Looking for a Barcelona Airport smoking area? Good news: Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN) is one of the more smoker-friendly major airports in Europe. Both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 have large open-air terraces where smoking is generally allowed, and each of them has a bar. This guide shows you exactly where the smoking areas are, whether you can smoke after security, and the rules for vaping and IQOS.

Barcelona Airport Smoking Policy

Spain has a nationwide indoor smoking ban, in force since 2011, and Barcelona Airport applies it strictly. You can't smoke inside the terminal buildings, including check-in halls, departure gates, restaurants, cafés, airport lounges, corridors, or restrooms. The same rules apply to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, vapes, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco products.

What makes BCN different from many other European hubs is that the ban covers enclosed spaces. Because both terminals have open-air terraces on the airside, most passengers can still have a cigarette after passing through security — something that is no longer possible at airports such as Amsterdam Schiphol or London Heathrow.

Good to Know

Barcelona is regularly rated by travelers as one of the better European airports for smokers, mainly because the airside terraces are genuinely large, have plenty of seating, and can be entered without buying anything. Facilities can still change, so always follow the signage you see on the day.

Where Are the Smoking Areas at Barcelona Airport?

Smoking at BCN is possible in two different situations: outside the terminal buildings before check-in, and on the open-air terraces after security. There are no enclosed indoor smoking cabins anywhere at the airport, so every smoking spot is an outdoor area.

 

Before Security

Available to all passengers

Smoking is permitted outside the terminal buildings: near the entrances, along the kerbside drop-off zones, and on the walkways towards the car parks. Keep a few metres away from the doors so smoke doesn't drift inside.

Best for: Passengers who have just landed or are heading to check-in.

Access: Both T1 and T2, before check-in and security screening.

 

After Security

Open-air terraces

Both terminals have a large outdoor terrace on the airside where smoking is generally allowed. Travelers consistently describe them as spacious, well-equipped with seating, and served by a bar for drinks and snacks.

Best for: Departing and connecting passengers.

Note: No need to leave the secure area or be screened again.

The Short Answer

Yes — you can smoke after security at Barcelona Airport. In both terminals, head for the open-air terrace beside the McDonald's in the departures area.

Smoking Area in Barcelona Airport Terminal 1

Terminal 1 is the main terminal at BCN, used by Vueling, Iberia, and most full-service and long-haul carriers. There is one large smoking terrace in T1, located after check-in and security control. Once you clear the security checkpoint, keep to your right and you'll reach a big open-air area with seating and a bar.

The easiest way to find it is by using the food outlets as landmarks: the terrace sits next to the McDonald's, and airport signage often points to it as the “Starbucks Terrace”. Two businesses share the space, but the terrace itself is free to use — you don't have to buy anything to sit down or take a break.

 

How to Find the T1 Smoking Terrace

Step by Step

  1. Complete check-in and pass through security control.
  2. Turn right and follow the signs towards the shops and food court.
  3. Look for the McDonald's, or signage for the Starbucks Terrace.
  4. Step out onto the open-air terrace — smoking is allowed there.

What to Expect

  • Large open-air terrace with plenty of seating.
  • A bar for coffee or a quick snack.
  • Free to enter, no purchase required.
  • No second security screening needed.

Mind the Walk to Your Gate

The terrace is in the central shopping and dining zone, close to the security exit. Some T1 boarding gates — especially the non-Schengen piers — are a long walk from there. Take your break before heading towards your gate, not after.

Smoking Area in Barcelona Airport Terminal 2

Terminal 2 mainly serves low-cost airlines such as easyJet, Ryanair, and Wizz Air, and is split into the T2A, T2B, and T2C buildings. For years T2 had no airside smoking option at all, and passengers were simply sent back outside. That has changed: travelers now consistently report an open-air terrace in T2 after the security check, complete with a bar.

The terrace is located near the McDonald's / McCafé area, roughly between the T2B and T2C sections of the building, and is usually reached by turning right after the restaurant. It can normally be reached from the neighbouring gate areas as well. If you can't locate it, the outdoor areas in front of the building are always available before check-in and after you land.

 

Airside Terrace

A large open-air area after security, near the McDonald's / McCafé, between the T2B and T2C zones.

 

Bar on Site

The T2 terrace has its own bar, so you can grab a drink while waiting for your boarding call.

 

Landside Option

Smoking outside the T2 building before check-in or after arrival is always possible.

Travel Tip

Airport facilities are occasionally closed for maintenance or refurbishment, and the T2 terrace is a more recent addition than the one in T1. If you can't find it, ask a member of staff before assuming it's gone — and never step outside the secure area without checking your boarding time, because you'll have to be screened again.

Terminal 1 vs Terminal 2 for Smokers

Both terminals give smokers an airside option, but they aren't identical. Here's how they compare if having a cigarette before boarding matters to you.

 

Terminal 1

  • One large, well-established smoking terrace
  • Turn right after security, towards the food court
  • Signposted as the Starbucks Terrace
  • Bar, seating, and plenty of open-air space
  • Free to use without a purchase
 

Terminal 2

  • Open-air terrace after security, with a bar
  • Near the McDonald's, between T2B and T2C
  • Reachable from the neighbouring gate areas
  • A newer facility than the T1 terrace
  • Outdoor landside areas are the reliable fallback

Terminal Transfer Note

T1 and T2 are separate buildings connected by a free shuttle bus that departs every few minutes, with a journey time of roughly 10–15 minutes. There is no airside link between them, so you can't use the T1 terrace if you're flying from T2, or the other way around.

Can You Smoke During a Layover at Barcelona Airport?

Yes — and at BCN it's easier than at most airports, because you usually don't need to leave the secure area at all. If your connection keeps you in the same terminal, simply head to the airside terrace. Leaving the terminal only becomes necessary if the terrace is closed or you want a longer break outside.

 

Under 2 Hours

Stay Airside

Don't leave the secure area. Use the open-air terrace in your terminal instead — that's the whole advantage of connecting through Barcelona.

Recommendation

Head straight to the terrace near the McDonald's, then back towards your gate.

 

2–4 Hours

Relax on the Terrace

Comfortable timing. You can sit on the terrace with a coffee and still have time for shopping or a proper meal before boarding.

Recommendation

Stay inside the secure area; there's no real reason to exit and be screened again.

 

Over 4 Hours

Plenty of Time

Long enough to leave the terminal if your travel documents allow entry to Spain — or to spend the wait comfortably between the terrace and a lounge.

Recommendation

Keep checking the screens for your gate, which is sometimes announced late at BCN.

Transit Tip

If you're flying on separate tickets or changing between T1 and T2, you'll need to collect your baggage, take the shuttle bus, and check in again. Factor that in before planning a break.

Can You Vape at Barcelona Airport?

Many travelers assume vaping is treated differently from smoking, but that isn't the case at BCN. E-cigarettes, disposable vapes, and refillable devices fall under the same restrictions: no use inside the terminal buildings, including gates, lounges, restaurants, and restrooms.

If you want to vape, use the open-air terrace after security or the outdoor areas in front of the terminals. That's the simplest way to stay within the rules and avoid a conversation with airport staff.

 

Inside the Terminal

Vaping is not permitted in check-in halls, lounges, restaurants, waiting areas, or boarding gates.

 

Open-Air Terraces

The airside terraces in T1 and T2, and the outdoor areas before check-in, are the appropriate places to vape.

 

Carrying Your Vape

Airlines require e-cigarettes and spare batteries to travel in your cabin baggage, never in checked luggage.

E-Liquid and Security

E-liquid counts as a liquid at the security checkpoint. Containers must be no larger than 100 ml and fit inside a single transparent one-litre bag, exactly like your toiletries. Larger bottles bought before your flight should go in your checked baggage instead.

Battery Reminder

Spare lithium batteries must be carried in your hand luggage and protected against short circuits and accidental activation. Airline limits vary, so check your carrier's guidelines before departure.

Can You Use IQOS or Heated Tobacco Products?

IQOS, glo, and similar heated tobacco devices warm tobacco instead of burning it, which leads some travelers to expect different rules. At Barcelona Airport they don't apply: heated tobacco is treated like a conventional cigarette, so use it only in the outdoor areas and on the airside terraces.

 

Indoor Use

Using IQOS or similar devices inside the terminal buildings is prohibited.

 

Airport Policy

Staff apply the same smoking rules to heated tobacco as they do to cigarettes and vapes.

 

Best Practice

When in doubt, step onto the terrace — it works for every type of device.

Did You Know?

Spain has been working on stricter tobacco legislation that could extend restrictions to certain outdoor spaces and place vaping devices fully on a par with cigarettes. Rules may tighten over time, so it's worth checking the current policy before you travel.

Electronic Cigarettes at BCN: Quick Overview

Here's the summary for anyone traveling with an e-cigarette, vape, or heated tobacco device through Barcelona–El Prat.

 

Allowed vs Not Allowed

Allowed

  • Carrying your device in hand luggage.
  • Using it on the T1 or T2 open-air terrace.
  • Using it outside the terminal buildings.
  • E-liquid in containers of up to 100 ml.

Not Allowed

  • Vaping anywhere inside the terminal.
  • Using a device at the boarding gate.
  • Smoking or vaping in restrooms and lounges.
  • Packing vapes or spare batteries in checked bags.

Tips for Smokers Traveling Through Barcelona Airport

A little preparation makes the airport far more comfortable. Whether you're departing, arriving, or connecting, these practical tips will help you enjoy your break without risking your flight.

 

Follow the Food Outlets

In both terminals the terrace sits beside the McDonald's — the fastest landmark to navigate by.

 

Check Your Terminal First

T1 and T2 are separate buildings. Confirm your terminal on your boarding pass before planning your break.

 

Watch Boarding Times

Gate numbers at BCN are sometimes announced late, so keep an eye on the screens or your airline app while you're on the terrace.

 

Stay Outdoors Only

Smoking indoors is an offence under Spain's tobacco law and can result in a fine — and in restrooms or stairwells it may set off the fire alarm.

 

Dress for the Weather

The terraces are fully outdoors. Barcelona summers get very hot, and winter evenings can be windy — plan accordingly.

 

Check Your Airline Rules

Lighters, vape batteries, and heated tobacco devices are subject to airline-specific carriage rules.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid These Mistakes

  • Leaving the secure area when a terrace is available airside.
  • Assuming you can walk from T2 to the T1 terrace after security.
  • Smoking or vaping inside airport restrooms.
  • Packing vapes or spare batteries in checked baggage.
  • Bringing e-liquid bottles larger than 100 ml through security.
  • Losing track of your boarding time while relaxing on the terrace.

Make Your Airport Experience More Comfortable

If you'd rather spend less time queuing and more time relaxing before your flight, premium airport services make the journey through BCN much smoother.

 

Enjoy a Stress-Free Departure

Airport lounge access gives you a quiet place to relax, eat, and work before boarding. Meet & Greet service adds personal assistance from the kerbside to the gate, which is especially useful in a terminal as busy as T1.

If you're flying from Barcelona–El Prat, these services help you save time and travel more comfortably, particularly during the peak summer season.

View Barcelona Airport Services

Before You Fly

Finding a Barcelona Airport smoking area is refreshingly simple. In Terminal 1, turn right after security and follow the signs to the Starbucks Terrace beside the McDonald's. In Terminal 2, look for the open-air terrace near the McDonald's between the B and C sections. Before check-in and after arrival, use the outdoor areas in front of the terminals. Vapes and IQOS follow exactly the same rules — outdoors only. Plan a few extra minutes, keep an eye on your gate, and BCN becomes one of the easiest airports in Europe to fly through as a smoker.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Barcelona–El Prat has open-air smoking terraces after security in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, plus the outdoor areas in front of the terminal buildings. There are no enclosed indoor smoking cabins anywhere at the airport.

After check-in and security control, turn right and follow the food court. The large open-air terrace sits beside the McDonald's and is signposted as the Starbucks Terrace. It has seating and a bar, and it's free to use without buying anything.

Yes. Travelers report an open-air terrace with a bar after the security check, located near the McDonald's roughly between the T2B and T2C sections. You can also smoke outside the building before check-in or after arrival.

Yes, and this is what makes BCN unusual among large European airports. Both terminals have airside terraces, so you don't need to leave the secure area or go through screening again.

Yes. The T1 terrace is shared with two outlets, and the T2 terrace also has its own bar, so you can have a coffee or a drink while you wait. Sitting on the terrace does not require a purchase.

No. E-cigarettes and vape devices are subject to the same restrictions as cigarettes and should only be used on the open-air terraces or outside the terminal buildings.

Yes, but only outdoors. Heated tobacco devices such as IQOS and glo follow the same rules as conventional cigarettes, so use them on the terrace or outside the terminal.

Yes, within the standard liquid rules. Each container must be no more than 100 ml and all of them must fit into one transparent, resealable one-litre bag. Larger bottles belong in your checked baggage.

No. The two terminals are separate buildings with no airside connection. Moving between them means leaving the secure area and taking the free shuttle bus, which adds roughly 10–15 minutes plus another security check.

No. Lounges at Barcelona Airport are indoor spaces and therefore non-smoking. A practical routine is to relax in the lounge and step out to the terrace when you want a break.

Staff will ask you to stop, and smoking in a prohibited area is a sanctionable offence under Spanish tobacco law, so a fine is possible. In restrooms or stairwells there's the added risk of triggering the fire alarm.

Airport facilities and national tobacco regulations can change. Check the official Barcelona–El Prat information before your trip, or ask a member of airport staff to point you to the nearest smoking area.