Best Driving App to Avoid ZTL Zones

Waze.

However you need to pay attention to the signs too, because if you enter, as destination address, a place inside the ZTL, all the apps will take you there.

Study the International Road signage system used in Europe. The article below is a must read (memorize it)

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_signs_in_Italy

Maps and parking options of ZTL of all Italian cities and towns is below. Plan your trip accordingly.

https://www.accessibilitacentristorici.it/?lang=en

The best way to avoid ZTLs is to look at the road signs. They are the ones that regulate if you can enter or not, apps might be correct or they might not be. And "but the app told me I could drive here" won't save you from a fine.

Where are you planning on driving?
You don’t need or want a car in any cities so ZTLs there shouldn’t concern you.

If you are driving in Tuscany countryside (for example) none of the small roads have ZTLs
(None of the major highways do either)

All of the towns and villages do have ZTLs as most are pedestrianized. You won’t be driving IN to any of them, you will be parking outside the walls.

Never rely on an App or GPS- learn the signage and rely on your eyes.

If your GPS directs you into a ZTL and you only enter for a second you get a ticket.

We have driven in Italy many times and have never received a ZTL violation.
The horror stories you’ve heard are most likely from those who haven’t done their homework and didn’t know the signage. Or weren’t paying attention.

We were in Italy in January and drove from Rome to Campania and then to Tuscany and back to Rome, total of about 10 days. We saw bright, lit up signs announcing the ZTLs that said either “Open” (in Italian) with green lights or “Closed” (in Italian) with red lights. I drove through a number of the Open ones and so far have not received any fines. The signs were situated so it was easy to turn or not turn to avoid passing through a Closed one.

If you’re planning to park at your lodging it’d be good to check in advance and make sure it’s outside the ZTL. If not, the management might be able to help you get a temporary permit but I’d be hesitant to rely on it. Otherwise, when driving into a town check a map app for parking lots or garages and park when you get there and you should be fine. Good luck with the trip!

We just returned from Italy. We saw a lot of crazy driving and u-turns as folks attempted to avoid the forbidden zones. Good luck!

FYI not all towns, villages or cities with ZTL will have large lit signs announcing them. Ortigia in Sicily is one and I can think of at least a dozen others in Sicily and Puglia that only have street signs. Do not rely on an app. Rely on your eyes