Piacenza by car: ZTL hours, parking, and traffic conditions | Locauto
Nestled between the Po River and the first hills of Emilia, Piacenza is a city of understated charm, rich in history, art, and culinary tradition. Its elegant Renaissance squares, historic buildings, and cobblestone streets make it a pleasant destination to visit though not always an easy one to navigate by car. The streets in the old town are quite narrow and often one-way, making driving complex and parking a real challenge, especially on weekends or during local events. In this article, we’ll give you some tips on how to get around the city with less stress starting with how to plan ahead, for example, where to park in Piacenza.
ZTL in Piacenza: where it is and when it’s active
The heart of Piacenza’s old town is subject to a limited traffic zone (ZTL) that operates for most of the day, with electronic gates monitoring the main access points. The area includes the streets around Piazza Cavalli, Via XX Settembre, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, and much of the medieval street grid within. Access is allowed only to residents, service vehicles, and those with a temporary permit issued by the municipality for example, for loading and unloading or reaching accommodation facilities. In many areas, illegally parked cars are subject to towing.
In addition to the ZTL, several streets in the city center are pedestrian-only or partially closed to traffic during cultural events or weekly markets, particularly on Wednesdays and Saturdays. It’s always a good idea to check in advance for any temporary restrictions on the official website of the Municipality of Piacenza.
Where to park in Piacenza: free and paid areas
Finding free parking in Piacenza can take considerable time and patience: inner streets such as Via Cittadella, Via Garibaldi, or Via Scalabrini offer very few spaces and have high hourly rates, along with a real risk of fines and towing for parking violations. For those who prefer to avoid stress and penalties, the most convenient solution is to leave the car in one of the paid parking lots just outside the city center.
Among the most practical options are the Cheope Parking on Viale Sant’Ambrogio spacious and well connected to the central streets and the Cavallerizza Parking, just a few minutes’ walk from Piazza Cavalli. The Politecnico Parking, near the train station, is also a good choice for visitors arriving by train or planning to continue on foot toward the old town.
For those who prefer not to spend too much, some free parking areas can be found in the outskirts, such as along Via Nasolini or near Parco della Galleana, though they require a walk of at least 15–20 minutes to reach the city center.
In general, visiting Piacenza without facing the city center’s traffic is both possible and advisable: leaving your car in an outer area and moving around on foot or by public transport allows you to enjoy the city at a relaxed pace and avoid the hassle of fines or towing an all-too-common occurrence in Piacenza’s narrow streets.
You can then conveniently continue your journey by car with a rental vehicle in Emilia-Romagna, as Piacenza is very well connected to the region’s main cities.
