Parking in Montenegro: paid and free

In Montenegro, as in any country, there is a variety of types of parking. Paid and free parking are located throughout the country, especially in the large cities of the Central part of the country (Podgorica, Nixic, Cetinje, Zabljak, Kolasin), as well as in the resort towns (Budva, Kotor, Tivat, Bar, Herceg Novi) on the Adriatic coast .

Free parking in Montenegro

Practically in all cities of Montenegro it is really possible to find free parking places on roadsides, hotel car parks, in yards or near shops. If there is no parking sign installed here, leave the car free. But keep in mind that in Montenegro there are unspoken rules, we strongly advise you to learn to avoid fines.

Local residents relate to the rules of the road quite freely and as a result they can park where they are at their discretion. For example, a car left by someone can block traffic on a narrow street, while other cars shamelessly stand directly under the sign “Parking is prohibited.” In the low season, when there are practically no tourists on the streets, the police often ignore these violations. But with the opening of the tourist season, locals are more cautious. Be prepared for such seasonal changes and do not follow the example of the local. It is easier to observe the rules of parking than to rescue the car from the parking lot and pay a fine, the amount of which can reach several tens of euros.

Another unspoken rule is that the closer you are to the tramped hiking trails or the city center, the harder it is to find free parking spaces, and paid ones are becoming more expensive. But if you look carefully, practically in all Montenegrin cities you can find free places within walking distance of the main attractions.

Paid parking in Montenegro

The cost of parking is very different depending on the season. If in summer prices reach 2 euros per hour, then in winter they usually fall by half, although it is impossible to find something cheaper than 0.5 euro per hour. Commercial parking is presented in two forms. This is either parking spaces along the road, marked with a special sign and sometimes with a layout, and expensive parking lots with barriers, the cost of which is 50% higher than usual.

The latter can be found at times more often. The advantage is that parking time is not limited to them, whereas on paid parking spaces it is usually not allowed to stand longer than two hours. They are an underground parking lot, blocked by a barrier and with a parking machine at the entrance. Upon check-in, you receive a card on which the arrival time is marked. When you leave the parking lot, you show the card to an employee who checks the number of hours, and after payment you leave the parking lot. The cost of hour parking is displayed on the parking meter or a special sign. At a minimum, you have to pay for 1 hour, even if you stayed in the parking lot for only a few minutes. If you lose the card, you will also be fined 10-30 euros, so be careful.

Street paid parking is located close to tourist sites. It happens that parking is divided into price zones, marked with different colors. The most expensive area is under the red sign, the cheapest is the green one. The hourly fee increases in proportion to the proximity to the center. In this case, under the standard sign “paid parking” you will see a sign with the color code, payment per hour and instructions for payment.

Parking places in Kotor

There is no free parking along the streets and so few free parking spaces that you should not count on them at all. If you parked on the side of the road, where there is a solid white line running in the middle of the road, between the side of your car and the white line should be at least 1.23 meters. Failure to comply with the rules will result in the car being towed and written out a fine of 60 euros plus 60 euros for the tow truck. This parking rule is applied in Kotor and its surroundings.

In Kotor there is a municipal parking and private parking places in 5-10 minutes walk from the walls of the Old Town. The price range per hour is from 0.70 to 1.00 euros per hour, but in summer prices are likely to be higher. Free options in this area are difficult to find. If you do not mind walking, then you can park for free at the sea. Find the “Komtor skolas scaffold” on Google maps: here along the coastline there are places for cars, and if you get there early in the morning, you are most likely to be lucky enough to find a free place.

Parking places in Tivat

In Tivat, there is no free parking along the streets. Instead, you will see a lot of signs warning that “parking is prohibited.” Paid parking lots can be found along the waterfront and in the yacht complex of Porto Montenegro, but it will cost you 2 euros per hour (the usual street parking in the city costs four times less).

Parking and stopping of vehicles in front of the airport are prohibited. To unload and take off passengers along the road opposite the building there is a zone where you can stop for one minute to land passengers.

Parking in the Bar

From the point of view of the motorist, this is the most convenient city, as it was designed and built in accordance with the requirements of the twentieth century, including the presence of personal cars from residents. Parking spaces are provided practically in front of each building and almost all of them are free of charge. Parking with a barrier you will find only at the port and some shopping centers.

Parking places in Budva

In Budva, unconditionally dominated parking lots with barriers. In the whole city there are only two streets, where parking can be paid through a parking meter, and they are located near the embankment. You will recognize them by signs of paid parking and parking counters on the sidewalk. Illegally parked cars are being evacuated. Wreckers constantly patrol the streets, so you can lose the car in just 15 minutes after you left it in the wrong place.

Parking a car for free there are many opportunities, but affordable places will be far from tourist routes. You can leave the car on the side of the road or the hotel car park. You can find out if there is free parking for guests at the front desk.

In other cities of the Budva Riviera, there are no paid parking lots or they are expensive and expensive. Local residents and tourists, mostly parked for free, but to find a free place will have to sweat. The rest of the parking spaces are free, but often are occupied. Consider this and do not violate the rules when parking in these areas, which we have already told you at the very beginning.