Florence » Tourist Info » Moving around Florence » Moving around with a disability
Moving around the city with a physical disability
Getting around the city of Florence with a physical disability can be a challenge. Consider that the city streets and all of the buildings in the historical center are hundreds of years old if not older and that slowly both public and private buildings as well as churches have started to implement the necessary adaptations to allow anyone with a physical disability to enter them without too many problems.
Museums
Most museums in Florence are accessible. They are equipped with elevators, stair lifts and ramps to access rooms. All state museums, as well as Uffizi Gallery and Academy Gallery, are free of charge for both the disabled and the person that is accompanying them.
If you book museums ahead of time, you might want to indicate if you need assistance during your visit.
City museums do require one person to pay for their tickets (the accompanying person) while most major churches are free of charge; where admission is generally charged, the disabled and the accompanying person can enter free of charge.
The Florence Cathedral, Opera del Duomo Museum, Giotto's bell tower, baptistery and San Marco Museum are not free.
Parking
All car parks in Florence have some dedicated parking spaces for disabled. These are marked with yellow lines and special signs. Parking is free of charge in these parking spots. If you don't find one available, you can also park for free in others spaces subject to payment (blue lines). In both cases, you need to have your permit with the disabled symbol displayed in your vehicle.
You can get a temporary pass at the Ufficio Persone con Disabilità (UPD) - Rilascio Contrassegni office located in piazza Libertà n. 12, cubo 8. Monday through Friday, 08.30-13.00/14.00-16.30 Tel. 055 40401, Fax 055 4040221, email: upd@serviziallastrada.it or centralino@serviziallastrada.it
Buses
If you would like to move around by bus, most ATAF buses ride pretty low to permit getting on and off without too much difficulty. Most buses are also equipped with a special deck for loading wheelchairs and dedicated space on board to park them. The entrance to get on board in this case is the central door but you need to request assistance from the driver.
Wheelchairs
If you need to rent a wheelchair you can go to Arciconfraternita of Misericordia, right in Piazza del Duomo. You can rent it for free according to availability. We suggest you call in advance (39) 055-212222 to make your request. You can also go to Fratellanza Militare Sede Sud, located near the Pitti Palace. Rentals are free according to availability and the phone number is (+39) 05526021. Otherwise the shop Dei Ortopedia, in Via Pisana 71/r, rents wheelchairs for longer periods. This service is not for free, but you can ask for direct delivery at your hotel. The phone number is (+39) 055-224090.
Restaurants
Many restaurants and bars are accessible for the disabled. You can visit the where to eat section of Florence's APT website and, with an advanced search, filter results by checking the "Facilities for the disabled" symbol.
Itineraries in City Center
Florence's City Council has drawn up a number of suggested tourist itineraries in the historic city center which includes specific information with regards to accessibility for anyone with a physical disability. Visit the council's site at www.comune.fi.it/viverefirenze/itinerari.html for more information. The site is unfortunately only in Italian.
View all Articles