Car Hire Palermo

Palermo Car Hire

Whether you’ve come for the culture, the architecture or to enjoy Sicily’s stunning coastline, the ultimate Italian retreat is well worth your time.

Explore Sicily and Palermo from the comfort of your Avis hire car.

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Your top rental locations in Palermo

Plan your journey in Palermo

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.

Road trips from Palermo

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 over 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.

Driving rules in Italy

Which side of the road?
In Italy, please drive on the right side of the road.

Country driving laws

Mobile phones may only be used with a hands-free device
Dipped headlights must be used in poor daylight visibility when driving on motorways, dual carriageways, and rural roads
Use the outside lane to overtake on motorways and dual carriageways
Do not use the horn in a built up area unless in danger
There are historical areas in which you cannot drive. Look out for “Zona traffico limitato”

Speed limits

All speed signs will be in km/h.

For a standard Avis rental vehicle with no trailers:

Urban roads: 50 km/h (31 mph)
Urban highways: 70 km/h (44 mph)
Secondary extra-urban roads: 90 km/h (56 mph)
Main extra-urban roads (Expressways): 110 km/h (68 mph)
Motorways: 130 km/h (80mph)

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

It is compulsory for the driver and all passengers to wear a seatbelt
Children aged under 12 and less than 150cm tall must be seated in an appropriate child restraint for their size
Children weighing up to 9kg must be seated in a rear-facing child restraint, in the back of the car only

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.