No, you absolutely do not need a car to get around the city of Florence; in fact, having a car is often more of a burden than a benefit for tourists. The historic center of Florence is remarkably compact and is designated as a ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato), meaning only residents and authorized vehicles can drive there. Unauthorized cars entering this zone are caught by cameras and issued heavy fines. Florence is one of the most walkable cities in the world; you can walk from the main train station (Santa Maria Novella) to the Duomo in 10 minutes, and cross the entire historic core in under 30 minutes. For longer distances or trips up to the panoramic Piazzale Michelangelo, the city has an efficient network of small electric buses (Autolinee Toscane) and a modern tram system. If you plan on doing day trips to other major Tuscan cities like Pisa, Siena, or Lucca, the train system is fast, frequent, and very affordable. You should only consider a rental car if you are planning to explore the remote countryside or stay in a rural villa in the heart of Chianti where public transport is limited; otherwise, your feet and the local trains are the best way to experience the "Cradle of the Renaissance."