Best Bike Rental Companies in Barcelona for Tourists

Barcelona has lots to offer, and however you want to experience this city, exploring it by bike can be a healthy and exciting way to discover or travel to new places.

Barcelona and its surrounding cities have many bike rental companies, pricing from €5 to €35/day for e-bikes, situated all over town to choose from.

It also has bike-friendly infrastructure, including 200 km of bike lanes, flat terrain, and accessibility to major attractions.

Even so, biking is not encouraged on all streets, and some companies offer services only to locals. With that in mind, we have listed below all the tourist-friendly bike rentals and the best biking routes and streets so you can have a worry-free experience!

Why Rent a Bike in Barcelona?

Cycling is a cost-effective way of getting to your destination quicker while enjoying Barcelona's unique, charming streets.

And it is also not only healthy for you, but for the environment too! As it's an effortless way to help you reduce stress and exercise while simultaneously being eco-friendly and sustainable.

Types of Bike Rentals in Barcelona

Barcelona offers many kinds of bike rentals, from eco-friendly to electric ones and many more. Each bike is unique and has its own benefits depending on your needs. 

Next, we will introduce each of them so you can decide what works best for your profile and selected route!

Bike Sharing vs. Rental Companies

Both bike sharing and renting allow you to use a bicycle temporarily but serve different purposes and work in different ways, whether you need it for a couple of hours or an extended period of time. Here’s how they compare:

Bicing 

Bicing is Barcelona’s eco-friendly bike-sharing system, offering locals a convenient way to get around the city.

Here is how Bicing works:

• Variety: Offers both traditional bicycles and electric bikes.

• Stations: Over 500 stations across Barcelona.

• Pricing and limits: Annual fee of €50 and first 30 min free. After that you pay extra.

Limitations of Bicing:

• Not for tourists: Registry requires a local ID or NIE.

• Limited to Barcelona: Can’t take bikes outside city limits.

• Time limits: Must return within 30 min after use to avoid extra charges.

• Availability issues: Some stations might either be empty or full.

Donkey Republic

Donkey Republic is an app-based bike rental service available in many countries, designed to be tourist-friendly and hassle-free.

Here is how Donkey Republic works:

• App-based: Download Donkey Republic app, find a bike, and unlock it with Bluetooth.

• No subscription: You can rent a bike by the hour or for multiple days without needing an ID or annual membership.

• Parking:  Park the bike anywhere within the designed area, with no need of a docking station.

• Access: Rent a bike at any time, day or night.

Here is the pricing information for Donkey Republic’s services:

Limitations of Donkey Republic:

• Availability: Bikes are limited during peak hours, depending on the city.

• Expensive: Hourly rates are higher than city-run systems.

• Parking: You must return bikes within designated areas to avoid extra fees.

Fixed fees: You must return bikes within the rented time frame to avoid extra fees. (If you rent for 15 min and bike for 16 min, now you have to pay €2 instead of €1).

Traditional Bike Rentals

Traditional bike rentals offer various bikes, including classic, electric, road, and mountain bikes, making them ideal for longer rides and for those with specific needs. 

Rental shops typically provide helmets, locks, maps, and expert recommendations, such as electric bikes being better for longer distances, amongst many others, all for you to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. 

Unlike bike-sharing services, traditional rentals allow for full-day or multi-day use, giving riders the freedom to explore at their own pace.

Best Bike Rental Companies in Barcelona

Some of the most popular bike rental companies include Ocean Bikes Barcelona and Green Bikes Barcelona. Each offers unique services to meet different cyclists' needs and preferences.

Key differences include services such as premium electric and city bike rentals offered by Ocean Bikes Barcelona. Or a broader range, including guided tours and repairs provided by Green Bikes Barcelona, which cater to locals or tourists.

For more information on which company suits you best, here is a list of some of them:

1. Ocean Bikes Barcelona

Location: Port Olímpic, Barcelona.
Bike Types: City bikes and e-bikes.
Price: €25 - €35.
Additional Services: Offer 4h electric bike tours covering major attractions like La Sagrada Família.

Ocean Bikes specializes in premium electric and city bike rentals. Located in Port Olímpic, Barcelona. They offer brand-new Italian e-bikes and stylish city bikes that are perfect to explore the city with. They also include tours such as its 4-hour guided e-bike tours, which provide an effortless way to see all of Barcelona’s main attractions and landscapes.

2. Green Bikes Barcelona

Location: Carrer Escudellers, 48, Barri Gòtic, Barcelona.
Bike Types: New and well-maintained city bikes.
Price: €5 for 2h.
Additional Services: Provides rentals, guided tours, repairs, and second-hand bike sales.

Located in the Barri Gòtic, Green Bikes offers affordable city bike rentals starting at just €5 for 2h. In addition to rentals, they provide guided tours, such as the Barcelona Historic Bike Tour, which takes visitors through the city’s most significant historical districts, repairs, and second-hand bike sales, making them a great choice for both tourists and locals.

3. Terra Bikes

Location: Carrer de València, 337, Barcelona.
Bike Types: Road bikes, mountain bikes, gravel bikes, electric bikes, and touring bikes.
Prices: €35 - €63 per day and type.
Additional Services: Specializes in tailor-made tours and customized cycle routes and offers both guided and self-guided options.

Terra Bike Tours, based in Eixample, specializes in road, mountain, gravel, and electric bikes for cyclists of all levels. They offer customized cycling routes and guided and self-guided tours, such as the Montserrat Road Bike Tour. Catering to those seeking to explore beyond the city.

4. Montefusco Cycling

Location: Rambla Fabra i Puig 64 Barcelona.
Bike Types: High-quality road bikes.
Prices: €60 per day and type.
Additional Services: Offers guided cycling tours in Barcelona and surrounding areas, and cater to various skill levels. 

Montefusco Cycling offers high-quality road bike rentals and guided tours in Barcelona and the surrounding areas. Ideal for cycling enthusiasts, they provide tailored routes for different skill levels, from scenic coastal routes to challenging mountain climbs.

5. Other Local Options

In addition, if you’re still curious about other options, you can benefit from plenty of local rentals, like A-Bike, for high-quality tandem bikes. Barcelona Rent a Bike for convenience and safety, Barcelona Holiday Bike for its prime location. Or AMBici for commuters and long-distance travelers.

How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Bike in Barcelona?

Rental types

Membership

Bike types

Additional services

Best Routes for Cycling in Barcelona

1. Coastal Routes

Barcelona’s Mediterranean coastal bike routes offer stunning views and smooth cycling paths. The Barceloneta to Forum route is ideal for a ride along this path, where you’d pass through beaches and harbors.

For a longer ride, the Garraf Coast route leads to Sitges, with scenic cliffs and charming seaside towns. The Maresme Coastal route heads northeast, blending cityscapes with peaceful coastal views.

Key Landmarks:

• Hotel W Barcelona – A striking landmark at the start of the beach route.

• Port Olímpic – A lively harbour with restaurants, nightlife, and sea views.

• Parc del Fòrum – A modern event space marking the end of the main coastal path.

2. Cultural and Historic Routes

Barcelona’s cultural and historical bike routes take you through centuries of rich heritage, stunning architecture, and artistic landmarks. These routes provide a deep dive into Barcelona’s past while enjoying a smooth cycling experience.

The Gothic Quarter and El Born routes go through medieval streets, showing the city’s oldest buildings and vibrant local culture. 

The Modernist route highlights Gaudí’s architecture, including Sagrada Família and Casa Batlló. 

For panoramic views and historic sites, the Montjuïc Hill route leads to castles, Olympic landmarks, and museums. 

Key Landmarks:

• Barcelona Cathedral: A magnificent Gothic landmark in the heart of the old city.

• Sagrada Família: Gaudí’s world-famous masterpiece, still under construction.

• Montjuïc Castle: A historic fortress with panoramic views of Barcelona.

3. Outside of the City Center

Barcelona offers fantastic cycling routes outside the city center, which are best traveled by electric bikes. These routes take you away from the crowds and into Barcelona’s natural and architectural wonders, making it perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers. 

Montjuïc Hill provides a scenic ride with panoramic views, historic sites, and gardens. Park Güell is a cultural gem featuring Gaudí’s architecture and peaceful green spaces. 

For a more challenging ride, Tibidabo Mountain offers steep climbs rewarded with breathtaking scenes and a historic amusement park at its peak. 

Key Landmarks:

• Montjuïc Castle: A historic fortress with stunning city and harbor views.

• Park Güell’s Mosaic Terrace: Gaudí’s iconic colorful tilework overlooking Barcelona.

• Tibidabo Amusement Park: A vintage amusement park with panoramic city and sea views.

Conclusion

Renting a bike in Barcelona is a time-saving, flexible, and efficient way to navigate the city’s diverse neighborhoods. Whether you prefer to be guided by tours or explore at your own pace, routes through historic landmarks as the Gaudí and Modernism Bike Tour or scenic coastal routes such as the Beachfront & Old Town Bike Tour offer a scenic and unforgetful way to travel in this city.

Nevertheless, in addition to cycling, there are plenty of other ways to travel in this city, whether you prefer a car, bus, or other. Visit public transportation guide to know more about how to get around Barcelona.