Florence Bans Rickshaws from Historic Center Starting October 15

Starting October 15, 2025, rickshaws, golf carts, and other unconventional vehicles used to transport tourists will be banned from Florence’s UNESCO World Heritage zone. The new regulation, approved by the City Council and previously adopted by the municipal executive, makes Florence the first city in Italy to introduce such a measure aimed at preserving the decorum and liveability of its historic center.

The new regulation, approved by the City Council, makes Florence the first city in Italy to introduce such a measure aimed at preserving the decorum and liveability of its historic center.

The ban affects all so-called “atypical vehicles,” except for a limited number of electric shuttles authorized by the city. Up to 24 of these vehicles will be allowed to operate, under strict conditions: they must be white, carry no more than eight passengers, include full safety equipment, and follow one of two approved routes without intermediate stops.

The two permitted routes are:

• “Lungarni Ovest” route: running from Piazzale Vittorio Veneto through viale Fratelli Rosselli, Il Prato, via Curtatone, and various stretches of the Arno riverbanks, before looping back to the starting point.
• “Piazzale e lungarni Est” route: starting and ending at piazza Ferrucci, passing through viale Michelangelo and Piazzale Michelangelo.

Operators will need to obtain a one-year, experimental permit from the city. Starting April 1, 2026, each authorized shuttle must also have a licensed tour guide or qualified cultural operator on board.

Violations will be met with fines. Operating outside the designated routes, using unauthorized vehicles, or engaging in street solicitation (“pesca su strada”) can result in penalties of €500. Lesser infractions carry fines of €160.

City officials say the measure was developed in response to complaints from residents and professionals in the tourism sector, and aims to better regulate mobility and tourist services in Florence’s historic center.

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