What is parking like in Florence?

At Florence's parking lots, you pay by the hour or buy a day pass. All paid parking lots are open 24/7, and so are perfect for overnight parking in Florence. Make sure, when you drive in, to steer clear of the ZTL. Entrances to this restricted zone are well marked with signs and a red light.



Parking in Florence is notoriously difficult and highly regulated by the ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato) system. In 2026, the entire historic center is off-limits to unauthorized vehicles; if you drive past a "ZTL" camera without a permit, you will receive an automatic fine of €80+. Most tourists are advised to use the "Park & Ride" system at Villa Costanza, located directly off the A1 motorway; from there, a clean, high-speed tram takes you into the city center in 20 minutes for under €2. If you must park closer, the large underground garage at the Santa Maria Novella (SMN) train station is the most convenient but expensive option, costing roughly €3.80 per hour. For a 2026 "pro-tip," avoid the blue-line street spaces as they are often for residents only; instead, book a private garage inside the center in advance. These garages can "whitelist" your license plate with the authorities, allowing you to legally drive through the ZTL to reach your parking spot.

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It's maze of one-way streets, strictly enforced pedestrian-only areas, narrow roads and lack of parking. Plus, everything you'll want to see is within walking distance, so driving in Florence ill-advised. Still, if you arrive to Florence in a rental car, you need to know how to get into the city and where to park.

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However, when it comes to parking in Florence, there are a few challenges. The historical centre is covered by the Florence ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato), a restricted zone with entrance only permitted for those with a permit. If you enter without one, you will have to pay a very high fine.

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A few areas where you may be able to find street parking in Florence are, Lungarno della Zecca Vecchia, Torre della Zecca and Porta San Frediano. If you have a hotel in the city of Florence and wish to park your car, our advice is to contact management in advance to get the address of a nearby lot or garage.

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While renting a car isn't necessary or even advised if you're only visiting major tourists city (you can't even bring your rental car into the old town Florence, and having a car in Rome is a very bad idea not just because of traffic but also because many main attractions are only accessible by foot anyway), if you ...

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When you're traveling through Italy, having a car is essential, however, like many other historic cities in Italy, downtown Florence is not designed to accommodate the flow of modern traffic. For this reason, sightseeing within the city should be done on foot.

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1. Florence, Italy. It'll take around ten minutes and just half a mile of walking to get a look at Florence's main attractions. The Ponte Vecchio, the city's famous Duomo and the Uffizi Gallery are basically within touching distance of each other.

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Much of Florence's beauty comes from its hilly, stone-paved winding streets. While this gives the city old-world charm, it also makes walking a bit of a challenge, at times.

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Taxis are less common in Florence than other cities in Italy because you can easily walk everywhere! Here are some tips for taking taxis in Florence: Download the taxi application. This is the easiest way to order a taxi in Florence.

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For first-time visitors and those who have only a short time in Florence, we suggest staying in the Centro Storico or historic district. This area is the heart of Florence and here you'll find the magnificent cathedral or duomo – Santa Maria del Fiore – the Uffizi Gallery, and the Palazzo Vecchio.

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In order to rent a car in Italy, you must be at least 21 years old. There are certain rental companies that allow drivers as young as 18 to rent a car in Italy as long as they have held their license for at least one year. Any driver under the age of 25 should expect to pay a young driver's surcharge.

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Avoid wandering around town alone late at night Provided you keep your wits about you and use common sense, you should feel safe and comfortable in Florence. Still, we'd advise avoiding the Santa Maria Novella area late at night when alone, as well as narrow dark alleys.

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Getting around by bus is the most popular way of getting around Florence if you don't have a car. The tickets are affordable, so you can get from one side of the city to the other on spare change. The ATAF buses run on a regular schedule and are ideal for when you don't feel like walking.

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The urban ticket, valid both for buses and tramway, costs € 1,70 and is valid 90 minutes.

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