If you want to see as much of Spain as possible on your travels, then hiring a car from Drivalia is a stress-free way to tour Spain in a comfortable, modern vehicle. Wherever you plan to visit, Drivalia offers great value, all-inclusive car hire in Spain so you can explore the towns and regions you’re staying in. However, just like anywhere else you visit on holiday, Spain has its own unique road rules, that you’ll need to make sure you follow.

Whether you are sight-seeing or visiting towns and cities, there’ll be plenty of places you’ll want to stop so you can take a closer look. So, just what do you need to know about parking in Spain?

Parking in cities

Usually, parking in big towns and cities will require payment for parking. Places where you need to pay for parking are typically indicated with blue paint markings, blue zones and blue ticket machines too. As normal, you should purchase a ticket and display it on the dashboard.

Usually, parking is free on Sundays, from 2 pm on Saturdays and often free between 2 pm and 4 pm between Monday to Friday as this is ‘siesta’ time. However, it is essential to check the signage as this can vary. If you receive a parking fine in a blue zone, you can often cancel the ticket by making a payment at the ticket machine. Usually, you can receive a 50% discount on your fine if you pay immediately.

If you spot other coloured parking zones, these are usually residential parking only. To park in these sections you must be a registered resident and pay the annual fee. If you park here without being a registered resident, then you are likely to receive a fine.

Where not to park

A good rule of thumb is to park near other vehicles so you can have a good idea whether it’s a parking area or not. There are some nuances that you do need to follow other vehicles for. For example, in some areas, for a part of the month, parking is permitted on one side of the road, then changes to the other side for the second half of the month. Use your judgement and if you’re unsure, find a better place to park.

There are some areas where you cannot park, however, which include;

  • Where a kerb is painted yellow
  • Where you see a ‘no through road’ sign
  • In front of dropped kerbs
  • In front of gates and garages
  • Where there are no parking signs – “estacionamiento prohibido”, a large E or a diagonal line.
  • Look out for temporary restrictions sometimes in place too!

That said, many Spanish people will park in questionable areas, such as on pedestrian crossings, corners, even roundabouts.  Double parking is common too. However, with this, you do risk your vehicle being towed. So, don’t follow the advice of locals and instead find a suitable place that is dedicated to parking.

What happens if you’re blocked in?

As double-parking is common, there may be times where you get blocked in. However, usually, the person will be in a local shop. It is wise to ask in the local shops if the motorist is there and they’ll be happy to move and take the place you are vacating. Failing that, speak to a parking attendant before the last resort of calling the police.

Remember, if you’re unsure or have an issue with your vehicle, Drivalia will always be on to help so that your trip is as hassle-free as possible.