Parking in Skopje: Zones, Prices & Best Spots for Rental Cars

Parking in Skopje is straightforward once you understand the zone system. Unlike many European capitals, rates are affordable and street parking is widely available.

Parking Zones in Skopje

Skopje uses a colour-coded zone system managed by the city's JP Gradski Parking enterprise.

Red Zone (Centre)

Location: Macedonia Square, Old Bazaar perimeter, City Park area
Rate: 30 MKD/hour (~€0.50)
Max duration: 2 hours
Hours: Mon–Sat 07:00–21:00 (free on Sundays)

Yellow Zone (Inner Ring)

Location: Areas surrounding the Red Zone — Debar Maalo, Kapištec, Centar municipality
Rate: 20 MKD/hour (~€0.33)
Max duration: 3 hours
Hours: Mon–Sat 07:00–21:00

Green Zone (Outer Ring)

Location: Residential areas, hospital surroundings, university campus
Rate: 15 MKD/hour (~€0.25)
Max duration: No limit
Hours: Mon–Fri 07:00–19:00

How to Pay for Parking

SMS Parking (Easiest)

Note the zone number on the parking sign
Send an SMS with your licence plate to the zone number
You receive confirmation by SMS
To extend, send another SMS before your time expires

Zone SMS numbers:

Red Zone: 144 141
Yellow Zone: 144 142
Green Zone: 144 143

Parking Meters

Available in the Red and Yellow zones. Accept coins (10, 50 MKD) and some accept contactless cards.

Parking Attendants

In some areas, an attendant will issue a paper ticket. Pay when you return to your car.

Free Parking Options

Shopping malls: Skopje City Mall, Capitol Mall, and Ramstore all offer free parking for customers (first 2–3 hours)
Sunday parking: All street parking zones are free on Sundays
After 21:00: Free in all zones after 9 PM
Hotel parking: Most Skopje hotels offer free or discounted parking for guests

Best Parking Near Key Attractions

Old Bazaar (Stara Čaršija)

Park at the multi-storey garage on Kej 13 Noemvri (riverbank). Walk across the Stone Bridge — 5 minutes to the bazaar centre. Rate: 30 MKD/hour.

Macedonia Square

Use the underground parking beneath the square itself. Clean, safe, and directly in the centre. Around 40 MKD/hour.

Matka Canyon (Day Trip)

Free parking at the canyon entrance. Arrives early on weekends — the lot fills by 10 AM in summer.

Skopje Fortress (Kale)

Street parking on the roads approaching the fortress. Yellow zone rates apply.

Tips for Rental Car Drivers

Don't park on pavements — fines are 2,000–5,000 MKD (€30–80)
Watch for no-parking signs — towing is quick and costs ~3,000 MKD
Use Google Maps — search "parking" to find nearby lots
Airport parking — free short-term at Skopje Airport (first 15 minutes), then 120 MKD/hour
Photo your spot — Skopje streets can look similar; mark your location on Google Maps

Parking at Ohrid

If you are driving to Lake Ohrid:

Free parking at the lake promenade (limited spots, arrive early)
Paid lot at the entrance to Old Town (~20 MKD/hour)
Hotel parking — many lakeside hotels include free parking

Parking at Other Cities

Bitola

Free street parking throughout most of the city. Paid parking only in the immediate centre near Širok Sokak (€0.20/hour). Far more relaxed than Skopje.

Tetovo

Free parking throughout the city. The Painted Mosque and main attractions all have free roadside parking.

Struga and Struga Beach

Free parking in the town centre. At the beach, private lots charge €1-2/day in summer — arrive before 09:00 for free roadside spots.

Useful Apps and Tools

JP Gradski Parking app — official Skopje parking app (iOS/Android). Top up balance and extend time remotely.
Google Maps — search "parking" near your destination for real-time options and reviews.
Waze — shows parking lot availability near Skopje's busiest areas.

What Happens If You Get a Ticket

Parking fines in North Macedonia range from 1,000–5,000 MKD (€15–80). If you receive a ticket on a rental car:

Note the violation number
Contact us — we can help resolve it
Fines can be paid at any bank or post office within 8 days for a 50% discount

Quick Reference: Skopje Parking Summary

Situation	Best option	Cost
Near Macedonia Square	Underground parking	~€0.65/hour
Old Bazaar visit	Kej 13 Noemvri garage	~€0.50/hour
Full day in centre	City Mall (free for customers)	Free (2-3 hrs)
Sunday visit	Any street zone	Free
Late evening (after 21:00)	Any street zone	Free
Long-stay near hotel	Hotel parking	Free–€5/day

Frequently Asked Questions

Is parking free on Sundays in Skopje? Yes — all on-street parking in Skopje is free on Sundays. The paid parking system operates Monday–Saturday only. If you are arriving or doing errands in Skopje, Sunday is the easiest day to find free parking near any attraction.

What app do I use for SMS parking payment? The service is called "Parking Skopje" and payment goes via SMS to a specific number per zone. Instructions are printed on each parking meter in Macedonian. If you have a local SIM card (available at the airport for ~€5), SMS payment is the easiest method. Without a local SIM, use coin meters or underground car parks.

Is there a park-and-ride option near Skopje Old Bazaar? No formal park-and-ride exists. The best approach for the Old Bazaar is to park at Kej 13 Noemvri or the riverside areas on the north side and walk across one of the city bridges (5–10 minute walk to the bazaar centre).

How much does overnight parking cost near hotels? Most 3-star and above hotels offer either free or low-cost parking (€2-5 per night). Confirm at booking. Alternatively, outdoor lots near Macedonia Square charge approximately €5-8 for overnight (18:00–08:00). The cheapest overnight option is free street parking outside zone hours (after 21:00), though availability varies.

Can I park at Skopje shopping centres all day? City Mall and Ramstore allow free parking for shoppers (2-3 hours validated). Extended stays beyond the free period incur hourly charges. For a full sightseeing day, it is more practical to use dedicated day parking lots near the city centre.

Parking Near the Airport and Returning Your Rental

If you are collecting or returning a rental car at Skopje Airport (SKP), here is the parking setup:

Short-term drop-off (under 30 minutes): Free drop-off zone directly in front of the terminal building. You can park, help passengers with luggage, and leave — no charge for brief stops.

Medium-term (30 minutes to 4 hours): Paid short-stay car park immediately adjacent to the terminal. Rates start at approximately 60 MKD (~€1) per hour. Pay at the exit machine by cash or card.

Long-term (4+ hours or overnight): The long-stay car park is 200 metres from the terminal with a shuttle bus. Rates drop significantly for multi-day stays — approximately €5–8 per day.

Returning your rental car: We have designated return spaces in the rental car area at the airport. Drive to the return bay, leave the keys, and we handle the inspection. Allow 15–20 minutes before your departure time.

Important: Do not park in the private operator areas adjacent to the terminal — these are for licensed airport services only and non-authorised vehicles are towed quickly.

Planning your Skopje visit? Book a rental car for the flexibility to explore the city and surrounding day trips at your own pace. The 10% online discount applies automatically.