Complete Guide to Parking in the Blue Zone in Malaga

Are you planning to visit Malaga and worried about finding a parking space? Don’t panic, the blue parking zones in Malaga are designed to make parking in busy areas of the city easier.

In this complete guide, we explain all you need to know about this type of parking. If you’re considering renting a car in Malaga, read on to find out how to park easily and efficiently during your trip.

What is the Blue Zone?

Blue parking zones, as the name suggests, are parking areas marked with blue lines that are located in very busy places, and where many drivers are therefore looking for parking.

They are usually located in city centres, where there is a large influx of visitors. They are parking areas that are charged by time of use and the amount is paid in machines (parking meters) located in the streets themselves.

In the city of Malaga, the blue parking zones are managed by the public company SMASSA, and specifically this type of parking is also known by the acronym S.A.RE.

Depending on the needs of each area, rotation car parks can be distinguished according to time, type of vehicle or whether they are in residential areas. However, we will explain the differences between each of them later on.

Location in Malaga

In the city of Malaga there are a total of 18 zones with a maximum parking time limit. Most of them are in the centre of Malaga, but some other blue parking zones are in neighbourhoods such as Huelin, El Palo or Avenida Aurora. This system can also be found in more distant areas, such as the Parque Tecnológico.

This map shows the zones where the blue zone areas are signposted. The map has coloured lines that refer to the type of S.A.RE zone that applies in each of them.

Operating Hours and Rates

Knowing the operating hours and rates of the blue zone parking system in Malaga is essential to avoid fines. Thanks to this system, there are more parking spaces available in high demand areas. Below you can see the different blue zone parking options.

Hours of Operation

The S.A.RE parking regulation system operates at specific times to facilitate vehicle turnover:

General Blue Zone Opening Hours:

Monday to Friday: 9:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 20:00 hours.

Saturdays: 9:00 to 14:00 hours.

Specific opening hours for the PTA (Parque Tecnológico de Andalucía):

Monday to Thursday: 9:00 to 17:00 hours.

Fridays: 9:00 to 14:00 hours.

Fees and Payment Options

The S.A.RE. system offers several modalities adapted to different needs:

S.A.RE. in normal rotation zones

The maximum parking time in normal rotation zones is 150 minutes. These zones have a total of 4,352 spaces.

Minimum fractions of time can be paid for at the ticket machines.

S.A.RE. 30 in high turnover zones

As the name suggests, these are car parks where the maximum parking time in areas with high turnover demand and high tertiary activity is 30 minutes. There are a total of 165 spaces in which this condition is met.

S.A.RE. for residents

These are parking spaces that allow residents of areas with a large influx of people to obtain discounts based on the rest of the people looking for parking in these areas.

In order to obtain the Resident Accreditation, it will be necessary to present documentation to SMASSA.

S.A.RE. for people with Reduced Mobility

The Person with Reduced Mobility accreditation allows parking in all S.A.RE. zones with a reduction of up to 98%.

H4: S.A.RE. for electric vehicles

The Electric Vehicle accreditation allows parking in all S.A.RE. zones, except in high turnover zones.

Requirements include having the SMASSA authorised number plate and displaying the zero emission sticker issued by the DGT, as well as presenting other documents. More details can be found on the SMASSA website.

How to Pay for Parking

Paying at parking meters can be tedious if you haven’t parked in a blue zone before. So here’s how you can pay at these machines and the process to follow to make parking hassle-free.

Available payment methods

Payment is made at these devices, which give you a receipt with the time you have paid for. This receipt must be placed inside the vehicle in plain view to avoid penalties from parking officers. To pay, you can insert cash (in this case, euros and cents), pay by credit card or pay using mobile apps that will be displayed on the machines.  Please bear in mind, that if use an App and you register the number plate of your rental car, then you must remember to delete the numberplate again on the App after you have ended your rental.  Otherwise, you will be charged (as it is related to the number plate) even if you have ended your rental.

Step-by-step instructions

Once parked in a blue zone, drivers have to find the nearest parking meter and insert the amount according to the parking time to be used.When the machine issues the ticket, the driver should put it in a visible place inside the car so that
police officers can see that the parking has been paid for, and thus avoid fines.

How to pay a blue zone parking fine.

But… what happens if I exceed my parking time or if I lose my parking ticket? Don’t panic. In the case of parking for longer than the time paid for or if the parking meter receipt has been lost, SMASSA imposes a small fine, the amount of which will depend on the reason for the sanction:

• • Exceeding the paid time: 3,80€.

• • Lack of ticket: 7,65€.

• • Parking motorbikes in the blue zone: 7,65€.

• • Parking beyond the perimeter established for parking in S.A.RE: 7,65€.

The fine is paid on the SMASSA website and you must fill in details such as name, passport number, country, Address, date, number plate or email. It is important to have the report where some of these details appear.

At the same time, the website provides contact information in case you have any doubts during the fine cancellation process.

Tips for parking in a blue zone.

If you want to park in a blue zone to avoid wasting a lot of time looking for parking, these are the tips you should bear in mind to make your parking as satisfactory as possible:

– Check Signs and Lines: Make sure you park only in allowed areas.

– Check Paying Hours: Check payment schedules and exemptions (evenings and Sundays).

– Pay for the Right Time: Use parking meters or mobile apps to pay for exactly the right amount of time.

– Place the ticket visibly: Place the ticket in a visible place inside the vehicle, such as on the dashboard.

– Renew on Time: If you extend your stay, renew before it expires.

– Know Exceptions and Special Rules: Find out about exceptions for electric vehicles, persons with reduced mobility and residents.

– Use App Reminders: Set reminders in mobile apps to renew parking time.

– Avoid Exceeding Time in High Turnover Zones: Do not exceed the 30-minute time limit in S.A.R.E. 30 zones.

– Keep the receipt: Keep a copy or photo of the receipt as proof in case of disputes.

Parking in Malaga can be easy and hassle-free if you know the rules of the blue zone system (S.A.RE.). Following the timetables, rates and payment methods described in this guide, consider renting a car in Malaga so you can enjoy your visit to this city without worrying about parking.

Don’t forget to visit our blog to discover more tips and recommendations for your trip to the Costa del Sol. Have a good trip!