Car hire Sicily

The Italian Island of Sicily is a rugged and handsome place with a rich history and fascinating culture. There’s a bit of everything in Sicily, from medieval hilltop towns to ancient ruins and trendy seaside resorts. Here, one can hike the starkly beautiful mountains of the interior or cruise the Aeolian Islands, whilst others might choose to look back in time in Syracuse or unwind with the university scene in Catania.

Car hire

The main roads in Sicily are excellent; the island features a good motorway network. Because public transport can be slow going, a rental car can help visitors maximise travel time. Popular global car hire chains like Avis, Dollar and Sixt are typically found in every Sicilian town with a tourism scene, giving one plenty of choice to compare car hire. Great low rental rates can often be found online for advance bookings.

Discovering Sicily

Agrigento and its UNESCO-certified Valley of Temples is a must-see, as are the Greek ruins at Syracuse. Such ancient sites are the main attraction in Sicily, but for a contemporary scene one can head to youthful Catania, the capital Palermo or the port town of Messina. Meanwhile amazing beaches await at San Vito lo Capo, whilst the active Mt Etna volcano is always an impressive sight.

Daytripping by car

A car rental is an excellent choice in Sicily if you want to see a lot in a short time. Greek ruins like Temple Valley, Naxos and Selinunte are spread out around the island. Roman remains like the mosaics at Piazza Armerina are also incredible. Hikes in Madino National Park offer a taste of Sicilian nature while charming towns like Trapani bring the best of both worlds together.

When to go

Summers are incredibly hot and dry in Sicily. Add the rush of tourism in August and it becomes a not-so-ideal time for a visit. Consider autumn or spring for comfortable temperatures and minimal precipitation. Winters are fairly mild and very pleasant when it isn’t raining.
Check Sicily Weather Forecast

Driving rentals in Italy

The roads in Sicily are excellent, though driving can still be rather hectic like in the rest of the country. Be sure to drive on the right hand side and keep your speed under 50kph in cities, 90kph on rural roads and 130kph on the motorways. It’s wise to always keep your passport and International Driver’s Licence with you whenever operating a car hire in Sicily.