Parking has been regulated for a long time, more often to prohibit or restrict its use on public roads than to organize it…
A Little History
The regulation of the public domain has not always only concerned the “wheel” and the “cart” since at one time sedan chairs also fell under the regulations prohibiting their parking in front of buildings, in order that they do not obstruct circulation. Only the sticks of the said chairs can be left on the public road, in front of the houses and mansions, which will give rise to the expression still used today “Leading a life of sticks of chairs”.
Only Cash
Inevitably, parking in Porto is a challenge. If some streets are free in the city center, you have to go ahead and hope to find a place, that is to say very early in the morning. And as you are here for the holidays, getting up at dawn without the guarantee of finding a place is not necessarily the good plan of the century.
In Portugal in general, I advise you to provide money. Generally at checkout, credit cards are not accepted.
Number of car parks: around 17
Average price: between 15 and 30 euros / day
Access: Some car parks have some quirks of traffic, so avoid unnecessary complications. Others are very narrow: watch the wheels. Privilege recent parking.
Tip: Park in a slightly more remote area, close to public transport. Porto is not very big and can be easily visited on foot. For example, leave your vehicle on the side of the municipality of Vila Nova de Gaia and join the city center by taking the bridge Dom Luis, or park near metro stations outside the city.
