Car & Van Hire - Prato

September is a big month for the city of Prato. Every year, the Contemporanea Festival kicks off, serving as a showcase for the best in performing arts. This contemporary arts festival offers displays throughout the city, with local theatres and public squares serving as the staging ground for unique events.

This Tuscan city is home to an incredible selection of museums, making it a dream destination for culture lovers. In the centre of town, you'll find the Palazzo Pretorio, now the home of the local Civic Museum. There's also the Luigi Pecci Museum of Contemporary Art. This unique U-shaped building boasts an unbeatable collection of modern art pieces, while its outdoor amphitheatre regularly plays host to live events and performances.

Art fans will also want to visit the Palazzo degli Alberti in the historic centre of Prato. Dating back to the 13th century, this gallery is home to a stunning collection of Baroque paintings and world-famous pieces from the likes of Caravaggio. With a car rental in Prato, you can ensure you see it all during your stay.

Looking to indulge in some retail therapy during your visit to Prato? There's something for everyone in this part of Tuscany. You'll find high-end stores selling designer labels like Valentino, Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana. This city is also famous for its textile production, so you'll want to browse independent boutiques for unique cashmere designs and locally-produced woollen yarns.

Get ready to discover a world of gastronomic delights in Prato. This corner of Tuscany has a distinct regional cuisine with a focus on humble ingredients that combine to produce mouth-watering results. Hankering after a quick bite? Try savoury specialities like schiacciate, a delicious flatbread served with a light drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt. In the mood for something sweeter? Prato won't disappoint when it comes to premium pastries. Local delicacies include setteveli, a decadent layered chocolate cake with a silky-smooth ganache.

The Tuscany region is also home to some of the world's most sought-after wines. Some of the best include Carmignano, a delightfully dry red that was once a favourite with the Medici family. With a care hire in Prato, it's easy to get out and explore the surrounding vineyards.

Visiting Prato with little ones? There's plenty to keep everyone happy in this part of Tuscany. If you're booking a car or van rental in Prato, think about heading out to the nearby Museum of Planetary Science or the Natural Science Centre. 

If you want to explore everything that Tuscany has to offer, you'll want to think about car hire in Prato. While driving around Italy takes some getting used to, it's well worth it for those picturesque views alone. In this part of Tuscany, the main roads fall into one of two categories: autostrade and superstrada. Autostrade roads require a toll, while those marked as superstrada are free to use.

The Autostrada del Sole (A1) forms the central part of Tuscany's motorway system, connecting the northernmost corner of the region to Bologna. The A1 also provides convenient connections to Florence, Cortona and Arezzo. You can even use it to continue straight onto Rome. The A1 also connects to the A11 motorway. If you're thinking about car hire in Prato and want to get out and explore places like Genoa and Pisa. Nearby toll-free options include the SS1, which connects to the southern regions of Tuscany. There's also the SGC highway, connecting Prato with places like Livorno, Pisa and Florence.

If you're considering car hire in Prato, remember that vehicles drive on the right-hand side in Italy. You'll also need to be wary about speed limits. Different limits are enforced in cities, secondary roads and motorways. Traffic peaks during commuting hours in and around Prato. You'll want to avoid driving in the city centre during 07:00-09:00 and 17:00-19:00 if you can help it.

Parking is ample in the city of Prato. You'll find many free parking spaces near points of interest, but securing a spot can prove tricky during the busy summer months. However, there are plenty of pay and display parking areas scattered throughout Prato.

Many areas of central Prato are classed as a Limited Traffic Zone. Elsewhere in the city, regional speed limits of 50 km/h apply. Beyond the city limits, you'll need to stick to a maximum speed of 70 km/h. On motorways, speed limits can rise to 110 km/h.

From the beginning of November until the end of April, motorists are required by law to carry snow tires or chains when driving in Tuscany. If you're booking a car rental Prato for the autumn or winter months, you'll want to check how to mount these should you need them.