Planning to come to Porto? You’d be right. And to avoid parking headaches, here’s our complete guide to cheap parking and traffic rules in Porto.
Plane tickets, accommodation, sightseeing… you’ve finally booked your stay in Porto and you’ve done very well: the unbeaten city has a thousand and one assets to seduce you. But you’re probably wondering how you’re going to park in a city renowned for its difficult parking.
If you’re planning to stay in Porto for more than three days, renting a car or simply taking your own vehicle may be a good way to enjoy the beauties of the city and its surroundings. But cars mean parking, and parking is often a headache, especially in Portugal’s second largest city. Don’t panic, here are our tips to help you find cheap parking in Porto!
Parking in Porto: free street parking
Free parking in Porto is a real challenge, if not mission impossible. While some streets in the city center are free of charge, you have to get there early if you hope to find a space: you have to get there very early in the morning, before Portuguese office hours, between 9 and 10 am. And since you’re here on vacation, getting up at the crack of dawn to find a parking space with no guarantee isn’t necessarily the best plan of the century.
The best way to save money? Park in a slightly more out-of-the-way but often free zone, close to public transport. For example, you can leave your car in the Vila Nova de Gaia district and drive to the city center via the Dom-Luis Bridge, or park near the metro stations on the outskirts of the city.
Photo credit: Flickr – SnippyHolloW
Parking in Porto: paying for street parking
There are a multitude of parking meters in Porto, so if you’re prepared to pay to park in the city center, you should easily find what you’re looking for. However, make sure you have a good view of the pay and display machines, which will give you all the information you need on parking times and rates, because the Portuguese don’t mess around with fines.
Be careful, too, if you decide to park in a residential area: some streets are reserved for residents, and require a resident’s card – cartao de Residente – while other spaces are reserved for embassies, cabs or the police. So even if you don’t speak a word of Portuguese, keep an eye on the signs.
Cheap parking in Porto: paying parking lots
Porto has a multitude of pay parking lots, most of them covered. Prices range from €15 to €30 for the day, with the possibility of staying overnight in some cases, such as the Irmaos Rocha parking lot (€11.70 per night).
Porto’s cheapest parking lots include the Palacio de Cristal, at €12 a day, the Cristal Park at €15 a day, and the Lapa, which offers a bargain rate of €3 for 7 hours’ parking. A great way to save money!
The other tip is to book your Porto parking lot in advance. The advantage of booking online is that you can always cancel without charge, you’re flexible in terms of arrival times, you’re guaranteed a space in a secure, covered parking lot and, above all, you don’t have to worry about the availability of a space. What’s more, booking in advance saves you money.
Cheap parking in Porto: free parking lots
Another pleasant surprise: there are free, covered parking lots in Porto. A little out of the city center, they are nevertheless an economical alternative for parking in Porto.
These include Arrabida Shopping, close to a shopping center, and Edificio América. And for motorhome owners, there’s also the Aparcamiento Autocaravanas.
Main photo credit: Flickr – Clark & Kim Kays