You have booked your trip to Tossa de Mar and you are thinking of hiring a car. Smart move for exploring the Costa Brava, but your biggest headache, especially in August, will not be the GI-682 coastal road — it will be finding a place to leave the car. How Tossa de Mar Parking Works The entire paid street parking system, known locally as "Aparcar en Tossa," is managed by Empark, primarily through the Telpark app . It is essential you download this app before you arrive. Empark / Telpark ("Aparcarentossa") Enforcement Season: 1st June to 15th October Enforcement Hours: 10:00 to 21:00, every day Outside these dates, all on-street coloured zones are generally free Blue Zone (Zona Blava) Tariffs Blue zones are the most common paid parking spots for visitors. Rates and maximum stays vary dramatically depending on how close you are to the beach. The closer you get, the more you pay. Sector Pelegrí (Year-round operation): 30 min: €0.75 60 min: €1.50 Max stay: 240 min (€6.00) Day ticket (11 hours): €9.00 Sector Poble (June–Oct): The main town area 30 min: €0.90 60 min: €1.80 Max stay: 240 min (€5.50) Sector Mar Menuda (June–Oct): Prime beachfront parking, priced to encourage turnover 15 min: €1.80 60 min: €3.65 Max stay: 180 min (€11.00) Day ticket (11 hours): €18.00 Sector Porta Sant Feliu (June–Oct): The best value, located at the town entrance 30 min: €0.45 60 min: €0.85 Max stay: 300 min (€4.20) Day ticket (11 hours): €9.60 Green Zone (Zona Verda) — The Resident vs. Tourist Split This is where most visitors get caught out. Tossa's green zones are a mix of resident and tourist parking. Mixed Spaces (369 spots): As a tourist, you park here, but for a maximum of 120 minutes at a rate of €7.35. This is designed for short-term stops. Residents, using a new automatic number plate recognition system, get 72 hours free. Exclusive Resident Spaces (34 spots): DO NOT PARK HERE. These spaces are for residents only, 24/7. They are clearly marked and heavily enforced. You risk an immediate fine and towing. They are located on: Carrer Joan Barber i Coris Carrer Sot de ses Pomeres Carrer s'Aloc Red Zone (Zona Vermella) The red zone is for rapid turnover. You can park for 90 minutes completely free of charge , but you must wait 6 hours before parking in the same zone again. It is perfect for a quick run to the bakery or pharmacy. The 120-Minute Fine Cancellation Hack Forgot to pay? Overstayed your ticket? Do not panic. If you get a fine (a "denúncia") on your windscreen, you have a small window to cancel it for a fraction of the full cost. This is done via the Telpark app under the "Anul·lació de denúncia" section. Time Limit: You must act within 120 minutes of the fine being issued Cost for time overrun: Cost for no ticket at all: Pay this immediately. It is vastly cheaper than the full penalty (€90+) that will be mailed to your rental agency. Aparcament Es Codolar — The SUV and Crossover Trap The underground car park at the base of the Vila Vella, right by Es Codolar beach, looks perfect. It is a trap for most modern rental cars. Maximum Height: 1.75 metres Maximum Width: 2.50 metres The following popular rental models will Hyundai Tucson (1.78m with roof rails) Nissan Qashqai (1.83m) Dacia Jogger (1.84m) Most SUVs and crossovers If you are driving anything larger than a compact hatchback, park at the large open-air lot at Porta Sant Feliu and walk the 10 minutes to the old town. Free and Low-Cost Parking Options Carrer Miramar: This is the designated motorhome zone, but regular cars can use it. It is a flat rate of €20 for 24 hours . A good option if you plan to leave the car for a full day. Dirt Lots: Near the main bus station, sports centre (pabellón), and CAP (health centre), there are large, unofficial dirt parking lots. In shoulder season they are a great free option. In August, they are completely full by 10:00. Carrer Creu de Mas Serra: This street and the surrounding area used to be a reliable free spot, but check signage carefully. Some sections have been converted to resident-only parking. Vila Vella (The Walled Old Town) The Vila Vella is a pedestrian-only zone . There is no vehicle access at any time. Park your car at the Es Codolar beach level (if your vehicle fits) or along the main Platja Gran boardwalk and enjoy the walk up. Camper-Van and Motorhome Ban Tossa de Mar has a strict municipal ordinance prohibiting autocaravanas (motorhomes) from parking on any public street.