Wheelchair Accessible Review of Barcelona

Wheelchair Accessible Review
in Barcelona
http://www.sagetraveling.com/barcelona-disabled-access

www.sagetraveling.com
While it still has its challenges, Barcelona disabled access is better
than most cities in Europe. Consequently, I gave it a 5 Star Sage
Accessibility Rating which is my highest rating.

Barcelona Sage Accessibility
Rating
Cobblestone smoothness 4
Cobblestone abundance 5
Flatness (lack of hills) 4
Proximity of sights to each other 3
Accessible Public Transportation 5
English Spoken 4
Overall Accessibility 5
Quality of sights/town 4
Quantity of sights 3
View Rating Explanation

With the right amount of planning, any disabled or senior traveler
can enjoy the magnificent sights in Barcelona. This presentation
will give you an idea of some of the Barcelona disabled access
challenges you might face. And of course you can use our
accessible Barcelona trip planning services for a customized
accessible vacation!

Best Aspects of Barcelona Disabled Access
One of the most cobblestone-free medieval quarters
Many European cities are built around a medieval city center, and
Barcelona is no exception. However, unlike Paris, Bruges, Siena, and
Istanbul, Barcelona has very few cobblestones! (photo of Gothic Quarter
shown on right) Wheelchair users will have a much smoother ride!

Numerous accessible Metro stations
Barcelona’s metro system is far more accessible than its counterparts
in Paris, London, Istanbul, and Rome. It’s not quite as accessible as
Athens, but disabled visitors will often find elevators to reach the metro
platforms.

Wheelchair accessible paths at the beach
Barcelona disabled access at beaches is some of the best I’ve
encountered anywhere in Europe. There are ramps to get from the
sidewalk down to the sand, and there are wooden paths to get to the
water (shown in the photo on the left). Wheelchairs designed for the
sand (shown in the photo on the right) are available.

Flat city center
Although mountains (and ocean) surround the city, most of Barcelona
is flat. Manual wheelchair users and slow walkers will love the lack of
hills!

Watch John Sage describe accessibility in Barcelona’s city center

All public buses are accessible
All of Barcelona’s bus lines use buses with wheelchair ramps. They are
quite easy to use and do a decent job of connecting the tourist
attractions.

Many modern hotels with good accessibility
Accessible hotels in central Paris are housed in 200 year old buildings,
and few have been made fully accessible. In Barcelona that’s not the
case! Many accessible Barcelona hotels (even in the city center) use
modern buildings with flat access at the entrance and roll-in showers.
Disabled travelers will have numerous accessible hotels to choose from!

Many accessible cruises leave from here
Cruising is one of my favorite ways to travel and it’s one of the most
accessible ways to vacation! Many wheelchair accessible
Mediterranean cruises depart from Barcelona which makes this a great
city to visit for 2 or 3 days before heading out to sea! Photos of the
Barcelona cruise port and the accessible Barcelona cruise terminal are
shown below.

Worst Aspects of Barcelona Disabled Access
Barcelona’s gondola is not accessible
Barcelona’s gondola from Montjuic Hill to the harbor offers great views
but unfortunately it has steps a both the harbor end and the Montjuic
end (shown in the photo).

While most of Barcelona is flat, visitors will encounter some hills during
their trip. The Olympic Stadium is located on Montjuic Hill, and Gaudi’s
Park Guell is also located on a hill.
Hills at some tourist sights

Just like any other city in Europe, lines can be very long to get into the
main attractions. In Barcelona, this is particularly true at Sagrada Familia
and the Picasso Museum. If a few cruise ships are in port, the waits can
take more than an hour.
Long tourist lines

There are several steps leading to the elevator which is very small. For
“safety reasons” wheelchair users and other disabled visitors are not
allowed to use the lift. A photo of the stairs is shown on the left.
Stairs before the elevator to the Sagrada Familia tower

Similar to bus tours in London, Paris, Rome, Berlin, Athens, and Dublin,
the bus tour is wheelchair accessible but you won’t hear much
enlightening narration. Famous sites will be pointed out but you won’t
learn why they are important or significant…usually just who built them
and the year they were built.
Bus tour narration is mediocre at best

Many of the tourist attractions are located inside or near the Gothic
Quarter but several require transportation to reach. Gaudi’s Park Guell
is over 4 km away from the Gothic Quarter (route shown on the map
below)
Tourist attractions are not within walking distance

While most of the Metro stations have elevators, some of them near
the major tourist sights poor Barcelona disabled accessibility. For
example, there are no elevators at the Placa de Espanya station on the
L3 line and the Juame I station on the L4 line near the Picasso Museum.
Metro is not always helpful for tourists

Call Us: 1-888-645-7920
We look forward to making your accessible dream vacation a reality!
Contact us at info@sagetraveling.com
http://www.sagetraveling.com/barcelona-disabled-access

Wheelchair Accessible Review of Barcelona

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Wheelchair Accessible Review of Barcelona