Dubrovnik’s pricey parking under the spotlight

Dubrovnik

One of Austria’s leading media outlets, Heute, has reported on parking prices in Dubrovnik, and the news was picked up by a number of German portals as well.

These countries are significant sources of tourists travelling to Croatia each year, and Dubrovnik remains a popular holiday destination. According to Heute, Dubrovnik attracts nearly 1.4 million tourists annually.

As is common in all popular tourist destinations, a large number of tourists cause congestion. Consequently, parking in Dubrovnik is most expensive near the Old Town, in the so-called zero parking zone.

The Austrian media notes that as of 1st May 2024, parking prices in the city of Dubrovnik have increased significantly. Between May and September, tourists will have to pay between 17 and 200 euros to park their cars while exploring the city, Fenix magazin writes.

Parking is most expensive near the Old Town—in the so-called zero parking zone.

A daily ticket there costs 199.10 euros. Dubrovnik is divided into five parking zones, according to Heute.

However, since the 200-euro parking spots are relevant only in one parking zone and only during the peak season, there are other options for visitors arriving with their own or rented vehicles.

Parking in the so-called zone 2 costs visitors about 70 euros less per day (132.70 euros) than in the zero zone.

The most affordable option is to park a little further from the Old Town, in zone 3, where they need to pay only 17.30 euros for a daily ticket.

Parking prices are lower outside the summer tourist season.

Dubrovnik’s Battle Against Mass Tourism

By increasing prices, Dubrovnik is likely to continue its efforts to combat mass tourism. Many people visit the city, which has been part of UNESCO’s World Heritage since 1979, primarily for its impressive Old Town, climate, and crystal-clear sea.

Dubrovnik

The fact that Dubrovnik served as a backdrop for the iconic series Game of Thrones has also contributed to a boost in tourism in the city of 42,000 residents for years.

Dubrovnik has already tightened regulations for cruise ships. Only two cruise ships are allowed to dock in the city at the same time and must stay for at least eight hours, Heute reports.

The Croatian city of Dubrovnik attracts visitors even outside the tourist season—not only because of cheaper parking.

Dubrovnik

What Austrian Heute and German Merkur do not mention is that Dubrovnik has always primarily been an “plane destination,” and those who drive to Dubrovnik should expect higher parking costs. This is understandable given Dubrovnik’s geographical location and the lack of parking spaces, writes Fenix magazin.