Scooting Around Barcelona...

Perhaps with the exception of Italy and its iconic Vespas, there are few countries so synonymous with scooters as Spain. Not only is the weather, here on the Iberian peninsula, famously dry (well, except on the plains of course!), but the high running cost of cars and the lack of parking spaces makes the motorbike - or 'moto' - the ideal form of transport, be you in Barcelona or Badajoz.

If you want to feel like a local for a few days, and see a lot of the city than you ever could by public transport, then renting a scooter makes excellent sense. There are a number of motorbike hire companies in Barcelona offering cheap daily rentals (or longer), and you'll certainly appreciate the extra freedom that two wheels gives you. Not only will your motorised vehicle make light work of the beautiful mountains of Montjuic - with its Olympic ring and heap of cultural treasures, and Tibidabo - with its famous theme park (as featured in Vicky Cristina Barcelona) and views from the top of Sagrat Cor Church, but you'll also be able to make day trips to the likes of Sitges or Montserrat, or simply scoot out to some of the more beautiful beaches outside of Barcelona.

Above: Parking on the Passeig de Gracia

To hire a scooter in Barcelona, or elsewhere in Spain, you will need either a motorbike license, or a general driving license with 3 years experience, plus your passport (non-Eu citizens) or valid form of photo ID (Eu citizens). Rental companies will naturally insist on a deposit so bring your credit card. Once you've satisfied the requirements you're good to roll!

Barcelona Scooter Rentals

Motosrent
Motosrent offer professional motorbike rental with prices starting at just 20 euros for four hours! You can find their office and pick up the bikes just behind the Arc del Triomf in the centre of the city.
www.motosrent.com