Pàrquing a Florencia

Are you planning a visit to Florence in Italy? Whether you are visiting this city for a weekend or you are moving permanently, you will not be disappointed with the capital of one of the most famous and beautiful regions of Italy: Tuscany! We are here to tell you everything you need to know about this breathtaking northern Italian city, particularly the secrets about parking in Florence, so that you are free to enjoy your unforgettable visit to Florence without any problems whatsoever.

Firstly, it’s important you know the basics about Florence, so here are some general facts about the city. It’s the 8th largest Italian municipality by population with more than 1 million inhabitants, and is considered the cradle of civilization, art and architecture. It’s no wonder that it’s been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site! According to many historians, Florence is also the birthplace of the Italian language, thanks to the works of Dante Alighieri, Francesco Petrarca, and Giovanni Boccaccio, all originally from the area.

Florence is situated on the banks of the Arno river, which runs through the city and is also surrounded by gentle hills that make the natural landscape truly enchanting. You are probably thinking, are there any downsides to visiting this city? Unfortunately, parking in Florence is quite possibly the only problem you will face when visiting this wonderful city, but don’t worry, as at Parclick we have thought of everything! We will give you all the secrets so that you will be able to park as if you were a local! 

Parking in Florence

Are cars allowed in Florence?

Yes, of course, cars are definetly allowed! Driving in Florence is straightforward as long as you do your research beforehand. It is a well known fact that Florence is a great city for pedestrians, which is great for exploring the city by foot or bicycle. It may cause a problem, however, If you are considering driving in Florence. When driving in the centre, it  is essential that you know about the Florence ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato), which is essentially a traffic restricted zone. In order to enter the ZTL, you must have a permit, those cars which do not have a permit and who drive in the ZTL will receive a high fine. The ZTL covers all of the historical centre, and although is only active in certain hours of the day, it is advisable to consider leaving your car outside of the ZTL in order to avoid problems with permits and fines. At Parclick, we have car parks located inside and outside of the ZTL which can meet all of your needs! Make sure to plan your route and parking beforehand so that you do not get caught on your visit. Another way to avoid the ZTL fine is by booking one of Parclick’s car parks offered inside the ZTL. Many of our car parks give you the option to avoid fines in the ZTL, as long as your car complies with the ZTL environmental regulations. Once you’ve made your reservation, the day you arrive in Florence you’ll be able to go directly to the car park without worrying about anything. You’ll be fearlessly driving through the ZTL with Italian bravado since the car park staff will authorise your access by communicating your license plate number to the authorities as soon as you arrive. Often car parks may charge a small fee, roughly €1, which covers administrative fees, but is well worth it to avoid paying a hefty fine and to be able to drive in the ZTL. With Parclick you can avoid fines and hassle, and park within the Florence ZTL in an indoor, secure car park!

Where do you park when visiting Florence?

Parking in Florence is easy when you understand the options available and you plan your parking in advance! There are different parking options in the Tuscan Capital. Let us explain each option to you so that you can pick which one works best for your visit: 

On-Street Parking:

On-street parking is available in Florence however you must be prepared to walk around half an hour to the historic centre as on-street parking is limited in the centre. The best place to find on-street parking is on the outskirts of the city. On-street parking is also cheaper as you move further out of the city. It is important to know that you may not be able to park in all bays, the colour of the lines will tell you whether the parking place is restricted or not. White lines indicate that the parking space is only for residents, yellow lines indicate that the bay is only for diabled badge holders and blue lines mean that the parking space is a paid on-street parking space. You are required to pay for on-street parking between 08:00-20:00. On-street parking is also not the best option for overnight visitors, as when the street is scheduled to be cleaned, any car left on the street will be towed away. Furthermore, it is important to remember that you need a permit to drive within the ZTL. As you can see, on-street parking is ideal for short visits to the outskirts of the city, however it can be complicated when visiting the centre and should be avoided for overnight parking purposes. 

Car Parks

Most tourists prefer to use paid car parks on their trip to Florence for many reasons. Firstly, prebooking your parking space in a car park is an ideal option if you are looking for overnight parking in the city as it is more secure and avoids possible problems with on-street parking restrictions overnight. Furthermore, if you are planning on entering the ZTL and your car meets the environmental regulations, many paid car parks, as discussed earlier in the article, will authorise your access into the ZTL area, which allows you to park in the heart of Florence and explore the city on foot, which as you can imagine is handy for tourists. Many tourists also choose to book a car park outside of the ZTL in Florence and explore the city on foot and on public transport. Whether you are looking for a car park inside or outside of the ZTL, when you prebook your parking space with Parclick, you are guaranteed a parking place and you also pay less, as Parclick offers you the best parking rates in Florence. When you prebook your parking space with Parclick, you really will be parking like a local!

Where can I park for free in Florence? 

It is almost impossible to find parking for free in the city of Florence. This is because, since 2016, Florence’s streets have become pedestrianised, which has consequently reduced the number of free parking spaces on Florence’s streets. It is not unheard of to find free parking on the outskirts of Florence however since the city has become pedestrian friendly, it has been even difficult to find free parking on the outskirts. 

Is street parking free in Florence?

On-street parking on Sunday in Florence is free. On-street parking can be limited, particularly on Sundays however it is a good option on the outskirts of the city. For other days of the week, you will most likely have to pay. To find out how much you have to pay, try and spot parking signs, which might indicate how much parking will be.

How much is parking in Florence?

On-street parking in Florence can cost between €1-€3 per hour and is payable 12 hours a day Monday-Saturday. Parking on Sunday in Florence is free. Car parks in Florence can vary in price however at Parclick we offer you the best deals in car parks across Florence. 

How can I park my car long term in Florence?

In addition to being able to book a parking space for a few hours or days, with Parclick you can also rent a parking space in Florence for a whole month, so you can leave your car safely parked day after day, month after month. ;) We offer 24 hour monthly passes so you can access the garage any time, or you can choose between a monthly day pass or monthly nighttime pass. The important thing is that your rented parking space is always guaranteed!

Check out our offers to rent monthly parking in Florence, and if you don’t find what you’re looking for, call us! We’re at your disposal to offer you the best option to park wherever you want.

Travelling by Car to Florence

If you are still planning to come to Florence by car, it would be good to know how to get there! Reaching Florence by car is easy if you’re coming from the A11 motorway, but the situation gets complicated as soon as you arrive in the city and try to get close to the center. The whole historic centre of Florence is affected by a vast Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL), which prohibits unauthorised vehicles from driving in the center in order to reduce traffic and emissions. If you look on a map, the whole area within the “ring roads” is ZTL territory (plus the entire Oltrarno area)! Be sure to read up on the restrictions in these areas before your trip to Florence to avoid any fines.

In addition to the ZTL, there are also pedestrian areas and streets you have to watch out for. And frankly, the city’s layout in general makes things rather complicated…

Of course, you can’t expect to find 4-lane roads in the centre of a city dating back to the Renaissance! Most of the streets in the center of Florence are small and narrow, then add in the flood of tourists, and it’s enough to get on even the most experienced drivers’ nerves.

So, without a doubt, the best way to move around the center of Florence is on foot! Florence is actually a very walkable city; you can easily reach all the main sights by walking just a few minutes. Which is all well and good, but we still need to resolve that pesky issue of where to leave your car before you can pound the pavement…

Train Stations in Florence

In addition to Florence, Tuscany has many other wonderful cities worth visiting: From Pisa to Siena, Arezzo to Lucca… It’s definitely a region you’ll want to discover! And all of the cities we mentioned can be quickly reached by train, just like the rest of the cities in Italy. If you want to take a day trip (or two), just book a car park near a train station in Florence. ;)

Park near the train stations in Florence

• Santa Maria Novella Station

• Florence Campo di Marte Station

• Florence Rifredi Station

• Porta al Prato Station

Florence Airport

Florence is also well connected by air through its airport. If you are planning on catching a plane from here, make sure to book a parking space with Parclick at the best price - Parking at Florence Airport – Peretola.

Public transport in Florence

If you are planning to park up in Florence and explore the city then it would be good to know about how public transport works in Florence. Florence may not have a metro system however there is no shortage of public transport for you to choose from for such a small city. In Florence you can enjoy:

• Two tram lines

  • T1 (Villa Costanza – Careggi Ospedale)

  • T2 (Unità – Aeroporto Peretola)

• More than 60 bus lines that run far and wide

• 4 lines of small buses (C1, C2, C3 and C4). Most are electric and serve the entire historic center and can also pass through pedestrian areas.

But we have to reiterate that walking around Florence is truly one of the best ways to get to know every detail of the city, and of course the most famous places and monuments.

Visiting Florence - A guide to Florence

Florence attracts tourists from all over the world who stroll through the streets and along the bridges in the historic centre, enjoying the unique atmosphere in this city that’s truly one of a kind. The rich history of Florence has ancient origins, dating back to the Etruscan period, but it really reached the height of its splendor during the Middle Ages and the following centuries, being home to numerous noble families who would leave behind an incredible artistic and cultural heritage. So it’s normal that the city is full of such spectacular works of art and architecture today when it has such an illustrious past!

The Main Sights in Florence

Any visit to Florence absolutely must start at the Piazza del Duomo, where the impressive Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore stands. Its famous dome was designed by Filippo Brunelleschi and in front of the dome stand Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery of San Giovanni. The Duomo represents the heart of Florence, located right in the historic center, but this area is full of many other incredible places too.

From the Piazza del Duomo, first, you can head north to the Basilica of San Lorenzo, with the Laurentian Library and the Medici Chapels, then retrace your steps and head back south little by little. This way you can go to Piazza della Repubblica first, and then Piazza della Signoria, where the Palazzo Vecchio and the Loggia dei Lanzi are located. Nearby you also have the Church of Orsanmichele, the Basilica of Santa Trinità, and some historic buildings, such as Palazzo Strozzi and Palazzo Tornabuoni.

Go a little further south and you’ll arrive at the Arno River, which you can cross thanks to several beautiful bridges. There is one that stands out, though… You probably already know it since it’s one of the most emblematic places in Florence: Ponte Vecchio!

Once you cross this bridge, you’ll find yourself in the Oltrarno district, where you can visit the Palazzo Pitti and the famous Boboli gardens. You can also see Forte Belvedere, the Basilica of Santo Spirito, and the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine, which houses the Brancacci Chapel.

Otrarno also has one of the places with the best views of Florence: Piazzale Michelangelo, a square with a panoramic view that will take your breath away. Insider tip: Come at sunset for fabulous photos. ;) Another place you can’t miss in the area is the Abbey of San Miniato al Monte.

Here you can cross the Arno River again, perhaps taking Ponte alle Grazie this time, to reach another famous area in Florence’s historic center: Santa Croce. Here you can visit the famous Basilica of Santa Croce, in front of which is a monument to Dante Alighieri, legendary author of Inferno. You can also access the Pazzi Chapel from the basilica, a wonderful Renaissance building by Brunelleschi.

This whole tour is perfectly feasible on foot, so you can park your car in the historic centre of Florence and leave it behind while you set off on your adventure. Or, if you prefer, you can move your car as you go along, parking first in one of our car parks in Oltrarno, and then in a car park near Santa Croce. ;)

Museums in Florence

The museums of Florence are among the most renowned in Italy, and the world, for the magnificent works of art they hold, unparalleled in fame and value. We would tell you to visit all of them! But if you’re short on time and have to choose the most essential museums to visit during your stay in Florence, they would be the following:

• Uffizi Gallery: The Italian museum with the most annual visits, the Uffizi houses the world’s largest collection of works related to the Renaissance by the most famous artists. Works by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Titian, Botticelli, and Giotto can all be found there.

• Accademia Gallery: The #1 reason to go is definitely for Michelangelo's David.

• Bargello Museum

• Museum of San Marco

• Hospital of the Innocent

• Dante's House Museum

• Casa Buonarroti

• Archaeological Museum of Florence

Theatres in Florence

There is no shortage of theatres in Florence, and these are the main ones where you can take in a show in the city center:

• Verdi Theatre

• Pergola Theatre

• Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Theatre

• Puccini Theatre

What to do in Florence

Aside from monuments, museums, and theatres, there are plenty of other reasons why you might be visiting the city (and need a parking space in Florence):

• Going to a concert in Florence: The Nelson Mandela Forum and the Visarno Arena both host the biggest concerts in Florence.

• See a Fiorentina match: Come cheer them on at the Artemio Franchi Stadium!

• Attend a festival in Florence: There are many types, but one of the most famous is undoubtedly Firenze Rocks, which is celebrated every summer in the Parco delle Cascine.

• Going to a fair or a salon in Florence: During the year the Florence Fair hosts numerous congresses, fairs, exhibitions, and events of all kinds. It’s divided into 3 different spaces: Fortezza da Basso, Palazzo dei Congressi, and Palazzo degli Affari.

Thanks to Parclick you can always book the best car parks in Florence, whether it’s to stay and explore the city, or if you’re planning on leaving from Florence for another trip.Whatever the reason you need parking in Florence, you’ll always find the best options and the most affordable rates with us! Prebook your parking space in Florence today and enjoy your stay in this amazing city!