Car Hire Palermo

You might choose to spend your day wandering around the Palermo Cathedral, appreciating the many different styles of architecture that contribute to its beauty. Or opt for simply enjoying a wonderful meal whilst gazing out over the glorious Mediterranean Sea – a trip to Palermo is whatever you make of it.

Roads around the city are lined with architectural masterpieces, which make for a truly fascinating trip – but be aware that Palermo has a ‘ZTL’ or Zona Traffico Limitato. This means that part of the historic centre is closed to traffic. If your hotel is within the zone, contact them in advance so that they can organise access for you.

In Italy, you’ll be driving on the right, and if you’re travelling along a two-lane motorway, you’ll need to use dipped-headlights. Speed limits vary from 50 km/h in towns up to 110 km/h on dual carriageways and 130 km/h on motorways.

The E90 is the main road which runs through the heart of the city. The SS186 heads south into the island, and the SS113 heads along the east coast. If you want to go on more of a road trip, leave the city and travel for just over 200 km to the city of Catania - a lively port city nestled at the base of Mount Etna.

The route takes you on the A19, one of the autostradas in Italy which connect major cities. They are easy roads to travel on, with clear signage and mostly free-flowing traffic. You’ll encounter tolls when travelling on the autostradas but paying is simple.

If you want to avoid the tolls and enjoy more scenic views, then you can take one of the SS routes across Sicily. The SS113 winds along the coastline and you can stop off along the way at some glorious Sicilian towns such as Cefalù, Capo d’Orlando and Milazzo, perfect for a tasty lunch overlooking the glorious ocean.

Heaving street markets, an energetic pace of life and buildings that betray the course of history - spanning Moorish, Gothic, Byzantine architecture and more – Palermo is a breath of fresh Sicilian air. Whether you’ve got a passion for opera, food or design, you’ll find plenty to sate your appetite here.

Sicily’s ancient history

Palermo is one of the best places to visit if you want to learn more about the ancient history of Sicily. There are so many locations within the city that have historical significance that you’ll struggle to decide which to explore first.

Cappella Palatina is a wonderful place to start as it’s considered to be one of the best examples of Byzantine architecture in Europe. Take the time to study the wonderfully detailed mosaics and appreciate the glorious colour of the striking interior.

Another star attraction is the Capuchin Abbey and Catacombs. Here you can journey deep underground to see bodies that have been preserved through various points in time. It’s a fascinating if macabre insight into this burial ground and you get an insight into different embalming techniques. It’s not for the squeamish, however.

A musical adventure

Palermo is also home to Italy’s largest opera house, Teatro Massimo. It’s world renowned for the incredible acoustics it provides and is worth a visit if you have a passion for opera or simply want to appreciate the lavish interior. Film fans may even recognise it from the iconic scenes shot here for The Godfather III.

The city also has a lively nightlife scene, with coffee bars open until late in the night playing relaxed music. Bottiglieria del Massimo Champagneria is one of the most popular places in Palermo. Park up for the night and drop by - they offer a vast selection of different Champagnes that you can sip and savour in the elegant surroundings.

Get a flavour of Palermo

Palermo is renowned as one of the foodie capitals of Sicily. There are many sublime restaurants to choose from but the city is probably better known for its wonderful selection of street food.

You’ll find a number of markets across Palermo including the Vucciria and Capo markets. On the fringe of these is where you can often find the best street food that the city has to offer. Arancini is one of the many star attractions, and comprises of fried risotto rice balls available with a variety of different tasty fillings, a treat you should certainly try al fresco.

Soak up Sicily

Car rental in Palermo brings many other exciting towns and cities within easy reach. 100km away on the SS624 is the port of Sciacca. Explore miles of soft, sandy beaches that are often quieter than other sunny hotspots across the island, perfect for relaxing and taking in the serene sea view.

You’ll also find Marsala less than two hours away from Palermo. With ancient ruins to explore and an exemplary nature reserve, it’s a wonderful contrast to the city and offers a scenic trip across stunning Sicily as you make your way there.