Parking in San Sebastian (Donostia) splits cleanly between the OTA blue/orange zones at street level and a ring of 24/7 underground garages around the Parte Vieja and La Concha. Street parking costs 1.85-2.55 EUR/h (~$2.05-$2.85) with strict 2-3 hour limits, while pre-booked garage parking via Parclick runs 12-22 EUR/day (~$13-$25). The single biggest mistake visitors make is paying 27+ EUR/day at the drive-up rate when 17 EUR is one click away.
Donostia uses Spain standard OTA rotational parking system. Color tells you who can park and for how long: blue is short-stay (tourist friendly), orange is medium-stay (resident priority), and red strips around the Parte Vieja are residents-only. Hours and exact rates vary by sector.
| Blue zone (Zona Azul) | 1.85-2.55 EUR/h, max 2-3 hours, pay-and-display |
|---|---|
| Orange zone (Zona Naranja) | 1.30-1.75 EUR/h, max 4-5 hours, resident discount applies |
| Red strips | Residents only, non-residents will be towed |
| Enforcement | Mon-Fri 09:00-20:00, Sat 09:00-14:00, free Sun and holidays |
| Free zones | Areas beyond Anoeta stadium and parts of Egia/Loiola |
The 2026 council expansion added 220 new blue-zone bays around Egia and Loiola, pushing tourist cars further from the centre. If your hotel address ends in those neighbourhoods, factor in OTA fees.
For anything over 4 hours, a garage almost always wins. Pre-booking on Parclick or EasyPark cuts the drive-up rate by 30-50%. The garages below are within 10 minutes walk of the Parte Vieja and La Concha and accept cards.
Right under the beach promenade with a direct exit onto Paseo de la Concha. Convenient for beach days and Parte Vieja visits. 2.95 EUR/h drive-up, 27.50 EUR/day – drops to ~17 EUR/day pre-booked on Parclick.
Underneath the Buen Pastor cathedral, 2 minutes from Plaza del Centenario and 5 minutes from the Parte Vieja. 3.05 EUR/h drive-up with a 28.40 EUR/day cap. Pre-book for ~18 EUR/day.
In the Gros district, a 7-minute walk over the Zurriola bridge to Parte Vieja. 19.50 EUR/day drive-up, 12 EUR/day pre-booked. The best value for multi-day stays if you do not mind a short walk.
Around the Anoeta stadium and city sports centre, 15 minutes walk from centre. Free at weekends outside match days. Convenient for staying overnight without garage costs – drive in and walk or take Bus 26 to centre.
Underground parking right at the edge of the Parte Vieja next to the Cathedral. Slightly smaller than La Concha but very fast to fill in peak season. Pre-book on Parclick for 18-22 EUR/day.
Pre-booked rates on La Concha, Buen Pastor and Txofre are 30-50% cheaper than drive-up.
Compare and book on ParclickBehind the football stadium on calle Anoeta and around the Velodromo, parking is free outside match days. 15-20 minutes walk or one bus stop on the C-2 line.
Riverside streets in the Loiola district have free parking (still becoming OTA in places, so check signs). 20 minutes walk via the river path or one bus.
Above the funicular station on Monte Igueldo. Free, but the walk into town is 20-25 minutes downhill. Take Bus 16 back up.
Free zones change. Use Google Maps + Donostia Movilidad app to confirm before leaving the car overnight – a single OTA fine is 35-90 EUR.
The official Ayuntamiento app, available on iOS and Android. Lets you start, extend and stop OTA sessions, get a refund for unused time, and pay with card or wallet. Recommended over meters because you can react if you stay longer.
Always note your plate number and zone code before starting a session – the app asks for them every time.
Universal European parking app. Works in Donostia for OTA payments. Convenient if you use it in other cities.
Spanish national parking app. Works for some OTA zones and several garages. Useful as a backup if Donostia Movilidad rejects your card.
Available on every block but limited – typically max 2h or 3h, fixed time blocks, no early-stop refund. Use only if no smartphone.
| Zone | Who | Cost | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue (Azul) | Tourist short-stay | 1.85-2.55 EUR/h | Max 2-3 hours |
| Orange (Naranja) | Resident + mid-stay | 1.30-1.75 EUR/h | Max 4-5 hours |
| Red strip | Residents only | – | Non-residents towed |
| Yellow line | No parking (loading) | – | Tow zone 24/7 |
| Disabled (PMR) | Reserved | Free with permit | Heavy fines without permit |
No street parking for non-residents. Use La Concha or Okendo garage and walk in.
OTA blue zone everywhere. La Concha underground garage is the safe play for stays over 2 hours.
Mix of blue zone and resident permits. Txofre Aparkalekua is the cheap pre-booked option.
Some free street parking up the hill, but expect a steep walk back. Use the funicular or Bus 16 for round-trips.
Big lots near the stadium and sports complex are free outside match days. Good base if you arrive late and want to skip OTA fees.
On match days at Anoeta Real Sociedad games, the entire south of the city goes “no parking”. Check the football fixture list before you assume your usual free spot is still legal.
The Donostia council expanded the OTA blue zone by 220 spaces in Egia and Loiola for 2026, pushing tourist cars further from the centre. Buen Pastor raised the hourly rate from 2.95 to 3.05 EUR/h but kept the 28.40 EUR/day cap. La Concha and Okendo prices unchanged.
