Sicily Car Hire

Guide to Sicily

Geography

Sicily is a mountainous island, with plenty of natural phenomena. The island is most known for its seismic and volcanic activity, which can get quite intense at times and, along with this, Sicily is home to the highest active volcano in Europe, Mount Etna. Mount Etna is a whopping 3,220 metres high.

Sicily isn’t lacking in natural beauty, with plenty of natural springs and underground water to visit.

Climate

All year round, Sicily has a relatively mild climate. Throughout the summer months, the temperature rises to above 25 degrees, however there is almost always a comfortable breeze to keep you from feeling too warm. The winters in Sicily are also relatively mild, with very little rainfall. However, we would recommend travelling to Sicily in April, June, September or October, as these are typically the months with the best weather. Traveling in July and August aren’t only the warmest months of the year – but the busiest too, so we recommend avoiding them when and where you can.

Things to do in Sicily

When visiting Sicily, you will never be in need of things to do, because the list of options is never-ending. The island has some of the most popular beaches in all of Europe, but that isn’t all it has to offer. All over, there are naturally beautiful sights, ruins and plenty of history to sink your teeth into – we have collected together some of our favourites.

Mount Etna

To the east coast of the island, you will find Mount Etna – Sicily’s most well-known geological feature and Europe’s highest volcano. Covering nearly 50,000 acres of land, Etna National Park is a must-visit. Mount Etna is extremely popular in both summer and winter months, as it attracts both hikers and skiers alike. No matter the season, however, it is an excellent spot for nature lovers all year round.

Siracusa and Ortigia

To the south of Sicily, Siracusa is an exciting metropolis full of beautiful things to see and do. Home to some of the most significant archaeological finds, Sicily has extremely well-preserved Greek and Roman ruins all over the island. If you’re making a trip to Siracusa, the main attraction is Parco Archeolohico della Neapolis – and this is an absolute must see. Here, you will find many ancient wonders, including a Greek amphitheatre, a sacrificial altar and a network of limestone catacombs and quarries.

When visiting here, we recommend heading over to the Ear of Dionysius, which is an ear-shaped cave. This unique cave was named after the famous painter, Caravaggio, and you can find out all about the legends that are told about this natural beauty.

If you plan a trip to Siracusa, make sure you spare some time to also visit Ortigia, a small bridge-linked island that is a hidden gem, mainly enjoyed by locals. Here you will find a number of restaurants and bars, and there is no better place to enjoy a romantic sunset.

Acireale

If you are planning to take a trip to Sicily earlier on in the year, head over to Catania and visit the province of Acireale. Although at first, the city may seem a little underwhelming, during the carnival season it becomes a whole different (and very colourful) atmosphere.

Carnevale di Acireale is by far one of Sicily’s boldest and most outlandish cultural events and is a must-see experience if you are in the area between February and March. Being one of the largest and most popular carnivals in Italian history, which dates back to the 16th century, this remarkable carnival isn’t one to miss.

During the carnival, floats loaded with papier-mâché figures flood through the streets and poets (called Abbatazzi, locally) perform all over the city. This carnival takes place a month before Lent and it is a time of celebration and feasting on all of the finest food Sicily has to offer. At this carnival, you will be able to try all manner of famous Sicilian street foods, you really will be spoilt for choice. And, if you are lucky enough to be in the area for the very end of the carnival, you will see the burning of the Carnival King (or the Re Carnevale), which is accompanied by an incredible fireworks display.

Eating out in Sicily

Without a doubt, the food in Sicily is some of the best in the world. Along with all-round incredible weather, Sicily is also surrounded by the sea – which allows for some of the freshest seafood selection known to man. But, if seafood isn’t your thing, there are still hundreds of other eateries to try, from Michelin starred restaurants, to simple pasta takeaways, you will find food to fall in love with in Sicily. Given the wide variety of food choices, we have collected together some of our favourites you might want to try, or to give you an idea of what sort of restaurants to expect to see on your trip.

Hostaria San Pietro

In the seaside town of Trapani, in Western Sicily, you will find a restaurant called Hostaria San Pietro. This restaurant is extremely popular, so we recommend you book well ahead of time, to avoid disappointment.

This is a unique dining experience, as the menu is handwritten daily, and only includes ingredients that are fresh from the local market, or fresh from the sea, that day. Each item on the menu is served in hand painted ceramic dishes, which gives the restaurant a cosy, yet sophisticated feel to it. You can’t go wrong with this restaurant, and the menu will truly blow your mind (and your taste buds), especially if you want to try some truly authentic Sicilian foods.

Osteria RossoDivino

In Taormina, in a quaint courtyard close to the main piazza, best friend and sister team opened up the restaurant Osteria RossoDivino and the menu is absolutely wonderful. Here, you will find extremely fresh seafood options, traditional pasta dishes and a wine list that is out of this world. Oh, and don’t get us started on their dessert menu – we recommend not skipping this course when visiting Osteria RossDivino.

This restaurant offers easy online booking, which isn’t common in most restaurants in Sicily.

Ristorante Crocifisso

Marco Baglieri, a creative genius, and he opened up the Restaurant Ristorante Crocifisso in the beautiful town of Baroque. This modern, fresh and family-run restaurant is a splendid option for anyone looking for traditional Sicilian food, with a twist. Baglieri uses inspiration from his childhood in Germany to create some of the most unique flavours any restaurant in Sicily has to offer. He uses a mixture of spices, herbs and techniques to achieve some of the most unique flavours and dishes known to man.

Oh and, again, we recommend leaving room for dessert – trust us, you won’t regret it.

Sicily Transport

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean, so you need to plan ahead if you want to spend any time travelling between cities. Thankfully, there are a number of options available to you when planning your trip, but we recommend getting as much information on all the options you have to hand, to prevent disappointment when you arrive for your trip.

Train

Travelling by train may seem to be unsophisticated, but trust us when we say it is the most enchanting way to travel through Sicily – not to mention the quickest, too. Booking train tickets is extremely easy and can be done from the website ItaliaRail.

There are so many options when it comes to travelling by train in Sicily, all varying in price. Although this is probably the easiest, most economical and most picturesque mode of transport, do not forget to validate your ticket when you get to a train station – if you don’t do this, you risk getting a pretty hefty fine.

Bus

A much cheaper alternative to the train is travelling by bus. If you can get hold of a round-trip bus ticket, this will be the cheapest mode of transport within Sicily. Here, you will find that the buses come in two colours: orange and blue. An orange bus indicates a local bus, traveling anywhere closely within the vicinity, and a blue bus is for travelling between cities.

To get yourself a bus ticket, you are not short of options – there are plenty of places to buy one, including local ticket offices and even some bars that sell bus tickets. Similarly to the train ticket, make sure all tickets are valid to avoid a fine while you travel.

Car

In most cases, we would recommend hiring a car to see as many sights as possible. However, in Sicily, you might want to think again before hiring a car. The traffic can get quite bad, so you will need to be prepared to face traffic jams, not to mention the struggle of finding anywhere to park.

That being said, if you aren’t too worried about traffic or parking, hiring a car is really easy and can be done by a number of car hire companies in Sicily (although, we do recommend booking in advance if you can).

Taxi

If you don’t plan to hire a car, taxis are the easiest way to get around Sicily. No matter where you are – a taxi can get you there. Whether you have just landed and are looking for an airport transfer, or you are making your way back after a night out, there will always be a taxi available to you. However, make sure you are carrying cash with you and always remember that the fares increase on Sundays, late at night and during peak seasons and holidays.

Boat

If you have a slightly bigger budget, we recommend taking to the water to see what Sicily has to offer. Private yachts are easy to rent around the island, and the islands surrounding it are famous for perfectly clear waters and views of both white and black sandy beaches. If you are able to, we fully recommend viewing Sicily from the ocean.

Top Tips when hiring a car in Sicily

• Car Rental Companies: Explore reputable car rental companies in Sicily. Look for well-established providers offering a variety of options and positive customer reviews.

• Car Hire Deals: Search for the best car hire deals that fit your budget. Many cheap car hire companies offer promotions and discounts, especially when booking in advance.

• Hire Car Categories: Understand the different car categories available, ranging from compact and economy cars to larger options like SUVs or vans. Choose a vehicle that suits your travel needs.

• Popular Car Rental Locations: Sicily has various popular car hire locations, including major cities and airports. Consider picking up your rental car at a convenient location that best fits your travel itinerary.

• Unlimited Mileage: Check if the car hire company offers unlimited mileage. This can be beneficial if you plan to explore various attractions across Sicily without worrying about mileage restrictions.

• Young Drivers: If you're a young driver, inquire about any applicable surcharges or age restrictions. Some car rental companies may charge additional fees for drivers under a certain age.

• Valid Driver's License: Ensure you have a valid driver's license recognised by local authorities in Sicily. International visitors may need an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to their home country's license.

• Different Location Drop-Off: If your travel plans involve a one-way journey, check if the car rental company allows drop-off at a different location. Some car companies offer flexibility in this regard.

• Pick-Up Date: Plan your pick-up date in advance and book your hire cars accordingly. Booking ahead often provides better availability and more competitive car hire rates.

• Local Traffic Regulations: Familiarise yourself with local traffic regulations and road signs in Sicily. Abiding by the rules ensures a safe and legal driving experience.