Sicily is a region of Italy, which includes the island of the same name and several archipelagos. Considered the largest island in the Mediterranean. The shores of Sicily are washed by three seas - the Ionian, Mediterranean and Tyrrhenian. On the territory you can see mountains, volcanoes and amazing pristine nature.
The name originates dozens of centuries ago. The tribe that lived in this territory was called the Sikans; The territory was called Sicania. After a series of changes, the island acquired the name Sikela, i.e. Sicily. Until now, historians have not come to a consensus about the age of Sicily; known is the fact that the territory was inhabited in the Paleolithic era (rock paintings were found).
During the heyday of Ancient Greece (VIII century BC), Greek colonies settled on the island. The Greeks transformed the island; developed culture and agriculture. At some point, Sicily overtook Magna Graecia in its development. Later (III century BC) Sicily became a province of the Roman Empire for 6 centuries.
Throughout history, at different times, several different states have influenced Sicily.
The area of \u200b\u200bthe territory of Sicily (the island itself, along with other islands adjacent to it) has an area of \u200b\u200b25 thousand km. To move around the area during a tourist trip, you can rent a car.
The population of Sicily is about 5 million people. The climate is tropical Mediterranean, characterized by long hot summers and short mild winters.
Sicily consists of 9 provinces, each with its own history. Below is a list of some of the most spectacular places and attractions that you can see during a tourist trip to Sicily.
Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Palermo).
Cathedral Palermo is a unique architectural monument that combines different styles, eras and religions. The cathedral complex combines the Arabic style, classicism, gothic. From the 13th to the 18th century, the cathedral was rebuilt several times; throughout its history, Arab, German, Spanish masters of various directions (architects, artists, sculptors) worked on it. Construction stopped only by the 19th century. In the chapels of the cathedral there are statues of saints. In addition to its shrines, the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is known for its complex of royal tombs.
Note: Palermo is the largest city and the administrative center of the region of Sicily. Located on the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea, in the capital of the same name.
The Cathedral has its own official website, where you can find detailed information about the attraction (link - www.cattedrale.palermo.it)
Volcano Etna is the largest active volcano in Europe, located on the east coast of Sicily. Circumference - approximately 140 km; the heightchanges every year, according to the latest data - about 3350 meters. Since 1981, the area around the volcano has been considered a natural reserve. Over the entire history of the existence of the volcano, about 150 cases of eruption are known, the last of which occurred in 2001. One of the most powerful eruptions occurred in the 17th century; the lava flow destroyed numerous villages, surrounded the castle and reached the sea. Visiting the territory adjacent to the volcano, you can see traces of ruin brought by it at different times (hardened lava fragments are visible at the foot).
Valley of the Temples, located on the territory of Agrigento, is the largest architectural monument on Earth (the total area is about 1300 hectares).
The complex consists of several temples of varying degrees of preservation (the Temple of the Goddess of Concordia Concordia is the best preserved), the history of which begins in the 6th century BC. Since 1997, the Valley of the Temples has been a World Heritage Site UNESCO.
Note: Agrigento – one of the oldest cities in Sicily, located on the territory of the province of the same name. The city was founded by Greeks from the island of Rhodes in the 6th century BC.
Interesting cities in Sicily (1-2 day trips).
When visiting Sicily, having enough time, you can see the various cities of the island. For many destinations, it is best to rent a car (Bookingautos is a car rental site).
Taormina is a city of fun.
Taormina is a town located in the province of Messina, called the pearl of Sicily. The permanent population of the city is about 12 thousand people. Taormina combines wonderful architecture and extraordinarily beautiful nature. The history of the city begins in 365 BC, when a tribe expelled from the Greek city settled on the territory. At that time, the place was called Tauromenia.
Since then, the town has changed several times, only by the 19th century it acquired a well-groomed appearance, thanks to Lord Trivilian (a Sicilian who bought several huts of the city, ennobled the area and built a hotel for wealthy visitors). The town was especially popular with the British nobility. Taormina is conditionally divided into two parts: the upper historical part with architectural monuments; the lower one is the newer part for a beach holiday. Taormina's most famous attraction is the Greek Theatre built in the 3rd century BC. Surprising is the fact that the theater was not built of stone, but was cut into the rock.
The journey from the capital of Sicily, Palermo, to Taormina will take about 3 hours by car.
Syracuse is a trading city of Sicily, which has preserved a large number of architectural monuments from the times of Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece.
Noto is a small town subordinate to the administrative center of Syracuse. The cities are located at a distance of 25 km from each other, so it is not difficult to see them in one day. Noto is distinguished by the Baroque style, which can be traced in architectural structures. As a result of a terrible earthquake at the end of the 17th century, the previous city was completely destroyed, and a new one was built at a distance of 13 km from it (during the construction there was a special agreement to build the entire town in the same style).
The journey from the capital will take 3-3.5 hours by car.
Food: the best restaurants in Sicily.
The national cuisine of Sicily is very diverse and combines traditional dishes of the peoples who have lived on the territory of the last 20 centuries. For example, from the French of Sicily, they inherited a love for onions and a sandy theme; from the Spaniards - the addition of citrus fruits (mainly oranges) to various dishes; Arabs brought spices to the national dishes of Sicily.
As in other regions of Italy, pizza is prepared in Sicily, a special kind of it, which is called Sicilian pizza (its features are the addition of anchovies; cheese is under sauce).
In order to enjoy the national cuisine of Sicily and Italy in general, you should visit some of the best restaurants on the island:
Da Vittorio Ristorante - a restaurant located on the Golden Beach of Porto Palo Menfi. In this establishment you can try dishes from the best seafood in Sicily; taste Italian wines. (Official website of the institution - https://www.davittorio.com; iale Margherita of Savoy, 53 Mondello-Waldensian, 90149; +39 091 684 0717)
Badalamenti Cucina e Bottega is a Mediterranean and Italian restaurant with a wine bar. (Viale Galatea 55, 90151 Mondello, Palermo, Sicily Italy; +39 091 450213)
Where to park in Sicily.
Most parking in Sicily is paid. There are no difficulties with the definition of parking: white lines in the parking lot - parking is free; yellow lines - free only for Sicilians; blue lines - you can park your car at night (parking is paid during the day).
Large car parks in Sicily:
Due Obelischi - outdoor parking with 650 parking spaces (Azienda Metropolitana Trasporti E Sosta Catania S. p. a.Two Obelisks Via Lo Francesco 95125 Catania; +39 095 751 9111).
Parcheggio Bellini - multi-storey car park with 350 spaces; hour - 1.60 euros, 24 hours - 10 euros. (Co. Ge. A. P. S. R. L. Parking Bellini Via Cosentino, 40 95131 Catania; +39 095 313939).
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Sixt
Most popular car class
Compact
Average price
34 € / Day
Best price
24 € / Day
Average cost per week of rental in Sicily
January
€83
February
€93
March
€98
April
€136
May
€149
June
€226
July
€240
August
€142
September
€98
October
€85
November
€79
December
€150
* Data is calculated based on car bookings for the previous 365 days.
The best month to rent a car in Sicily is November. There are fewer tourists and a lot of available cars. You can book a compact class model at a price from €16. This is 31% cheaper than the average during the year.
The best time to rent a car in Sicily is November. During this period the cost of renting a car of a compact category starts from €16, which is approximately 32% lower compared to the average price during a year.
Convertible cars in Sicily are in high demand during the summer. This is not surprising. After all, a trip on such a car gives a feeling of freedom and independence, allows you to relax and forget about the problems of the world around you. Although you should be prepared for an increase in rental prices and possible problems with the range of available cars. If we talk about the price Mini Couper Cabrio - it will be from €62 per 1 day.
We offer a wide range of vehicles to suit every budget:
Economy cars - a great solution for everyday trips;
Premium segment - for those who love quality and comfort;
Business class is ideal for people who are used to being first.
Convertibles, SUVs and station wagons, as well as minivans and sedans are in demand among customers. The choice of car depends not only on personal tastes, preferences and its cost. Rental conditions are important, which in some cases should be taken into account in the first place.
In Sicily budget cars like Ford Focus or Audi A1 can be booked for €38-€56 per day. This is provided that the contract is concluded on the spot. If you choose the same cars in advance on our website, you will save. Cars with a class: Skoda Superb, BMW X1, Audi A4 Estate - will cost an average of €38 per day. You can also find minivans, luxury cars, business class cars and electric cars. Rental costs from €56 up to several hundred euros per day.
The demand for electric cars is growing not only in the segment of their sales. These cars are just as popular when renting, which is often accompanied by the provision of a free parking space and the possibility of free car charging around the city. To rent an electric car you should set the appropriate filter. Moreover, the rental of BMW i3 when ordering in Sicily will cost quite a modest amount.
Documents needed to rent a car
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
Everything you need to know about car hire in Sicily
Download Google maps for offline access
Before the trip, we recommend that you download the necessary maps to the Google Maps application on your smartphone. This will allow you to build travel routes and use offline navigation on the ground. Thus, you can significantly save on Internet roaming charges, as well as on the "Navigator" service. Downloading the map is easy. You should select the required area, set the desired scale and enter "ok maps" in the search field.
Book a car in advance
Sicily is now in ever-increasing demand, which affects the high demand for car rental. By booking online, you can avoid any unpleasant surprises after you arrive at your destination. Both with the car itself and with its rent.
It is better to book a car at least one and a half months before the trip. As the required date approaches, the number of available offers is reduced, and the cost of the remaining models increases. If plans change and the trip is postponed, then you can cancel the rental without any sanctions 2 days before it starts.
Which car to choose
The compact model is relevant for city trips in Sicily. It can be Audi A1 or Ford Focus. Mountain routes require a more powerful four-wheel drive vehicle - Audi A4 Estate or similar model. You can order an SUV for just €33 per day;
What you need to pay attention to when receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance recommendations
Rental companies in Sicily may offer different insurance options. They differ in price and set of options. Here are the basic types:
Third Party Liability (TPL)/Third Liability Protection (TLP). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Insurance (TI)/Theft Protection (TP)/Theft Waiver (TW). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Super Loss Damage Waiver (SLDW)/Theft Protection+Collision Damage Waiver (TP+CDW). Full protection against theft and damage, even if you are the culprit of the accident.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
If you want to save money and choose the cheapest insurance, carefully inspect the car upon receipt. Make sure the machine is not damaged.
Fuel prepayment terms
When you pick up your car, you may be asked to pay for a full tank of fuel right away. This condition will suit you if you plan to travel long distances. For a couple of trips around the city, you don’t need so much fuel, and therefore it doesn’t make sense to overpay. Pay attention to the fuel policy when booking a car. If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.
Unlimited mileage
The rental company may set a daily mileage limit. You will have to pay extra for exceeding the limit. Please check this condition before booking. It is possible that a more expensive rental option will turn out to be more profitable in the end: it will not require any additional expenses. To filter cars with unlimited mileage - use the "Mileage" filter in the search results.
Compare prices and conditions from different car rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Sicily, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
Which rental company to choose
It is recommended to rent a car in trusted companies, that is, in those whose services you have already used. You can also focus on the rating of our site, which is displayed next to the name of the company in the search results.
Ceteris paribus, preference should be given to larger companies that have a high level of service and a large selection of cars. The best rental companies in Sicily are sixt with an average rating of 9.8 points and budget (rating - 9.7).
Car pick-up procedure
Before signing a car rental agreement, it should be carefully checked for damage and defects. Do not be shy to point out the identified problems and problems - then you will not have to answer for them. When returning, pay attention to the fuel in the tank. Its volume must correspond to that prescribed in the agreement.
Also, do not ignore the phone number provided by the technical support representative when concluding the contract. After all, even the most experienced driver is not insured against a breakdown, accident or other force majeure event. In such a case, contact a specialist before the arrival of the police.
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Car rental reviews: Sicily
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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