For the sake of this blog I am not going to talk about a variety of cities, not just Cádiz capital. 

When I was growing up, paid parking was a rare and exotic concept here in the province of Cádiz. If there was an open space then you parked. The only thing you had to look out for was that yellow line which meant NO PARKING or be towed. In most cases the line was barely visible or there were only patches of it left from the last time they painted it.

Now, parking has become even more stressful wherever you go. There seems to be a rainbow of colors painted on every paved street leaving you to decipher what each one means, making it a fun game of will I be towed or fined today? 

Don not worry, it is not just you who feels like the rulers are a little crazy. The Spanish government has had to set up websites (https://zonaazul.city/) explaining what each zone means and what they mean in each city, as they are different, although the page is in Spanish. 

Each city in Spain regulates its blue and green zones separately, depending on the cities they have a different hourly cost and distinct lengths of time allotted to parking in that space. Some cities also have orange and red zones as well, which also have their own prices and purposes.

Let us see if we can make sense of it all to make life a little easier next time you are out and about in town or visiting a different city. 

What Are The Different Zones?

The different parking zones are divided by color and organize drivers by non-resident, resident, fast park and no park zones.

White Zones

This is the best zone and in high demand as it is FREE

Yellow Zones

Yellow zones are to be avoided as they are DO NOT PARK zones

Blue Zones

The blue zones are meant “only” for visitors or non-residents, and the time limit varies depending on each city, but normally you can park in that spot for about 3-4 hours approx.

Green Zones

Green areas are for residents and they have no time limit. Depending on the city/town, they can be mixed (for residents and non-residents) or ONLY for residents.

If non-residents are allowed to park in these zones, it is with time restrictions normally around 2 hours approx. 

Green zones are usually the most expensive of the zones for non-residents. This zone was created to help keep spots open for local residents.

Orange Zones

These zones’ main objectives are to allow parking for residents in areas where there is very little parking. Depending on the city/town, these zones are for resident only or are mixed (can be used by resident and visitors). The time limit one can park in this zone varies depending on the city as well. 

Blue and White Zone

These zones are mostly found around government buildings and are meant for parking spots with a high turnover rate. Both residents and nonresidents can use these. The maximum parking period is 45 minutes and they are even more expensive than the green zone.

Confused yet?! lol I got stuck with a few multas or fines before I learned my lesson and started looking up each zone for each town I was in.

Zones By City – Street Parking

So, to save you the headache, here is a breakdown of the zones by our local cities/towns.

Sanlúcar de Barrameda

At this moment in time, based on everything on the internet, Sanlúcar  de Barrameda does not have a blue, orange or green zone. They have parking lots to park ones car. This however will change in the next year or two. 

Rota

Rota has an extra color zone which is the purple zone that is only active during the summer months of July and August, for residence and non-residence. The city of Rota has implemented this new zone in order to discourage ‘Gorillas’ (see below for explanation of Gorilla) from asking for money.

The blue zone (rotation –  max 3 hrs parking time):

Monday – Friday

9:00 a.m. to 14:00 p.m. 

17:00 p.m. to 20:00 p.m. 

Saturdays

9:00 a.m. to 14:00 p.m. 

Sundays and holidays parking is FREE

The green and the orange zone (For residents and nonresidents)

10:00 a.m. to 20:00 p.m. every day (including holidays). 

The purple zone

July on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and 1st-31st of August. (operates 24 hours )

If you are interested in applying for a resident parking card you can do so here.

El Puerto de Santa María

The blue zone (rotation –  max 3 hrs parking time):

Monday – Friday

9:00 a.m. to 14:00 p.m. 

17:00 p.m. to 20:00 p.m. 

Saturdays

9:00 a.m. to 14:00 p.m. 

Sundays and holidays parking is FREE

The price for Blue zones are 0,70 € an hour

The Orange Zone

Is only enforced in the summer months and runs typically from June to September

Monday to Sunday (including holidays):

11:00 a.m. to 19:00 p.m. 

If you are interested in applying for a bono parking card, the steps to do so can be found here.

Cádiz

Cádiz has two blue zones

The blue zone  (zone 1)  (rotation –  max 3 hrs parking time ):

Monday – Friday:

9:30 a.m. to 14:00 p.m. 

17:00 p.m. to 20:30 p.m.

Saturday: 

9:30 a.m. to 14:00 p.m.

Sundays and holidays parking is FREE

The blue zone (zone 2) (rotation –  max 3 hrs parking time ):

Monday to Friday: from 9:30 a.m. to 14:00 p.m.

Saturdays, Sundays and holidays parking is FREE

The price for Blue zones are 1,00 € an hour

The orange zone (mixed: residents and non-residents):

Monday to Sunday (including holidays):

9:30 a.m. to 21:00 p.m.

The price for Orange zones are 1,20€ an hour

The green zone – ONLY RESIDENTS CAN PARK HERE :

24 hours every day of the year. – DO NOT PARK YOU WILL BE FINED AND POSSIBLY TOWED

Jerez de la Frontera

The city of Jerez went for a more simplified approach, gave the Blue, Orange and Green zones all have the same hours:

Monday – Friday:

9:00/9:30 a.m. to 13:30 p.m. 

17:00 p.m. to 20:00 p.m.

Monday – Friday:

9:30 a.m. to 13:30 p.m. (July and August)

Saturday: 

9:30 a.m. to 14:00 p.m.

Sundays and holidays parking is FREE

Blue Zone: 

Max parking time is 2 hour 

The Price is:

1 hour y 2 min.: 0,80 €

2 horas (máx): 1,55 €

Orange Zone

Max parking time is 1 hour 

The Price is:

37 min: 0,50 €

1 hour (máx): 0,80 €

Green Zone

Max parking time is 5 hour 

The Price is:

2 hours: 1,55 €

5 hour (máx): 2,55 €

If you are unsure what the rules are in a certain zones, the easiest and simplest way to find out is to look for a sign or a parking meter. If the parking meter does not have the price and timed displayed, press the green check button, and normally the screen will display the rules and regulations for that parking.

Also please keep in mind that some parking meters do not take a card only coins which can make for a very annoying parking experience. As you can see in the picture below this parking meter in Jerez de la Frontera DOES NOT take cards only monedas or coins.

The Apps

These are a game changer! When the apps were first implemented I felt like all of my issues in and around parking had been solved. These online applications have made life way easier. 

If you do not use the apps then the means of payment are either by card or by coin. This is why I have found downloading the apps can be the best and fastest solution especially if you are in a rush.

Now, it would be way too easy for there to be one app that fits them all but alas this is not the case. It is not as straightforward as it should be and almost every town has its own app, but believe despite the lack of unity they are still way BETTER. 

I have found these 3 apps to be the most useful and easy to use. All that is required is your license plate and your credit card information and wallah, hopefully you will never have to deal with the  parking meter again. 

If you are not sure of which app is appropriate the parking meter usually displays a sticker of the app needed for that area.

City apps I use:

• 1. EASY PARK – JEREZ

• 2. APPARKYA – ROTA

• 3. TEPARK – CÁDIZ

‘Gorrillas’

We cannot talk about street parking without talking about Gorillas. 

What and who are Gorrillas?

 These are people, usually men, who hang out in parking lots or along areas of street parking, and upon seeing your car yell “¡Eh, aquí!”, ‘hey over here!’, as they intensely wave for you to park in the open parking spot that they have ‘found’ for you. After parking they wait ‘patiently’ for you to get out of your car and pay them for their help.

Do you have to pay them? 

No, you do not. Unless there is an established kiosk, a pay station or a painted zones, the parking is normally FREE. 

Should you pay them?

Well, that is up to you.  Personally if I have .50€ to a 1€ and I am feeling generous I will give it to them, especially if I am greeted with a smile. I like to think of it as a tip for finding a parking spot and helping me park (Despite the fact I am completely capable of doing it on my own).

 However, if you don’t have change or you don’t want to pay them, then don’t. It is a completely voluntary task that is up to you.

Many times I do not have change and I will tell them. ‘No tengo cambio’ and they will walk away. 

This completes my parking blog. If you have any parking questions or any extra information to add please let me know in the comment section below.