Parking Around Cortona
Parking Around Cortona
Non-residents are largely prohibited from driving or parking within the city walls of Cortona. There are a few parking lots outside of the city walls. Some of these are paid parking spaces so pay attention to the color of the lines:
Blue = payment needed
White = no payment needed
Yellow = reserved parking lots, usually for locals living within the walls or for business/emergency vehicles/buses.
Gravel area (no lines) = usually no payment is needed, but check the signs around to be sure
Parking Lot Locations
This map shows an overview of all the parking lot locations, which are predominantly outside of the city walls. The lots marked with the blue pin have free parking spaces. The lots marked with the orange pin have paid spaces.
You can pay usually pay at kiosks located near/in the lots with either cash or credit. However, these don't always work so you may wish to download the EasyPark app and pay online with your credit card. We've found it to be pretty handy.
https://www.easypark.com/en-it/how-it-works
Scroll down to see detailed maps and information about each lot.
Piazzale del Mercato Parking Lot
This lot is located on the lowest end of the city on its southwest side.
It is the largest free parking lot, and thus the most popular. If you arrive before work hours, you can often find a parking space. Otherwise, you may have to wait or circle the lot until a space becomes available.
This is the lot where most (if not all) of our coaches will pick-up and drop-off for our airport transfers and excursions.
Spirito Santo Parking Lot
This lot is located on the southern side of Cortona's walls and is the largest lot. As of July, 2023, the Spirito Santo parking lot is paid parking only. The rate (last we checked) is €1.50/hour, enforced from 8AM to 8PM. Outside those hours parking is free.
There are two sets of escalators and several flights of stairs between this lot and Piazza Garibaldi, which can make the uphill walk into Cortona much easier.
Cesare Battisti Parking Lot
This paid parking area is located just east the entrance on Via Nazionale, where most of the shops and restaurants are located, and offers a relatively easy walk into the city.
This parking area predominantly offers very tight, parallel parking spaces, though there are some regular, paid parking spaces. If you're comfortable parallel parking, and have a smaller vehicle, this may be a good option.
La Moreta Parking Lot
This small, free parking lot is located on the northern side of Cortona's walls. It offers a relatively easy uphill walk into town, but this is also along a fairly busy road.
Piazza Mazzini Parking Lot
This is a small, paid parking lot, but it is very conveniently located outside one of the gates into the city (Porta Colonnia). It offers a very easy walk into town, and is also a good place to drop people off.
A great parking location, if you're lucky enough to snag a spot.
Santa Maria Nuova Parking Lot
This free parking lot is located on the northern side of the city walls next to the church of Santa Maria Nuova. It's a fairly steep, 0.2 mile walk up into the city, but you're on a sidewalk the entire way on a less busy road.
There are also free parallel parking spaces all along this road, which you can also use.
Santa Margherita Parking Lot
This free parking lot is located near the highest point of the city. It is just outside the church of Santa Margherita and near the Medici fortress of Girifalco.
It is a steep (but beautiful), half-mile walk downhill through the city to Via Nazionale and most of the city's restaurants, shops, and attractions.
Cemetery Parking Lot
This free parking lot is located on the northern side of the city walls. It almost always has space, but this is because it is the furthest parking area from the city walls and offers the longest climb.
Usually, you only want to park here when all your other options are exhausted.