Things to Know About Renting a Car in Spain (Leiebil I Barcelona)

Oct 15, 2024 | Europe Travel, Spain | 0 comments

Spain is an amazing country that you should visit at least once in your lifetime. At the same time, it is a perfect place to explore, since it features amazing and proud cities and regions, meaning you can find almost a few countries within one. 

You can find anything you prefer in Spain from Mediterranean, scenic vineyards, Atlantic Beaches, mountain ranges and desert. Still, the best course of action to appreciate both cultural and natural diversity is to rent a car and enjoy the adventure across the enjoyable land. 

 

scenic view of barcelona in Spain

 

Generally, people choose to pick up their cars at Madrid Barajas Airport and Barcelona El Prat Airport. You should know that picking up a car in airport is the cheapest and most convenient solution compared with other options available.

People come to Spain mostly in July and August, while you can enjoy in other periods such as September, June, and May, especially because there will be less people and smaller crowds in touristic attractions.

The best course of action is renting a vehicle, which will help you enjoy amazing scenery. For instance, if you are in Barcelona, we recommend you to take a trip to the Pyrenees and Girona, while people in Madrid should visit Toledo and Segovia to enjoy the best options. 

Of course, if you are visiting Costa del Sol, avoid staying in a single resort. Instead, you should travel down the coast and visit different areas such as Seville and Granada. You should know that Spain is not just the Mediterranean, Madrid, and Barcelona. 

Instead, the country is diverse, meaning you should check out various destinations such as Basque Country, Galicia, and Asturias, which will provide you with amazing value for a lower price tag than other more popular destinations. 

The main idea is to choose a professional rental car agency or provider. You can find wide array of options, while the most popular and highest-rated companies in Spain are Wiber, Movers Mobility Lovers and Malco Rent a Car. We recommend you familiarize yourself with fuel policy and mileage before making up your mind.

At the same time, you can learn basic Spanish, which will help you while exploring inland areas, especially because you will communicate with people and enjoy throughout the process. 

When you decide to go off track and explore the interior areas, you will meet the most rewarding areas. However, you should plan everything ahead and search for different things such as filing up and accommodation along the way. 

 

When Should You Go?

We can all agree that Spain is an amazing country with perfect and pleasant weather. Since it features mild and warm climate, that is why millions of travelers enjoy its lands every single year. Still, Spain is a large country, meaning it features different microclimate areas, meaning each area comes with a specific period when you can visit it. 

For instance, the most popular areas include the prominent Mediterranean area, which come with a pleasant climate year-round. Of course, most tourists decide to visit it between late spring and early autumn. 

Summer months are also popular, while in August and July the temperature may exceed 35 degrees C, which can be problematic for people who are not used to such heat. It is vital to remember that the weather in this region, especially Andalusia is pleasant in winter and spring.

Although it may be too cold to swim in January, it is a great time to visit, especially if you wish to escape large crowds. If you wish to go to Barcelona, you should know that its location is on the Mediterranean Sea, meaning you will enjoy the pleasant weather which is the most comfortable in late spring and early autumn. 

The same thing goes for Madrid, which is at the center of the country, which features high altitude. As a result, you will get lower average temperatures compared with other Mediterranean areas. Still, you will get the enjoyable moments whenever you decide to visit. 

Suppose you do not think about weather that much, in that case, both cities are perfect to visit anytime you prefer. Besides, some visitors choose to come in the winter or late autumn with an idea to enjoy cultural events, smaller crowds. You should know that off-season accommodation and car rentals are more affordable. 

If you wish to visit the north of Spain, which includes the regions of Cantabria, Basque Country, Galicia, and Asturias, you should do it during summer months, since the temperatures are mild during hot summer days. Autumns are also comfortable, while winters can be windy and rainy, especially in Galicia next to the Atlantic Ocean. 

Everything depends on what you wish to do when you reach the specific area. Still, the best time to visit the Spanish Pyrenees for skiing purposes is during January and February, while you will find snow from November to April. 

Still, if you wish to drive in the mountains during the winter and snowy days, you will need chains and experience for traveling on inclines and harsh weather conditions.

 

Tips for Driving Around Spain

 

two men Driving a convertible through mountainous terrain.

 

You should remember that Spain is one of the simplest places you can enjoy by driving your car. It features quality roads, friendly people, while booking is simple since you can handle everything online. 

Since they come with already developed tourist industry, you can rest assured as a foreign traveler who wishes to explore, because you will get help wherever you go. The main problem is the language barrier that you may experience in inland areas, which is something you can handle with an online translator on your mobile device. 

Regarding the northern and southern coasts of Spain, you should know that they are highly developed, while the country’s interior away from large cities is less populated than Zaragoza, Madrid, and Valladolid, for instance. 

It means that the interior does not come with much gas stations as populated areas, meaning you should prepare yourself beforehand and mark the desired stations where you can rest assured and avoid potential problems. Enter this link: leiebilguiden.no/spania/Barcelona/ to learn more about renting a car in Spain. 

Inland Spain is the perfect off-the-radar area where you can enjoy amazing scenery, you should plan everything in advance, especially if you are neglecting the main highways that you have connected with large towns. The main idea is to find an up-to-date GPS device, which will help you cruise and navigate through rural areas. 

Another important consideration for drivers is that Spain is generally mountainous country, meaning you must navigate steep and narrow roads. The quality of roads is good, but you should be an experienced driver to handle specific areas. If you do not have enough experience driving mountains and hills before, we recommend you avoid learning in Spain. 

 

Things to Know About Renting a Car in Barcelona

Although Barcelona features an amazing and efficient public transportation network that includes trams, metro lines and buses, you can rent a car to drive in areas that are outside the city. Still, before making up your mind, we recommend you to consider the itinerary and nature of your visit.

If you wish to go beyond the city limits and explore the surrounding areas, having a car will offer you relevant flexibility you wanted in the first place. The most important factor for renting a car in Barcelona is possessing a valid driver’s license. 

Suppose you are an EU resident; you will need an EU driving license. On the other hand, non-EU visitors must carry their national driving license combined with International Driving Permit, especially if you do not have license issues in Spanish or English. 

At the same time, you should check out the age requirements set by most rental companies available on the market. Most of them will require you to be at least twenty-one years old, while you may need to pay additional fee specifically created for people who are under twenty-five due to higher risk and insurance considerations. 

Regarding insurance coverage, you will get a basic option within the agreement and price, meaning you will get coverage for damage to the rental vehicle and third-party liability. However, you should read terms and conditions before signing anything. 

You can purchase additional coverage, such as CDW or collision damage waiver or supplementary liability insurance. The main idea is to analyze your personal requirements and needs and consider whether purchasing extra coverage is better for offering you a peace of mind during the rental period. 

Most people choose complete coverage to prevent potential expenses and avoid thinking about issues that may happen throughout the process.

 

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