Are you planning to come to Porto? You're right. And to avoid parking anxiety, here is our comprehensive guide to cheap car parks and traffic rules of Porto.
Flight tickets, accommodation, visits... you finally booked your stay in Porto and you did very well: the undefeated city has a thousand and an asset to seduce you. But you probably wonder how you will be able to park in a city renowned for its difficult parking spaces.
If you have planned to stay more than three days on Porto, rent a car or simply go with your vehicle may be a good solution to enjoy the beauties of the city and its surroundings. But who says car says parking, and who says parking often says puzzles, especially in the second largest city of Portugal. No panic, here are our tips to help you park in cheap car parks in Porto!
Parking in Porto: park for free in the street
To park for free in Porto is like a real challenge, or even an impossible mission. If some streets are free in the city centre, you have to go ahead and hope to find a place: you have to come early in the morning, before the Portuguese office hours, between 9 and 10 a.m. And as you are here for the holidays, getting up at the dawn to find a place without warranty is not necessarily the right plan of the century.
The right solution to save money? Parking in a slightly more excavated area but often free, near public transport. For example, you can leave your vehicle on the side of the town of Vila Nova de Gaia and reach the city center by borrowing the Pont Dom-Luis or park near metro stations outside the city.
Find a parking in Porto
Photo credit: Flickr – SnippyHolloW
Parking in Porto: pay to park in the street
There is a multitude of times in the city of Porto, so if you are willing to pay to park in the city centre, you will easily find your happiness. However, be careful to have in sight the timekeepers, who will give all the necessary information on the schedules and parking rates, because the Portuguese do not laugh with the fines.
Pay attention if you decide to park in a residential area: some streets are reserved for residents, and require a resident map – cartao de Residente – while other locations are reserved for embassies, taxis or police. So even if you don't speak a Portuguese word, keep an eye on the panels.
Find a parking in Porto
Cheap car park in Porto: paid parking
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Map and prices of parking in Porto
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There are a multitude of paid parking lots in Porto, mostly covered. In terms of rates, the price ranges between 15 and 30€ for the day, with for some the possibility to stay at night like the parking Irmaos Rocha (11,70€ per night).
For the cheapest car parks in Porto, we find the Palacio de Cristal, at 12€ per day, the Cristal Park at 15€ per day or the Lapa, which offers the advantageous rate of 3€ for 7 hours of parking. What to save!
The other trick is to book your car park upstream on Porto. The advantage is that by booking online, you will always be able to cancel without charge, you are flexible in terms of arrival, you have a guaranteed place in a covered and secure car park and, above all, you no longer have to take the head as to the availability of a place. In addition, booking upstream allows you to save.
Find a parking in Porto
Cheap car park in Porto: free parking
Another good surprise: there are free and covered parking spaces in Porto. A bit excentrated from the city centre, they are nevertheless an economic alternative to park in Porto.
Among them are the Arrabida Shopping, close to a shopping centre or the Edificio América. And for camper owners there is also the Aparcamiento Autocaravanas.
Main photo credit: Flickr – Clark ' Kim Kays
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