Where to Park in Florence Without the Stress
Florence Essentials
The information we share with our guests every day.
If you’re travelling to Florence by car, one of the first questions you’ll probably ask is where to park.
Should you choose a parking garage in the city centre? Is it better to leave your car outside the historic centre? How does the ZTL work?
The good news is that parking in Florence is much easier than it might seem. With a little planning, you can arrive stress-free, leave your car safely and enjoy the city on foot for the rest of your stay.
At a glance
- Planning where to park before you arrive will save you time and stress.
- If you’re staying in Florence’s historic centre, a parking garage is usually the most convenient option.
- Parking outside the city centre can be a good choice if you’re looking to save money.
- If you book a parking garage inside the historic centre, the garage will register your licence plate for ZTL access.
- Once you’ve parked your car, Florence is easy to explore on foot.
Why parking in Florence can seem complicated
Florence’s historic centre has limited vehicle access through the ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone), which helps regulate traffic in the city centre.
For first-time visitors, reading about parking restrictions, cameras and traffic regulations can make the whole experience seem more complicated than it really is.
In reality, knowing where you’re going to park before you arrive is usually all you need. A little planning makes arriving in Florence simple and stress-free.
The most common mistake
Many visitors drive into the city hoping to find an available parking space close to their accommodation.
This often means spending unnecessary time in traffic, driving around looking for parking and starting the holiday feeling frustrated.
Choosing your parking solution before your trip is almost always the easiest option.
Parking garage or parking lot: which is best?
The right choice depends on the type of trip you’re planning.
Parking garages in the historic centre
If you’re staying in the historic centre, a parking garage is usually the most convenient solution, especially if you’re travelling with luggage or simply want to arrive directly at your accommodation.
If you choose a parking garage inside the historic centre, the garage will register your licence plate so you can legally access the ZTL and reach the garage without worrying about traffic restrictions.
Parking outside the city centre
Parking outside the historic centre is generally less expensive and can be a good option if you don’t mind walking or using public transport to reach the centre.
Park-and-ride facilities
If you’d rather avoid driving into the city centre, Florence also offers park-and-ride facilities where you can leave your car and continue your journey by public transport.
What about the ZTL?
One of the questions we hear most often is about Florence’s ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone).
If you’ve booked a parking garage in the historic centre, you don’t need to worry. The garage will register your licence plate and explain how to reach it correctly.
If you haven’t booked a parking garage, it’s worth checking the access rules before arriving to avoid entering the ZTL by mistake
Accessible parking
If you travel with a disabled parking permit, different rules apply for parking and access to the historic centre.
Before travelling, it’s always a good idea to check the latest procedures established by the City of Florence.
If you’re staying at Le Residenze a Firenze, we’ll be happy to explain the correct procedure before your arrival.
If you're staying at Le Residenze a Firenze
All of our properties are located in Florence’s historic centre, where walking is the best way to experience the city.
For this reason, we usually recommend that our guests drive directly to their chosen parking garage, leave the car there and enjoy Florence on foot for the rest of their stay.
We also work with trusted parking garages located close to our properties.
- Residenza Covoni – Garage Bargello
- Residenza De’ Boni – Garage Lungarno
- Residenza Benizzi – Garage Lungarno
Guests who book directly with us receive all the information they need before arrival, including directions to the recommended parking garage for their accommodation.
Our advice
Whenever possible, decide where you’re going to park before you leave for Florence.
Knowing exactly where you’re heading will make your arrival much more relaxed and allow you to start enjoying the city straight away.
Once you’ve parked your car, you’ll discover that Florence is best explored on foot. Museums, squares, restaurants and historic streets are all within easy walking distance, and for most visitors the car won’t be needed again until it’s time to leave.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
A note from Le Residenze a Firenze
This is one of the questions our guests ask us most often before arriving in Florence. That's why we created Florence Essentials: a collection of practical tips and useful information designed to help you plan your stay with greater confidence and fewer unexpected surprises.
