Your Ultimate Guide to Parking in Zagreb (2026)

Navigating a new city by car can be challenging, and Zagreb is no exception. While its public transport is excellent, driving offers flexibility. The key to a stress-free experience is understanding the city's parking system. This comprehensive guide provides all the information you need on parking zones, payment methods, public garages, and insider tips for 2026.

Understanding Zagreb's Parking System: Zones and Rules

Zagreb's public parking is managed by Zagrebparking, a subsidiary of Zagreb Holding. The system is logical and primarily based on color-coded zones that determine the price and maximum parking duration. The closer you are to the city center, Trg bana Jelačića (the main square), the more restrictive and expensive the parking becomes.

Street Parking: The Zone System Explained

On-street parking is divided into three primary zones, with payment typically required from Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM (21:00), and on Saturdays from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM (15:00). Parking is generally free on Saturdays after 3 PM and all day on Sundays and public holidays. Always double-check the signs, as hours can vary slightly.

Zone I (Crvena/Red Zone)

This zone covers the immediate city center, including the streets surrounding the main square, the cathedral, and the main shopping streets. It is designed for short-term stays.

• Location: Strict city center.
• Price: Approximately €1.60 per hour.
• Maximum Stay: 2 hours. After two hours, you must move your vehicle.
• Payment SMS Number: 700101

Zone II (Žuta/Yellow Zone)

Encircling the Red Zone, the Yellow Zone offers a good balance between proximity to the center and slightly more relaxed rules. It covers areas like the wider Donji Grad (Lower Town) and parts of the business district.

• Location: Wider central area.
• Price: Approximately €0.80 per hour.
• Maximum Stay: 3 hours. Some streets may have different regulations, so check signs.
• Payment SMS Number: 700102

Zone III (Zelena/Green Zone)

This is the largest zone, covering residential areas further from the center. It's the most affordable option for on-street parking and has no time limit during paying hours, making it suitable for longer stays if you don't mind a walk or a short tram ride.

• Location: Residential areas outside the immediate center.
• Price: Approximately €0.30 per hour.
• Maximum Stay: No time limit during paying hours.
• Payment SMS Number: 700103

How to Pay for Parking in Zagreb

Zagreb offers several convenient ways to pay for parking. Gone are the days of fumbling for coins; modern digital methods are the standard.

Paying via SMS (m-parking)

This is the most popular method for locals and tourists with a Croatian SIM card. The process is simple:

1. Find the zone number on a nearby parking sign (e.g., 700101 for Zone I). 2. Compose a new SMS message to that number. 3. In the message body, type your vehicle's license plate number without any spaces or special characters (e.g., ZG1234AB). 4. Send the message. 5. You will receive a confirmation SMS almost immediately. You will also get a reminder SMS about 10 minutes before your parking expires.

Insider Tip: If you have a foreign mobile number, this method may not work or could incur high roaming charges. Consider using a parking app instead.

Using Parking Apps

For tourists, parking apps are the best solution. They work with international credit cards and offer a user-friendly interface in English.

• PayDo: The official app for Zagrebparking. It's reliable and allows you to pay for street parking and in some public garages.
• Bmove: A popular app that covers parking in many Croatian cities, including Zagreb. It also offers features for electric vehicle charging and garage access.

These apps allow you to register your vehicle, select your zone on a map, and pay for the desired duration with a stored credit card.

Paying at Parking Meters (Parkirni Aparat)

While less common in the digital age, you can still find coin-operated parking meters. They are typically solar-powered and straightforward to use. Insert coins (EUR) for the desired time and place the printed ticket visibly on your dashboard. Note that many newer machines do not accept banknotes and may not give change.

Top Public Garages in Central Zagreb

For stays longer than two or three hours, or for guaranteed, secure parking, public garages are the best option. They are often cheaper than paying the hourly street rate for an entire day.

Garage Tuškanac: The Budget-Friendly Choice

Located a scenic 10-minute walk through a park from the main square, Tuškanac is the cheapest public garage near the center. It's a large facility built into a hill and is an excellent choice for all-day parking.

• Hourly Rate: ~€0.80
• Daily Ticket: ~€5.30
• Distance to Main Square: 900 meters

Garage Langov Trg: Best All-Rounder

Perfectly situated on the edge of the pedestrian zone, this garage offers a great balance of price and location. It's just a short walk from the main square and the cathedral, making it a convenient base for exploring the city.

• Hourly Rate: ~€1.30
• Daily Ticket: ~€13.00
• Distance to Main Square: 600 meters

Garage Petrinjska: Closest to the Train Station

If you're arriving by car but need to be near the main train station (Glavni Kolodvor), this is your best bet. It's a smaller garage but offers quick access to public transport hubs and the southern part of the city center.

• Hourly Rate: ~€1.50
• Daily Ticket: ~€15.00
• Distance to Main Square: 400 meters

Garage Cvjetni: Premium & Central

Located beneath the Cvjetni shopping center, this is the most central—and most expensive—garage. If convenience is your top priority and you want to be steps away from the bustling Flower Square (Cvjetni trg), this modern, secure facility is worth the price.

• Hourly Rate: ~€2.00
• Daily Ticket: ~€26.50
• Distance to Main Square: 300 meters

Finding Free Parking in Zagreb

Yes, it's possible to park for free in Zagreb, but it requires some planning.

• Weekends & Holidays: As mentioned, on-street parking is free from Saturday at 3 PM until Monday at 7 AM, and all day on public holidays.
• Outside the Zones: Areas further from the center, such as some parts of Novi Zagreb across the Sava River, have large residential blocks with free public parking. From there, you can take a tram into the city center in 15-20 minutes.
• Park & Ride: Consider parking at a large, free lot like the one near the Zagreb Fair (Zagrebački Velesajam) or Paromlin and taking a tram. This is the most cost-effective option for a full day of sightseeing.

Dealing with a Zagreb Parking Fine (Dnevna Parkirna Karta)

If you forget to pay or overstay your time, you'll find a plastic-wrapped notice on your windshield. This isn't a punitive fine but a "Daily Parking Ticket" (dnevna parkirna karta). You are essentially charged for a full day's parking in that zone.

• Cost: The cost varies by zone, from around €8 in Zone III to over €20 in Zone I.
• How to Pay: You can pay it within 8 days for a 50% discount. Payment can be made online via the Zagrebparking website, using a banking app with a QR code scanner, or in person at any post office (Hrvatska Pošta) or FINA branch.
• Consequences: Ignoring the ticket, especially in a rental car, is not advised. The fee will be sent to the rental agency, which will add a hefty administrative charge and bill it to your credit card.

Insider Tips for Stress-Free Parking

1. Download an App: Before you even arrive, download PayDo or Bmove. Set up your account and add your vehicle and payment details to save time. 2. Use Garages for Long Stays: If you plan to spend more than 3 hours in the city center, head straight for a garage. It's less hassle and almost always cheaper than repeatedly paying for street parking. 3. Check the Signs: Always read the parking sign on the street where you park. It contains all the crucial information: zone, payment hours, and the SMS number. 4. Arrive Early: On weekdays, finding a spot in the Red or Yellow zones after 9 AM can be difficult. Arriving early increases your chances. 5. Don't Park Illegally: Avoid parking on sidewalks, green spaces, or in front of driveways. Zagreb's parking enforcement is very efficient, and your car could be towed by the 'pauk' (spider) service, which is a very expensive and time-consuming hassle.