Difference between revisions of "Barcelona"

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[[Barcelona]] is the capital of [[Catalonia|Catalunya]], a region in [[Spain]] (and [[France]]).  
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'''Barcelona''' is the capital of [[Catalonia|Catalunya]], a region in [[Spain]] (and [[France]]).  
  
 
== Hitching in ==
 
== Hitching in ==
  
 
=== From France ===
 
=== From France ===
When on the main motorway from France to Barcelona, some cars are being stopped at the border for identity and luggage check. When going to Spain (Catalunya), there are several big rest areas on that road. You can either ask your driver to let you out in towns (with train stations) and cities along that road, such as [[Girona]] or [[Rubí]] and [[San Cugat]] (latter two are better options), or get out of the car at a rest area and wait for another ride to Barcelona. A train ticket generally cost you between €1,30 (San Cugat/Rubí) and €10 (Girona).
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When on the main motorway from France to Barcelona, some cars are being stopped at the border for identity and luggage check. When going to Spain (Catalunya), there are several big rest areas on that road. You can either ask your driver to let you out next to towns such as [[Rubí]] and [[Sant Cugat]] where you can go to Bracelona by train, or get out of the car at a rest area and wait for another ride to Barcelona. A train ticket generally cost you around €2,20 (Sant Cugat/Rubí)
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If you get dropped on the coast road leading to Barcelona (11) it should be really easy to keep hitching through the towns and villages until the city. I did the last 60km on this road in 4 or 5 short lifts but never waited more than 2/3 mins, just hopped out of each car and thumbed the next one almost instantly wherever I was dropped.
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You can also ask the driver to leave you at the junction by the university (''Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona''). There is a [[roundabout]] right by the motorway ramp. The only challenge is that your driver has to be going from the junction of ''Barbera de valles'' on the right site of the motorway as it gets split - otherwise you leave the car at ''Castellbisbal'' [[rest area|service station]].
 
You can also ask the driver to leave you at the junction by the university (''Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona''). There is a [[roundabout]] right by the motorway ramp. The only challenge is that your driver has to be going from the junction of ''Barbera de valles'' on the right site of the motorway as it gets split - otherwise you leave the car at ''Castellbisbal'' [[rest area|service station]].
  
You can also try to get a ride to the [[Costa Brava]] - there you will find many train stations with trains to Barcelona. There is a cheap train service along the coast all the way to Barcelona (as of 2004, the ticket for the longest distance was 4 euro).
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== Hitchhiking out ==
  
== Hitchhiking out ==
 
 
<map lat='41.45816618938139' lng='2.140960693359375' zoom='10' view='0' height='400' width='400' float='right'/>
 
<map lat='41.45816618938139' lng='2.140960693359375' zoom='10' view='0' height='400' width='400' float='right'/>
=== North towards [[Girona]], [[Perpignan]] ([[France]]) ===
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=== North towards [[Girona]], [[Figueres]], [[La Jonquera]], ([[France]]) {{Aes|AP-7}} ===
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In general your chances of being picked up are much better with cars with French number plates.  For the options below it's good to have an idea about how many French cars you can expect.
 
In general your chances of being picked up are much better with cars with French number plates.  For the options below it's good to have an idea about how many French cars you can expect.
  
==== Option 1: Montcada ====
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If you want to go further into France but only find a car going close to the border be careful about where you get dropped. See below experience at La Jonquera, last service station in Spaun. The first service station in France, Village Catalan just after le Boulou is totally dead, it looks like nobody stops there. If you can get a little further to Perpignan Sud Paeage, exit 42 and use a sign for Narbonne you should get a lift at least as for as La Palme Service station after exit 40, quite a good spot for a longer lift into France.
  
There is a good petrol-station along the C33 (which leads to the Autopista del Mediterraneo, AP7/ E15) just 10 minutes away from Barcelona city center by train. You can find cars going to Girona, Figueres and sometimes eve much further, straight into France.
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==== Option 1: C33 Motorway service station Gasolinera Galp Montcada Norte  ====
  
:Directions: Take a ''Renfe'' train from "Barcelona-Passeig de Gracia" (there are even more trains from "Barcelona-Sants") -- on the R2 or R2 Nord line, direction: Granollers Centre (R2) or Macanet-Massanes (R2 Nord). Get off at station Montcada i Reixac. This train will take you about 20 minutes and costs €2,15 (2014). Exit the train station to the left, through the second exit in the direction of the train. Walk under the railways and pass through the station building. At the other side you will find yourself at a small shopping district with a one way street. Follow it to the right. Pass the church, traffic lights, and cross the pedestrian bridge. Once over the bridge, turn left and follow the fenced in school playground around to the right. You should now see the motorway above you and parking below the motorway. Continue following the motorway until you see the road dip down and to the right under the railroad. Go under the bridge. Up ahead and to your left you will see a very broken vertical turnstile and a sign saying "forbidden" (see a picture here: http://imgur.com/MLxJc29). Ignore the sign and follow the foot path to the right, to the service road along the motorway. This service road goes right into the back of a service station (Galp Gas station). Hitch there by asking around, or with a sign where the exits converge. Keep in mind that the toll is only two kilometers ahead, so try for shorter distances to get past the toll and onto a different rest stop. [[User:sovereign|Sovereign]], after waiting for 15 minutes (standing, with sign) at the Galp station was told by an employee to fly a sign with "Girona" instead of "FR". Girona works far better and there is another station before and after Girona.
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Take a Renfe train on the R2 or R2 Nord line, direction: Granollers Centre (R2) or Macanet-Massanes (R2 Nord). Get off at station ''Montcada i Reixac''. Train will take you about 20 minutes. Exit the train station to the left, through the second exit in the direction of the train. Walk under the railways and pass through the station building. At the other side you will find yourself at a small shopping district with a one way street. Follow it to the right. Pass the church, traffic lights, and cross the pedestrian bridge. Once over the bridge, turn left and follow the fenced in school playground around to the right. You should now see the motorway above you and parking below the motorway. Continue following the motorway until you see the road dip down and to the right under the railroad. Go under the bridge. Up ahead and to your left you will see a very broken vertical turnstile and a sign saying "forbidden" (see a picture here: http://imgur.com/MLxJc29). Ignore the sign and follow the foot path to the right, to the service road along the motorway. This service road goes right into the back of a Gasolinera Galp Montcada Norte petrol station.
  
This option worked very well for us (Steffi and Manu), the spot is easy to find, the description above is very good! takes about half an hour form Passeig de Gracia, people were helpful at the petrol station, we got a ride all the way to Switzerland.
 
  
This option also worked well for me (Tarik) in Jan-14. I just waited for 15 minutes until a gracious Spanish couple gave me a ride to Girona.
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Also you can get to same petrol station by metro L11 till stop Torre Baró | Vallbona + 3 km walk next to river to to Montcada district and find a train stop ''Montcada i Reixac''. Than follow directions as above.
  
==== Option 2: Bellaterra ====
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==== Option 2: AP-7 Motorway Service Station Bellaterra ====
There are two ways of getting at this rest-area on both sides of the motorway - heading North and South, connected with a bridge. There are not many drivers going North though, and the (Spanish) ones who do don't seem to be eager to pick up hitchhikers. Almost no traffic from Barcelona going North is going through here, so you miss out on all the French drivers - option 1 is probably much better.
 
  
First option is through St. Joan station.
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Take train [http://www.fgc.net/accesible/cat/viatjar/s2.htm S2] from ''Barcelona Plaça Catalunya'', direction Sabadell-Rambla, and get off at ''Bellaterra''. (2 zones). Turn left out of the station and walk 1.6km along C/ de Bellaterra. After you have crossed over the motorway bridge, you will see a small road to the left. Walk ≈400 along this road (you will pass through a small tunnel) to the service station.<br/ >
:Directions: Take a train [http://www.fgc.net/accesible/cat/viatjar/s2.htm S2] from ''Barcelona Plaça Catalunya'' to ''Sabadell-Rambla'', and get off at the ''St. Joan'' station (2 zones). It is another 10–15 minute walk to a good [[rest area]] at the AP7 which is the main motorway to go to the North (towards Girona and France ([[Perpignan]])) or to the South. Walk out of the station through the exit on the left, and take the road that follows the rail track. After a left-turn, take the third street to the right and follow it until you get on ''C/ de Bellaterra''. You should be able to spot a rest area after less then a 5 minute walk from here. To hitch South, stay on that side, to hitch North, take the footbridge. [http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=41491092&x=2093883&z=15&l=0&m=s&v=2 Location]
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When asking locals, ask how to walk to Hotel Bellaterra, as Spanish people are clueless about hitchhiking and any other question will be answered with useless answers about how to reach the motorway (EDIT: the hotel is closed and you have to climb two gates to get to the rest area).<br/ >
  
The second option might be easier, stay on the train one more stop and to get off at ''Bellaterra''.
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There are not too many drivers going north so option 1 is probably much better.
:Directions: Exit the station, take the exit on the left and walk to the left following the main street for about 20 minutes. After a while you will then reach a bridge over the motorway. After the bridge, turn left at the second street that is parallel to the motorway. After 200 meter and a small tunnel you are at the same rest area. When asking locals ask how to walk to Hotel Bellaterra, as Spanish people are clueless about hitchhiking any other question will be answered with useless answers about how to reach the motorway.
 
::Note: There might still be a construction site just outside the train station, and the road bends away from the tracks. Do not follow the dirt road as it will result in fatal hitchhiking attempts.
 
  
 
==== Option 3: Barcelona Gran Via ====
 
==== Option 3: Barcelona Gran Via ====
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Take the metro L2 and get off at ''Monumental''. From there, pass by the ''Plaça de Toros'' (Bullfight Arena) and start hitchhiking at the last traffic light by the ''Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes''/''Carrer Padilla'' before street corner where the road leads to the motorway C-31. When the light turns red, ask people if they're heading towards the motorway. If yes, ask them if they can take you to the first petrol station (''"gasolinera"''). [http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=41400908&x=2183522&z=17&l=3&m=h&v=2 Location Option3]<br/ >
 
This is a good option to start hitching from the city itself. It works pretty well if you know how to hitch from petrol lights, have a big sign or know some Spanish.
 
This is a good option to start hitching from the city itself. It works pretty well if you know how to hitch from petrol lights, have a big sign or know some Spanish.
:Directions: Take the metro and get off at ''Monumental''. From there pass by the ''Plaça de Toros'' (Bullfight Arena) and start hitchhiking at the last traffic light by the ''Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes'' / ''Carrer Padilla before'' streets corner where the road leads to the motorway C-31. When the light turns red ask people if they're heading towards the motorway. If yes, ask them if they can take you to the first petrol station (''"gasolinera"''). [http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=41400908&x=2183522&z=17&l=3&m=h&v=2 Location Option3]
 
  
Experiences:
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==== Option 4: Petrol station Barcelona Beach ====
:I tried today this central and easy to reach option 3) and waited only 5 minutes with two people and a huge Montgat sign to get a ride from Gran Via /Padilla street outside of Barcelona along the coast. The willing driver can stop on a marked area. See a [http://maps.google.de/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=de&geocode=&q=barcelona+bullfight&sll=51.344339,10.415039&sspn=13.601146,38.847656&ie=UTF8&cd=1&ll=41.400646,2.18356&spn=0,359.998814&t=h&z=20&layer=c&cbll=41.400771,2.183726&panoid=3eh7O_7dn2E6LO-SVdRxKw&cbp=12,259.6,,0,12.74 photo-link]. In theory only cars on the right hand side lane of the 3 lanes going out of Barcelona can use this "stop possibility" marked on the street, but our driver crossed the still red traffic light to make it to the right even from the middle lane.
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Take bus H16 from ''Plaça Catalunya'' direction Fòrum and get off at ''Cementiri de l'Est''. Head towards the beach, cross over the highway bridge, and you will see McD and the Repsol petrol station on the left.
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[http://maps.google.de/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=de&geocode=&q=barcelona&aq=&sll=43.846165,7.51585&sspn=0.063015,0.154324&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Barcelona,+Provinz+Barcelona,+Katalonien,+Spanien&t=h&ll=41.392763,2.20439&spn=0.004129,0.009645&z=17&layer=c&cbll=41.392668,2.204321&panoid=THN4T4qwi_RHw72drz6r8A&cbp=12,328.03,,0,-0.5 photo-link]
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This is a good option to start hitching from near the beach itself in Barcelona. It works pretty well if you know some Spanish or even Catalan as you have to ask the drivers at the petrol station.
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==== Option 5: Port ====
  
:I've also tried "Option 3," but I believe it's much too busy a street to get a ride. Also, the drivers will have to do some interesting maneuvers in order to pick you up. If you can blackride the metro, I would go elsewhere.
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Barcelona has a huge Port where ferries from Morocco, the Balearic Islands and Italy arrive. There are many cars going further north or to France. If you stand with a sign next to the passenger terminal where the cars leave the port, you can hitch a long-distance lift. It may be useful to check the timetables first, but keep in mind that ferries can be easily delayed by some hours.
  
==== Option 4: Barcelona Beach, petrol station ====
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=== South towards [[Valencia]], [[Alicante]] {{Aes|AP-7}} & West towards [[Zaragoza]], [[Madrid]] {{Aes|A2}} ===
This is a good option to start hitching from near the beach itself in Barcelona. It works pretty well if you know some Spanish or even catalan as you have to ask the drivers at the petrol station.
 
you can take the bus 41 from Placa Catalunya towards Pg del Taulat-Pl de Llevant and get of at Bisbe Josep Climent-Cementiri de l'Est (there is a very modern church. that you head towards the beach, crossing the motorway. then you see MacDonalds and the petrol station. see a
 
[http://maps.google.de/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=de&geocode=&q=barcelona&aq=&sll=43.846165,7.51585&sspn=0.063015,0.154324&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Barcelona,+Provinz+Barcelona,+Katalonien,+Spanien&t=h&ll=41.392763,2.20439&spn=0.004129,0.009645&z=17&layer=c&cbll=41.392668,2.204321&panoid=THN4T4qwi_RHw72drz6r8A&cbp=12,328.03,,0,-0.5 photo-link]
 
  
==== From airport El Prat ====
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==== Option 1: AP-7 Motorway Service Station Porta de Barcelona (Castellbisbal) ====
El Prat airport is on the opposite end of Barcelona. The easiest and cheapest way to get to a hitching spot is taking the train right from the airport. One end of this line is at the airport. The other end is in St Celoni, which is well out of the city towards Girona. Alternatively, you can get off in one of the places mentioned above. St Celoni is on the highway, the peage is a 20 min walk from the train station. It is a small entry peage, depending on the time of the day/week, it might have different traffic.
 
  
=== West towards [[Zaragoza]], [[Madrid]] ===
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Take Renfe train R4 direction ''St.Vicenç de Calders'' from either ''Barcelona Sants'', ''Plaça Catalunya'' or ''Arc de Triomf'', to ''Castellbisbal''.
==== Option 1: Bellaterra ====
 
Follow the instructions as per option 2 above. Stay on the same side of the motorway as where you are walking. This option is easy to reach but you might find more cars heading towards your direction if you follow the next option as per below.
 
  
Normally not too many cars, you can ask them to take you to a motorway petrolstation like "El Bruc" for continue.
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From the train station, go left and take the dirt road that leads out and cross under the railway tracks on your right. Walking on this road, you'll come across a surfaced road on your right, that will lead to a bigger road. When you reach this bigger road, you'll see a bridge on your right. Turn left here, and then immediately to the right, to a small street, at the end of which you can see a "stop" sign from the distance. Go straight until it turns into a dirt road, keep going on the dirt road until you reach the petrol station. There will be other roads left and right, ignore them. This whole walk from the station to the service station shouldn't take you much more than 30 minutes (besides, you can find signs on the last road that directly takes you to the service station, showing you that you're on the right way to the "área de servicio").
  
==== Option 2: Castellbisbal ====
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==== Option 2: AP-7 Motorway Service Station Bellaterra ====
Take a ''Renfe'' train to ''Castellbisbal'' station from either ''Barcelona Sants'' (Line R4 to ''St.Vicente de Calders'', platform 1, buy a 2 zone ticket), ''Plaça Catalunya'' or ''Arc de Triomf''.
 
  
Directions:
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Follow the instructions as per "heading north to Girona option 2" above. Cross over the footbridge to the services on the north side of the motorway for hitching south.
  
''Note: If you have a map, and try to find the directions below on it, you will find that they make no sense. It is very likely that your map does NOT display the brand new high-speed train tracks that pass 10m north of the train station. DO NOT follow your map, follow the instructions. Or follow the map link that is provided below.''
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:This place is not recommended for going south or west.Also the entrance from the highway to this petrol station is 10km before the petrol station. Most of that cars that passed in this place were going to barcelona center... Use option 1, much better.
  
Follow the road out of the train station. At the intersection, turn left (west). I know that you can see the flags of the gas station in the opposite direction, but don't go that way. Trust hitchwiki, turn your back to the gas station and walk left (west) up the bridge. It is the only bridge across the high-speed train tracks. The road goes up above the high-speed train tracks (not the one you arrived on). After 200m, take the next small street to the right, the one you can see a "stop" sign from the distance. Go straight until it turns into a dirt road, keep going on the dirt road until you reach the gas station. There will be other roads left and right, ignore them.
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=== South towards [[Tarragona]], [[Valencia]] {{Aes|C-32}} ===
  
If you are trying to get to Madrid and you use this route, stay on the side going south and try putting Lleida on your sign. [http://maps.google.de/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=BV-1501&daddr=BV-1501+to:41.468055,1.978912&hl=en&geocode=FY3TeAIdtQoeAA%3BFUzeeAIdvAceAA%3B&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=2&sz=16&via=1&sll=41.469149,1.978118&sspn=0.007943,0.01929&ie=UTF8&ll=41.471769,1.97505&spn=0.007942,0.01929&t=h&z=16 Way to walk] and [http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=41469502&x=1974599&z=16&l=0&m=s&v=2 Location]
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(Petrol station on Granvia de l'Hospitalet leading to motorway C-32).
  
=== South towards [[Valencia]] ===
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Take metro L1 Red line to ''Bellvitge'' station. Turn right out of the station and walk south ≈300m along Rambla Marina to the Avenida De La. Turn right and walk west ≈200m to the Galp petrol station.
Follow option 2 towards [[Madrid]]. West side of the road is towards Valencia.
 
  
==== The national road C-32 ====
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=== North West towards [[Manresa]], [[Andorra]] {{Aes|C-16}} {{E|9}} ===
You can take the country road towards Tarragona as well.
 
  
We took a metro to the second last stop of the red line (Bellvitge) and walked three minutes on Rambla Marina towards Avenida de la Granvia de l'Hospitalet. We then hitched a couple of minutes in the [http://goo.gl/maps/E5I8X traffic lights] and got our first ride (if you go up to the Granvia there is a gas station right there [http://goo.gl/maps/Zkabc gas station] but we did not know it). After four more fairly easy rides we were in Valencia. --[[User:Astikain|Astikain]] ([[User talk:Astikain|talk]]) 15:29, 24 April 2013 (CEST)
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Take Renfe train S2 train from ''Placa de Catalunya'' to ''Volpelleres''. Get out on the left side(taking the direction of the train as reference) of the station. Walk straight out along Carrer Mare de Déu del Roser, going a bit uphill. Bear left at the end of the road and you will see a roundabout with a petrol station. At the roundabout, take the exit Carrer de Vallespir and walk ≈150m till you get to the roundabout junction with the C-16 motorway. Stand at the entrance slip-road direction Manresa.<br/ >
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Probably you will not find a ride to Andorra but from Manresa you can take the road in direction Berga. For us it worked out quite well.
  
 
=== Hitchhiking ferry to [[Mallorca]], [[Menorca]], [[Ibiza]] ===
 
=== Hitchhiking ferry to [[Mallorca]], [[Menorca]], [[Ibiza]] ===
:''Please add information if you have experience hitchhiking a ferry there.''
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Pls add info
  
 
== Barcelona Public Transport ==
 
== Barcelona Public Transport ==
The Barcelona public transport system consists of an underground metro, trams, area trains, and buses. Day passes are a little more than 5 euro, and cover the whole transport system, buses, trams, metro, and area trains (Rodalies and [http://www.fgc.net/eng/index.asp FGC]). Single passes are for the metro only, and cost eur 2.00 The best deal is the T-10, which is 10 rides for eur 9 - 0.90 per ride. These tickets will also let you into the RENFE system, but you risk getting controlled if you go very far (more than 2 hours or so).
 
  
The entrances sometimes have turnstiles and sometimes have sliding electronic gates. It is possible to jump or slide underneath, or climb over the electronic gates. If you get caught your risk is 40-100 euro - if you're not able to talk your way out of it. Control happens sometimes at the exits of stations, very rarely on the trains.
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The Barcelona public transport system consists of an underground metro, trams, area trains, and buses. Day passes are a little more than 5 euro, and cover the whole transport system, buses, trams, metro, and area trains (Rodalies and [http://www.fgc.net/eng/index.asp FGC]). Single passes are for the metro only, and cost eur 2.00. The best deal is the T-10, which is 10 rides for 11 eur (1.10 per ride). There is also a pink ticket for older Spanish people 10 rides for 4 eur, but dont show this ticket to gate guards/ticket inspectors. These tickets will also let you into the RENFE system, but you risk getting controlled if you go very far (more than 2 hours or so).
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The entrances sometimes have turnstiles and sometimes have sliding electronic gates. It is possible to jump or slide underneath, or climb over the electronic gates. If you get caught your risk is 40-100 euro - if you're not able to talk your way out of it. Control happens sometimes at the exits of stations, very rarely on the trains. Walk out by stairs slowly and look forward for them
  
 
On the stations with electronic gates, the best options is to wait for somebody to pass through a gate with a ticket, and walk directly behind them. This way you can across the gate. Sometimes, if you don do it quickly enough, a short buzzing alarm might activate, but this is largely ignored.
 
On the stations with electronic gates, the best options is to wait for somebody to pass through a gate with a ticket, and walk directly behind them. This way you can across the gate. Sometimes, if you don do it quickly enough, a short buzzing alarm might activate, but this is largely ignored.
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== Blackriding long distance trains==
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On train station Barcelona Sants, where most of the long distances trains leave. You need to go threw a control similar like on airports. They check your ticket, they scan your luggage, you even need to put down jacket to go thre scanner. This makes it nearly impossible to get in long distance trains without ticket. The gates for short distance trains are separated so you can't just buy few euro ticket to village near by. To get to the platforms of long distanes trains you would need a ticket at least to Girona or Taragona or something. When you come blackriding TGV from france you need to go out from the platform and then you would need again to go threw the stupid control to get next train so it doesn' t help you anyhow. At least leaving from the TGV is no problem as there are no gates on the exit.
  
 
== Staying in Barcelona ==
 
== Staying in Barcelona ==
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=== Free food and shower ===
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Free showers at beach with cold water :)
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Food Parròquia de Sant Agusti (Carrer de l'Arc de Sant Agustí, metro Liceu) healty food each day except thursday at 10:15. Come half hour earlier to pick up number. Except poor and sketchy people here.
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Free hot shower and clothes Carrer de Marie Curie 22 (metro Lluckmajor ) or Av. Meridiana 197 (metro Navas)
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=== Hospitality exchange ===
 
[[Accommodation#Hospitality exchange networks|Hospitality exchange networks]] have many members in Barcelona, however, you have to plan your stay well ahead since it is quite a popular destination.  
 
[[Accommodation#Hospitality exchange networks|Hospitality exchange networks]] have many members in Barcelona, however, you have to plan your stay well ahead since it is quite a popular destination.  
  
Other options include sleeping on the beach, in parks and elsewhere. The Ciutadella park is closed at night, but may be accessed by the entrance facing the Arc de Triomf. The bars of the fence near the gate are wide enough to slip through if you're not very big.  You're unlikely to be disturbed during the night but the Police might wake you up after 8am and ask you to move on.
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=== Sleeping in public areas ===
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Options include sleeping on the beach, in parks, nearby hills, roofs of buildings and elsewhere. Note that parks in Barcelona close at night, and may not be that easy to get into one.
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Ciutadella park is closed at night, but may be accessed by the entrance facing the Arc de Triomf. The bars of the fence near the gate are wide enough to slip through if you're not very big.  You're unlikely to be disturbed during the night but the Police might wake you up after 8am and ask you to move on. Another user got inside and pitched a tent. It is safer if you are not alone. Lot of criminals and junkies also sleep there dont talk and dont trust anyone. Attach your bag to tree with rope when you sleep.
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Small park just in front of the Cosmo Caixa Museum where you can easy use a tent. By public transport, you can get the L7 to the end ''Av. Tibidabo'', than walk 5 minutes direction top of the hill, turn on the ''Carrer d'Isaac Newton'' just before the bridge on the left and continue. You will find this huge building, with a big submarine in front of it. When you have museum on your back, submarine on your right, there is some [http://goo.gl/maps/MxfX2 stairs] in front of you, between entrance of museum and submarine, you will see the main door of this park after few stairs, it might be close if its late, so you can go to the top of this stairs, than jump on the left side, go under the stairs to the other side, and there is the spot. 2 options: (1) near the bench, better for the ground, but you might be visible at the morning, and woke up by a guardian; (2) right after geting out from under the stairs, the ground is shitty, you might need good stake to setup your tent, mostly in windy time, from there, the guy who open the door at the morning, can't see you, and he don't go into the park at all, so you can sleep till late!
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Take the metro from "Placa de Catalunya" to Canyelles station, walk about 200 yards uphill from the station and find some nice hills to camp/sleep out/hang a hammock. You can meet wild boars
 +
 
 +
 
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Take a late train to the park in the North-West of Barcelona. For example, you can take the S2 to ''Sabadell'' (ticket zone 1) leaving from ''Plaça de Catalunya'' and getting off at ''Baixador de Vallvidrera'': there is a big park which is nearly like a forest, and you will find a very good and lonesome place to stay within 500 meters from the station.
 +
 
  
When staying on the beach in Barcelona, you may notice thieves. They walk around and observe people on the beach for hours before stealing anything. Even though they aren't usually hostile or confrontational, they can steal clothes off your back while you're asleep. The only sure way to keep your things safe is to bury it in the sand and sleep on top of it. Sleeping with your head on your bag is just not enough.
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Parc de la Pau small and clean park next to the beatch (15 min from metro to station Besos Mar, next to Dechatlon shop, street Career de la Pau)...  
  
Another option is sleeping by the roundabout of the Colom monument near the port at the end of ''Las Ramblas'' although the traffic nearby can be quite noisy. You can sleep near statues of lions and as long as you are low-key about it, both police and locals probably won't disturb your stay. Hitchhiker [[User:Zac Stewart|Zac]] did this is October 2006 and had no problems with thieves, but discretion is wise nonetheless.
 
  
In the city roofs etc are quite fine sleeping places. Sleeping in abandoned houses is recommendable although it is considered a crime, "trespassing" unless you have a banner with the squatting "N" hanging from a balcony, window etc. The cops are going to put this down and inform the landlord. If they do not want you to stay and if you have been there for less than a week they can evict you right away.
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Mountains next to Camp De Futbol Canyelles (metro Valldaura and next to Institut Escola artístic Oriol Martorel, street Camí Antic de Sant Llàtzer)
So in case you want to stay somewhere for less than a week having a banner is most likely not worth the hassle... even hasslelesslier you can stay in a squat that has already gone through the registration process. Most of those houses are in Barcelona. In order to find a place to stay there you can simply look up the online version of the local squatter's newspaper "Info Usurpa" and attend the next happening in one of the locations where you can ask for sleeping places among the guests.
 
  
Mainly, the parks in Barcelona are close at night, and may not be that easy to get in during the night. I found a small park just in front of the Cosmo Caixa Museum where you can easy sleep in tent. By public transport, you can get the L7 to the end ''Av. Tibidabo'', than walk 5 minutes direction top of the hill, turn on the ''Carrer d'Isaac Newton'' just before the bridge on the left and continue. You will find this huge building, with a big submarine in front of it. When you have museum on your back, submarine on your right, there is some stairs in front of you, between entrance of museum and submarine, you will see the main door of this park after few stairs, it might be close if its late, so you can go to the top of this stairs, than jump on the left side, go under the stairs to the other side, and there is the spot. 2 options :
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=== Sleeping in empty or occupied buildings and rooftops ===
1, near the bench, better for the ground, but you might be visible at the morning, and woke up by a garduan
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Roofs and similar structures are quite fine sleeping places. Sleeping in abandoned houses is recommendable although it is considered a crime, "trespassing" unless you have a banner with the squatting "N" hanging from a balcony, window etc. The cops are going to put this down and inform the landlord. If they do not want you to stay and if you have been there for less than a week they can evict you right away. So in case you want to stay somewhere for less than a week having a banner is most likely not worth the hassle... You can just stay in a squat that has already gone through the registration process. Most of those houses are in Barcelona.
2, just after get out from under the stairs, the ground is shitty, you might need good stake to setup your tent, mostly in windy time, from there, the guy who open the door at the morning, cant see you, and he don't go into the park at all, so you can sleep till late!
 
  
Another great option is to take a late train to the park in the North-West of Barcelona. For example, you can take the S2 to ''Sabadell'' (ticket zone 1) leaving from ''Placa de Catalunya'' and getting off at ''Baixador de Vallvidrera'': there is a big park which is nearly like a forest, and
+
=== Thieves ===
you will find a very good and lonesome place to stay within 500 meters from the station.
 
  
You can also take the metro from "Placa de Catalunya" to "Canyelles" station, walk about 200 yards uphibll from the station and find some nice hills to camp/sleep out/hang a hammock in.
+
When staying on the beach in Barcelona, you may notice thieves. They walk around and observe people on the beach for hours before stealing anything. Even though they aren't usually hostile or confrontational, they can steal clothes off your back while you're asleep. The only sure way to keep your things safe is to bury it in the sand and sleep on top of it. Sleeping with your head on your bag is just not enough. These thieves are very professional, and they look for people sleeping rough not just on the beach but in the central districts too.
  
;Before camping around Barcelona you should know that the place is crawling with wild boares
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=== Wild boars ===
There are hundreds of them... I was using the canyelles option for 3 nights but I don't have any reason to believe that it's different in Sadabell. i don't know if i would recommend anyone to sleep there... if you want to do this i wrote some general tips that will help you to stay alive but i think you should read more about wild boars because if anything will happen you would wish you knew more.. like i did in the first night ;-) however it's your responsibility..
 
1. Stay away from the canes. this is where they live and sometimes they spend the night there.
 
2. Don't take food to your place.
 
3. Don't provoke wild boars! they afraid of nothing. if something happens back off slowly.
 
4. a wild boar usually won't attack if he doesn't feel Threatened. They will probably stay away from you but they will come to sniff your tent once you're inside... I did nothing and they went away...
 
5. It's best if you stay next to a tree that you can climb on if anything happens.
 
6. If you see a mother and her cubs stay the fuck away.
 
And may god be with you
 
  
'''Port Vell'''
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Wild boars are abundant in Barcelona, there are hundreds of them. Stay away from the canes. this is where they live and sometimes they spend the night there. Don't take food to your place. on't provoke wild boars! They unafraid of humans. If something happens, back off slowly.  Wild boar usually don't attack unless they feel threatened. They will probably stay away from you but they will come to sniff your tent once you're inside... I did nothing and they went away...  It's best if you stay next to a tree that you can climb on if anything happens. If you see a mother and her cubs stay the fuck away.
  
There is a fantastic spot to sleep near Port Vell, at a place called La Rambla del Mar. To get there, follow Las Ramblas all the way to the bottom end, go past the columbus column in the direction of the water. You will come to a wooded 'deck' kind of area where a lot of tourists pass. There is a large, old square building here, the port police station, and next to it there is a big carpark. About 20 metres passed the end of the carpark there is a small wooden looking building that the hot dog vendors in the area use for supplies. and there are 3 more further on down the port vell area, just keep walking and you'll see them. It has a garage style door on the front. On the top of this there is a large white canvas tent, that looks kind of like a teepee, you cant miss it. It might be hard with just one person, but its easy to get on the roof of the building with 2 people, under the tent thing. Its warm, dry, out of sight and the tourists or police wont notice you if youre careful. [[Jugglehitch]] and 3 friends slept here for 1 week, with no hassle from anyone. A bit dusty, but perfect in every other way.
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== Free internet ==
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Free wireless and Apple demo computers with limited internet access at Apple Store (Plaza Catalunya)
  
It is possible to crawl into the Ciutadella park, just get inside and find a place to pitch a tent. It will be safer if you are not alone there. You can always meet some people on way there because other people are also searching place to sleep same as you.
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== Nomadwiki & Trashwiki ==
  
== More information ==
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{{nomadwiki}}
* [http://www.hitchbase.com/ergebnisse.php?LANG=eng&abfrage%5Bstartort%5D=164 Hitchbase] has some more options on alternative ways to hitchhike out of Barcelona.
 
* [http://www.tmb.net TMB.net] Barcelona public transport website
 
  
{{Hitchhiking Zine nomination}} __NOTOC__
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== Take care of your bag and money there are alot of brave and fast thieves around!!! ==
{{IsIn|Catalunya}}
 
  
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Revision as of 13:36, 14 January 2021

Barcelona is the capital of Catalunya, a region in Spain (and France).

Hitching in

From France

When on the main motorway from France to Barcelona, some cars are being stopped at the border for identity and luggage check. When going to Spain (Catalunya), there are several big rest areas on that road. You can either ask your driver to let you out next to towns such as Rubí and Sant Cugat where you can go to Bracelona by train, or get out of the car at a rest area and wait for another ride to Barcelona. A train ticket generally cost you around €2,20 (Sant Cugat/Rubí)


If you get dropped on the coast road leading to Barcelona (11) it should be really easy to keep hitching through the towns and villages until the city. I did the last 60km on this road in 4 or 5 short lifts but never waited more than 2/3 mins, just hopped out of each car and thumbed the next one almost instantly wherever I was dropped.


You can also ask the driver to leave you at the junction by the university (Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona). There is a roundabout right by the motorway ramp. The only challenge is that your driver has to be going from the junction of Barbera de valles on the right site of the motorway as it gets split - otherwise you leave the car at Castellbisbal service station.

Hitchhiking out

<map lat='41.45816618938139' lng='2.140960693359375' zoom='10' view='0' height='400' width='400' float='right'/>

North towards Girona, Figueres, La Jonquera, (France)  AP-7 

In general your chances of being picked up are much better with cars with French number plates. For the options below it's good to have an idea about how many French cars you can expect.

If you want to go further into France but only find a car going close to the border be careful about where you get dropped. See below experience at La Jonquera, last service station in Spaun. The first service station in France, Village Catalan just after le Boulou is totally dead, it looks like nobody stops there. If you can get a little further to Perpignan Sud Paeage, exit 42 and use a sign for Narbonne you should get a lift at least as for as La Palme Service station after exit 40, quite a good spot for a longer lift into France.

Option 1: C33 Motorway service station Gasolinera Galp Montcada Norte

Take a Renfe train on the R2 or R2 Nord line, direction: Granollers Centre (R2) or Macanet-Massanes (R2 Nord). Get off at station Montcada i Reixac. Train will take you about 20 minutes. Exit the train station to the left, through the second exit in the direction of the train. Walk under the railways and pass through the station building. At the other side you will find yourself at a small shopping district with a one way street. Follow it to the right. Pass the church, traffic lights, and cross the pedestrian bridge. Once over the bridge, turn left and follow the fenced in school playground around to the right. You should now see the motorway above you and parking below the motorway. Continue following the motorway until you see the road dip down and to the right under the railroad. Go under the bridge. Up ahead and to your left you will see a very broken vertical turnstile and a sign saying "forbidden" (see a picture here: http://imgur.com/MLxJc29). Ignore the sign and follow the foot path to the right, to the service road along the motorway. This service road goes right into the back of a Gasolinera Galp Montcada Norte petrol station.


Also you can get to same petrol station by metro L11 till stop Torre Baró | Vallbona + 3 km walk next to river to to Montcada district and find a train stop Montcada i Reixac. Than follow directions as above.

Option 2: AP-7 Motorway Service Station Bellaterra

Take train S2 from Barcelona Plaça Catalunya, direction Sabadell-Rambla, and get off at Bellaterra. (2 zones). Turn left out of the station and walk 1.6km along C/ de Bellaterra. After you have crossed over the motorway bridge, you will see a small road to the left. Walk ≈400 along this road (you will pass through a small tunnel) to the service station.
When asking locals, ask how to walk to Hotel Bellaterra, as Spanish people are clueless about hitchhiking and any other question will be answered with useless answers about how to reach the motorway (EDIT: the hotel is closed and you have to climb two gates to get to the rest area).

There are not too many drivers going north so option 1 is probably much better.

Option 3: Barcelona Gran Via

Take the metro L2 and get off at Monumental. From there, pass by the Plaça de Toros (Bullfight Arena) and start hitchhiking at the last traffic light by the Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes/Carrer Padilla before street corner where the road leads to the motorway C-31. When the light turns red, ask people if they're heading towards the motorway. If yes, ask them if they can take you to the first petrol station ("gasolinera"). Location Option3
This is a good option to start hitching from the city itself. It works pretty well if you know how to hitch from petrol lights, have a big sign or know some Spanish.

Option 4: Petrol station Barcelona Beach

Take bus H16 from Plaça Catalunya direction Fòrum and get off at Cementiri de l'Est. Head towards the beach, cross over the highway bridge, and you will see McD and the Repsol petrol station on the left. photo-link This is a good option to start hitching from near the beach itself in Barcelona. It works pretty well if you know some Spanish or even Catalan as you have to ask the drivers at the petrol station.

Option 5: Port

Barcelona has a huge Port where ferries from Morocco, the Balearic Islands and Italy arrive. There are many cars going further north or to France. If you stand with a sign next to the passenger terminal where the cars leave the port, you can hitch a long-distance lift. It may be useful to check the timetables first, but keep in mind that ferries can be easily delayed by some hours.

South towards Valencia, Alicante  AP-7  & West towards Zaragoza, Madrid  A2 

Option 1: AP-7 Motorway Service Station Porta de Barcelona (Castellbisbal)

Take Renfe train R4 direction St.Vicenç de Calders from either Barcelona Sants, Plaça Catalunya or Arc de Triomf, to Castellbisbal.

From the train station, go left and take the dirt road that leads out and cross under the railway tracks on your right. Walking on this road, you'll come across a surfaced road on your right, that will lead to a bigger road. When you reach this bigger road, you'll see a bridge on your right. Turn left here, and then immediately to the right, to a small street, at the end of which you can see a "stop" sign from the distance. Go straight until it turns into a dirt road, keep going on the dirt road until you reach the petrol station. There will be other roads left and right, ignore them. This whole walk from the station to the service station shouldn't take you much more than 30 minutes (besides, you can find signs on the last road that directly takes you to the service station, showing you that you're on the right way to the "área de servicio").

Option 2: AP-7 Motorway Service Station Bellaterra

Follow the instructions as per "heading north to Girona option 2" above. Cross over the footbridge to the services on the north side of the motorway for hitching south.

This place is not recommended for going south or west.Also the entrance from the highway to this petrol station is 10km before the petrol station. Most of that cars that passed in this place were going to barcelona center... Use option 1, much better.

South towards Tarragona, Valencia  C-32 

(Petrol station on Granvia de l'Hospitalet leading to motorway C-32).

Take metro L1 Red line to Bellvitge station. Turn right out of the station and walk south ≈300m along Rambla Marina to the Avenida De La. Turn right and walk west ≈200m to the Galp petrol station.

North West towards Manresa, Andorra  C-16  E 9

Take Renfe train S2 train from Placa de Catalunya to Volpelleres. Get out on the left side(taking the direction of the train as reference) of the station. Walk straight out along Carrer Mare de Déu del Roser, going a bit uphill. Bear left at the end of the road and you will see a roundabout with a petrol station. At the roundabout, take the exit Carrer de Vallespir and walk ≈150m till you get to the roundabout junction with the C-16 motorway. Stand at the entrance slip-road direction Manresa.
Probably you will not find a ride to Andorra but from Manresa you can take the road in direction Berga. For us it worked out quite well.

Hitchhiking ferry to Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza

Pls add info

Barcelona Public Transport

The Barcelona public transport system consists of an underground metro, trams, area trains, and buses. Day passes are a little more than 5 euro, and cover the whole transport system, buses, trams, metro, and area trains (Rodalies and FGC). Single passes are for the metro only, and cost eur 2.00. The best deal is the T-10, which is 10 rides for 11 eur (1.10 per ride). There is also a pink ticket for older Spanish people 10 rides for 4 eur, but dont show this ticket to gate guards/ticket inspectors. These tickets will also let you into the RENFE system, but you risk getting controlled if you go very far (more than 2 hours or so).

The entrances sometimes have turnstiles and sometimes have sliding electronic gates. It is possible to jump or slide underneath, or climb over the electronic gates. If you get caught your risk is 40-100 euro - if you're not able to talk your way out of it. Control happens sometimes at the exits of stations, very rarely on the trains. Walk out by stairs slowly and look forward for them

On the stations with electronic gates, the best options is to wait for somebody to pass through a gate with a ticket, and walk directly behind them. This way you can across the gate. Sometimes, if you don do it quickly enough, a short buzzing alarm might activate, but this is largely ignored.

Blackriding long distance trains

On train station Barcelona Sants, where most of the long distances trains leave. You need to go threw a control similar like on airports. They check your ticket, they scan your luggage, you even need to put down jacket to go thre scanner. This makes it nearly impossible to get in long distance trains without ticket. The gates for short distance trains are separated so you can't just buy few euro ticket to village near by. To get to the platforms of long distanes trains you would need a ticket at least to Girona or Taragona or something. When you come blackriding TGV from france you need to go out from the platform and then you would need again to go threw the stupid control to get next train so it doesn' t help you anyhow. At least leaving from the TGV is no problem as there are no gates on the exit.

Staying in Barcelona

Free food and shower

Free showers at beach with cold water :)

Food Parròquia de Sant Agusti (Carrer de l'Arc de Sant Agustí, metro Liceu) healty food each day except thursday at 10:15. Come half hour earlier to pick up number. Except poor and sketchy people here.

Free hot shower and clothes Carrer de Marie Curie 22 (metro Lluckmajor ) or Av. Meridiana 197 (metro Navas)

Hospitality exchange

Hospitality exchange networks have many members in Barcelona, however, you have to plan your stay well ahead since it is quite a popular destination.

Sleeping in public areas

Options include sleeping on the beach, in parks, nearby hills, roofs of buildings and elsewhere. Note that parks in Barcelona close at night, and may not be that easy to get into one.


Ciutadella park is closed at night, but may be accessed by the entrance facing the Arc de Triomf. The bars of the fence near the gate are wide enough to slip through if you're not very big. You're unlikely to be disturbed during the night but the Police might wake you up after 8am and ask you to move on. Another user got inside and pitched a tent. It is safer if you are not alone. Lot of criminals and junkies also sleep there dont talk and dont trust anyone. Attach your bag to tree with rope when you sleep.


Small park just in front of the Cosmo Caixa Museum where you can easy use a tent. By public transport, you can get the L7 to the end Av. Tibidabo, than walk 5 minutes direction top of the hill, turn on the Carrer d'Isaac Newton just before the bridge on the left and continue. You will find this huge building, with a big submarine in front of it. When you have museum on your back, submarine on your right, there is some stairs in front of you, between entrance of museum and submarine, you will see the main door of this park after few stairs, it might be close if its late, so you can go to the top of this stairs, than jump on the left side, go under the stairs to the other side, and there is the spot. 2 options: (1) near the bench, better for the ground, but you might be visible at the morning, and woke up by a guardian; (2) right after geting out from under the stairs, the ground is shitty, you might need good stake to setup your tent, mostly in windy time, from there, the guy who open the door at the morning, can't see you, and he don't go into the park at all, so you can sleep till late!


Take the metro from "Placa de Catalunya" to Canyelles station, walk about 200 yards uphill from the station and find some nice hills to camp/sleep out/hang a hammock. You can meet wild boars


Take a late train to the park in the North-West of Barcelona. For example, you can take the S2 to Sabadell (ticket zone 1) leaving from Plaça de Catalunya and getting off at Baixador de Vallvidrera: there is a big park which is nearly like a forest, and you will find a very good and lonesome place to stay within 500 meters from the station.


Parc de la Pau small and clean park next to the beatch (15 min from metro to station Besos Mar, next to Dechatlon shop, street Career de la Pau)...


Mountains next to Camp De Futbol Canyelles (metro Valldaura and next to Institut Escola artístic Oriol Martorel, street Camí Antic de Sant Llàtzer)

Sleeping in empty or occupied buildings and rooftops

Roofs and similar structures are quite fine sleeping places. Sleeping in abandoned houses is recommendable although it is considered a crime, "trespassing" unless you have a banner with the squatting "N" hanging from a balcony, window etc. The cops are going to put this down and inform the landlord. If they do not want you to stay and if you have been there for less than a week they can evict you right away. So in case you want to stay somewhere for less than a week having a banner is most likely not worth the hassle... You can just stay in a squat that has already gone through the registration process. Most of those houses are in Barcelona.

Thieves

When staying on the beach in Barcelona, you may notice thieves. They walk around and observe people on the beach for hours before stealing anything. Even though they aren't usually hostile or confrontational, they can steal clothes off your back while you're asleep. The only sure way to keep your things safe is to bury it in the sand and sleep on top of it. Sleeping with your head on your bag is just not enough. These thieves are very professional, and they look for people sleeping rough not just on the beach but in the central districts too.

Wild boars

Wild boars are abundant in Barcelona, there are hundreds of them. Stay away from the canes. this is where they live and sometimes they spend the night there. Don't take food to your place. on't provoke wild boars! They unafraid of humans. If something happens, back off slowly. Wild boar usually don't attack unless they feel threatened. They will probably stay away from you but they will come to sniff your tent once you're inside... I did nothing and they went away... It's best if you stay next to a tree that you can climb on if anything happens. If you see a mother and her cubs stay the fuck away.

Free internet

Free wireless and Apple demo computers with limited internet access at Apple Store (Plaza Catalunya)

Nomadwiki & Trashwiki

Check Nomadwiki for info on accommodation, showers etc. or Trashwiki for dumpsters...and share your wisdom :)

Take care of your bag and money there are alot of brave and fast thieves around!!!