Why go
Driving changes the trip most at the final approach. Florence’s ZTL is camera-enforced and entry is restricted, so an otherwise simple motorway arrival can lead to problems if you follow a navigation route into the centre. A car is more useful for Tuscany beyond Florence than for the compact historic core.
The full story
Florence connects to the Italian motorway network, including routes toward Bologna, Milan, Rome, Siena and Pisa. The city’s historic centre, however, is controlled by a limited-traffic zone known as the ZTL. Access is restricted and monitored by cameras, making central driving unsuitable unless a permitted route has been arranged. The practical issue is not only whether to drive to Florence but where the car will stop. Rental agencies and garages may have specific authorized approaches, while parking rules and availability require current confirmation. For most visitors, the car is best treated as a tool for reaching Tuscan destinations beyond the city, then left outside the compact historic core. Florence’s central sights are close together and are better approached on foot.
Useful to know
- Arrange parking outside the restricted centre and confirm the permitted route with the garage or accommodation before driving in.
- If collecting a rental car near the centre, ask the agency for its authorized route through the ZTL.
- Use the car for countryside or regional excursions; explore the historic centre on foot.