We are flying to Barcelona, renting a car and going up north for a few days before returning to Barcelona to stay for a couple days. We have the option of returning the car back to the airport and then taking the bus from the airport to the city OR returning the car at a "neighborhood" location within Barcelona (Hertz Diagonal-Sarrià, Av. Diagonal, 622, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, 08021 Barcelona, Spain OR Hertz, Carrer de Viriat, 45, Sants-Montjuïc, 08014 Barcelona, Spain). How is driving near either of those "neighborhood" locations. We will be coming from Rupit. We prefer the option with the least amount of stress. Thanks!
Posted by
Walnut Creek, CA
605 posts
Two years ago, we rented a car from Barcelona airport and drove north to Cadaquez, Figueres, Girona, and Tossa Del Mar for a few days.
We returned the car back at the airport and then took the Aeropuerto bus to Plaça Catalunya and walked to our hotel.
This was my second trip to Barcelona, so I knew that I would not want to drive in Central Barcelona and I highly recommend you DON'T either. Driving anywhere is Barcelona is crazy. Don't do it.
So pick up and drop the car off at the Barcelona airport.
Posted by
OP
Cleveland, Ohio US
39 posts
Thank you Derek! I had made the reservation to return to the airport, as you did, but was second-guessing myself. Our hotel is near Plaça Catalunya so that will work.
We are going to all the same places you did, with the exception of Girona, we will stop in Besalù instead.
Posted by
Barcelona + Sweden
4180 posts
Nice you are visiting Rupit! My favorite of the medieval Catalan mountain villages, very popular with local families during the summer. I recommend Restaurant Albert for lunch for traditional Catalan cuisine.
Since you'll be spending multiple days in the area I suggest some time in the Baix Emporda region, which I would describe as the "Tuscany of Catalonia". Imagine rolling green hills, ancient ruins, wine and olive groves, medieval hill towns etc. This area is totally off the radar in terms of foreigners but very much loved by locals. I was there with friends a few weeks ago, we had a wonderful time, including exploring the preserved Ancient Celto-Iberian town of Ullastret (complete with intact 2000 year old walls). A little north you have the ruins of an ancient Greek colony called Empúries. Excellent onsite museum with a beautiful blend of historic architecture and natural beauty. For lunch in the area I suggest "Mooma" which is a rural cider house with vast apple orchards, the onsite restaurant is excellent featuring elevated "farm to table" versions of the local cuisine.
As for your original question, I also suggest returning your car at the airport, coming in from the A-2 so you go behind the city and bypass the traffic/hassle etc.
Posted by
Paris
7301 posts
The Sants location does look like a hassle to get to.
The Sarrià location, a bit less so, as it is closer to the ring road and almost a straight shot down Via Augusta then right for a few blocks if you enter the city via the Vallvidrera tunnel. But then you end up far from the metro so you'd probably need a taxi anyway.
Therefore the airport seems wise, with Sarrià as a back up if it is somehow cheaper.
Posted by
OP
Cleveland, Ohio US
39 posts
Thank you Carlos and Balso for the replies and the tips. I am feeling better about returning the rental at the airport. The rental price is the same; even though I am traveling for fun, I get a corporate discount on rentals via my employer.