Planning to Rent a Car in Sicily? Below is all the information you need:
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
Hertz
Most popular car class
Standard
Average price
32 € / Day
Best price
23 € / Day
Estimated cost for 7 days rental
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 calculated based on car bookings for the previous 2 years.
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 €17. This is 31% cheaper than the average during the year.
The best time to rent a car in Sicily is November. This month, rental prices are minimal, below the annual average by 34%, and start from €17 for a Compact car.
In summer, the demand for car rental reaches its peak. The choice of available cars is decreasing. At the same time, the price of the service almost doubles! For example, in July, the average rental price of the popular car model Skoda Superb reaches €44 per day.
Our rental office in Sicily can offer you a wide selection of over 40 car models. You can rent exact car model. All cars are new and technically fully functional.
The cost of renting a car in Sicily depends on the car class, rental period, as well as the season of the year. For long-term rentals, rental companies provide good discounts. During the high season, in the summer months, the rental price is much higher than in winter. For example, a daily rental of Opel Corsa or another budget car in the spring will cost about €17 per day. If you decide to rent this car for a week, then for each day you will have to pay about €22. The daily rental of middle-class cars, Skoda Superb, Peugeot 308 Estate, Toyota Rav-4 will be on average €29-€55. In Sicily convertible rental price starts from €40. Luxury cars can be rented for €330, and the cost of renting the most expensive, exclusive models can exceed 550€ per day.
Recently, in Sicily has seen a rise in demand for electric car rentals. They do not pollute nature and save money. The city has free parking and cheap charging stations. To rent an electric car in Sicily, select the appropriate filter in the car search and fill in the dates you need. The best option could be Mercedes EQC.
Documents required for car rental
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
Expert Car Rental Tips: 10 Things to Keep in Mind
Download Google maps for offline access
Download the map in the Google Maps mobile app in advance. Select the desired area, type "OK MAPS" in the search box and start the search. Then wait for the map to save. Ready! Navigation will work even without an internet connection - thanks to the GPS function. It is present in all modern smartphones. You can not only find the desired address, but also build a route. And all this is free.
Book a car 6 weeks in advance
Sicily is a popular holiday destination and the car rental service is in great demand here. Therefore, it is recommended to book a car in advance. When booking online, you know exactly which car, for what price and under what conditions you will get in Sicily. The main advantage of early booking is the cost savings. The less time left before the start of the rental, the higher the cost of the rental becomes. The optimal period for booking in rental companies is 6 weeks before receiving the car. If you book early, two days before receiving the car, you can cancel the order without any penalties.
Which car to choose for rent
Choose a car according to the purpose of your trip. You can drive around the city and its surroundings in a compact car VW Up or Opel Corsa. These models are the most popular with our customers in Sicily.
In the mountains, more powerful transport will be required. Pay attention to the volume of the engine - it must be more than 1.6 liters. An all-wheel drive crossover would be ideal. Peugeot 308 Estate will cost €44 per day. By the way, before leaving, do not forget to refuel with a margin. On the rises, the fuel goes one and a half to two times more. Gas stations in mountain villages are rare.
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
When you pick up your rental car, you need to take it seriously. This is especially true if you do not intend to purchase additional insurance. You should carefully inspect the received car and fix all scratches, dents, and other defects in the contract. It is also recommended to take a picture of the existing damage to the car, its number, write down the name of the rental company employee.
What types of insurance are available for car rental?
Third Party Liability (TPL). 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 Waiver (T.W.). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
Fuel Policy
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.
Mileage without limits
According to the rental conditions, the mileage can be limited or unlimited. Travel lovers should choose the option without a limit. It will cost more, but in the end it will save. Check the appropriate box to filter offers with unlimited mileage.
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
Pay attention to the car park. Large and reliable companies regularly buy new cars.
Our clients name the top companies in Sicily - sixt with an average rating 9.8 points and budget with 9.7 points.
We show all the rental conditions of different companies. Read the rules carefully before booking a car.
Car pick-up procedure
You should show a voucher and personal documents. A manager draws up a lease agreement. The deposit is blocked on the card.
Before leaving the rental, turn on the ignition, find out the amount of fuel and compare it with what is written in the contract.
Inspect the car carefully. Point out to the manager any paint chips and scuffs. The employee must record the damage. Take a photo yourself: they should show the defect, the number of the car and the employee of the rental company. This will help to avoid problems when returning the car: it will prove that it was not you who torn the upholstery or scratched the fender.
Our advantages
24/7 support in all popular languages
Change or cancel within 48 hours for free!
No additional fees
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.
Download the BookingAutos mobile app
Download our mobile app and get access to special offers and discounts in Sicily.
