Where To Stay In Florence With A Car 2025 - Best Practices & Areas
Wondering where to stay in Florence with a car?
Navigating Florence with a car can feel intimidating at first, but after visiting this stunning city before with a vehicle, I can confidently say it’s entirely manageable with a little planning.
While driving in the historic center is restricted due to the ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato), this doesn’t mean you have to compromise on convenience or miss out on exploring Florence’s treasures.
You have a few practical options to make your stay both enjoyable and hassle-free:
Stay in or near the Historic Center
If budget isn’t a primary concern, you can book a hotel within or just outside the ZTL. Many hotels can arrange access for your car, allowing you to park nearby. This option offers the most convenience but is the priciest.
Park on the Outskirts and Use Public Transport
For a more cost-effective approach, you can find parking on the edges of the city center and hop on public transport straight to your hotel. Florence has well-connected buses and trams, making this option straightforward and affordable.
Choose a Hotel Outside the City Center
The most budget-friendly option is to stay in an area outside the historic core, where accommodations tend to be more affordable, and parking is easier. From there, you can use public transport to reach Florence’s main attractions without the stress of navigating city traffic.
In this guide, I’ll share my personal experience and tips to help you choose the best option for your trip.
Whether it’s securing an affordable park-and-ride spot or selecting a strategic neighborhood for your stay, there are plenty of ways to make visiting Florence with a car both simple and enjoyable.
In short: The best areas to stay in Florence with a car are Campo di Marte, Novoli, and Gavinana/Galluzzo.
These neighborhoods are located on the outskirts of the city center, offering ample parking and excellent connections to public transport.
Campo di Marte is located northeast of the city center and is mainly a residential neighborhood with plenty of street parking and public garages.
The area has easy access to Florence’s historic core via buses and trains from the local railway station.
Novoli is situatied northwest of the city and is a modern neighborhood with good parking options and a tramline (T2) connecting it to the heart of Florence, including Santa Maria Novella station.
You can find plenty of affordable accommodations here.
Gavinana/Galluzzo is suburban area south of Florence is close to major roads and offers accommodations with parking facilities.
Public buses provide regular connections to the historic center.
Alternatively, if you’d rather stay in the heart of Florence, you can leave your car in one of the recommended parking spots outside the ZTL and enjoy the freedom to explore the city by foot or public transit.
We’ve selected six excellent options to park your park centrally.
You can easily navigate to each neighborhood and part of the article by tapping the link.
In the next paragraph, you can find a map of the best areas.
You can also go straight to the overview of the best neighborhoods to stay in Florence with a car.
Map of the best areas to stay in Florence with a car
The best areas to stay in Florence with a car are:
1. Campo di Marte
If you’re planning a trip to Florence and you’re bringing a car, one of the best areas to stay in is Campo di Marte.
I’ve stayed there in the past and can confidently say it’s good neighborhood for travelers who want the best of both worlds: easy access to Florence’s historic center and the convenience of driving.
One of the biggest challenges of staying in Florence with a car is finding affordable and secure parking.
Campo di Marte shines in this regard.
The area is primarily residential, and while parking in the city center can be a nightmare (not to mention expensive), Campo di Marte offers relatively affordable options.
Many hotels, B&Bs, and apartments in the area offer private parking, often for a fraction of the cost you’d pay closer to the center.
Even though Campo di Marte is not in the heart of Florence’s historic center, it’s extremely well connected by public transport, making it easy to get to all the major attractions in just 10-15 minutes.
The Campo di Marte train station is the main transport hub here, and from there, you can take a bus or train into the city center.
What I love about Campo di Marte is the peaceful atmosphere.
It’s a residential area, so you’re far enough from the crowds of tourists that you’ll get a more authentic, local Florentine experience.
I’ve stayed near the main train station once, and one of the complaints I had was the noise pollution during the evening and night.
You don’t have to worry about that at Campo di Marte.
One of the drawbacks is that this area lacks nightlife and a good variety of restaurants.
For that, you always have to travel towards the tourist-centric areas.
And that is the biggest issue for you as a tourist when you’re staying on the outskirts of Florence.
Yes, you can park your car easily, but getting back to the hotel in the evening can sometimes be bit of a challenge.
Public transport doesn’t always operate late at night, so you’re depending on taxis.
That’s the compromise you have to make.
2. Novoli
Novoli is a modern, up-and-coming neighborhood situated between Florence’s airport and the main train station, making it extremely accessible and well-connected.
As is often the case in cities with an airport, you’ll find a good selection of affordable hotels here.
Many of these accommodations also offer on-site parking, which is a huge plus for travelers with a car.
While Novoli is a bit farther from the historic center compared to other neighborhoods, it benefits from excellent public transport links.
Tram Line 2 runs directly from Novoli to the city center, with the final stop at Santa Maria Novella Station, right in the heart of Florence.
The tram ride takes only about 15-20 minutes, and it’s modern, frequent, and comfortable.
Novoli may not offer the same historical charm or picturesque atmosphere as other areas in Florence, it’s a solid choice for car travelers.
The savings in terms of accommodation costs and parking fees, combined with the convenience of easy access to the city center, make it a good option for those looking for more value for money.
Just keep in mind that this area is far from bustling.
A typical case of convenience over fun.
3. Gavinana and Galluzzo
Florence’s ZTL can be a real headache for drivers, with its strict restrictions and steep fines for unauthorized entry.
Luckily, Gavinana/Galluzzo is located just outside the ZTL, making it a stress-free option for parking and navigating without worrying about breaking the rules.
If you’re planning to drive to Florence and want to avoid the hassle while still staying within easy reach of the city’s main attractions, Gavinana/Galluzzo strikes the perfect balance.
This area, situated on the east side of the city across the river, offers a quieter, more residential vibe with the bonus of easy parking options—something hard to come by closer to the center.
You’re also not far from Oltrarno, a charming and peaceful part of Florence popular among families and couples.
However, it’s worth noting that while relatively close, Gavinana/Galluzzo isn’t within walking distance of Oltrarno or the historic center.
That said, a quick bus or tram ride (about 15-20 minutes) will take you straight to the heart of the action.
Because the area is further from the bustling center, you won’t find as many nightlife spots, restaurants, or shops compared to Florence’s tourist hubs.
But what it lacks in buzz, it makes up for in convenience and practicality.
Many hotels here cater to travelers with cars, offering on-site parking and a peaceful escape after a day of sightseeing.
For those looking to combine ease of access with a relaxed atmosphere, Gavinana/Galluzzo is a great choice.
Overview affordable parking spots with public transportation access
Below, you can find six excellent affordable parking spots with good connection to public transport to reach the heart of the city. It’s perfect for those who want to park their car safely and cheaply, but stay in a hotel that is located in the heart of the city.
| Name and location | Access to public transport and estimated price |
|---|---|
1. Villa Costanza Park & Ride Next to the A1 motorway, between Florence and Scandicci (Google Maps) | Tram line T1 connects directly to Santa Maria Novella station (city centre) in about 15-20 minutes. €7/day |
2. Parcheggio Scambiatore della Stazione (Parking at the train station) Near Campo di Marte train station (Google Maps) | Trains and buses run regularly from Campo di Marte to the city centre in less than 10 minutes. €1/hour or €20/day |
3. Firenze Parcheggi locations: a. Parcheggio Fortezza Fiera Near the Basso Fortress (Google Maps) | Good bus connections to the centre. €2/hour or €20/day |
b. Parcheggio Porta Romana Near the Basso Fortress (Google Maps) | Bus connections or 20 minutes walk to the city centre. €2/hour or €20/day |
4. Parcheggio del Parterre Near the southern gates of the city. (Google Maps) | Several buses stop at Piazza della Libertà and arrive at Santa Maria Novella or Piazza Duomo station in 10-15 minutes. €1.50/hour or €20/day |
5. Scandicci Area (Tram T1) Suburban car parks near tram stops, such as “Resistenza” or “Aldo Moro” (Google Maps) | The T1 tram line reaches Florence city centre in about 20-25 minutes. Free or with minimal charges (some lots are free on weekends) |
6. Piazzale Michelangelo Panoramic view of the south side of Florence (Google Maps) | Regular buses (e.g. lines 12 and 13) run to the historic center. Free, but you may need to arrive early to secure a spot. |
If you prefer to stay in a hotel that is located in the city centre and park your car outside the centre, be sure to read our article on where to stay in Florence first time.
Here, we look at the most popular areas, all with their pros and cons.
Overview of where to stay in Florence with a car
- Campo di Marte: a quiet residential neighborhood northeast of the city center. There are many parking options—whether it’s street parking or secure public garages, you won’t struggle to find a spot for your car. From here, getting into the historic core is a breeze, thanks to the local railway station and reliable bus routes. It’s an excellent area for those looking to escape the chaos of central Florence while still being well-connected to the city’s highlights. Plus, its peaceful vibe is perfect if you want to experience a more local side of Florence.
- Novoli: located northwest of the city, this modern neighborhood has great parking options, and the T2 tramline connects you directly to the heart of Florence, including Santa Maria Novella station, in just 15-20 minutes. The area is less about charm and more about practicality, with affordable accommodations that offer good value for money. If you’re looking for a no-frills, comfortable place to stay with easy access to Florence’s main attractions, Novoli is worth considering.
- Gavinana/Galluzzo: a suburban area just south of the city. It was a fantastic choice for a relaxed, hassle-free trip. The area is conveniently located near major roads, making it ideal if you’re traveling by car. Many accommodations here offer parking facilities, which saves you from the stress of finding a spot downtown. Public buses run frequently to the historic center, so sightseeing was straightforward.
*If you tap on the neighborhood, you will go directly to the relevant part of the article for more detailed information.