Parking in Santiago de Compostela, Sarria and other places on the Camino de Santiago
There are many pilgrims looking for a car park in which to park their car in Santiago de Compostela, in Sarria or other popular departure points, while completing the 4 or 5 stages of the last 100 kilometres of the Camino de Santiago.
Whether you decide to park in Santiago de Compostela or decide to leave your car in one of the towns at the beginning of the Camino de Santiago, you will have to use some type of transport to complete one of the routes, unless you plan to do the Camino de Santiago back and forth to your vehicle. So we suggest you check the article we dedicate to transport from Santiago to Sarria.
The Camino de Santiago from Sarria is the most popular route where you can enjoy beautiful landscapes, Galician gastronomy and the possibility to share the experience with other pilgrims. If you want to plan your trip, please tell us more about your plan and we will contact you.
Depending on whether you prioritize the safety of your vehicle, your comfort, or to save some money, you have a number of different options. Here are some of the alternatives that you have.
Private parking
In Santiago de Compostela, Sarria and other starting places on the Camino de Santiago you will find paid car parks, some outdoors, and others covered. The advantage of this type of parking is that you know that your car will be safe and that nothing will happen to it.
Specifically, for the Sarria car parks, some companies offer the option to pick you up in Santiago de Compostela and bring you to your vehicle or transport your vehicle, on a tow-truck, to the Compostela capital, so that you can pick it up once you have finished the Camino Frances. Of course, this option is more expensive than taking public transport back to Sarria, but is also rather more comfortable.
Leave your car parked at your accommodation on the first night
Another option is to book a night in Santiago de Compostela, in Sarria or where you are going to start the Camino de Santiago in an accommodation that has parking. Before finishing the reservation, ask them how much they would charge you per day for leaving the car in their parking. This alternative is also a good option because the car is monitored and, depending on the accommodation, it can be much cheaper than a private car park.
Park in a public space
Parking in a public space is the most economical, but the riskiest option, as the car runs will not be monitored for 4 or 5 days. However, many pilgrims do so and have had no problems.
Where to park in Santiago de Compostela
In Santiago de Compostela, you will find a wide range of parking, both private and free. If you decide to use a private car park, it will be enough for you to look for parking in Santiago de Compostela and you will find an extensive list.
In case you want to save money, looking for where to park for free in Santiago de Compostela, things get a little more complicated. Since the biggest drawback is knowing where to find free parking where you can leave your car unlimitedly. So, here’s where you can park your car in Santiago de Compostela without having to pay a penny for it.
Where to park free of charge in Santiago de Compostela
Although the centre of Santiago de Compostela is almost covered, completely, with paid parking areas, finding parking on the street, without paying, it is still possible, if you know where to look for it. A variable that influences the time of making it easier for you to find free parking in Santiago de Compostela is the time of day. First thing in the morning, about 7:30am, is when you’re most likely to find empty spaces.
Santa Marta
In Santa Marta, where the hospitals are located, you can park at no cost. To find a car park it is important to go very early in the morning, as hospital users take up much of the free parking.
Parking in the faculties farthest from the University Campus of Santiago de Compostela
Another option to park the car in Santiago de Compostela for 4 or 5 days are the surroundings of the Sciences and Psychology faculties. In Rua Jose María Suarez Nunez, there are also some free parking spaces, even if finding a free space requires a lot of luck.
The San Caetano zone
In the area of San Caetano, specifically on Avenida de Castelao and in Rua Touro you can find free parking. This area is quite frequented by university students, so we advise you to look for parking first thing in the morning or late afternoon, once the classes have finished.
Parking in Fontinas and other suburbs of Santiago de Compostela
Where it is easier to park in Santiago de Compostela without having to pay is in the central suburbs, such as Fontinas, San Lazaro, Salgueirinos or Las Cancelas. In these neighbourhoods there is not so much traffic pressure and you will find it easier to find a place available.
Parking in Sarria and at the main departure points
Parking at the main departure points of the Camino de Santiago can be easier than in Santiago de Compostela or more complicated, it depends on the town. Here are some tips for parking at the main departure points on the Camino de Santiago.
Parking en Sarria
Finding a private parking in Sarria, to do the Camino de Santiago from Sarria, is much easier than anywhere, since 1 in 4 pilgrims start from there.
Finding where to park for free in Sarria isn’t complicated either. Sarria is a fairly large town and has several streets where you can freely park.
Try to avoid the old town and the streets closest to the church. Another option is the parking at the Froiz Supermarket in Sarria, or leave the car next to the local police or the Guardia Civil stations.
Parking in Tui
If you are going to do the Camino Portugues from Tui and have arrived there with your car, you will also be interested in knowing places where you can park. In Tui, the same thing happens as in Sarria, you will find several private parking areas to leave your vehicle and some streets where you can park for free.
Parking in Ferrol in order to do the Camino Ingles
If you are going to travel the stages on the Camino Ingles, you will leave your car parked in Ferrol. Here you will not find problems to find parking, both private and free. However, if you don’t want to get too complicated looking for a place to leave your vehicle, we’ll tell you a secret: leave it in Naron, near the Church of O Couto. There you will have no trouble parking and the car will be safe.
We hope that this article has been useful to you and that you find a place to park your car that will help you feel relaxed, either in Santiago de Compostela, in a car park in Sarria or in any other town on the Camino de Santiago. Remember that it is important that you choose the parking option of your choice, so that you must go and do the Camino without worrying if your vehicle will be ok or not.
To say goodbye, we just want to remind you that if you are planning to do the Camino de Santiago and want to count on the support of a specialized agency that helps you organize the trip, you can count on us. In addition to managing your accommodation and other services, we can provide you with transfers to and from your car, if you tell us to do so.
Contact our team and ask for all the details. To do so you can call us, write to us on our Facebook or leave us a comment in any blog post. The Santiago Ways team will be happy to assist you.
Buen Camino!
Traveling in April to do Camino from Sarria. Wondering about the availability and cost of a transfer with your company from Santiago de Compostella to Sarria back to our car park on morning of April 29th, 2023.
Hi, Todd.
Thank you for contacting Santiago Ways! We are very happy to hear about your interest in doing the Camino de Santiago, but our company does not offer a separate transfer service, it is compulsory to contract the complete package.
If you are interested, we would be glad to help you plan an itinerary so you can enjoy the magic of the Camino.
Best regards,
Santiago Ways Team