Palermo Hire Car Tips, Experiences & Comparison

Exploring Palermo by Hire Car

Palermo, with a population of 670,000 in an area of just under 160 square kilometres, is the capital of the Sicily region in southern Italy and also the fifth largest city in the country.

Palermo, infamous as a stronghold of the Mafia, has done much in recent years to rid itself of its bad image.

Today you can walk the streets almost anywhere without worry and enjoy the countless sights.

And many places in the surrounding countryside are also worth visiting and can be easily reached by hire car. For rental and travel we have compiled a few tips.

Receiving the hire car

Most rental companies can be found in the hire car center in front of the terminal. However, there are also providers whose station is only close to the terminal. In this case, you’ll be unlucky to face a long wait before a shuttle service takes you to the rental station. This is annoying and costs valuable holiday time.

Finding the right hire car

In Palermo especially, you’ll be glad you booked a small vehicle. Traffic is very turbulent, many streets are quite narrow and parking is scarce. However, before renting, you should consider how big your luggage will be in order to have enough space in the trunk.

Hire car prices

Hire car in Palermo is in the mid price range. In most cases, you will drive cheapest if you rent the hire car a few months before the planned trip. Then you can freely choose the vehicle category and often get a good deal. And if something comes up shortly before the trip, you can cancel the car up to 24 hours before rental with most rental companies free of charge.

hire car price comparison Palermo

Insuring the car properly

The, to say the least, sporty driving style of the Sicilians ensures that a small accident can happen quickly. And that’s even more true in Palermo’s traffic chaos. You are on the safe side if you have taken out a fully comprehensive insurance without excess. Then the insurance takes over the damage to your vehicle.

Even more important is the amount of coverage of the liability. It should be at least one million euros. Because if several vehicles are involved in an accident, or even people are injured, it quickly becomes very expensive. If you are of the opinion that the sum insured of your rental company is too low, you have the possibility to provide additional protection with a so-called Mallorca policy. Talk to your insurance company.

age limit

Many rental companies charge drivers younger than 25 an additional fee. Find out what the conditions are before renting the vehicle.

Accessories

No question, a navigation device makes the trip more relaxing. To make sure that your rental company has something like that in the offer, you should inform yourself before booking. And other accessories, such as a child seat, must also be reserved in good time.

Language barrier

In Palermo, it is quite possible that you will be confronted with a member of staff at the hire car station who does not speak good English. In order to be able to fall back on an interpreter in an emergency, you should save the telephone number of the Italian head office of your hire car company in your mobile phone. There you will normally always find an English-speaking employee.

Free kilometers

If you only want to explore the outskirts of Palermo, you can also hire car with limited mileage. However, if it is to go across the island, you should look for unlimited mileage. Because Sicily is more extensive than many think. If you drive from Palermo to Taormina, for example, you will have covered 261 kilometres by the time you arrive. And if you want to go to Pozallo, you have to drive more than 300 kilometres.

Customer Review Hire Car

Most of the customers are satisfied with the hire car in Palermo. However, some complain about damage to the vehicles and the lengthy transportation with the shuttle service. When you pick up the vehicle, be sure to get a written record of any damage that you can see so that when you return it, you won’t be charged for damage that you didn’t cause.

Safety hire car

Most hire cars in Palermo are roadworthy. However, it can always happen that a vehicle has been poorly maintained. If you notice anything wrong with your vehicle that affects road safety, be sure to insist on a replacement car. And before your first drive, test the car’s complete lighting system. Also, do a brake test before you leave the hire car company’s parking lot.

Bail

Make sure to rent from a provider that only blocks the deposit due on your credit card and does not actually collect it. Then you won’t have to wait until the money is back in your account after you return the car, either.

Sights in Palermo

Teatro Massimo: Gigantic Opera House
A city stroll could begin at the Teatro Massimo. Here you stand in front of the third largest opera house in Europe. Seating 3,200, it’s rare to see a sold-out performance. The theatre was built from 1875 to 1897 and is considered a prime example of historicism. Guided tours are available from Tuesday to Sunday between 09:30 and 17:00.

Galleria Regionale Siziliana: Experience Sicilian Art
You can get a good overview of Sicilian painting from the Middle Ages to the 18th century by visiting the Galleria Regionale Siziliana. In particular, the terrifying painting Trionfo della Morte has captivated viewers since the 15th century. Riding through the world on a horse, a skeleton spreads fear and terror.

Palazzo di Normanni: Seat of Parliament
Another highlight in Palermo is the Palazzo di Normanni. Already in the 9th century this palace was built. The Norman king Roger II expanded it in the 12th century to his seat of government. In the following centuries, the palazzo fell into disrepair until it was restored in the 16th century. Today, it is home to the Sicilian Parliament. There is a guided tour, which would probably be less impressive were it not for a visit to the Capella Palatina at the end.

Capella Palatina: binoculars only
Its construction was commissioned in 1130. The magnificent Norman-Arabic-Byzantine style church interior, decorated with oodles of gold, enchants visitors. You can spend hours here and yet you will always discover more details. Many visitors take binoculars with them to visit the chapel so as not to miss any detail.

Balarò Market: the belly of the city
Back in the present of the city, you can now plunge into the hustle and bustle of the market. Visit the Balarò Market. From household items to live chickens to pig halves, the city’s residents can purchase everything you need to live here. Pickpockets can also be found in the thick of the crowds. Keep an eye on your valuables.

Find a good restaurant in Palermo

From the simple trattoria to the gourmet temple, there is every form of restaurant in Palermo. We recommend Antica Focacceria S. Franceso. The restaurant offers the best Sicilian home cooking.

Find a good hotel

There’s no shortage of good hotels in Palermo either. Make a reservation at the Centrale Palace. You’ll stay in an 18th-century aristocratic residence and enjoy modern-day comforts.

A worthwhile destination in the area

Drive to Cefalù by hire car. You can reach the town, which is 68 kilometres away, in just over an hour. In Cefalù, a medieval old town with a cathedral from the 12th century awaits you, but also dreamlike beaches on the crystal clear sea. Climb Castle Hill, at the top of which you’ll find a 5th-century temple to Diana

Century BC can be visited. But even more rewarding are the spectacular views of the city and coastline from up here. Back in Cefalù, you can enjoy innovative Italian cuisine at La Galleria restaurant and plan between courses which destination on the island you would like to explore next by hire car.

Suggestion for a round trip

Monreale: Magnificent cathedral
First stop of a round trip could be Monreale. In just under half an hour you will be there. In Monreale, it is mainly the magnificent cathedral that attracts visitors. Starting in 1172, this massive structure was built and is considered a prime example of the Norman architectural style.

Trapani: Baroque Old Town
Trapani is a worthwhile destination for further travel. Your hire car will get you there in about an hour and a half. In Trapani, it is mainly the baroque old town that is worth the visit. There you can stroll to your heart’s content and hunt for souvenirs in the small shops.

Marsala: home of sweet wine
Before heading back to Palermo, make a stop in Marsala. The drive takes just three quarters of an hour. Marsala is where the legendary sweet wine is made, and you can stock up on it at small wineries.

Now you have a return journey of just under two hours to Palermo, where you can enjoy the beauty of the Sicilian countryside.

conclusion

Palermo is a great destination for hire car drivers. The road network around the city is well developed and even more distant destinations can be easily reached by hire car. And with our price comparison you will always find a good deal.