Florence has activated the “Scudo Verde” (Green Shield), an Environmental Restricted Traffic Zone which controls access to the city with electronic gates.
The most polluting vehicles (Euro 0, Euro 1 and, in the future, Euro 2 and 3) will not be able to enter this zone.
What you need to do before you reach an FH55 Hotel in Florence
1) Before entering the city, check your vehicle’s Euro category by clicking here>
2) If your vehicle is subject to the restrictions, we suggest using a “Park and Ride” area or contact the hotel’s reception for alternatives. Telephone numbers and email addresses are found at the bottom of the website page.
3) Video cameras are active 24 hours a day: unauthorized access will result in a fine being issued.
4) The access routes to the city are monitored by over 70 video cameras (“gates”), clearly marked with “Scudo Verde – ZTL attiva”.
For more information and to see the official map of the gates, contact the hotel’s reception or visit the Municipality of Florence’s website.
FH55 Hotel Calzaiuoli, FH55 Grand Hotel Mediterraneo, FH55 Med Executive Hotel, and FH55 Med Guesthouse are inside the Scudo Verde.
FH55 Grand Hotel Mediterraneo has a large covered and uncovered garage.
What is Florence’s “Scudo Verde” (Green Shield)?
In 2024, the city of Florence introduced the Scudo Verde (Green Shield), an innovative traffic regulation designed to improve air quality and livability in the residential center.
The Scudo Verde is an initiative taken in combination with other measures which have already been implemented in the city, such as the traditional “ZTL” (restricted traffic zone) in Florence’s historic center. The Scudo Verde, though, applies to a greater area which includes a large portion of the residential center and the main entry routes.
The Scudo Verde is not just a measure designed to restrict traffic: it is part of a broader project to make Florence a more livable, more sustainable city.
The goals are to reduce emissions of pollutants, to encourage the use of public transport, and to promote forms of “soft mobility” such as bicycles and electric scooters.
For visitors, this means being able to enjoy a city that is not choked with traffic and that is safer to see on foot, especially in the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
FH55 Hotels support this approach: both hotels are located in strategic positions which allow visitors to explore Florence on foot or with ecologically sound means, without having to use a car.
If you are a tourist and plan to stay in an FH55 Hotel in Florence, you need to be aware of the rules regarding the Scudo Verde: only then will you be able to plan your arrival, avoid being fined, and enjoy an incredible stay in the heart of the city.
How to reach the center of Florence by car
If you need to drive into the center of Florence, a short distance from the main sites and attractions, such as the Piazza Santa Croce and the Ponte Vecchio, the FH55 Grand Hotel Mediterraneo, at via Lungarno del Tempio 44, is the perfect location.
The FH55 Grand Hotel Mediterraneo has an indoor garage which offers the greatest convenience and security. An ideal choice for those traveling by car who wish to combine comfort and elegance with logistical convenience.
Where to park close to the hotels in the center of Florence
In addition to the Scudo Verde, if you are driving, you need to plan ahead for parking. Although there are some parking spaces in the historic center, numbers are limited and they are often expensive.
That is why a stay at the FH55 Grand Hotel Mediterraneo is the best option: the hotel has a large, private, covered garage, which removes any worries you may have regarding parking fines or long searches looking for a space.
If, though, you choose the FH55 Hotel Calzaiuoli, in the heart of Florence’s historic center, the hotel’s staff will be able to give you up-to-date information on the affiliated parking facilities and the most convenient transport options, such as taxis and shuttles connecting with “Park and Ride” areas.