A guide to Genoa's traffic for getting around by car

Nestled between the sea and the mountains, Genoa enchants with its “caruggi,” the narrow alleys of its historic center. Yet, these same picturesque features make the city’s road system quite complex, and driving especially in the center a real challenge. Here are our tips to help you navigate Genoa’s ZTL zones, pedestrian areas, and best parking options.

How Genoa’s ZTL works: hours, restrictions, and other key information

To preserve its invaluable historic center, improve air quality, and promote public transport, Genoa has implemented a comprehensive system of ZTL (Limited Traffic Zones) covering the following areas:
• Historic Center ZTL: the largest and most restrictive area. Access is limited or prohibited for unauthorized private vehicles during most hours of the day;
• Molo and Mercato Orientale ZTLs: specific zones with particular schedules and regulations, often linked to commercial and port activities;
• “Ponte e Carrara” and “Piazza Caricamento” ZTLs: strategic areas that often have strict traffic restrictions to control vehicle flow;
• Urban Pedestrian Areas (APU): many streets in the city center and the Old Port area have been designated as APU zones, where access and parking are strictly prohibited for unauthorized vehicles.

It’s crucial to pay close attention to road signs marking the start and end of ZTLs and to their operating hours, as Genoa enforces these regulations very strictly.
For detailed information on temporary permits (required even just to access certain hotels in the center), specific exemptions, and schedule updates, it’s essential to consult the official Genoa Municipality website or contact the Local Police.

Free parking in Genoa: where to park

Finding free parking in central Genoa is extremely difficult due to the city’s unique urban layout mentioned earlier. Most available parking spaces are paid, often located in covered facilities or along the edges of ZTL zones.

Here are some useful options to consider:
• Park-and-Ride Facilities: the best solution for visitors coming from outside the city. Located in more peripheral areas or at city entrances, they allow you to leave your car at affordable rates and reach the center by metro or bus. Among the most useful are Piazzale Marassi Car Park and Dinegro Car Park;
• Paid Parking in the City Center: due to high rates, these are best for short stays or proximity parking. Look for blue-lined paid parking spots or private underground garages, such as those around Piazza della Vittoria or the Old Port (near the Aquarium);
• Hotel Parking: many accommodations especially those in the historic center or near the Old Port offer parking spaces for guests, often for an additional fee, but providing invaluable convenience given the city’s complexity.

If you’re planning a visit to Genoa and need a rental car to explore the beautiful Ligurian coast or the inland areas, you can contact our Genoa rental offices or check the full and regularly updated list of available options throughout Liguria.