Car hire Florence

Introduction

Florence is the birthplace of the Renaissance, and the home of Machiavelli, Michelangelo and de Medici. The city possesses a large collection of art, culture and history. Every year, millions of tourists come to this very interesting and beautiful Tuscan city.

Population

Florence is the eighth largest city in Italy, with about 352,000 inhabitants. Over 91% of its inhabitants are of Italian origin. In addition, the population of Florence, like in many other Italian cities, is aging.

Location

Florence is located in Tuscany, right below the Apennines, where the river Arno originates and then runs through Florence. The city is surrounded by hills with olive groves and wine plantations.

Economy

Florence is a city that attracts millions of tourists every year with its rich history, art and culture. The tourist sector is very important to the Florentine economy. In addition, Florence is also a very important business center in Italy. There are both small companies and multinational companies. An example is that of top designers from Milan using Florence's textile plants. Also, jewellery is made in Florence, as well as leather articles, perfumes, etc.

Airports

Florence has two airports in its vicinity. Amerigo Vespucci Airport or Aeroporto di Firenze is located 5 kilometers to the north-west of the city. This airport handles mostly domestic and a few European flights. Galileo Galilei is the second airport. It is one of Northern Italy's biggest airports, with domestic and European flights.

Public transport

The city has bus network. In the center there are small buses for people who want to avoid having to walk in this interesting area of the city. These buses are called "Bussini". There are also taxis, which charge a higher rate during holidays, because of the increase in the number of tourists.

Traffic and Parking

No cars are allowed in the center of the city. Only loading and unloading is permitted for visitors of Florence. Immediately outside the center of Florence there are various large and much smaller car facilities. If you come to visit Florence for a day, the best place to park is Fortezza da Basso (around one euro per hour).

Hotels

Florence has hundreds of hotels, from budget to 5 star hotels. Even in busy periods it is relatively easy to find a hotel. We recommend booking in advance between mid-April and October, Christmas and around New Year.

External Sources

For more information about Florence, we recommend Google, and the following sources:

• Wikipedia, Florence
• Firenze Tourismo
(Italian and English)
• Municipal website
(Italian)