Sicily Car Rental

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and a popular destination for tourists all over the world. It captivates us with its mix of art, traditions, pristine nature and excellent cuisine.

Capable of satisfying different tastes, spending your holidays in Sicily means treating yourself to an unforgettable trip, especially if you decide to visit it by car.

An on-the-road itinerary of the island allows you to enjoy the best this land has to offer and to reach places often excluded from the classic tourist routes.

In fact, Sicily is not only crystal-clear sea and sunny beaches, but also characteristic villages, cliff-top hamlets and hidden reserves, all to be explored.

Tour of Western Sicily: what to see

Your trip to Sicily can begin in the western part of the island where you can easily rent a car by contacting the Maggiore offices located in Palermo, either at Falcone and Borsellino airport or the Notarbartolo station, Agrigento, Trapani or Caltanissetta.

When you choose Maggiore for your rental car in Sicily, you have a wide choice of vehicles at your disposal, all carefully inspected and sanitised. You can also take advantage of a number of on-site services such as the rental of child seats, for maximum safety of our youngest passengers, and the latest generation GPS navigators, so you can easily move from one area to another without getting lost.

The first stop on your tour of Western Sicily is Palermo, a jewel of a city that will thrill you at every turn. Let yourself be captivated by the unique atmosphere of neighbourhoods like La Vucciria and La Kalsa, lose yourself in the magnificence of the Byzantine mosaics of the Church of Maratona (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), admire the majestic Palazzo dei Normanni and the beautiful baroque buildings in the historic centre and don’t miss Teatro Massimo, Italy’s largest opera house.

Wandering around Palermo also means stopping at craft shops and sampling the best of the local street food, such as bread with spleen, and the legendary arancini and the sfincione (pizza with tomato sauce, cheese and anchovies on top).

From Palermo, it takes less than two hours to reach San Vito Lo Capo where Caribbean-like beaches await you, such as the bay of Santa Margherita and Caletta del Bue Marino, and treasures of rare beauty such as the Sanctuary dedicated to San Vito and the Torrazzo, an ancient Arabian tower.

Not far from San Vito Lo Capo, a natural treasure awaits you: the Zingaro Reserve, an unspoilt stretch of coastline that extends from San Vito Lo Capo to Castellammare del Golfo. The Reserve offers a unique spectacle with bays, coves, caves and wonderful natural landscapes, a paradise for lovers of nature and trekking.

From San Vito you can take a detour inland and visit the Segesta Archaeological Park, one of the main cities of the ancient Elymian people, and then reach Trapani, which will enchant you with its fascinating historic centre and the uniqueness of the Saline Oriented Reserve, a 1000-hectare protected natural area, and a habitat for a wide variety of bird species such as the roseate gull and white heron.

Another place worth visiting in western Sicily is Agrigento, with its beautiful historic centre and the Valley of Temples, a UNESCO heritage site, one of the most important testimonies of Greek civilisation in Sicily. Not to be missed are the Temple of Hera Lacinia, the Temple of Concordia, the best preserved, and the Temple of Demetra, a stupendous example of a “distyle in antis” temple.

What to see in eastern Sicily

A rental car will allow you to easily move from the western part of the island to the eastern side, which includes equally interesting stops.

The first is Catania, a city whose long history, testified by fascinating monuments such as the Cathedral of Sant’Agata and the Benedictine Monastery, will captivate you. Its great vitality is demonstrated by its famous public markets, among which is worth visiting the Fish Market and the Flea Market.

Don’t miss a trip to Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano, where you can not only visit the craters but also discover nature excursions and trekking trails.

Less than an hour’s journey takes you to Syracuse, where you must absolutely visit the island of Ortigia, a city district connected to the mainland that mixes classical Baroque monuments, the Greek Theatre, heart of the Neapolis Archaeological Park, the city’s Duomo and the Teatro dei Pupi (Puppet Theatre), where you can watch a performance of this traditional Sicilian art form.

Take the E45 road to reach the “capital of Baroque” namely, Noto, whose historic centre has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Take a stroll through the town and admire the beauty of sites such as the Church of Santa Chiara and the Convent of the Benedictines and the Cathedral of San Nicolò, a true Baroque masterpiece.

If you want to immerse yourself in nature, take a trip to the Vendicari Fauna Oasis, a coastal wetland of great importance not only from a naturalistic point of view but also from an archaeological point of view due to the presence of archaeological sites from the Hellenistic, Byzantine and medieval periods.

If you want to admire more examples of Sicilian baroque architecture, go to Ragusa and then relax on the beach of Donnalucata, about 8 km from the city, famous not only for its sea but also for being the set of the TV series “Inspector Montalbano.”

Travelling in Sicily also means discovering its flavours, so head to Modica and stock up on the famous chocolate or visit Scicli and enjoy the Caciocavallo Ragusano DOP cheese.

Your journey on the eastern side of the island can end in Messina, the port of Sicily, where after visiting the historic centre we suggest you head to the Sanctuary of Montalto, which offers a magnificent view over the city and the strait.

Milazzo is the gateway to the Aeolian Islands. All those who want to reach the beautiful Sicilian archipelago must pass through here.

Choosing a rental car in Sicily allows you to experience a special tour of this uniquely fascinating island.