Tourists to Barcelona with Disabilities Share Their Experiences of Visiting The City.
Page Content
Name: M. O'Dea
Country: Ireland
Date: 27-Aug
Tips: Strongly recommend Barcelona to wheelchair users, and those travelling with and offering assistance to them. Buses are so convenient, all accessible, and with the right phone app it is possible to go everywhere in the city without excessive planning. Park Güell is at the summit of a steep hill so that's worth taking into account when planning a visit.
Taxis are plentiful, well regulated and we found the drivers to be informed, well schooled in assisting their passengers and very friendly and helpful. They are also cheap and well regulated.
Barcelona almost defies description. It is beautiful- everywhere, well organised, full of energy, overflowing with visitors, vast yet with thousands of local cafes, bars and tiny shops. History lives side by side with the future.
The Spanish/Catalan people are rightly proud of their city. Treat yourself to a visit.
R. Morgan
England, UK
I've just returned from 4 days in Barcelona with my sister, who is in a manual wheelchair.
The city was absolutely brilliant to get about-all the pavements were smooth with dropped kerbs (but beware of the stone drains).
We used the Metro but got caught out once transferring to another line and had to get a taxi.
We stayed at the Hotel Vilamari near Plaça España (good for shopping and restaurants-and the famous fountains), which was well designed to move about in and lovely breakfasts-only problems were bath only in the adapted room (no use) and no natural light as the windows looked onto courtyards.
I wouldn't bother with Taxi Amic unless you have to as they didn't answer my email and were rude when I rang.
We saw most of La Pedrera (challenging but worth it) and had the cable car ride (lifted in manually).
High points were the Barceloneta beach which is lovely to walk along, the Maritime Musem and El Born with its archaeological site and good cafe. We didn't attempt the Sagrada Família, Park Güell or any of the Montjuïc sights.
Name: N. Robinson
Country: England
Email: Confidential
Date: 20 July
Feedback
We've just returned from a week in Barcelona with a wheelchair and thought I would share what we found.
Public transport
We only used public transport for the whole week and never took a taxi at any point. The heat also made walking all day tough so being able to get around the city was helpful.
 |
Bus access for the traveller with a disability
All buses, metro trains and Aerobuses (from the airport) are air-conditioned and so welcoming. ALL buses are easy to use as they have access ramps as well as special places onboard for wheelchairs. All drivers are helpful and make an effort (although they don't speak English). Basically, they will happily hold the bus up until you are sorted on board. Buses are easy for both motorised and pushed wheelchairs and can basically get you everywhere around town.
Metro for people with a disability
Metro trains are also easy to use but you do need a metro map which tells you which stations are accessible (via lifts). All of the trains are accessible, so it is really about the stations. Again there are designated spaces for chairs, and people do respect this. I would recommend this way of travel if you have a manual wheelchair with support as some stations have a bit of a step on or off trains of a few inches. Make sure that if you are changing lines that the station is accessible for both lines. We used the metro all week and had little trouble.
Montjuïc funicular access
Montjuïc funicular and cable car are both accessible but make sure you stand at the designated end of the funicular train as there are steps for everyone else at the top end.
Toilets and general access around town
General access around town is easy in nearly all areas with low kerbs etc. Bars, restaurants and shops also easy to access, toilets, less so, but some places do have loos for people with a disability.
In general areas we tended to nip into one of the many museums who have loos for people with a disability before entering the main part of the museum. Nobody minds (or notices). Most attractions have access (Sagrada Familia is accessible but a bit of a steep push to get in) and Camp Nou is only accessible in the museum and to view the ground but not changing rooms etc.
Without a doubt this is the most accessible and easy to manage city we have ever been to. The people are also friendly and helpful. It is also a fantastic place.
Editor's Note - Thank you for sharing your experience. It will go a long way to helping others on their trips to Barcelona.
 |
Did you know you can enjoy unlimited travel on Barcelona public transport for 2, 3, 4 or 5 days? Hola Barcelona Travel Pass
|
