Hi, we're driving from a rented villa into Florence (we'll be coming from the southwest) for the day (maybe 2 separate days). Does anyone have a suggestion for a parking spot (or general area) that's easy to get to and get out of? We'll be doing the usual Florence things, and would like to walk from the parking spot to those things, then back at the end of the day. Cost is not a huge factor.
Thanks, Robert in Montreal
Please Robert when you talk about Italy don't use Cardinal directions. North, South, Southwest, etc. are not used in everyday speak by Italians. Just say the town you are coming from. Also when asking or giving directions Italians don't use north or south. They use only STRAIGHT, RIGHT, LEFT, BACK. Or will direct you toward a town or city. So if you need to take the freeway south from Florence, all written or spoken directions will not tell you south, but toward Rome.
I presume that the Piazza Della Calza parking lot at the PORTA ROMANA city gate is the best option for you, however I can be more precise if you tell me where exactly your "southwest" villa is. To me southwest is just a name of an American airline based in Texas.
Roberto, as a native Florentine, will have the right answer for you. But here's some good supplemental information I found yesterday while researching the same question for my upcoming trip: Parking Lots in Florence. As a bonus, here is the best ZTL info I've seen
This is only for some extra input. I have not yet been to Florence, but I found these articles well-written and informative. Roberto is a far better source.
Sorry, Roberto, we are coming from near Montaione- I figured that most people wouldn't know where that was. I'm guessing that we'll be taking the Firenze-Pisa-Livorno highway into (and out of) Florence. Thanks.
The easiest to reach is probably the underground parking at Porta Al Prato, next to the Stazione Leopolda. It's on via Elio Gabbuggiani near the Marriott AC hotel.
If you don't mind driving a bit further, you can also go to the Fortezza da Basso, where you can find the largest and also cheapest parking.
