Fancy a sunny jaunt through the streets of beautiful Florence? If so, Generation Voyage has all the tips you need to find a parking lot in Florence.
Cradle of the Italian Renaissance, Florence is undoubtedly one of Italy’s most beautiful cities, and for good reason: it alone accounts for almost 25% of Italy’s historical heritage! A city of museums and festivities, the capital of Tuscany has a lot going for it: between its monuments, testimony to the power of the Medici, its sublime galleries and museums, its delicious ice creams and its ambient scent of leather, Florence has everything to seduce.
But if you decide to visit Florence by car, you’re bound to come up against a few obstacles. In fact, traffic is forbidden in the city center, which makes parking very difficult. Fortunately, Generation Voyage is here to help you find cheap parking in Florence.
Parking in Florence: the limited traffic zone
Photo credit: Flickr – Sune Bundgaard
As in many Italian cities, Florence has a ZTL – a restricted traffic zone. Indeed, as the streets date back to the 19th century and are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Italian government has decided to preserve them by restricting travel in the city. Only residents are allowed to park in Florence, so you’ll need to park either in a private parking lot or outside the ZTL.
As regards opening hours, the ZTL applies from Monday to Friday, from 7.30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Saturdays from 7.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. There’s also a night ZTL, from April 7 to October 2, which extends night-time hours on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 11pm to 3am. Advantage: it does not apply on Sundays.
Here is a map of the ZTL zones and the various Florence parking lots that can be found in them:
Parking in Florence: finding a space on the street
To park in Florence without spending your entire vacation budget, you’ll need to park outside the ZTL zone and therefore park in another zone called ZCS, – controlled parking zone. You can park there if you manage to find a space, but beware of the colored markings: blue lines are chargeable – count €2 for 1 hour and €3 for 2 hours in zone 1 and €1 for 1 hour and €2 for 2 hours in zones 2, 3, 4 and 5 – and white lines are reserved exclusively for Florentines.
But there’s a good plan for cheap parking in Florence, ideally located and offering a spectacular view of the Tuscan capital: the Piazzale Michelangelo parking lot. Formerly free, it is now subject to a charge, but remains very affordable: count €1 for the first hour and €2 for the rest, especially as at this price you’ll enjoy a splendid view over the heights of Florence.
Another good idea for parking in Florence is to find a space outside the city, close to public transport. Just a stone’s throw from Villa Costanza, you’ll find cheap parking: €0.50 for the first hour, €2 for 4 hours, €5 for 10 hours and €7 for the day. All you have to do is take the streetcar to the center and you’re in business.
Find a parking lot in Florence
Parking in Florence: private and covered garages
Photo credit: Pixabay – Waldo93
If you absolutely must park in downtown Florence, there’s a solution: private garages. Although more expensive, they have the advantage of transmitting your license plate electronically to the authorities. You will then receive a permit, valid for 2 hours while you unload your luggage, and only on the day of your arrival and departure. On average, you’ll need to pay between €20 and €35 per day.
Located right in the city center, Garage San Gallo is the ideal parking lot for anyone wanting to be close to Piazza San Marco or the Accademia gallery. Rates are €25 per day, €50 for two days and €60 for a weekend Pass with unlimited entry and exit.
Another well-placed parking lot in Florence is the Palazzo Vecchio garage, a stone’s throw from the famous palace of the same name. Prices are €24 for a day, €48 for two days and €65 for a weekend pass, with unlimited entry and exit.
Find a parking lot in Florence
Cheap parking in Florence: off-centre parking lots
There are other types of parking lots in Florence, further from the city center but less expensive.
Located just opposite the Firenze Porta al Prato train station, the parking lot of the same name is the perfect base if you want to take a trip from Florence to another Italian city. Rates are €1.60 for 1 hour, €8 for 5 hours and €20 for the day.
Another good deal for cheap parking: the Florence airport parking lot, Firparking Aeroporto. For 1 day, the price is €10, €20 for two days, €30 for three days and so on… Even further away, the Parcheggio Aeroporto Firenze is €5 a day, €10 for two days and €15 for three days.
Find a parking lot in Florence
Main photo credit: Flickr – Ben K