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Volterra parking

Now that I'm not as apprehensive about driving in Tuscany (thanks again for your advice) I have other questions. Regarding the underground parking in Volterra, I've read that there are stairs up to the street. if We decide to stay in center we will have bags and I'm wondering if there is a lift or escalator? I assume not but figured can't hurt to ask. And if not, are there many stairs? Thanks.

Posted by
10344 posts

Park in the underground garage, 15 euros/day--you can't drive into the town center, it's prohibited except for locals and you'll get a huge fine.

To find the underground garage, just follow the signs to 'Centro', it's just before the main bus stop. Depending on what month you come, there may be a line of cars waiting for parking. When you come out of the underground parking, you will find yourself not far (about a hundred yards) from Piazza dei Priori and it's relatively flat around there.

Posted by
305 posts

Thanks Kent. We're not planning on driving in city center. Just asking if there's a lift or escalator from the underground parking deck as we will have luggage. Once we settle on hotel, we will ask about best parking location. Thanks.

Posted by
10344 posts

I don't recall, it's been awhile and we didn't have luggage b/c ours was a day trip.
Probably best to check with your hotel, they'll know whether there's a lift.

Posted by
8094 posts

We were staying at an agriturismo outside of San Gimignano, and it was an easy, pretty drive over to Volterra. It's a pretty impressive sight and relatively large hill town. Parking was easy, as was the short walk into the center city.

Posted by
2097 posts

I don't recall if there is an elevator in the garage. If not, there are ways around getting your luggage into town.

You can drive up a little further, beyond the garage entrance, and drop your luggage off just outside the town. It is not ZTL there. One of you could stay with your luggage while the other parks.

There are not many stairs and they aren't steep. If needed, you could make a couple of trips. Volterra is small and no matter where you are staying, it is probably not more than a ten minute walk from the parking garage (Parcheggio la Dogana) https://www.facebook.com/parcheggioladogana.volterra/. I'd contact your accommodations.

How much luggage are your taking? Following Rick Steves' suggestions about luggage really pays off. The less you have the better will be your experience. My wife and I usually travel with just two bags each - a backpack and a RS bag that is carry on sized. I suggest on carry on and one small roller bag max.

Posted by
305 posts

Thanks for the responses. The hotel we're looking at would provide a pass to drive into town to drop off luggage and then park car. We'll have one bag each. We're still considering staying outside of town, but good to know we could drop our bags of needed. Thanks again.