Where to park in Český Krumlov: a practical guide
Krumlov's historic centre is closed to cars and car parks fill up in season. How to sort parking in Český Krumlov and why a hotel with parking pays off.
Český Krumlov is one of the most visited towns in the Czech Republic – and parking is a common source of stress. The UNESCO-listed historic centre is closed to ordinary traffic; only residents and delivery vehicles with a permit may drive in. If you arrive by car, you’ll have to leave it in one of the paid car parks on the edge of the centre.
Why parking in Krumlov is tricky
- The centre is pedestrianised. You usually can’t drive up to a hotel or guesthouse in the centre, so you end up dragging your suitcases over cobblestones.
- Car parks are full in season. From spring to autumn and at weekends, queues form near the centre – worst of all during the Five-Petalled Rose Festival and in Advent.
- Parking is charged by the hour. Over a stay of several days, the cost soon adds up.
- Narrow lanes and one-way streets. Your satnav can easily lead you somewhere you’re not allowed to drive.
The solution: a hotel with its own parking
The most convenient solution is to stay close to the centre with a parking space right by your room. Park as soon as you arrive, unpack, and from then on simply walk into town.
Here at Hotel Garni Pod Skalkou, every room has its own parking space in our gated, lockable grounds. Parking is free and the space is reserved for you for your whole stay, so you never have to worry about finding somewhere to park when you get back from a day out.
- Náměstí Svornosti (Svornosti Square) is a 5-minute walk away.
- The castle is about 12 minutes on foot.
- You only carry your luggage a few steps from the car to your room.
Tips for drivers
- Set your satnav to your accommodation’s address (ours is Pod Skalkou 536), not to the centre.
- Don’t try to drive into the historic centre – you risk a fine.
- For day trips in the area (Lipno, Kleť, Zlatá Koruna), set off in the morning when traffic is lightest.
- Consider coming by bus. There are direct buses from Prague, and it’s a 5-minute walk from the station to us.
In short
The easiest way to deal with parking in Český Krumlov is to sort it before you arrive – by choosing accommodation with its own parking space. You’ll save time, parking fees and nerves, and enjoy your whole stay on foot.
