, La boqueria, placa Reial? From hotel Arts it seems that the metro trip is 1 hour, is that true? Is it worth it? Park Guell has alot of construction right now, do you know if it will be done by May, and is it worth going even with all the construction? Thank you!
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January 17, 2019 at 9:29 pmHi Vanessa, I woudl take the Aerobus to Plaça Catalunya, from there walk the 200 meters to Urquinaona metro station and grab the yellow line to Ciutadella/Vila Olimpica... from there it's just a quick 5 minute walk, you can't miss it because it's one of the big towers by the beach. For the bike (the one I've promoted above) you get a lock with it and there are places to lock up your bike around all of the big attractions so no worries there. The journey from Hotel Arts to Casa Batllo to Park Guell will take about an hour because there's a slightly uphill walk and isn't directly reachable from the metro stop. At the moment I've had 50/50 reviews on Park Guell... some people say it's still worth it to pay for the Monumental Zone while others say it's best to see it from the Free Zone (about 20 meters away)... if it's your only trip ever to Barcelona I would just go for it as it's only about €8.00 :) Being the savvy Spaniards that they are, they haven't yet mentioned a termination date... so unfortunately can't comment on whether it'll still be closed in May :( In the meantime all I can say is that unfortunately you won't be able to see the iconic mosaic benches... so if you were hoping for that maybe it's best to skip out. I'll let you know any information as I receive it. Ash
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