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Avis Palermo provides car hire from Falcone-Borsellino Airport and Palermo Via F. Crispi. Choose your preferred pick-up point and start your road trip around the gorgeous island of Sicily.
Planted in the centre of the Mediterranean, where the two continents meet, Sicily is Italy’s largest island. Palermo, the main city and historical capital, is a lively centre that epitomises the Sicilian culture. When you rent a car and tour the city you’ll discover a variety of eclectic street markets, sample the region’s diverse cuisine and find famous attractions and tourist hotspots.
Once ruled by the Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans and Spaniards before becoming part of Italy, the island has a culture that’s remarkably different compared to mainland Italy, which can be experienced in the dynamic city of Palermo.
Bustling neighbourhood markets fill the streets and magnificent sights and sounds draw crowds of people all jostling and haggling to grab the best bargains. The markets are popular venues for social gatherings and often where locals meet up.
While the city isn’t overflowing with famous attractions, Palermo still houses some classic sights well worth a visit. The Teatro Massimo on Piazza Verdi is said to be the largest theatre in Italy. Its biggest claim to fame is its appearance in The Godfather III. Quattro Canti, which means ‘four corners’, marks the centre of the city’s medieval town. The Baroque architecture on the four junctions is a must-see.
There’s so much to discover in Palermo. Hire an Avis car to explore the city with ease.
Palermo is certainly a thriving city, but it’s not all Sicily has to offer. Take a few short road trips from the capital in your hire car and you’ll discover many of the best sights en route.
Cefalù
Located on the north coast is Cefalù, one of Sicily’s most charming port towns. Just an hour’s drive from Palermo, Cefalù is less busy than Sicily’s capital city and the pace of life is much more laid-back. The labyrinthine streets serve as a reminder of the island’s Arab rule. Christian shrines dating back to Norman rule remain along the medieval town wall. This town is ideal for trying out the popular southern Italian pastime of ‘vasca’, or laps. In the early evenings, people spend hours walking up and down the roads or hanging outside to catch up and absorb the atmosphere.
Segesta
The captivating ruins of Segesta are only an hour and 20 minutes away by car from Palermo. The ancient Greek temple of Segesta is one of the best preserved structures from the period. Perched on top of the hill, the temple is surrounded by pristine rolling hills. Views stretch out right down to the Tyrrhenian Sea. Even though the temple was never finished, it’s considered one of the finest examples of a Doric temple.
Italy’s largest island is yours to discover. All you have to do is drive.
A great way to get to know the city is to organise a themed route. For example, you could start by looking for monuments and buildings built during the nineteenth century and characterized by the Liberty style. So you can discover the Teatro Massimo, inaugurated in 1897 and dedicated to promoting the opera season and ballet; the Ducrot warehouses - Cantieri Culturali della Zisa, at that time the industrial headquarters of the Ducrot company, a manufacturer of Liberty-style furniture, today a place for exhibitions; the castle Utveggio, the exclusive Grand Hotel; the fountain of the seahorse, by Ignazio Marabitti.
After that, you could hire an Avis vehicle and go to visit the numerous archaeological sites in the area. Worthy of note are certainly:
Or you could admire the monuments scattered around the city and made by the 18th century masters of Palermo, such as the oratory of San Filippo Neri, the church of Santa Maria degli Agonizzanti, the Palazzo Comitini (now the seat of the provincial administration), or the Prince of Ramacca palace, not open to the public because it is private.
Finally, why not dedicate yourself to the discovery of the monuments of the Gothic-Renaissance period? In the city there are several palaces and many churches that date back to this period: from the Pretoria fountain to the Archbishop's palace to the church of San Francesco d'Assisi, passing that of San Giorgio dei Genovesi.
The city of Palermo and its surroundings have been able to preserve their traditions through historical re-enactments and religious events.
Jump into your Avis rental car and drive to Altavilla Milicia, a small ancient village about twenty kilometers from the Sicilian capital. Here, from 6 to 8 September every year, we celebrate the feast of the Madonna di Loreto, one of the most important festivals in western Sicily.
The month of December will be an opportunity to experience the devotional fervor of this period through the feast of St. Nicholas on the 6th of the month; the following day the Virgin Mary is celebrated with a pilgrimage to the church of San Francesco d'Assisi. While the 13th is held as the feast of Saint Lucia, the shortest day of the year.
On Easter Monday you may attend the party of the "outspoken", the celibates of the country, who every year challenge each other to raise an orange tree to the sky, adorned with trinkets and ribbons, using only one arm.
The ancient markets represent another way to discover the traditions of a people by observing their pulsating life. The markets are open every day, from morning until evening. La Vucciria is the oldest and most popular (Piazza Caracciolo), while the Capo and that of Ballarò are the most popular. The market of Borgo Vecchio is also very interesting to visit. If you are interested in antique furniture and antiques, then you should visit the flea market behind the Cathedral in Piazza Peranni, or that of the Giardino Garibaldi, open only on Saturdays and Sundays.
A quote from the tradition of "Puparu" that tells the deeds of the paladins of France with the puppet theaters. An ancient profession, difficult to carry forward in today's technological world, but which still survives in this land. UNESCO has recognized the Pupi theater as a masterpiece of the heritage of humanity.
Italy driving guide
Want a quick guide to the rules of the roads in Italy? We’ve unlocked them for your journey.
Driving around Palermo
If you’re travelling around Palermo in your rental car make sure you stay within the speed limit and enjoy the beautiful sights of this city.
Find your way
To make your journey even easier, we can include a sat nav with your car so you can relax and discover Palermo in comfort and style.
Your car hire in Palermo awaits. The open roads are yours to explore. All you have to do is pick up the keys.
Which side of the road?
In Italy, please drive on the right side of the road.
Country driving laws
Speed limits
All speed signs will be in km/h.
For a standard Avis rental vehicle with no trailers:
Unless indicated by road signs.
Be aware of changes to speed limits displayed on road signs due to adverse weather conditions.
Child safety / Seatbelt laws
Please note - It is the child’s parent / guardian or vehicle renter’s responsibility to fit the child seat.
This road rules information is for provided for general guidance only. We endeavour to keep the information up to date and accurate, but any reliance you place on this information is at your own risk.