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Exploring Catania by Hire Car

Catania, Sicily’s second largest city, is home to 300,000 people.

Visitors can expect a town built of lava and sandstone with baroque buildings, interesting museums and excellent restaurants.

And looming over it all is the volcano Etna, which killed nearly 12,000 residents when it erupted in 1669.
But not only Catania, also the surrounding countryside is extremely charming and can be explored perfectly by hire car.

Receiving the hire car

Many rental companies have their stations directly at the airport. There you can take the key and go immediately to their hire car. However, there are also providers whose stations are only near the airport.

In this case, you will have to wait for a shuttle to take you to the hire car station. If things go badly, this can really take up a lot of time. Check with your preferred rental company ahead of time to find out where their station is located.

Booking the right hire car

With a smaller hire car you are well advised in Sicily. Especially in the cities it is often very turbulent. With a small car, you can get through the bustling traffic more easily. In addition, a smaller and therefore cheaper vehicle is not so interesting for car thieves. Before you book, however, you should consider how much luggage you want to take with you on your trip in order to have enough space in the trunk.

Hire car prices

The large number of hire car companies ensures reasonable prices in Sicily. Only in the high season can there be bottlenecks that drive up the prices. If you book the hire car well in advance, you are on the safe side and find a good deal.

hire car price comparison Catania

Language difficulties

In Sicily, there can always be communication difficulties. The best thing to do is to save the number of the central office of your rental company in your mobile phone. Then someone can interpret from there in case of need.

age limit

Some rental companies charge extra if drivers are under 25 years old. Check before you book the hire car.

Accessories

If you need accessories such as roof racks or a sat nav, find out well in advance if your rental company offers these and what they cost to rent.

Free kilometers

Are you planning a tour of the island? Then you should book a hire car with which you can drive unlimited kilometers. After all, Sicily is bigger than many people think. If, on the other hand, you primarily want to lie on the beach and only plan small side trips to neighboring towns, you can also take out a cheaper contract with limited kilometers.

Customer Review Hire Car

Some customers are dissatisfied with some hire car companies in Sicily. Be sure to read reviews from other customers before booking the car. If you have insured the car sufficiently when booking, you should not let yourself be talked into additional insurance at the airport. Some providers only rent the car with a full tank of fuel and charge extra for the tank. Even if you return the car half-full, you will have to pay for the full tank.

All damage specified?

Before you drive off in your hire car, inspect it carefully and record any scratches or dents on a list of defects signed by the hire car company. Keep your copy in a safe place.

Safety hire car

It happens from time to time that a hire car has not been properly maintained. Before your first trip, be sure to check the seat belts and lights. Remember to check the brake lights, too. And while you’re still in the parking lot, do a brake test with the car. If something doesn’t work, insist on a replacement car.

Bail only blocked?

There is also a pitfall to be aware of when it comes to the security deposit. Most rental companies only block the amount on the credit card and release it when the vehicle is returned. But there are also providers who collect the money and transfer it back after returning the car. This can take a while, though.

Car properly insured?

It can quickly happen that there is a fender bender in the bustling villages and towns of Sicily. With a comprehensive insurance without deductible you are on the safe side. The very cautious also book additional insurance against glass and tyre damage. You can find more tips on the right insurance in our special.

Sights in Catania

Piazza del Duomo: Magnificent World Heritage Site
The Piazza del Duomo is a good starting point to begin a city stroll. Here you can expect a baroque ensemble that UNESCO has even granted a place on the World Heritage List. The centrepiece is the Elephant Fountain, which is well worth seeing. The elephant was formed from lava stone and carries an obelisk on its back.

Turn your attention now to the Duomo Sant’Agata. Starting in 1709, the cathedral, destroyed by an earthquake, was rebuilt. The apses and transept, including the two chapels, date back to Norman times and were integrated into the new building. Otherwise, a baroque church in all its splendour awaits the visitor.

Lively fish market
After the church visit, you have the opportunity to get to know today’s Catania at the fish market. Loudly, the merchants advertise their wares, which couldn’t be fresher. You can reach the fish market from Piazza del Duomo via a small staircase.

Palazzo Biscari: Lavish splendour
Goethe himself lived in the magnificent Palazzo Biscari, which you can visit next. Even from the outside, the façade, richly decorated with putti and tendrils, is enchanting. However, the palace only reveals its full lavish splendour in the Rococo style inside. A visit is possible on request. Check with the tourist information office for the latest dates.

Via Etnea: The shopper’s paradise
The end of the stroll could be a shopping tour along the elegant Via Etnea. Numerous shops offer a variety of goods here. If the shopping bags get too heavy, you can catch your breath in pretty cafés.

Find a good restaurant

The inhabitants of Catania enjoy good food. Thus, it is not difficult to find a good restaurant here. We recommend the Osteria Antica Marina. It is located very close to the market and offers first-class fish dishes prepared in the traditional way.

Find a good hotel

There is also a special hotel to discover in Catania. Make a reservation at the Una Hotel Palace. Expect nicely designed rooms, friendly service and spectacular views of Mount Etna from the hotel’s rooftop terrace.

A worthwhile destination in the area

Direct the hire car to Taormina, perhaps the most beautiful city on the island. For the 56 kilometers that lie between Catania and Taormina, you need a driving time of about one hour. Already at the end of the 19th century, this place was the meeting point of the sophisticated world.

And until today Taormina has kept a very special flair. Especially the Teatro Greco is worth a visit. The amphitheatre was built in the third century BC and is excellently preserved. From here you have a wide view over the sea and the island to the Etna.

Afterwards, you should explore the charming old town centre, stroll through the numerous narrow streets and order a Mediterranean menu in a trattoria. Between courses, you can then discuss which delightful destinations around Catania you’d like to visit next in your hire car.

Suggestion of a round trip

Siracusa: picturesque old town and worthwhile museum
For a first round trip, it is a good idea to first drive to Siracusa with a hire car. For the 66 kilometres, you will need just under an hour. In Siracusa, a picturesque old town awaits you, whose buildings with magnificent facades captivate visitors.

The Museo Regionale di Palazzo Bellomo is especially worth a visit. There you will find a pinacoteca with paintings created from the 15th to the 17th century. The painting “The sepulchre of St. Lucia” by Carvaggio is the showpiece of the exhibition.

Ragusa: Late Baroque UNESCO World Heritage Site
The next destination on the itinerary is Ragusa. From Siracusa, you can be there in about an hour and a half. Ragusa’s late Baroque cityscape prompted the United Nations to declare it a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. In Ragusa, you can take a relaxed stroll through the streets, enjoy an espresso in a sidewalk café and take in the witnesses of the past.

Caltagirone: City of Ceramics
To round off your tour, you could head for Caltagirone. It will take you about an hour from Ragusa in your hire car. Caltagirone is considered the city of ceramics in Sicily. Here you can stock up on pretty handmade souvenirs. But the purchase is not quite cheap. The artists of Caltagirone know what they can do and often charge quite sporty prices.

For the return journey to Catania, you will need another hour. Once there, you can review your eventful round trip.

Hire car Catania