Where to Park in Ohrid: Parking Guide for Tourists

Visiting Ohrid by car? Finding a parking space can be one of the biggest challenges during the busy summer months.

Ohrid’s historic Old Town has narrow streets, limited parking and pedestrian areas, while demand for parking increases significantly during July and August. Knowing where to park before you arrive can save you time, money and a lot of unnecessary driving.

In this guide, we’ll explain where to park in Ohrid, how much parking costs, how to pay, where to leave your car when visiting the Old Town, and which areas you should avoid.

Is Parking Difficult in Ohrid?

Parking in Ohrid is generally manageable outside the peak summer season.

During July and August, however, parking near the city center, Old Town and lakefront can become difficult, particularly during the afternoon and evening.

The best strategy is simple:

Don’t try to drive directly into the Old Town looking for a parking space.

Instead, park in an official parking area outside the narrowest streets and walk to your destination.

Ohrid is compact enough that many of the main attractions are within walking distance of the central parking areas.

How Much Does Parking Cost in Ohrid?

Parking prices in Ohrid depend on the location, parking zone and season.

The public parking system operated by the city’s parking operator uses designated parking zones, and visitors can pay through the official online parking service by entering their vehicle registration number. Payment can be made by bank card or SMS.

Ohrid Parking Prices

Parking period	Price
Off-season 2025–2026	30 MKD/hour
Summer season	Check the current zone signage
Premium locations	Higher rates may apply
Private parking	Prices vary by location

The most recent published off-season tariff was 30 MKD per hour from October 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026.

Because seasonal tariffs can change, always check the parking sign or official payment system when you arrive.

For tourists visiting Ohrid in summer, this is particularly important because parking prices can differ between zones.

Where Can Tourists Park in Ohrid?

There are several useful areas to consider when visiting the city.

1. Parking Near the City Center

If you want to visit the main pedestrian area, shops, restaurants and the lakefront, look for official parking around the wider city center.

One example is the public parking area around Partizanska Street. ЈП Градски Паркинг – Охрид

From the central areas, many attractions can be reached on foot.

This is usually a better option than trying to take your car deep into the Old Town.

2. Parking Near the Old Town

The Old Town is one of Ohrid’s most popular areas, with attractions including:

Church of Saint Sophia
Ancient Theatre of Ohrid
Samuel’s Fortress
Plaošnik
Church of Saint John at Kaneo
Traditional Old Town streets
Lakefront viewpoints

However, parking directly inside the historic area is limited.

There is parking around the upper part of the Old Town, including Parking Upper Gate.

From here, you can continue on foot toward the historic center.

Important Old Town Parking Change in 2026

Tourists should be aware of a recent change.

From July 13, 2026, the parking spaces on:

Ilindenska
Kosta Abrash
Tsar Samoil

are subject to a special parking regime intended for resident inhabitants with valid resident permits.

If you’re visiting Ohrid as a tourist, don’t assume you can park on these streets simply because you see an empty space.

Look for official signs and use designated public parking instead.

3. Parking Near the Lakefront

If your priority is the lakefront, promenade or harbor, there are several parking options around the central waterfront.

Parking Pristanishte is one option near the harbor area.

The waterfront is particularly convenient if you’re planning to:

Take a boat trip
Walk along the promenade
Visit the Old Bazaar
Have lunch near the lake
Explore the central part of Ohrid

Keep in mind that parking close to the lake is especially popular during the summer.

Arriving earlier in the day can make a significant difference.

4. Parking Near Kaneo

The Church of Saint John at Kaneo is one of Ohrid’s most photographed landmarks.

Church of Saint Jovan the Theologian at Kaneo is located at the edge of the Old Town, overlooking Lake Ohrid.

Although there are parking locations nearby, this is not an area where you should expect abundant parking.

The streets become narrower as you approach the historic area, and walking is often easier than trying to drive all the way to Kaneo.

A better option is to park farther away and enjoy the walk through the Old Town.

5. Parking Around the City Park

Another practical option is to park farther from the busiest tourist streets and walk toward the center.

The area around Ohrid City Park can be useful depending on your destination and current parking availability.

Ohrid City Park is close to the waterfront and provides convenient access to the central part of the city.

This can be a good choice when the parking areas immediately around the center are full.

Can You Park for Free in Ohrid?

Free parking may sometimes be available outside official paid parking areas, but tourists should be careful.

A space that looks free does not necessarily mean parking is permitted.

Always check:

Road signs
Parking signs
Marked parking spaces
Resident-only restrictions
Temporary restrictions
No-parking signs

Never block:

Entrances
Driveways
Sidewalks
Pedestrian streets
Emergency access
Other vehicles

During the summer, parking enforcement can be stricter because of the increased number of visitors.

How Do You Pay for Parking in Ohrid?

Ohrid’s public parking system offers digital payment options.

The official parking service allows users to select their parking zone, enter their vehicle registration number and pay online by card or via SMS.

This is particularly convenient for tourists who don’t want to search for coins.

Before leaving your vehicle, make sure that:

You have identified the correct parking zone.
You have entered the correct registration number.
Your parking session has been successfully activated.
You have checked the allowed parking time.

Keep your parking confirmation until you leave.

Can You Park Overnight in Ohrid?

This depends on the specific parking location and its operating rules.

If you are staying overnight in Ohrid and have a rental car, the easiest option is usually to ask your hotel or apartment whether they have private parking.

Private parking can be especially valuable during the peak season when finding a public parking space late in the evening can be difficult.

If your accommodation provides parking, consider leaving the car there and exploring the center on foot.

Parking in Ohrid During July and August

Summer is the busiest period of the year for Ohrid.

Parking demand is highest around:

The Old Town
Lakefront
City center
Harbor
Popular beaches
Restaurants and nightlife areas

If you’re visiting during July or August, consider arriving before 10:00 AM if you want a better chance of finding a convenient parking space.

Another good strategy is to park once and walk.

Moving your car several times during the day can actually make your trip more stressful.

Parking for Rental Cars in Ohrid

If you’ve rented a car in Ohrid, remember that parking rules apply to rental vehicles exactly as they do to private cars.

Before leaving your rental car:

Check the parking zone and payment requirements.

This is particularly important if you’re visiting Ohrid from another country and are unfamiliar with local parking signs.

When using a rental car, also remember to:

Follow local parking restrictions
Never leave valuables visible inside the vehicle
Lock the vehicle
Take photographs of the vehicle when necessary
Keep the rental agreement and vehicle documents with you
Check whether your accommodation provides parking

Where Should You Park When Visiting the Old Town?

If you’re visiting the Old Town, the best approach is generally to park outside the narrow historic streets and walk.

A practical sightseeing route can be:

Parking → Old Town → Ancient Theatre → Plaošnik → Kaneo → Lakefront → Parking

This allows you to see several of Ohrid’s most famous attractions without constantly moving your car.

Trying to drive between each attraction isn’t necessary.

Ohrid is a walking city.

Parking Near Ohrid’s Main Attractions

Here’s a quick overview:

Attraction	Best parking strategy
Old Town	Park outside the narrow historic streets
Kaneo	Park nearby and walk
Ancient Theatre	Use central/Old Town-area parking
Plaošnik	Park outside the historic core
Samuel’s Fortress	Park lower down and walk
Ohrid Harbor	Use nearby public parking
City Center	Use designated public parking
Lakefront	Arrive early during summer
Beaches	Use designated beach parking where available

Parking at Ohrid Beaches

If you’re driving to a beach outside the city center, parking conditions can vary significantly.

Popular locations such as:

Kaneo
Labino
Trpejca
Peštani
Ljubaništa
Saint Naum

can become busy during the summer.

At popular beaches, parking may be privately operated rather than part of Ohrid’s public parking system.

Always check the price before leaving your vehicle.

For a full-day beach trip, arriving early is strongly recommended.

Should You Rent a Car in Ohrid?

If you’re staying only in central Ohrid and plan to spend most of your time walking around the Old Town and lakefront, you may not need a car every day.

However, a rental car becomes extremely useful if you want to explore beyond the city.

With a rental car, you can easily plan trips to:

Saint Naum
Trpejca
Peštani
Bay of Bones
Galichica
Struga
Vevčani
Bitola
Other destinations across North Macedonia

The key is to use the car for exploring and avoid unnecessarily driving around the busiest parts of central Ohrid.

Tips for Finding Parking in Ohrid

Arrive early

The earlier you arrive, the easier it is to find a parking space, especially in July and August.

Don’t drive into the Old Town unnecessarily

Many Old Town streets are narrow and difficult to navigate.

Park outside and walk.

Check the signs

Parking rules can differ from one street to another.

Use official parking areas

Don’t assume an unmarked space is legal.

Keep valuables out of sight

Never leave passports, wallets, electronics or luggage visible inside your rental car.

Take a photo of your parking location

Ohrid can get confusing when you’re walking around the Old Town for several hours.

A quick photo of your surroundings can save you time when returning to your car.

Ask your accommodation about parking

If your hotel or apartment has private parking, using it can be much easier than searching for a space in the center.

Final Tips for Parking in Ohrid

Parking in Ohrid doesn’t have to be stressful.

The most important thing is to plan ahead.

For the Old Town: park outside the narrow historic streets and walk.

For the city center: use designated public parking areas.

For the lakefront: arrive early, especially in July and August.

For overnight stays: ask your accommodation about private parking.

For rental cars: always check the parking zone and payment requirements before leaving the vehicle.

And remember that parking regulations and prices can change, particularly during the tourist season. Always follow the latest signs and information at the parking location.