Parking in a Spanish City
Find a spot, read the zones, pay the meter and deal with fines and tow trucks in a Spanish city.
Street parking in Spanish city centres is regulated: blue zones are paid for anyone, green zones are mainly for residents, and a vado sign means a garage entrance you must keep clear. You pay at the parquímetro or with an app, and parking badly can mean a fine or the grúa towing your car. The cards follow a Saturday drive into central Madrid with a local friend.
- 1
¿Puedo aparcar aquí?
Can I park here?
- 2
Primero mira bien la señal.
Read the sign carefully first.
- 3
Es zona azul, hay que pagar.
It's a blue zone, you have to pay.
- 4
La zona verde es solo para residentes.
The green zone is only for residents.
- 5
¿Dónde está el parquímetro?
Where's the parking meter?
- 6
Lo pago con la app del móvil.
I'll pay with the app on my phone.
- 7
¿Cuánto tiempo puedo dejar el coche?
How long can I leave the car?
- 8
No aparques delante del vado.
Don't park in front of the garage entrance.
- 9
Llevo veinte minutos dando vueltas.
I've been driving around for twenty minutes.
- 10
¡Ahí hay un sitio!
There's a spot over there!
- 11
Es muy pequeño, no quepo.
It's too small, I won't fit.
- 12
¿Me vas guiando mientras doy marcha atrás?
Can you guide me while I reverse?
- 13
Me han puesto una multa.
I've got a parking ticket.
- 14
¡Se ha llevado la grúa mi coche!
The tow truck has taken my car!
- 15
Perdona, ¿te vas?
Excuse me, are you leaving?
- 16
Aquí no se puede aparcar en doble fila.
You can't double-park here.
- 17
En el parking subterráneo sale más barato.
It's cheaper in the underground car park.
- 18
¿Puedes mover el coche? Me has dejado encerrado.
Can you move your car? You've blocked me in.
- 19
Los domingos no se paga.
You don't pay on Sundays.
- 20
Vuelvo en cinco minutos.
I'll be back in five minutes.