Are you planning a visit to Genoa and want to avoid the ZTL zones? Or are you a Genoese with the fear of having accidentally entered a restricted traffic zone?
Don’t worry, in this article you will find out which the ZTL areas of Genoa are, what the fine is, how to apply for permits and authorizations to enter.
Are you ready for this? Let’s get started!
ZTL in Genoa: everything you need to know
One of the reasons why Genoa is recognized as a “pedestrian-friendly” city is because its historic center is completely open to pedestrians, and closed to vehicular traffic with the exception of residents, taxis and buses, thus representing a ZTL (restricted traffic area).
Since I receive daily questions and requests for clarification about the ZTL areas of Genoa, I decided to create a special article in which I will explain everything you absolutely need to know before coming to Genoa by car.
I would also like to remind you that if you have any questions, just ask them in the comments at the end of the article and I will answer them as soon as possible.
What is the ZTL?
It is nothing more than a restricted traffic area, i.e. access to which by car is allowed only to certain categories of vehicles, such as residents, public transport and taxis.
You should know that Genoa is not the only city in Liguria to have this type of restriction.
In fact, there are many other cities or historic villages that have decided to close access to cars to keep the areas safe for both pedestrians and cyclists.
In many cases in Genoa, there is no clear indication (such as a traffic light), and it is therefore very easy to find yourself within a ZTL area without wanting to.
Once inside, the video surveillance camera will take a picture of the vehicle’s plate, and then compare it with those on the so-called “white list”, that is, those who have the opportunity to access.
If by chance your car is not among the allowed ones, you will surely receive a fine, even if you accidentally enter and leave immediately.
What are the ZTL areas of Genoa?
The limited traffic areas in the centre of Genoa are in the historic centre, in the pier area (inside the Porto Antico) and in via San Vincenzo.
When is the Genoa ZTL zone active?
Every day, every hour.
This means that if you don’t have a permit, you’ll never be able to access it.
My hotel or B&B is located within the ZTL area, how can I do it?
No problem.
If you have decided to visit the city by car and you have booked a hotel or bed and breakfast with parking in Genoa within the ZTL area, you must remember to communicate your number plate to the accommodation, so that it can be included in the famous “white list” I told you about before and in this way you will not be fined for entering the area.
Always ask for confirmation before your arrival, because the chance always exists that someone forgot to communicate your license plate to the authorities (think of small B&Bs or independent holiday homes).
If you come to Genoa for just one day, the best solution is to leave your car in a car park slightly outside the city centre and move by public transport or even on foot (here you can find an itinerary to visit Genoa on foot).
ZTL Genova Fines: how much are the fines?
If you accidentally entered the ZTL area without permission, expect a fine.
You will have to pay a penalty of 84 to 335 € that will arrive at your home within 90 days after you have logged in.
If you pay within 5 days of notification, you will receive a 30% discount.
If the penalty should arrive after 90 days, know that it must not be paid because it has expired (for more information read Article 201 of the Highway Code).
Conclusion
We have come to the conclusion of this article on the restricted traffic areas of Genoa in which I hope I have given you all the information you needed.
Do you have any questions or concerns?
Leave a comment below and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Andrea
The Porta Siberia car park seems to be within the ZTL – but the access road, via Molo Viano, is not. Is it possible to park there without breaching the traffic regulation?
Hey Chris,
Via Molo Giano is not ZTL, and Porta Siberia neither.
You can get there without breaching the traffic regulation.
Wish you a great day,
Andrea
Buona Sera Andrea, and G’day from Australia
We will be travelling by car from Milan to Rapallo, and want to spend half a day in Genova. We would like to see Piazza Raffaele de Ferrari. Can you please suggest the best place to park close by there, or would it be better to park elsewhere and catch the Metro?
Grazie,
Barry
Hey Barry,
Nice to meet you. I’ve been to Australia with my family in 2014 and we totally love it!
About the parking, I’d suggest to live your car here:
Park Calata Gadda
Address: Via a Calata Gadda, Genoa
Opening Hours: 24/7, all year round
Fees: Day: €1.80 per hour | Night: €2.00 from 3:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. (fixed price)
And then walk to Piazza Raffaele De Ferrari through Via San Lorenzo.
If you need any advice, don’t hesitate to ask.
Wish you a great stay in Genoa.
Andrea
Hi Andrea,
I am driving from Serravalle to NH Hotel Genova Marina – just want to reconfirm this is outside ZTL area?
Yes, Liew.
I confirm this is outside the ZTL Area.
Wish you a great holiday in Genoa,
Andrea
Hi, we have received an email from http://www.liguriia diesel S.r.l. giving us news of new low emissions zone information in Geneva area. We are British
& have a fiat ducato 2011 motorhome french crit’air 3. will we still be able to travel to & get access to the ferry port for travel to Sicily without entering any restricted zones. Thankyou Richard
Yes Richard. No worries.
Andrea
Oggi ho guidato la mia auto da Piazza della Vittoria passando per Lppolito D’Aste, Via XII Ottrobre fino a Via Serre per parcheggiare in un parcheggio privato. Ho toccato la zona ZTL? Grazie Christian
Ciao Cristian
No, non ti preoccupare.
Non sei entrato nella zona ZTL.
Un caro saluto
Andrea
Hi Andrea,
We’ll be driving to Genoa from the UK. It seems there is also a low emission zone. Do I understand correctly that one is allowed to drive there with a car above Euro 3 standard (for example on Via Agostino Bertrani)? If so, is there some kind of proof/registration required?
Many thanks.
Hi Zsolt,
There are currently no low-emission zones in Genoa. Also, you can drive your car without any problems (being a car with foreign license plates).
You can find all the info in detail here:
As of March 1 next year, it will be prohibited – on weekdays, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. – on the entire territory of the City of Genoa for certain types of vehicles:
– Private motor vehicles fueled by gasoline M1 emission category less than or equal to Euro 1;
– Gasoline-fueled commercial vehicles N1 of emission category less than or equal to Euro 1;
– Private motor vehicles and diesel-powered commercial vehicles N1 and M1 of emission category less than or equal to Euro 3;
– Mopeds and motorcycles of emission category less than or equal to Euro 1;
– Two-stroke heat-powered mopeds and motorcycles of category less than or equal to Euro 1.
Excluded from the ban are:
– electric-powered or zero-emission vehicles;
– vehicles powered by natural gas, LPG;
– vehicles with foreign license plates.
Wishing you a wonderful vacation in Genoa,
Andrea
Hello,
I entered ztl in 2018 in Genova.
In 2023, I got a penalty of 279 euros from NIVI S.P.A. because I didn’t pay the first penalty, around 100 euros. I didn’t receive the first letter from them (in 2020), and in the documents they provided me, now I can see that a letter was unclaimed by me and sent it back to a sender.
The thing is, I moved from the apartment in 2018 (the address I provided to a rental company), so nobody saw or got that letter. Now people I don’t know and live in that apartment found me on Facebook and told me I received a letter, so I took it (Thank god).
I wrote to NIVI and asked them what to do if I didn’t know about the penalty, and I agreed to pay the first price if I saw my car photo where I broke the rules.
They didn’t attach it so far., but said that by Italian law I must pay a larger amount of money because I didn’t pay the first one…I had no clue that it existed.
What to do in this case? If they will not provide a picture, is it legit? If they do, I disagree with a second (delayed) penalty because I’ve never received the first one.
Thank You very much for your reply!
Dear Andrea, unfortunately it is legal in Italy.
It happened to me too: I received a red light ticket (which I never got) and requested a photo. They did not send it to me and I was told to pay anyway. To close the matter, I had to pay.
Unfortunately, this is how it is. I personally advise you to pay. Alternatively, you can take legal action.
Best regards,
Andrea
Thank You very much for that. Probably legal action could cost more than a penalty in this case…I love Italy, but this law sucks.
Totally agree, Andrea.
Hi Andrea,
We are from Belgium and currently staying at Pannesi. We want to visit city of Genua. Where can we best park our car? Also we are with small children.
Thanks in advance!
Vanessa
Hi Vanessa,
How long would you leave your car in Genoa in order to visit the city? How many days?
If it’s for just one day, I recommend this car park, which is right in the Old Port:
Parcheggio Mercanzia Genova
The Mercanzia car park is located 200 metres from Genoa Aquarium and 300 metres from Cattedrale di San Lorenzo (the main cathedral of Genoa, in the heart of the city). It has 77 parking spaces, two of which are reserved for disabled drivers, and in my opinion it’s the best car park in Genoa (amongst the not-free ones).
It’s the best option to visit Acquario di Genova and the whole city centre.
Address: Via Turati, Genoa
Opening Hours: 24/7, all year round
Fees Day: €2.00 per hour; €1.00 for the first half hour | Night: €0.50 per hour from 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.
24-hour fee: no
Wish you a great holiday in Genoa Italy,
Andrea
I will be driving from Cinque Terre to Milan with a quick stop in Genoa. I want to visit the Aquarium. Can I drive there and avoid entering the ZTL?
Yes Rebecca don’t worry. You can park your car in the Aquarium parking spot without entering the ZTL area.
I recommend that you buy your aquarium tickets in advance to avoid the long lines that may form at the ticket office (especially at this time of year).
You can purchase tickets here: BOOK NOW.
If you need any other info, don’t hesitate to ask,
Andrea
Hey Andrea,
We are moving into an apartment inside the ZTL Zone. I am hoping to apply for a restricted access car zone so we are able to park here in the evenings. I believe it is near/opposite Cathedral San Lorenzo. Are you able to point me in the right direction as I haven’t been able to find any links online. We have a car with Italian plates, work here (in the Port), have a contract and lease of 6months with the apartment.
Cheers!
Dear Jade,
Could you please send me the address, so I can see where you can enter with your car?
Andrea