Parking in Benidorm: Where to Park for Free and How to Avoid Fines? A Complete Guide
Benidorm, with its forests of skyscrapers and the narrow streets of the Old Town, is a logistical challenge for every driver. Finding a free spot during peak season can be harder than snagging a first-row sunbed on Levante Beach. However, with a bit of knowledge and understanding of local rules, parking in Benidorm doesn’t have to end in a fine.
In this guide, you will learn what the colored lines on the road mean, where the hidden free car parks are located, and how to use modern mobile apps.
1. The Color Alphabet: What do the road lines mean?
Before you leave your car, look at the asphalt. In Benidorm, the color of the lines under your wheels tells you everything about the price and the allowed parking time.
White lines: The “Holy Grail” for drivers. These indicate free parking spaces with no time limit. They are nearly impossible to find in the center, but worth looking for in residential districts.
Blue lines (Zona Azul): Paid parking with a time limit (usually up to 2 hours). This applies mainly during working hours (9:00 AM – 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM). On Sundays and public holidays, parking in the blue zone is usually free (always check the sticker on the parking meter!).
Yellow lines: Absolute parking ban. Often indicates garage entrances (VADO) or loading zones. Ignoring a yellow line almost guarantees your car will be towed away.
Green and Orange lines: Zones intended primarily for residents. As a tourist, you can park there, but the rates are significantly higher than in the blue zone, and the allowed stay is very short.
2. Where to park for free? Peripheral Car Parks (Dissuasorios)
To combat traffic jams, the Benidorm authorities have prepared several large, free public car parks on the outskirts of the center. They are marked as “Aparcamientos Dissuasorios”.
Avenida de Beniardá: One of the largest free car parks, located at the entrance to the city from the AP-7 motorway. It is right next to the TRAM station, from where you can reach the center or neighboring towns in a few minutes.
Mercadillo Area (Wednesday Market): Near the Hotel Pueblo and the open-air markets, there are huge sandy lots. Warning! Do not park here on Tuesday evenings, as a market takes place here on Wednesday mornings and your car will be towed.
Poniente District (Via Parque): Along the wide avenues leading to Poniente Beach (e.g., Avenida de Cuba or Avenida de Paraguay), it is easier to find white lines and free spots, even in the middle of summer.
3. Shopping and Free Parking: Supermarket Car Parks
A little-known trick for those renting apartments: many large supermarkets in Benidorm have their own underground car parks, which can be free for customers.
Mercadona (e.g., near Calle Mercado): This is a great option if you need to run errands in the center. By doing your daily grocery shopping, you can receive a free parking ticket. Usually, spending over 18 € or 20 € grants you 1 to 2 hours of free parking. This is the perfect amount of time to shop and quickly handle a nearby matter.
Other Markets: Similar rules are often applied by the Consum or Hiperber chains. Always keep your receipt and ask the cashier to validate (cancel) your parking ticket before returning to your car.
4. Paid Underground Car Parks: Safety and Convenience
If you don’t want to waste an hour circling the city, choose one of the secure car parks. This is the safest option, especially if you are leaving luggage in the car.
Parking L’Aigüera: Located under the beautiful park in the heart of the city. Ideal if you are heading to the Old Town or the Town Hall.
Parking Ruzafa: Located in the bustling commercial center. Very narrow, so if you have a large SUV, exercise extreme caution.
Prices: On average, an hour of parking costs between 2.00 € and 3.00 €. Many car parks offer daily rates around 20–25 €.
5. How to avoid a fine and what to do if you get one?
The Spanish police (Policía Local) and zone controllers are very thorough.
Apps are essential: Download the Telpark or Flowbird app. These allow you to pay for parking via your phone and—most importantly—extend your parking time without returning to the car.
The Magic Ticket (Anulación de denuncia): If you are a few minutes late and find a fine notice labeled “denuncia” behind your wiper, don’t panic. If you exceeded the time by less than an hour, you can go to the parking meter and pay for a “cancellation” (usually costing around 4.00 €). The machine will issue a receipt, and the fine will be canceled in the system.
6. Practical Tips for Drivers
Fold your mirrors: The streets in Benidorm are extremely narrow. Local cars often have scuffs on their mirrors – you don’t want your rental car to be next.
Watch out for the sun: Parking outside in the summer will cause the car’s interior to heat up to 60 degrees. Try to look for shade or use a sunshade on the front windshield.
Levante Beach is a challenge: Finding a spot directly at Levante Beach is a miracle. It’s better to park a 15-minute walk away and go on foot.
Summary
Parking in Benidorm requires patience and planning. The best strategy is to leave your car in one of the free peripheral lots (Dissuasorios) or cleverly use a shopping trip to Mercadona for a quick stop. However, if you must drive into the center, have the Telpark app installed and always check the color of the lines on the asphalt.
