Mantova - parking, driving, where to stay
 

I will have two nights in Mantova in July and we will have a car. I've found a couple of good looking places to stay that are in the historic center but you have to get permits from the hotel/help getting to the parking area, etc. And at least one of them they don't want you arriving mid afternoon (which is when we would probably arrive). So all that sounds like a lot of hassle.

I also found a couple that are about 1-2 miles outside the city - sound like easy to find, free parking, etc - but then when we drove into the old town where would we park? Are there parking lots/garages that are easy to get to from the main roads that are walking distance from the historic center (20 min or less walk)?

Then I also found some places near the train station - they actually sound like logistically they'd be good - fairly easy to find and park but walkable to the center.

What do you think?

Absolutely one of my favourite cities in northern Italy and unfortunately overlooked by so many. Try staying at http://www.cadelleerbe.it/public/index.aspx This is on the very central Piazza delle Erbe. It has air-conditioning which is absolutely essential in Mantova in July and they can give you the necessary permit to enter the ZTL (restricted) area. I have found them very helpful for any query (admittedly I communicate with them in Italian).

Whilst there you will hardly need your car as the city is small enough for you to travel everywhere on foot or on bike as many Mantuans do.

An alternative would be to stay outside of Mantova - preferably at a place with a swimming pool and take the train in which avoids the issue of parking. However, this is not a problem if visiting Palazzo Te which is outside of the historic centre.

I mentioned this in your other post

http://www.palazzoarrivabene.net/

We had to drive for a few seconds in the restricted zone to get to the Palazzo. Once there, we were able to park in their courtyard/garage area, for free. Great location. Excellent hosts. We arrived mid afternoon and it was no problem.

Thanks for the replies.

I found this information on trip advisor:

"There are a number of car parks and parking possibilities. After you cross the via Legnano ("causeway") turn left and there is a large car park on your right on the Lungo Lago del Gonzaga (note you will have to turn right before the car park because it is a one-way street). Or turn right along via Micino (more options this way). You can sometimes park on the via Micino or there are a couple of smaller car parks on the Piazza Virgiliana. These 2 areas are probably the best options for visiting the Palace and easiest for getting out again.
There are also a number of car parks not far from Mantova train station."

I found this hotel near the train station - Albergo Bianchi Stazione (TA reviews and good and all say it's ten min walk to historic center and at the same time easy to drive to). Anyone know of it?

isabel - do not recommend Albergo Bianchi. What is you price range? Based on that will give some recommendations

nochblad -why don't you recommend Albergo Bianchi? For price we would like to stay under 125€ a night. But I was thinking of that hotel more based on location. I figured by the train station we would be able to park, and not have to drive through the historic zone, yet would still be able to walk to it. I welcome any suggestions.

I have never been in but the location is poor and it has always given me the impression of being somewhat seedy.

Will forward suggestions tomorrow

We stayed at Albergo Bianchi Stazione about 3 years ago. And chose it for some of the same reasons you state - ease of access with a car, parking, distance from centro storico, price. It didn't disappoint on those counts. Yes, it is a basic hotel - your not going to go home raving about it to your friends - but the rooms were good size, very clean, pleasant staff, adequate breakfast. The inside courtyard/garden was a nice respite after a day on your feet.
All things being the same, I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again although if a car was not part of the equation I'd stay in the center.

On a side note this was our second visit to Mantova. The first was a short lunch break on the way to Lucca. It enchanted us so that we decided to give it more time on a future trip. In the meantime, I took a couple of courses on Italian history and learned of Matova's past. I'd suggest you do something similar- you'll see the city in a different light.

toni - thanks so much for that information. That's about what I was expecting of the hotel so I now feel much better making the reservation there. Did you park the car at the hotel's lot/garage or did you find somewhere else to leave it? It looks like there are some public parking lots near the hotel as well.

I am very much looking forward to seeing Mantova.

We parked in the hotel lot which is behind locked gates.