Brian Kirby Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 Has anyone been recently with their van? If so, where did you stay, and (assuming, as seems most likely, that was not in Barcelona) how was getting to and fro, please? Thanks in anticipation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtravel Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 Brian, I am out. Tomorrow I will check and post info if available. In the mean time you should check about local LEZ (barcelona bajas emisiones or something like that). Max Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted January 31, 2023 Author Share Posted January 31, 2023 Thanks Max. Shouldn't be a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted January 31, 2023 Author Share Posted January 31, 2023 In fact, having had a look at the Spanish government LEZ site, it seems we will be OK throughout Spain on the basis that Spain accepts low emissions identification stickers issued by other EU countries. We have both French Crit'Air category 3, and German Umweltplakette category 4, either/both of which meet the Spanish requirement. So, thanks again for the warning, but it seems we should be fully legal within all Spanish LEZs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtravel Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 Brian, you are 99% right. Spain honors Crit'Air 1, 2 and 3 plus German plakette 4. All towns but... Not sure about Barcelona and Madrid. I could be wrong but their official sites don't mention them and continue with license registration, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webby1 Posted February 1, 2023 Share Posted February 1, 2023 We have just stayed at Vilanova Park.They run a regular bus service into Barcelona and we bought 8 journeys for €35. given the traffic madness we saw in Barcelona I'd keep well away. Did I mention my wife enjoyed the heated indoor pool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtravel Posted February 1, 2023 Share Posted February 1, 2023 In Barcelona we have always stayed at Camping El Masnou. Nothing exceptional but with the metro 500 meters away which leaves you at Placa de Catalunya (beginning of the Ramblas) in about half an hour. There are reports of its closure (I can no longer find their website) but campercontact reports a review dated January 2023. https://www.campercontact.com/en/spain/catalonia/barcelona/73350/camping-masnou An alternative could be the Barcelona campsite in Mataró. Shuttle and then bus to Placa de Catalunya. https://www.campercontact.com/en/spain/catalonia/mataro/20025/camping-barcelona or https://www.campingbarcelona.com/ Then there aren't many options. Areasac mentions this: https://www.areasac.es/areas/barcelona/barcelona-garcia-faria_1735_1_ap.html and Lapaca this other (rather far). https://www.lapaca.org/descripcion-area-de-servicio/ctw-services Max Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtravel Posted February 1, 2023 Share Posted February 1, 2023 I forgot, I had collected some sites about the ZBE of Barcelona (aka LEZ). https://www.zbe.barcelona/en/ https://zberegistre.ambmobilitat.cat/en https://zberegistre.ambmobilitat.cat/en/VehiclesEstrangers https://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/qualitataire/en/zona-de-baixes-emissions/vehicles-foreign-number-plate They do not mention the validity of foreign stickers (French Crit'Air and/or German plakette). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted February 1, 2023 Author Share Posted February 1, 2023 21 hours ago, mtravel said: Brian, you are 99% right. Spain honors Crit'Air 1, 2 and 3 plus German plakette 4. All towns but... Not sure about Barcelona and Madrid. I could be wrong but their official sites don't mention them and continue with license registration, etc. Hi Max, and thanks. Was this https://tinyurl.com/2ak4qaks (the Spanish Transport Ministry - DGT) website you found? It states (I hope on the page at which the link should open) but if not: "There is a defined equivalence between the different environmental labels defined in Europe, being necessary to obtain a vignette if you travel to certain EU countries to be able to circulate through the low emission zones. There are several countries in the European Union that have drawn up a classification to classify vehicles based on how polluting they are. The environmental badges are referenced to the EURO emission regulations, these are various laws that the European Union has implemented since 1988 to reduce polluting emissions from vehicles that are manufactured and marketed in the territory of the countries that make up the European Union, so it is easy to establish an equivalence between the existing emblems. In Spain it is not possible to issue environmental badges to vehicles with foreign registration, but it is not necessary: If you have a vehicle from a country with an environmental badge (Germany, Austria, Denmark, France) we consider that you have the corresponding Spanish badge. In the following sections you can consult the equivalence between the classifications of the different countries. In this way you will be able to know the equivalent Spanish emblem of your vehicle, knowing what traffic restrictions may affect you, being able to drive on our roads with the emblem of your country. In the same way, local entities can identify through these tables the environmental category of foreign vehicles and know whether or not they can circulate based on the local regulations that have been developed." If you scroll down the page a bit, until you come to the section entitled "Diesel passenger cars and light vans", and then click on the symbol for the environmental category awarded by whichever country granted your emissions vignette, you will see the European Emissions classifications and dates covered by the awarded vignette. In the case of our van that is a green Umweltplakette category 4 from Germany (Euro 4 from 1/1/06 to 31/12/10, Euro 5 from 1/1/11 to 31/8/15 and Euro 6 from 9/1/15 on) and a yellow Crit'Air vignette from France (Euro 5 and 6 from 1/1/11. Given that, I took "In the same way, local entities can identify through these tables the environmental category of foreign vehicles and know whether or not they can circulate based on the local regulations that have been developed" to mean that Barcelona would be regarded as a "local entity", and that their requirements for proof of compliance should therefore be satisfied. I'll see if I can obtain clarification on that. In the meantime, thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtravel Posted February 1, 2023 Share Posted February 1, 2023 50 minutes ago, Brian Kirby said: Hi Max, and thanks. Was this https://tinyurl.com/2ak4qaks (the Spanish Transport Ministry - DGT) website you found? It states (I hope on the page at which the link should open) but if not: "There is a defined equivalence between the different environmental labels defined in Europe, being necessary to obtain a vignette if you travel to certain EU countries to be able to circulate through the low emission zones. Brian, I don't know if it is the same source. I gave you four sites to surf. Don't forget that Barcelona is in Catalunya that is an autonomous region with extensive legislative powers. Nothing prevents them from locally not applying the rules valid in the rest of the country. I too tried to understand something but without getting anything clear. So much so that in my very recent trip to Spain I deliberately excluded Barcelona. I haven't done it but maybe it's worth asking at the Spanish embassy or consulate, I assume you have one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikeandthewife Posted February 1, 2023 Share Posted February 1, 2023 Hi Brian Went last summer, stayed at Camping Barcelona, their coach, drops you off in the centre of Barcelona, picks you up, same spot around 5pm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted February 1, 2023 Author Share Posted February 1, 2023 How long did the coach take, please, Mike? It is about 20 miles as the crow flies, so I would imagine less than one hour but, allowing for traffic, not much less. I assume it's not a freebie? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webby1 Posted February 1, 2023 Share Posted February 1, 2023 The coach from Vilanova only takes 1 hr from the door of the campsite I love the atmosphere of the town and it's proud resistance to the Franco regime And did I mention that my wife really loved the heated swimming pool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickt Posted February 1, 2023 Share Posted February 1, 2023 I stayed at Camping Barcelona, Mataro. They run a shuttle bus into the city Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikeandthewife Posted February 1, 2023 Share Posted February 1, 2023 3 hours ago, Brian Kirby said: How long did the coach take, please, Mike? It is about 20 miles as the crow flies, so I would imagine less than one hour but, allowing for traffic, not much less. I assume it's not a freebie? Hi Brian No not free, but only a few euros and well worth it, it was so easy, picked up outside the site, dropped off in the centre of the city with the return journey at the same stops, (just make sure you take note where you get off in Barcelona) I think your right, it was about 40 minutes, but you dont realise it, when sightseeing on route. The site does have a free shuttle, that takes its customers to the beach and train station, because the site is off a busy road, so you could go into the city by alternative means, but I carnt imagine you would save much and it would take longer I'm sure. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted February 2, 2023 Author Share Posted February 2, 2023 Thanks for the extra, Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtravel Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 Hi Brian, I don't know your interests, just some suggestions. The Ramblas are just the most touristic part of the town. Without forgetting Gaudí (Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Casa Batlló and La Pedrera for instance) Barcelona offers a cultural panorama of extreme interest. In addition to the Cathedral and the Barri Gòtic, the Picasso Museum (born in Malaga but artistically grown in Barcelona) should not be forgotten. Don't miss a climb to Parc de Montjüic (walking or by cable car). On top, a nice view of the town and (perhaps just little known) the Fundació Joan Miró. If more come to me, I'll get back to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted February 2, 2023 Author Share Posted February 2, 2023 Thanks Max. Yes, we have all those in our sights - if we get there! I've since e-mailed the Spanish embassy in London to see if they can/will clarify whether the DGT website statement I quoted above would include a UK vehicle carrying both German and French LEZ-pass vignettes confirming that it is at least Euro 5 (it is actually Euro 6), and whether that would apply also to the Barcelona LEZ, or whether Barcelona's requirements trump the DGT. Wonder if I'll get a reply? 🙂 However, looking at sites around Barcelona, they are all well outside the LEZ, so I think there is minimal risk of getting "stung" by inadvertently straying in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soarer Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 Hi we allways stay at sitges the bus to Barcelona takes around 45 minutes via the airport. Sitges btw is a very nice town. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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