We are leaving in a week for an 11 day whirlwind driving tour of Italy.... After a few days in Venice, we are picking a car up at Marco Polo, and driving to a B&B near San Gimignano. My question is this.....could we park somewhere outside Florence( I know about the VLT areas, and don't want to risk driving in Florence), and take public transportation into the city center for a quick lunch and afternoon of walking around....and then continue on to San Gimignano planning on landing in the evening at our B&B. We don't really have any other time in our itinerary to visit Florence. Originally, we were not going to go there at all, since we are not interested in visiting museums..... This trip was originally planned as a driving tour, and not venturing into the cities much at all. We are really more interested in the country side, but I guess I am wondering if we should at least try to do a quick stop in Florence just to see it. Do you know of any places to park and go into Florence that would work with this plan? Thanks!!!!
Posted by
Farmingville, New York, USA
381 posts
There is public parking and lots that cost a bit in Venice. We drove alot but wanted to stop in Venice. We found a lot that was walking distance to the center of the town. It cost a bit but was well worth it. I thnk we either looked in Rick Steve's book for it or just googled it to find parking. Also, if you are driving brind a GPS. It really makes driving so much easier and says time. I brought my Garmin and bought the Italy chip from Garmin online.
Posted by
Ann Arbor, Mi
3696 posts
I have parked at Piazzale Michelangelo a few times and I actually think it was free, but not sure. I had no problem finding a spot, but I was probably early one time and off season another. Its a bit of a hike down, but I think there was a bus. I love the small villages and countryside, but I am glad I have spent a bit of time in Florence, but I would not spend 3 or 4 days there as I get burned out on museums after a few hours. But, it is a fun place to wander around, do a little shopping and have lunch. You won't be sorry .
There are a number of places to park and then take a bus in as well. I found a few answers on Tripadvisor.
Posted by
Greensboro, GA, USA
29 posts
We were in Florence last month and parked at Piazzale Michelangelo. It was quite hard to find, even with directions from Rick's book. GPS helped. It was free to park, but quite crowded. We had to wait about 10 minutes for a space, using my wife to get out and block an empty space so we could park in it. Then a steep climb down and back up. Took about 30 minutes to make our way into the center of Florence. Some in our group took a taxi back up, some of us walked. Despite all the hassle, the view provided from the parking lot was worth it!
Posted by
San Carlos, CA, USA
383 posts
Several years ago we drove into Florence from Colle di Val d'Elsa (near San Gemignano). We entered Florence on the Via Senese and it drops you into Florence at the Porta Romana. There is parking there. Then we walked into the Historic Center. It worked out great. I think you could easily get there from Venice because the road you would be coming on seems to loop down to the south end of Florence.
Posted by
San Jose
84 posts
Ditto for the Porta Romana parking lot. Easy in, easy out and the cost was reasonable.