We're staying in an apartment just outside of Siena for a week in late-June and plan on taking a day trip into Florence on one of those days. We'll have a car. I just want to know if anyone has experience parking close to the center (particularly coming from the south) without running into the dreaded ZTL's. We aren't averse to taking some public transport, but would rather walk in from the parking spot if possible.
Posted by
Farmingville, New York, USA
381 posts
I drove from Rome to Florence and parked the car in a parking garage. They are there but do charge a bit. If you can find one with room it isn't a bad walk since that is all you will be doing in Florence anyway. Just leave enough time to navigate to the garage.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon, USA
320 posts
Randy: Park on the opposite side of the Arno on the hill at Piazzale Michelangelo. It is outside the ZTL and easy to reach from the south. It is about a half mile walk or so into the heart of Florence. Plus you get a spectacular view of Florence and the Duomo from Piazzale Michelangelo. Just avoid the cafe at Piazzale Michelangelo - boy is that expensive. Have fun.
Posted by
Gettysburg, PA
1589 posts
It's a 1 hour bus trip and drops you off 500 yds from the Duomo. Leave the car in Siena- just not worth the aggrevation.
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
I agree with Bob - just because you have a car doesn't mean you need to use it. I'd take the bus and leave the driving to someone else.
Posted by
Gaston, Oregon, USA
931 posts
The bus from Siena is wonderful; clean, spacious, comfortable. I would still be careful in Siena and check and see where their ZTL's are located.
Posted by
OP
Minneapolis, MN, USA
1525 posts
Jon, Thanks for the Piazzale Michelangelo reminder. I vaguely remember reading about that before but I needed to be reminded. I did a Google Map search for it and it's perfect - couldn't be easier to get to and a nice modest walk into the center. Riding the bus would be a reasonable option if we were staying IN Siena, but we are staying about 10 miles outside of Siena, meaning that to take the bus, we would have to drive into Siena, with it's own ZTL, park, walk and then wait for the bus. By the time we did all of that, we would be pulling into Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence if we had just kept driving. I'm a big believer in good maps and have used them before to drive directly from place to place without any trouble (LOVE Google Maps and Google Directions - it's incredibly accurate). I just needed a first-hand account of the parking lot and the ease of walk. Thanks!
Posted by
Olivebridge, NY, USA
34 posts
I love to depend on my car, as well, but negotiating traffic around Florence is just not worth it. The train station is at the edge of Siena & a quick train trip to the center of Florence. Save your energy for walking around the city.
Posted by
Farmingville, New York, USA
381 posts
Make sure you have a GPS. I hate the rental car ones. I have a Garmin that I use in the states and buy the Italy chip. It saves you hour of driving aimlessly lost.
Posted by
Farmingville, New York, USA
381 posts
Make sure you have a GPS. I hate the rental car ones. I have a Garmin that I use in the states and buy the Italy chip. It saves you hour of driving aimlessly lost.