The new rules on driving in Florence city centre come into force today and will apply until September 30.
Despite criticism levelled by environmentalists, the city council has decided to broaden traffic access to the historic centre to help businesses and citizens at this difficult time.
Motorists can drive into the centre from 4pm onwards Monday to Friday along via della Scala and via Santa Caterina da Siena, as well as along lungarno Vespucci and Ponte Vespucci.
Approximately 1,500 low-cost parking spots have also been made available. The following garages now offer cheaper parking (1 euro/hour from 4pm to midnight Monday to Friday): the car park beneath Santa Maria Novella train station and Europa in borgo Ognissanti. Capo di Mondo (via Capo di Mondo), Excelsior (via Palazzuolo), Fiesolana (via Fiesolana), Quick Fossi (via dei Fossi), Lungarno (borgo San Jacopo), Oberdan (borgo Vico); Palazzo Vecchio (via Vinegia); Park2go Duomo (via Ricasoli), San Frediano (via Zanella), Delle Terme (via delle Terme), Tintori (via dei Tintori), and Verdi (via da Verrazzano) all provide free parking Monday to Friday between 4pm and midnight thanks to an agreement with the CNA Firenze, a union representing the interests of small and medium enterprises and artisans. Other garages are offering discounted parking ranging from 30 to 50 per cent off.
In a U-turn given the pandemic, residents in sectors A and O can park in the 36 spots in piazza del Carmine at any time of the day or night until September 30. The pedestrian zone near the San Lorenzo market (via dell’Ariento; via Panicale, from piazza del Mercato centrale to via dell’Ariento; and via Sant’Antonino (from via dell’Ariento to piazza del Mercato Centrale) will be suspended between 8.30pm and midnight on weekdays until September 30.
