Visitors travelling to Dubrovnik by car should be aware that the special traffic regulation zone around the historic Old Town is in force again from April 1 to October 31, 2026, according to information published by the City of Dubrovnik and the Dubrovnik Tourist Board.
The measure applies to the wider area surrounding the Old Town, including Ilijina Glavica, Zagrebačka Street to Viktorija, and the stretch from Pile to Boninovo. Within that zone, vehicle access is restricted and allowed only under specific conditions, with prior approval required for entry.
In practice, this means that visitors cannot simply drive through the area around the Old Town unless their vehicle has been registered through one of the approved systems. The City and the Tourist Board advise visitors to check traffic signs carefully, as the regulated zone begins near the traffic lights at the entrance to Dubrovnik’s narrower city centre, close to the public garage.
According to the official guidance, visitors may enter the zone only in several specific cases: if they have arranged access through the Bus Web Shop, if they have reserved parking in advance at Pile or the Dubrovnik Cable Car lower plateau, if they are staying in private accommodation with an included parking space and the host has registered the vehicle in advance, or if they are staying in a hotel located inside the zone.
The City also says that visitors arriving with confirmed accommodation should make sure their host or hotel secures the parking arrangement and registers the vehicle’s licence plate before arrival, or no later than three days after arrival. Those coming without pre-booked accommodation may enter the zone by car only for the purpose of looking for a place to stay, but if they do not find accommodation and register their stay, they lose the right to remain in the zone with their vehicle.
Visitors who enter the zone but do not eventually secure accommodation are advised to leave the area and send an explanation to the City by email within three days, including their licence plate number, the date and time of entry and the reason for entering, in order to avoid a possible fine.
At the same time, Dubrovnik has also launched a prepaid parking reservation system for the Pile parking area and the Cable Car lower plateau. According to the official information, visitors who book parking in advance through the system are recognised as having regulated access status and can enter the zone without penalties. The measure is part of Dubrovnik’s wider smart traffic management system aimed at reducing congestion around the historic core.
The City of Dubrovnik and the Dubrovnik Tourist Board are recommending that all visitors book accommodation in advance and check with their host whether parking and zone access are included, especially during the busy season.
