Updated May 2026 · Written by the Hostal La Mexicana team
Santander city centre is compact and well served by covered car parks. There is no need to search the streets if you know where to go: three underground car parks are within walking distance of the hostal, all open 24 hours. Street parking is also possible but limited by the ORA regulated zone system that covers most central streets. This guide gives you everything you need to arrive by car without stress.
The three nearest car parks
All three car parks listed below are covered, underground and open 24 hours a day. Rates are indicative and subject to change; check the signage at the entrance on arrival.
| Car park | Address | Walk from hostal | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parking Ayuntamiento | C/ Bailén s/n | ~2 min | Closest option; entrance from C/ Bailén behind the Town Hall |
| Parking Esperanza | C/ Peña Herbosa | ~3 min | Central location; good for multi-day stays |
| Parking Cañadío | C/ Cañadío | ~5 min | Slightly larger; good alternative when the others are full |
Rates at all three hover around €1.50–2.20 per hour and €18–22 per 24 hours, though prices vary by tariff period. Extended-stay discounts (weekly or monthly) are available — ask at the pay station or contact each car park directly. No advance reservation is required; payment is made on exit.
Street parking: blue and green zones
The streets around the hostal fall inside the ORA regulated parking area. The two types of zone you will encounter are:
- Blue zone (zona azul): Short-stay parking, typically 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the time band. Pay at the on-street meters using coins or contactless. Valid Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings.
- Green zone (zona verde): Reserved for local residents with a permit. Non-residents cannot park here during regulated hours.
On-street parking is free throughout the city on Sundays and public holidays. On weekday evenings (generally from 20:00 or 21:00) and at night, ORA restrictions lift and metered spaces become free. Check the schedule printed on the sign beside each meter, as exact hours vary by street.
The practical recommendation for visitors staying multiple nights: use one of the three covered car parks from the moment you arrive and collect the car on departure. It is simpler, cheaper for multi-day stays than moving the car to comply with street limits, and available around the clock.
GPS approach: which streets to use
The hostal address is C/ Juan de Herrera 3, Santander. Most GPS systems route correctly to the street. Useful approach notes:
- From the A-67 motorway (Palencia direction): exit at Santander Norte and follow signs for Centro/Ayuntamiento. The hostal is a few blocks from the Town Hall.
- From the A-8 (Bilbao or Oviedo direction): exit at Santander Este or Santander Centro, follow Paseo de Pereda towards the seafront then turn inland towards the Town Hall.
- From the ferry terminal (Brittany Ferries): follow Paseo de Pereda east then turn north on any street towards the centre. The terminal is about 1.5 km from the hostal by car.
- Pedestrian zone: C/ Juan de Herrera has restricted vehicle access at certain hours. You can drop luggage at the door and then park in one of the car parks listed above — none of them is more than 5 minutes on foot.
Large vehicles and motorhomes
The three central car parks have height restrictions typical of underground garages — generally 2.0–2.1 m. If you are travelling in a large van, high-roof SUV or motorhome, check the clearance sign at the entrance before descending. For vehicles over 2.1 m tall, the most practical option in the centre is the open-air parking area near the bus station (Estación de Autobuses), about 10 minutes on foot from the hostal.
Tips for weekends and summer
Santander's centre is noticeably busier from late June to early September and on summer weekends. Practical recommendations:
- Arrive before midday: Car parks fill up from about 11:30 on summer Saturdays and Sundays. Arriving earlier means guaranteed availability and, in some car parks, a flat morning rate.
- Plan for Semana Grande (late July–early August): During the city's main summer festival, central streets may have temporary traffic restrictions or altered parking rules. Check local signage on arrival and allow extra time.
- Consider leaving the car for the whole stay: The centre is very walkable. Once parked, you can reach the Sardinero beach by bus in 20 minutes, the MUPAC museum in 5 minutes on foot, and Centro Botín in 11 minutes. Many guests park on arrival and do not move the car until departure day.
Car vs. public transport for day trips
If you are planning day trips from Santander, having a car is genuinely useful: Altamira (30 km), Comillas (43 km), Santillana del Mar (29 km) and Picos de Europa (from 90 km) are all accessible by car but have limited public transport connections. The car park rates for a full day (€18–22) are reasonable if you are using the vehicle actively. For a purely urban stay focused on the city centre, public transport and walking cover everything without needing a car.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the nearest car park to Hostal La Mexicana?
The closest is Parking Ayuntamiento (C/ Bailén s/n), about 2 minutes on foot from the hostal. Parking Esperanza (C/ Peña Herbosa, 3 minutes) and Parking Cañadío (C/ Cañadío, 5 minutes) are equally convenient. All three are covered, underground and open 24 hours.
Is it easy to park in Santander city centre?
On weekdays and outside July–August, parking is easy in the covered car parks near the hostal. In high summer and on weekend afternoons, demand rises — arriving before 11:00 or going straight to a car park rather than searching for street spaces makes the process smooth.
Are there blue zones or parking restrictions in Santander centre?
Yes — most central streets fall inside the ORA regulated zone. Blue zones allow 30 minutes to 2 hours; green zones are residents only. Parking is free on Sundays, public holidays and on weekday evenings from approximately 20:00–21:00. Covered car parks have no time restrictions.