Are you in Madrid and want to park without spending a euro? You're in the right place. In ForMadridLovers we tell you all the places where you can park for free. Let's get to it!
Where to park your car in Madrid
Parking in Madrid can be a challenge because the City Council is implementing all kinds of regulations to discourage the use of private vehicles and encourage the use of public transport.
However, there are still some options where you can park your car in Madrid.
Free parking in Madrid
Madrid has 25 park-and-ride lots (and about 70 in the region or Autonomous Community) open to the public (most of them free of charge). They are the best option to avoid driving into the city centre with your car. Instead, you can park there and use public transport.
You will avoid the hustle and bustle of traffic jams, getting lost and spending a fortune on a paid parking or for a fine.
Currently there are 3 main free car parks:
- Las Tablas-Telefónica. 485 car spaces. Public transport fare zone: A. Free.
- Nuestra Señora del Recuerdo. 819 spaces (cars, motorhomes and campervans). Free (on working days from Monday to Friday, from 06:00 to 21:30. Minimum 4 hours and maximum 16 hours) for users who combine the use of this car park with the use of public transport in the city of Madrid (it is necessary to have a monthly season ticket, single ticket or 10-trip Metrobus).
- Avenida de Portugal. 432 spaces (cars, motorhomes and caravans). Free of charge (on working days from Monday to Friday, from 06:00 to 21:30. Minimum 4 hours and maximum 16 hours) for users who combine the use of this car park with the use of public transport in the city of Madrid (monthly season ticket, single ticket or 10-trip Metrobus ticket required).
Parking on the street
Sure, you can park your car on the street. But...
- Paid parking applies to the centre of Madrid. Read the "Zones and meters" section below for more information.
- Madrid Central has limited access to private vehicles. Read the "What is Madrid Central" section below for more information.
Parking zones and meters
All on-street parking in Madrid is regulated by zones (also called Servicio de Estacionamiento Regulado or SER ). There are painted blue or green dotted lines on the side of the road where parking is available.
- Blue. As a visitor, you have priority over these spaces and may stay for a maximum of 4 hours. Residents are subject to the same parking restrictions in these lots and must pay the same rates.
- Green. Residents who have paid the annual fee have priority over these spaces and are allowed to park here without time restrictions. As a visitor you may park here for a maximum of 2 hours.
Opening hours of these zones:
- Monday to Friday: 09:00 to 21:00
- Saturdays: 09:00 to 15:00
- Sundays and public holidays: no service
- August: Monday to Saturday: 9:00 to 15:00
You can find parking meters everywhere in the regulated parking zones. This is where you must buy your ticket. Once you have it, place it in a visible area on the dashboard of your car.
You can pay with coins. Be aware that the meters do not accept bills or provide change. You must have exact change. Unfortunately, most stores do not provide change when asked, so be sure to have plenty of coins with you.
