The five public lots
Český Krumlov runs five numbered public car parks on the perimeter of the Old Town — P1 through P5. The Inner Town and Latrán themselves are a strict pedestrian zone with bollards and access control: you cannot drive in, regardless of what your sat-nav suggests. The decision is just which of the five outer lots to use.
| P1 — Jelení zahrada (Deer Garden) | |
|---|---|
| Location | North of the castle, off the Chvalšinská road |
| Walk to centre | 5–8 min walk to the castle and Latrán |
| Rate | First 40 min free, then 50 CZK / hour; ~280 CZK / day |
| Overnight | Yes |
| When it fills | Saturdays in summer by 9–10 am |
| Note | Closest lot to the castle. Our default recommendation. |
| P2 — Pod poštou (Under the Post Office) | |
| Location | East of the centre, just outside Horní brána |
| Walk to centre | 6–10 min walk to Náměstí Svornosti |
| Rate | First 40 min free, then 40 CZK / hour; ~280 CZK / day |
| Overnight | Yes |
| When it fills | Saturdays in summer by 10–11 am |
| Note | Smaller than P1, good fallback if you're aiming for the main square. |
| P3 — Na Spravedlnosti | |
| Location | South of the Old Town |
| Walk to centre | 10–15 min walk to the centre |
| Rate | First 40 min free, then 40 CZK / hour |
| Overnight | Yes |
| When it fills | Last to fill — usually still has space on summer weekends |
| Note | The largest of the five. The right answer when P1 and P2 are full. |
| P4 — U Poráků | |
| Location | West of the centre |
| Walk to centre | 8–12 min walk to the centre |
| Rate | Standard, then Standard |
| Overnight | Yes |
| When it fills | Quiet — fills slowly even on busy weekends |
| Note | Good access to the western parts of the Old Town. Underused. |
| P5 — At Špičák bus station | |
| Location | By the bus station, north-east of the centre |
| Walk to centre | 10–15 min walk downhill to the centre |
| Rate | Standard, then 30 CZK / hour |
| Overnight | Yes |
| When it fills | Slowest to fill |
| Note | Cheapest. Right if you don't mind the walk in (it's downhill on arrival, uphill on the way back). |
Which to pick
…you want the closest, easiest option
P1 — Jelení zahrada
Closest to the castle, 5–8 minutes to Latrán. Arrive before 9 am on summer Saturdays or you may find it full.
…P1 and P2 are full
P3 — Na Spravedlnosti
The biggest lot, south of the Old Town. Almost always has space, even on peak weekends. 10–15 minutes' walk in.
…you're optimising for price
P5 — at the bus station
30 CZK/hour vs 40–50 CZK at the closer lots. 10–15 minute walk in; downhill on the way to the centre.
…this is a tourist mistake
Trying to drive into the Old Town
The historic centre is a pedestrian zone with bollards and access control. There is no public street parking inside it. Don't follow your sat-nav blindly past Horní brána.
In season — what fills, when
In high season (June to mid-September) and on every weekend from April to October, expect this pattern:
- By 09:00 on summer Saturdays, P1 is usually 90%+ full.
- By 10:30, P2 is also typically full.
- P3 holds out longest — it's the biggest lot and the furthest of the trio.
- P4 and P5 essentially always have space, even on the busiest weekends.
- By 16:00, things ease up again as day-trippers leave.
If you can shape your day, arrive before 09:00 or after 16:00. Both windows have the bonus that the centre is markedly less crowded.
Overnight stays & EV charging
All five lots permit overnight parking, so if you're staying a night in town you can leave the car at whichever lot fits your hotel. Ask the hotel first — some have an arrangement with a specific lot or a private space included.
Public EV charging is sparse in central Krumlov; the more reliable options are at supermarkets on the edge of town (Kaufland, Lidl) or the highway services along the D3/E55. If you're arriving in an EV, plan to top up before you reach the Old Town — it'll be slow and finicky once you're in.
FAQ
How much does parking cost in Český Krumlov?
Hourly rates are 30–50 CZK depending on the lot. The two closest lots (P1 and P2) sell day tickets at around 280 CZK. The first 40 minutes are free at P1, P2 and P3, which is convenient if you're just picking up or dropping off luggage at a centre hotel.
Can I park overnight in Český Krumlov?
Yes — all five public lots (P1–P5) allow overnight parking. The closer lots will be more expensive over 24 hours; if you're staying multiple nights, ask your hotel whether they have a parking arrangement.
Is there free parking in Český Krumlov?
Not in the centre. The first 40 minutes are free at the three closer lots — that's the only free option, and it's really intended for hotel drop-off, not for sightseeing. Free residential street parking exists in outlying neighbourhoods (Plešivec, Vyšný) but those are zone-restricted and a 20-minute walk to the centre.
Which parking lot is closest to the castle?
P1 (Jelení zahrada), on the north side of the castle. From P1 it's about a five-minute walk to the castle's first courtyard and 8–10 minutes to the main square (Náměstí Svornosti) across the river.
Can I park inside the Old Town?
No. The Inner Town and Latrán are pedestrian zones with bollards and an access-permit system. Hotels can sometimes arrange a temporary unloading permit, but you cannot park there. Use one of the perimeter P-lots.
Do parking lots in Český Krumlov take cards?
Most pay-stations accept contactless cards in addition to cash. Bring some 10 and 20 CZK coins as a fallback for older meters.
