Český Krumlov is one of those towns you’ll fall in love with within a few hours. A picturesque centre, a castle, the Vltava, narrow lanes, and an atmosphere that works in summer and outside the main season. But if you arrive by car, you’ll very quickly find out that parking is topic number one here.
We’ve headed to Krumlov by car several times and the same always applies – without a plan you’ll needlessly waste your nerves and time.
In this article you’ll find a practical overview of parking in Český Krumlov, tips on accommodation suitable for travelling by car, and things to watch out for so the weekend is truly relaxed. We’ll also cover some topics in separate articles in more depth.
For us, yes. A car gives you freedom – you can arrive whenever you want, stop along the way, take wine or souvenirs with you, and you’re not limited by timetables. On the other hand, it’s good to know that the historic centre is small, protected, and practically closed to cars. It’s a bit similar to when we drove around Italy by car and looked for accommodation with parking, since here too they have limited entries into the historic parts of towns.
We usually arrive rather in the afternoon or early evening, park, and then get around the town only on foot. And that’s exactly how it’s best in Krumlov.
The city centre has strictly regulated entry. Since 9 June 2025 a stricter rule applies: neither visitors nor guests of accommodation inside the pedestrian zone may drive into the historic centre. Checks are common and fines are high.
Parking is handled mainly via park-and-ride lots that are sensibly located around the centre. Everything is within walking distance; you just need to choose the right parking lot depending on where you’re staying and how long you’re staying.
You’ll only park right in the centre in exceptional cases. Some hotels have their own parking spaces, but even there it often applies that you must first report your license plate and follow precise instructions.
If you’re staying without parking, don’t try a “quick drop-off” somewhere in a lane. We once saw the municipal police handing out fines really without compromise.
The P1 parking lot is among the largest and most used in Český Krumlov. It’s ideal if you want to leave your car for the whole day or overnight.
The location is very good – you can reach the historic centre in a few minutes via a pleasant walk. Prices are reasonable and the parking lot is well signposted already upon entering the town.
We use it mainly for shorter stays or when we know we’ll be walking around the town all day and won’t need the car anymore. On foot it’s about 5 minutes (250 metres) to the historic centre from here.
The price is 60 CZK (about €2.5) / hour, you’ll find a charging station for electric cars here and it is monitored by cameras. Payment is possible in cash in CZK and EUR as well as by card.
The only disadvantage is that in the season this parking lot can be completely full without a single space.
You can find the P1 parking lot here.
P2 is another very practical option, especially if you’re arriving just for a few hours or want to park as close to the centre as possible.
It is a little smaller than P1 and fills up faster, but the location is great and if P1 is full, you usually find a spot at P2. If you arrive in the morning or outside the high season, it’s a very convenient choice.
On weekends in the high season you need a bit of luck, but we usually found a spot here.
The price is 40 CZK (about €1.7) / hour, you’ll find a charging station for electric cars here and it is monitored by cameras. Payment is possible in cash in CZK and EUR as well as by card.
You can find the P2 parking lot here.
The P3 parking lot is just a bit farther from the centre than P2, but there’s basically always space here. P5 is significantly farther compared to P2 and P1, and I’d really only go here if there is no space anywhere else.
P7 parking is interesting, as it is also intended for caravans. Passenger cars can park here as well, but you’re more likely to encounter caravans. There is a public toilet from 8:00–17:00 (May–October), the option to refill drinking water for the caravan, electrical hookups, and a dump point. However, P7 is not intended for camping (e.g., making fires or pitching tents). P7 also has no camera surveillance, disabled parking, or an EV charging station.
The price for the P3 parking lot is 40 CZK (about €1.7) / hour. You can find P3 here.
The price for the P5 parking lot is 30 CZK (about €1.2) / hour. You can find it here.
The price for the P7 parking lot for caravans is 50 CZK (about €2) / hour. You can park your caravan here.
If you’re staying overnight in Krumlov, overnight parking is a key topic. Some parking lots allow long-term parking, but not all are ideal if you have things in the car.
The best solution is always accommodation with its own parking. If that’s not possible, we recommend parking in an official parking lot and not leaving anything visible in the car. Krumlov is safe, but a tourist town has its specifics.
The choice of accommodation plays a huge role here. A well-chosen hotel or guesthouse will save you a lot of hassle.
For us, this is the best option, especially if you’re going for the weekend. Your parking is sorted, often right at the accommodation or in a closed courtyard, and you can walk to the centre.
Count on there being few parking spaces and that a reservation in advance is necessary. Some hotels charge extra for parking, but in our view it’s worth it.
Český Krumlov accommodation with parking – Hotels
Map with currently available accommodation in the centre of Český Krumlov
The second option is to stay slightly outside the historic core. You’ll often get a larger room, a quieter environment, and a better price. You then get to the centre on foot or with a short drive to a parking lot.
This option is ideal if you’re staying more nights or planning trips around the area.
Accommodation in Český Krumlov and surroundings
Navigation will sometimes lead you to places where you don’t have permitted entry. Follow road signs, not just the maps on your phone.
The streets are narrow, often full of tourists and rolling suitcases. Arriving in the evening or early morning is much calmer than Saturday noon.
If you’re carrying luggage, be prepared that you may carry it a bit on foot. Comfortable shoes are more useful than stylish sandals.
For us, what works is to arrive in the afternoon, park, check in, and head straight into town in the evening. The centre has a completely different atmosphere in the evening than during the day, and most day-trippers are already gone.
In the morning you can then enjoy the town in peace, take a walk along the Vltava or the castle, and in the afternoon you can continue on – for example towards the Šumava or Austria.
Český Krumlov is beautiful but specific. If you arrive by car without preparation, parking can needlessly give you a hard time. But when you know where to park and where to stay, a perfect weekend in one of the most beautiful towns in our country awaits you. We head to Český Krumlov with Veronika several times a year, whether for a long weekend or a one-day walk.
Going as a couple for the weekend and considering other options? Take a look here at which other places in the Czech Republic you can visit. If you’re thinking, for example, about visiting Krakow, you’ll find our tips here. And if you are passing through Prague or starting there, where to park and where to sleep is in our article Prague by car.
The source of current information about parking in Český Krumlov was the page ckrumlov.info.
The most commonly used parking areas are the park-and-ride lots P1 Jelení zahrada and P2 Pod poštou. Both are within walking distance of the historic centre and are clearly signposted when entering the town. If you’re staying at a hotel with its own parking, always follow the instructions provided by your accommodation.
Usually not. Access to the historic centre is restricted to residents; since 9 June 2025 the exemption no longer applies even to guests of accommodation inside the pedestrian zone. Without a permit, you risk a fine. It’s best to park in an official parking lot and walk to the centre.
Yes, overnight parking is possible, but it depends on the specific parking lot. Some lots allow long-term parking, while others are more suitable for daytime parking only. If you’re staying overnight in Krumlov, choosing accommodation with private parking is ideal.
Official parking lots near the centre are paid. You cannot park completely free right by the centre, but at P1, P2, P3 and P5 exit within 40 minutes is free (10 minutes at P7). For a weekend stay, it’s generally worth paying for parking to avoid any hassle.
If you want flexibility, plan to explore the surrounding area, or are travelling as a couple for a weekend, driving is worth it. Just keep in mind that the centre is a pedestrian zone and parking needs to be arranged in advance.
The most comfortable option is a hotel or guesthouse with private parking. If you want to save money, staying slightly outside the centre with parking available and within walking distance of the town works very well too.
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