Belgrade’s Parking Madness: Now You Pay on Weekends, and Good Luck Finding a Spot!
Welcome to Belgrade, where parking in the old city center is turning into a nightmare! The Traffic Secretariat has decided that parking in the strict city center will now be charged on weekends too — Saturdays from 7 AM to 10 PM, and Sundays from 7 AM to 2 PM. Yes, you read that right, weekends! As if weekdays weren’t bad enough, now you have to dig into your wallet on weekends as well.
The Purple Zone is Spreading Like a Virus
The purple zone, which used to be the red zone, is now expanding across the old city. The maximum parking time in this zone is only 30 minutes, with the possibility of extension. Is that enough? Of course not! Residents and visitors will be circling around, hunting for a spot they can only keep for half an hour.
Yellow Zone Turns Red, and the White Zone is the New Kid on the Block
Parts of the former yellow zone are now red zones with a 60-minute parking limit, again with a possible 30-minute extension. Lower Dorćol gets a new white zone, covering the area of the former green zone, with a 60-minute parking limit and the possibility to extend for another 60 minutes.
Prices Stay the Same, But the Pain Grows
The Traffic Secretariat’s secretary, Bojan Bovan, claims that parking prices have not changed. But is that any consolation when you now have to pay on weekends? The reason for this change is the heavy load and congestion in the city center during weekends. Residents of the old city circle for hours looking for a spot, and now it will be even harder.
Residents Aren’t Forgotten — Discounted Parking Cards for 1,000 Dinars a Month
It’s good that residents can use discounted parking cards costing 1,000 dinars per month. But is that enough to solve the problem? Many wonder if these measures will really make life easier or just complicate it further.
Visitors Should Use Public Transport or Garages
For those who come to the center by car, it is recommended to use public transport or public garages and parking lots. Belgrade has about 3,000 parking spots in garages like Obilićev Venac, Pionirski Park, Zeleni Venac, Masarikova, Rajićeva, Botanička Bašta, Palilulska Pijaca, Kalemegdan, Vidin Kapija, and Donji Grad. But is that enough for everyone who wants to come downtown?
Conclusion: Belgrade or Parking Hell?
These new measures are an attempt to bring order to the parking chaos in old Belgrade. But with time limits from 30 to 60 minutes and weekend charges, many wonder if they will be able to find a spot at all. Residents and visitors are on the edge of a nervous breakdown, while city authorities claim this is the only way to reduce congestion.
If you thought parking in Belgrade was easy, think again! Got any secret hacks for finding a parking spot downtown? Or are you just circling endlessly like everyone else? Share your stories — maybe together we’ll find a solution, or at least a good joke about Belgrade parking!
