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Lisbon parking: A practical guide to park in the capital city

Planning a getaway to Lisbon? Visiting the Portuguese capital city is always a great idea – whether to enjoy the summer days in its beaches, visit its beautiful palaces and museums, or simply wander through the streets. Lisbon is a vibrant city, full of things to see and do. However, when you think about the traffic and the parking difficulties in the city, it’s perfectly natural to have some doubts. Parking in Lisbon, especially in the city centre, can be quite a challenge. To help you avoid complications, Guerin has put together a practical guide with everything you need to know about Lisbon parking.

Lisbon parking fees

In Lisbon, public car parking is managed by EMEL (Empresa Municipal de Mobilidade e Estacionamento de Lisboa) - the city’s official mobility and parking authority. This entity is responsible for setting parking zones and its fees, operating various car parks across the city and enforcing parking rules, including issuing fines.

Lisbon parking fees vary depending on the location, traffic levels, and parking demand:

Green Zone: Found in areas further from the city centre, where parking pressure is lower. Fees are €0.80/hour, with a maximum parking time of 4 hours.
Yellow Zone: These are busier areas with higher traffic and more demand for parking. The fee is €1.20/hour, with a 4-hour parking limit.
Red Zone: Located in high-traffic areas, such as near Parque Eduardo VII or Cais do Sodré, where parking demand is very high. The fee is €1.60/hour, and you can only park for up to 2 hours.
Brown Zone: This applies to the historic centre, including areas like Alfama and Avenida da Liberdade. It is the most expensive zone, at €2.00/hour, with a strict 2-hour time limit. This zone also has the highest level of enforcement.

In some Green and Yellow Zones, you can buy a daily, parking ticket which allows you to park all day at a fixed cost. These areas are identified on vertical signs and are generally located in non-residential zones, where parking demand is moderate. The cost for a daily ticket is €2 in the Green Zone and €3 in the Yellow Zone.

Lisbon parking Apps

To make the Lisbon parking experience easier, there are several mobile apps that can help. These apps simplify payment and allow you to monitor and manage your parking remotely, saving you both time and stress. Guerin recommends the following options:

ePark EMEL App: EMEL’s official app, which allows you to start, extend or end parking, check the remaining time and find EMEL car parks across the city.
Via Verde App: The Via Verde app can be used not only in Lisbon, but also in various other locations across Portugal. This app allows you to manage parking for multiple vehicles simultaneously.

Car parks in Lisbon

If you need to park your car for a long time, the underground and private car parks are the best option for you. In these car parks, you don’t have to worry about time limits or parking fines. Besides, most of these are monitored and the access is controlled, offering greater security for your car.

Lisbon has lots of underground car parks throughout the city, so it should be easy for you to find one available. Here are some options:

Further form the city centre: Parque Combatentes; Parque Campo de Ourique; Parque Telheiras Poente
In the city centre: Parque Baixa-Chiado; Parque Sousa Pinto; Parque Camões

Tips to avoid parking fines

Driving and parking in Lisbon requires extra attention. Enforcement is tight, especially in central areas, so it’s important to always stay alert, in order to avoid unnecessary fines. Here are some tips to help you steer clear of parking violations.

Avoid parking in prohibited areas

Never park on pavements, pedestrian crossings, corners or double park. These actions not only cause serious disruptions for other drivers and pedestrians, but they can also result in heavy fines. Always pay close attention to the signs and, if you’re ever in doubt, it’s best to find another spot than risk a penalty.

Pay your parking fines as soon as possible

Forgot to renew your parking time or left your car in a prohibited place? It’s best to pay these fines as soon as possible – early payment often reduces the value of the fine.

Park on the outskirts and use public transport

This is the best way to avoid parking fines, traffic jams and parking stress. Park on the outskirts of the city and take public transport to the centre. Lisbon has excellent public transport network with good connections to several car parks.

Explore Lisbon at your own pace with Guerin

With Guerin’s 100% digital rental process, hiring a car for your trip has never been easier. From choosing your vehicle to returning it, everything is done digitally and independently.

If you’re visiting Lisbon with your family, we recommend adding the Premium Road Assistance complementary product to your booking. It offers you extra peace of mind so you can enjoy the city without any worries. Book online today and discover Lisbon at your own pace with Guerin.

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