Parking in Florence
Many Siena House guests desire a day or half day trip to Florence, and it’s not difficult from here. The main part of the journey is very easy and only the final approach to the city a little more complex. With google maps and the parking in Florence tips below, however, there’s no stress. You could consider training in, but if it’s hot or you have little ones with you or you desire flexibility or intend to stop and outlet shop.. then the car is the best choice. Try to aim to arrive outside od rush hour (such as after 9 am) and depart well away from the 6-7 pm traffic. The drive to Florence is pretty easy and parking in Florence is also pretty simple once you know where. Honestly, in the heat of high Summer, when Florence city is the hottest place in Tuscany for sure, travelling comfortably with A/C in your own motor is the only way to go!
Where to park in Florence?
- Santa Maria Novella Train Station. Malvin’s preferred Florence parking spot. Head roughly to the centre keeping an eye out for the restricted zones (red circle white ground sign with ZTL ‘zona traffico limitato’ which is a residents and permits only street) which must be avoided. Unless you are resident at a hotel within these areas you’ll be fined just for being present. These zones are ‘policed’ via cameras and the fines arrive to the hire car companies who will bill you. So, from the motorway head towards the centre and whilst avoiding the ZTL zones you are also looking for the signposting for the STAZIONE FERROVIA or STAZIONE or SANTA MARIA NOVELLA or STAZIONE SMN. There is a large parking lot at the station, look for the big blue P sign and head underground. Parking here is going to cost 20-30 Euro for a day depending on how long your day is…
- Porta Romana is another good spot. Blue pay and display spaces. Ideally you approach from Firenze Certosa area. You’ll descend toward the centre. At the bottom of the hill find a small circl, straight ahead is the Porta Romana (this means ‘Roman Door/entrance’) At left is a car park. Park as soon as possible as you are in the centre before long if you continue and at risk of entering ZTL zones…
- Along the river. If entering Florence via the s222 you’re going to cross the river. This is the way in from Chianti. Once over the river turn left at the first crossroads. The river is the Arno, the road we’re interested in road runs alongside it. Not far along it you’re going to come to the section with parking in the centre (of the road). Hopefully you’ll find a spot! Very close to the heart of Florence park before the Viale Amendola, which is a main street. You don’t want to end up ‘wandering’ around the centre by car as you’ll pick up a ton of fines so go dilligently. The parking mentioned above is within blue lines – blue spaces are for visitors. Pay and display in the windscreen of your car.
Beware! attenzione! watch out!
- restricted zones or ZTL (signposted as a red circle white ground sign with ZTL ‘zona traffico limitato’ which is a residents and permits only street) which must be avoided. Unless you are resident at a hotel within these areas you’ll be fined just for being present. These zones are ‘policed’ via cameras and the fines arrive to the hire car companies who will bill you.
- Don’t rely 100% on your GPS Stay vigilant and watch the signposting. Giving in to the GPS directions can be expensive, particularly in Florence or Rome. If you rely on them to navigate you in the centre you are going to be heavily fined for entering resident-only streets and ZTL areas.
- If you are collecting your hire car in Florence centre and then heading out of town you need to be super aware of this. Insist the hire car collection point staff give you a really good directions and a map so that you can avoid the ZTL fines.
- Stress free Florence car rental collection:choose Florence airport as your pick up point. It’s on our side of Florence, right next to the motorway. It will cost you 20Euro approx (this is a regulated fare) for a taxi to and from the centre but boy is it worth it…
*Don’t rely 100% on your GPS. Stay vigilant and pay close attention to signposting to enable you to stay safe, avoid accidents, infringements and fines.