Exploring a new city destination can be hard work if you have to go everywhere on foot, and relying on public transport means your visit can be a little overcrowded, writes Travel Editor Jim Walsh.

Perhaps that’s why a new concept, pioneered by GoCar in the lively Catalan capital Barcelona, has created such interest. You literally explore by a powered three-wheeler, featuring a GPS guided audio tour around the city’s famous landmarks, complete with clear directions and running commentary throughout your journey.

It means tourists can put their foot down – but don’t expect supercar performance – and move steadily past Gaudi’s masterpieces or surfers on the beach. This gives you a glimpse of modernism and the Mediterranean at a pace which means you can see all you want on a carefully planned journey of discovery.

“Spain is perfect for GoCar,” says Damien Harris, GoCar’s European director. “Both the climate, and the amazing architecture make this a memorable experience. The fact that I was already living here also helped to get things started.”

The hills of San Francisco provided the first testing ground for GoCars, soon followed by Miami and San Diego. In Barcelona more than 10,000 tourists have tried the GoCar city tour since it launched last summer. The service is also available in Lisbon with a second Spanish city – Valencia – about to launch in partnership with Cooltra, a leader in scooter rental tours in Spain and elsewhere in Europe.

Sitting behind the wheel of a cute little car and finding your way around a foreign city certainly appeals. But with a top speed of 50km and powered by a 50cc motorcycle engine, you soon realise this car is no match for boy racer’s cars – but safety comes first.

Cautious types might want to see where they stand with their travel insurance before they hop aboard, and GoCar asks all customers to sign a disclaimer – which means any large claims are unlikely to land on its shoulders.

“I’m pleased to say that in nearly five years of operation in the USA, and after our first year in Europe, no customer has ever been injured,” says Damien Harris.

“GoCar has a far broader appeal than I would have imagined. Lots of couples are happy to try the GoCar experience. And for groups, particularly stag and hen parties, we can’t be beaten.”

The cars are custom-built in Holland at a cost of just under £5,000, and buoyant Barcelona has already built up a fleet of 30.

“Valencia, a very Spanish city which tourists are beginning to discover with budget airline flights, was an obvious second step, especially with our partners Cooltra Motos.

“We’re also looking closely at Seville and Palma. Both could be very interesting,” he added.