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Florence to Ban Outdoor Dining on 50 Historic-Center Streets in 2026

City leaders present the plan as protecting the UNESCO-listed core.

Overview

  • The prohibition will cover key tourist corridors, including the Ponte Vecchio area, the Uffizi square and Via Roma.
  • An additional 73 streets and squares will face tighter rules, grouped into five categories with differing limits on terraces.
  • Officials say the overhaul will reclaim narrow public spaces for pedestrians and reduce visual clutter in the historic center.
  • Restaurant owners warn of severe losses, noting many rely on outdoor seats, and industry group Fipe reports 42% invested heavily in terraces from 2020 to 2023.
  • Local reporting describes the package as the most comprehensive public-space reform in 15 years, with implementation slated to begin in early 2026.