Top 3 places to spend your holiday in Sicily
For a holiday encapsulating wonderful weather, stunning landscapes, beautifully white sandy beaches and rich cultural experiences, look no further than Sicily.…
Car Hire in Sicily.
Search for car hire deals in Sicily
- Free Cancellation
- Excess Protection
- 24/7 Support
- Fair Fuel Policy
What our customers say
A little ambiguous to find initially as not a lot of signage compared to other rental companies - but we found them! The agent was very efficient and friendly. The car was waiting for us and we were given instructions on how to ex…
David - Catania Airport, 1 week ago
Compare the best Sicily car hire deals
Car hire in Sicily is the ultimate way to explore. Search the best car hire deals in Sicily from right here. Booking your next car hire in Sicily with Zest ensures that you get the best providers, protection included as standard and 24/7 emergency phone support.
- Excess insurance included
- Free Cancellation & amendments
- Fair Fuel Policy
- Breakdown assistance
- 24/7 customer support
- Which? Recommended Car Hire Broker
Which car rental company should I book with in Sicily?
Search, compare and book you next car hire with Zest Car Rental for inclusive deals you won’t find anywhere else. At Zest, we understand the last thing you need after a long flight is to deal with problems collecting your car hire. Therefore, we only partner with trusted and monitored providers to ensure a hassle-free and smooth car rental experience.
Whether you decide to book with Easy Car Hire, Italy Car Rent or any of our other providers in Sicily, you will always be welcomed with exceptional customer service! Start your holiday the right way with Zest Car Rental!
Book with Zest Car Rental in Sicily
We take a fresh, honest approach to car hire. Our booking process is simple: clear pricing, no hidden costs, and no small print to sweat over. We want you to relax and look forward to your holiday, not worry about the logistics.
Unlock the real Sicily
Sicily is famous for its ancient historical temples, dramatic volcanic vistas, and celebrated culinary heritage, but it is also the perfect gateway to spectacular coastal drives and historic mountain towns.
A scenic drive along the northern coast connects major hubs like Palermo and Messina, tracing clifftops that face the Tyrrhenian Sea. Navigating these routes opens up access to historic seaside gems like Cefalù and remote coastal nature reserves that regular public transport options cannot easily match.
Further inland or down the eastern coast, a rental vehicle gives you the freedom to explore at your own comfortable pace. You can tour the late-Baroque hill towns of the Noto Valley, or head toward the foothills surrounding Mount Etna.
Having complete control over your travel itinerary allows you to stop at rural roadside fruit stands, explore quiet hillside tracks, and discover family-run trattorias completely free from rigid group tour schedules.
Our Fleet in Sicily
At Zest Car Rental, we offer a wide range of vehicles in Sicily to suit every type of traveller. Fuel-efficient economy cars and nimble compact models are highly practical for navigating narrow historic town lanes and finding parking in busy urban centers like Palermo or Catania.
If you plan to tour the winding mountain passes of the interior, carry substantial holiday luggage, or cruise regional routes with family, choosing a spacious intermediate vehicle or a compact SUV can provide additional power, ground clearance, and reliable interior comfort for the terrain.
One Way Rentals in Sicily
In Sicily, you can pick up your car and drop it off at a different location, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace. One-way rentals are perfect for linear road trips, cross-island travel, or flexible itineraries, such as collecting your vehicle at Palermo Airport and returning it at Catania Airport.
Please note that each provider sets their own rules for one-way rentals, and some may apply a mandatory local fee. This is clearly shown during the booking process.
Driver Age Requirements in Sicily
Can I rent a car in Sicily if I am under 25?
Yes. However, many providers apply a Young Driver Surcharge and may restrict access to luxury vehicle categories. Young driver fees vary by provider and may still apply depending on age and vehicle category.
Can I rent a car in Sicily if I am over 70?
Yes. While some providers may have additional requirements or conditions for older drivers depending on policy, others welcome senior drivers with zero restrictions or extra costs.
What is the best time of year to explore Sicily by car?
The ideal time to explore Sicily on a driving holiday is during the months of April to June or September to October. During these periods, you can enjoy beautifully mild, sunny temperatures and comfortable driving conditions across both coastal and inland routes while avoiding peak summer crowds.
The summer months of July and August bring continuous, intense heat—particularly across the arid central interior plains—along with major traffic congestion around popular coastal resorts and historical parking zones.
The winter months of November to March bring cooler temperatures and increased rainfall across low-lying coastal paths. High inland routes and mountainous regions around Mount Etna or the Madonie range can experience sudden frost and wintry conditions. Winter driving regulations and equipment requirements may vary depending on region, road type, and seasonal conditions, particularly in higher-altitude areas.
Essential Tips for Driving in Sicily
Driving in Sicily is conducted on the right-hand side of the road, with overtaking executed on the left. Many motorways in Italy use a distance-based toll system, and in Sicily this applies to specific routes like the A18 between Messina and Catania and the A20 between Messina and Palermo, where motorists collect a ticket at an entry gantry and settle the toll fee at exit booths via cash or payment cards. Failure to pay motorway tolls within the required timeframe may result in additional charges or administrative penalties depending on the operator. Conversely, other major arterial routes through the island, such as the A19 linking Palermo and Catania or the A29 linking Palermo to Trapani, generally operate without motorway toll systems. Drink-driving is prohibited under Italian law and penalties apply. Drivers should ensure they comply with local legal alcohol limits before driving.
Check current local requirements regarding the use of dipped headlights or daytime running lights, as rules may vary depending on conditions and road type. Many historic city centres such as Palermo, Catania, and Syracuse have Restricted Traffic Zones (ZTL), which are controlled access areas. Entry rules vary by location and time, and unauthorised access may result in penalties enforced by local authorities.
Outside major urban boundaries, historic hill towns may feature steep gradients and narrow streets, and drivers should be prepared for reduced space and slower, more careful manoeuvring. Maintain a defensive driving style nationwide to account for variable road surface quality, occasional potholes on secondary rural routes, and sudden speed limit drops near smaller inland villages.
Book nowPlaces to hire in Sicily
- Agrigento
- Caltanissetta
- Catania
- Catania Airport (CTA)
- Cefalu
- Comiso Airport (CIY)
- Giardini Naxos
- Messina
- Milazzo
- Mondello
- Palermo
- Palermo Airport (PMO)
- Palermo Port
- Palermo Rail Station
- Palermo- San Lorenzo
- Siracusa
- Taormina
- Termini Imerese Rail Station
- Trapani
- Trapani Airport (TPS)
Average customer rating for car hire in Sicily
(4.52 out of 5.00) based on 595 responses to our customer survey.
Our top 5 tourist attractions in Sicily
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The Valley of the Temples
Located just outside Agrigento, this wonderful archaeological site is surrounded by olive groves and is a must-visit if you’re interested in Greek temples.
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Taormina
Take in a concert at the stunning Greco-Roman theatre perched on the cliffs with views of Mount Etna.
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Montalbano tour
Choose one and explore the land of Salvo at your leisure.
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Syracuse
Once the most important city in the western world, Syracuse boasts stunning architecture, wonderful weather, and a great atmosphere.
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Segesta
The Doric temple at Segesta is beautiful and one of the best preserved in the world.
