In this article
In this article
Canillo is one of the most touristy parishes in Andorra, mainly for the Tibetan Bridge, the Roc del Quer Viewpoint and the Grandvalira slopes. An important detail: in Canillo the blue zone is paid every day, including Sunday, just like in Andorra la Vella.
Here's a guide to where to park in the center of Canillo, with prices, communal parking lots and free options. If you haven't seen my general guide on where to park in Andorra yet, I compare the prices of all the parishes there.
Quick Summary
Here's what I'd do depending on your case:
- You're coming for the Tibetan Bridge: you can't drive up in a private car, you have to park in the village of Canillo. I recommend the Els Arenys parking lot, right next to the bus stop.
- You're only coming to the Roc del Quer Viewpoint: park for free at the viewpoint's own parking lot. If you're combining it with the Tibetan Bridge, leave the car at the bottom and take the bus included in the ticket.
- You're coming to ski at Grandvalira: in Canillo, the Prat del Riu and Arenyeta parking lots have 50% off with a ski pass. Official source
- You're visiting the village: the blue zone costs €1.20/h and is paid every day, including Sunday. If you'll only be there for a few hours, the communal parking lots have the first hour free, then it's €2/h.
- You want to park + sleep without searching: the Hotel Obaga Blanca (600 meters from the center) has free outdoor parking and paid indoor parking. There are good central hotels with a parking service like the Hotel Font Argent Canillo. But people usually prefer to use external parking services for price reasons.
Free parking in Canillo
In the center of Canillo there aren't many free options. It's worth going a bit further out of the center to places like El Tarter or Soldeu. Even so, here are the options you have.
Outside paid hours
As in all the parishes, the blue and orange zones are free outside paid hours:
- From 20:00 to 9:00 (nights)
- From 13:00 to 15:00 (midday break)
- National holidays: January 1st, March 14th, September 8th and December 25th
Pay the blue zone online and see real-time parking availability
In Canillo you can pay the blue zone online from the official Comú website: e-canillo.com/pk. You can also pay parking fines from this platform, so if you get a surprise, you don't have to go anywhere to sort it out.
On the same page you can check the real-time availability of the communal parking lots. And heads up: soon you'll also be able to reserve the parking directly online.
Hotels with parking in Canillo
If you want to leave the car and not worry, these are the hotels with parking in the center of Canillo. For a full comparison of hotels with parking in all areas of Andorra, check out my guide to the best hotels with parking. If you're specifically looking for free parking, I have a dedicated guide.
Hotel Obaga Blanca — free outdoor parking and paid indoor parking
About 600 meters from the center of Canillo, the Hotel Obaga Blanca stands out for being relatively close to the town center in a quiet, relaxing setting. It has a paid indoor parking lot and free parking spaces for cars and coaches outside.
Check availability — Hotel Obaga Blanca“Fantastic”
9.0 — Exceptional+ I've lost count of how many times I've stayed at this hotel, both as a couple and with friends. The value for money is noteworthy, the breakfast is very complete, the rooms are spacious and comfortable and the spa is a great touch. Plus it has free parking and it's 2 minutes by car from the center of Canillo. Gorgeous mountain trails start from the hotel itself.
− The shower was a bit small and poorly lit. Other than that, everything was great.
Hotel Font Argent Canillo — paid covered indoor parking
A good hotel right in the center of Canillo. However, from my research, some guests find the price of the covered indoor parking a bit high. A classic problem of central hotels.
Check availability — Hotel Font Argent Canillo“Exceptional”
10.0 — Exceptional+ The location near the cable car. The heating is perfect. And lovely staff; it was Three Kings' Day and the staff was fantastic with my daughter. Big room.
− As a detail, the parking is expensive compared to other options
Blue zone and orange zone (zona blava i zona taronja): rates and hours
⚠️ Paid every day, including Sundays
| Zone | €/h | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Blue zone (zona blava) | €1.20 | Mon–Sun 9:00–13:00 / 15:00–20:00 Sun: also paid |
| Orange zone (zona taronja) | €1.60 | Mon–Sun 9:00–13:00 / 15:00–20:00 Sun: also paid |
Rates and zone maps on the official Canillo blue zone page.
Municipal parking lots in Canillo
Canillo has several communal parking lots with unified rates. They all have the first hour free, which is better than in other parishes where it's only 30 minutes.
| Duration | Price |
|---|---|
| 1st hour | free |
| Additional hour | €2.00 |
| Maximum per day | €20.00 |
| Night (approx.) | €6.00 |
Main parking lots:
Sources: Official website of the Comú de Canillo — Parking and passes
Interactive map showing real-time parking availability
Parking for the Tibetan Bridge and the Roc del Quer Viewpoint
The Canillo Tibetan Bridge doesn't have its own parking and you can't drive up in a private car. You have to park in the village of Canillo and take the bus. Here are the options:
Els Arenys parking lot (recommended)
It's right next to the bus stop that goes up to the Tibetan Bridge, the option I recommend. If it's full, you can use the blue zone (remember that in Canillo it's paid every day, Sundays included) or the Prat del Riu parking lot, which is 2-3 minutes away on foot. View on Google Maps
Roc del Quer Viewpoint parking (free)
The Roc del Quer Viewpoint has a free parking lot with plenty of capacity. If you're only coming to the viewpoint, you can park here directly, no bus needed. If you want to combine the visit with the Tibetan Bridge, from here you can walk about 2 km or, better yet, park in the village and take the bus included in the bridge's ticket that takes you to both places.
If you also want to visit the Sanctuary of Meritxell, it's on the way between the center of Andorra and Canillo, and it has its own free parking lot.
Parking in El Tarter
El Tarter is one of the most popular villages to stay in when skiing at Grandvalira. There is a giant free parking lot in the open air right at the base of the slopes, with a barrier that closes at 8pm. It's an ideal option if you want to save on parking and have direct access to the slopes.
If you're staying in El Tarter or planning to ski there, check out my complete guide to parking in El Tarter with all the details on free parking, barrier hours and hotels with parking.
Parking in Soldeu
Soldeu is another key village in the Canillo parish. It has a covered Grandvalira parking lot with more than 600 spaces right next to the cable car, plus free parking options on the nearby streets. It's a good option if you want comfort and don't mind paying a bit to keep the car under cover.
For more details, I've put together a specific guide to parking in Soldeu with prices, tips and recommended hotels.
Born and raised in Encamp, Andorra. In my free time I explore my country and share the best activities, trails and hidden spots that most travel guides don't mention.
