Parking in Madrid

If you have chosen Madrid as your destination for your next vacation or if you are traveling there for business, finding parking in Madrid like in any big city can be complicated.

If you stay at a hotel, it's a good idea to inquire if they have parking facilities. If your hotel has parking, you will save a lot of time searching for a spot and it will be much more convenient for you to move around during your stay in the city.

Hotels with parking handle their rates in different ways. Sometimes it's already included when you pay for your stay, but other times you may have to pay an extra fee. Therefore, it's important to inquire in advance to avoid possible unexpected charges or not finding space to park your car.

The price of parking in Madrid can be very expensive, but it is possible to find more economical options. The important thing is to plan ahead to find the best deals. Additionally, you can use online booking platforms like Parkimeter that will help you find parking in Madrid quickly.

Something important to consider is that due to the levels of atmospheric pollution, the Madrid City Council usually restricts traffic whenever maximum levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are exceeded. So, before your trip to the capital, we advise you to find out if one of the pollution control scenarios has been activated. The restricted area is commonly called Madrid Central as it comprises the entire center of Madrid.

Parking in Madrid at a Public Parking Lot

Madrid offers a wide range of public parking lots at your disposal. If you want to leave your car in a parking lot close to where you're staying, Parkimeter's search engine provides a map where you can locate the one that suits you best. However, it's not easy to find parking near highly touristy places like the Retiro Park, Plaza España, or Plaza Mayor.

That's why we recommend making a prior reservation with Parkimeter, especially if you're looking for parking in the center of Madrid or near Madrid Atocha Station.

Parking in the Center of Madrid

Madrid is the largest city in Spain and also its capital. If you're visiting or planning a weekend in Madrid with your car (whether for tourism or business), it's important to know that finding parking in Madrid is not easy, especially if you're not familiar with the city, its streets, traffic rules, and restrictions.

To avoid any inconvenience that could jeopardize your stay in this elegant city, such as fines or the inability to find parking, we'll give you some recommendations on where to park in the center of Madrid, the most convenient central neighborhoods for getting around the city, and the main tourist spots you can explore on foot.

Access and Circulation in Madrid Central

This is the first thing you need to know if you're going to drive around the city of Madrid. Madrid Central is an extensive 480-hectare area where traffic is restricted. In these areas, pedestrian circulation is favored, as well as bicycles, scooters, and public transportation. To drive and park in the Madrid Central area, residents of the area will have priority, as well as people with reduced mobility or public service and professional vehicles. However, to drive in Madrid Central, you must have an environmental distinctive badge issued by the DGT, which determines your vehicle's environmental impact.

Parking in a Public Car Park in Central Madrid

The Centro district of Madrid corresponds to its historic center: multicultural, popular, and elegant. Parking in a public car park in the Centro district is undoubtedly the best choice you can make if you want to visit the city with total comfort. From here, you can choose how you want to move to reach more distant places of interest (the metro service is excellent, and you will find countless stations here).

However, if you want to stay in the center, you'll find interesting places such as Gran Vía, Puerta del Sol, or Plaza Mayor. If you park in a car park in central Madrid, you can visit the traditional Malasaña neighborhood on foot and immerse yourself in a lively district with bars, ateliers, and second-hand shops.

Parking in a Public Car Park in the Chamberi District

The Chamberí district is what is known as the central core of Madrid. It is made up of the neighborhoods of Gaztambide, Arapiles, Trafalgar, Almagro, Ríos Rosas, and Vallehermoso. These are residential neighborhoods with grocery stores, food shops, and bars where you can enjoy a well-poured beer and some tapas.

Unlike central Madrid, this area is more authentic and will give you the feeling of being in a small town. This can be the perfect choice for visiting the city, as you'll experience a sense of calm and tranquility after spending a day in the bustling and trendy center of Madrid.

If you've chosen to stay in this neighborhood or have decided it will be your strategic starting point for your visit to the city, we recommend that you reserve a parking spot in a public car park in Chamberí to secure your parking space in Madrid.

Street Parking in Central Madrid

Finding street parking in Madrid is not an easy task, especially in the center. In central Madrid, there are two zones where you can park, the blue zone and the green zone: these areas are paid from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 21:00, on Saturdays from 9:00 to 15:00, while on Sundays, parking is free.

If you want to avoid paying high fees, keep in mind that this type of parking has a time limit. Therefore, it's suitable for short stops but not ideal for sightseeing.

Airport Parking in Madrid - Barajas

Located in the northeast of Madrid, in the district of Barajas, 12 kilometers from the city center, Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport has four terminals and is the largest Spanish airport in terms of passenger and cargo traffic. If you are looking for parking at the Madrid Airport to reach any of its terminals, the Parkimeter platform offers various alternatives at very competitive prices.

Atocha and Madrid - Chamartín Stations (Cercanías, AVE) and South Bus Station

If you are a frequent passenger of Cercanías trains or AVE, Parkimeter offers parking options just two minutes walk from the Atocha Station. The Madrid - Chamartín Station provides long and medium-distance connections to almost anywhere in the country. Some connections to the north are only available from that station, so if your destination is in the northern part of the peninsula, you may have to go through there. Currently, there is a project underway to connect both stations so that high-speed trains also stop at Chamartín, not only at Atocha as it currently happens.

For those who prefer the convenience and convenience of buses, the **South Bus Station** can be found on Méndez Álvaro Street, and it is the most important long-distance bus station in the city. Also known as Méndez Álvaro Station, it is the busiest hub for bus traffic in the capital. From there, you will find buses that travel to numerous towns throughout the country, which is the most economical option and often the preferred choice for those not traveling to major cities.

Long-stay Parking in Madrid

If you are planning to stay in Madrid for a few weeks, you may prefer to find **long-stay parking in Madrid**, also known as **low-cost parking or park and ride**. This option is highly recommended if you have decided not to use your car frequently since, if it is not a nearby parking, you may end up spending the difference on public transportation.

The 21 Districts of Madrid

The city of Madrid is divided into 21 districts: Fuencarral-El Pardo, Moncloa-Aravaca, Tetuán, Hortaleza, Chamartín, Ciudad Lineal, Chamberí, Barrio de Salamanca, San Blas, Barajas, Centro, Retiro, Arganzuela, Moratalaz, Villaverde, Usera, Latina, Carabanchel, Vicálvaro, Puente de Vallecas, and Villa de Vallecas. Among these, Chamberí and the Centro are the most challenging areas to find parking in Madrid.

Calle de Alcalá

This is one of the longest streets in Madrid, built during the times of Charles III. The Calle de Alcalá starts at Puerta del Sol, right in the heart of Madrid, and extends east-northeast through the city. Along its route, you'll find several tourist attractions, such as the Cibeles Fountain and the Puerta de Alcalá, as well as many shops and stores to suit all tastes. The name of this street comes from its historical function of connecting the city of Madrid with Alcalá de Henares, one of the municipalities in the eastern area, and also with Aragon.

The Markets of Madrid

The concept of "market," once associated with street and neighborhood markets, is becoming increasingly trendy. Among the best markets in Madrid that you should visit at least once in your life are: the Mercado de San Miguel, located in the heart of the city; the Mercado de San Antón in the Chueca neighborhood, and the Mercado de San Ildefonso, situated on the cosmopolitan Fuencarral street. In these markets, you'll find bars where you can have a vermouth or a beer and enjoy the best tapas.