The beauties of Sicily
Book your rental car and set off to discover the magical places of Sicily. At Rent.it, you’ll find the best car rental deals at the major airports in Palermo, Catania, and Trapani.
Near the tip of Italy’s "boot" lies a triangular island—looking for all the world as if the boot were about to kick it. Don’t be fooled by how it appears on a map: Sicily is one of the most fascinating places in Italy. With six UNESCO World Heritage sites, a wealth of internationally renowned archaeological and historical landmarks, bustling cities, villages steeped in history, stunningly beautiful landscapes, and a delightful climate, it is no wonder the island is such a popular tourist destination.
Sicily is served by several airports. Depending on your airline and point of departure, you might arrive at Catania-Fontanarossa on the east coast, Comiso-Ragusa in the south, or—on the western side of the island—Palermo-Punta Raisi or Trapani-Birgi. From any of these airports, you can easily reach almost any part of Sicily within a couple of hours by car. As is the case with all Italian islands, public transport can be quite inconvenient for tourists; you will have far more freedom if you rent a car.
You are truly spoiled for choice when it comes to things to see and do in Sicily. Catania, for instance, is a vibrant city boasting magnificent Baroque architecture. It sits at the foot of Mount Etna—an active volcano that you can even explore on foot.
Traveling south along the coast brings you to Syracuse, home to ancient Greek ruins. From there, you can head west to Ragusa, another treasure trove of medieval and Baroque buildings. Near Ragusa, you will also find fantastic beaches. Alternatively, you can head north toward Piazza Armerina, where you will find the world’s largest collection of surviving Roman mosaics at the Villa del Casale. Return to the coast, where you will find the famous Greek temples of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento.
A journey northwest along the coast will bring you to Marsala, the home of dessert wine. Trapani lies a bit further north. From there, head east toward Palermo, but be sure to stop in San Vito Lo Capo along the way; here, you will find one of Sicily’s most breathtaking beaches. Palermo, the Sicilian capital, is renowned for its Norman architecture. It is also home to one of Italy’s most macabre attractions: the Capuchin Catacombs. Here, you can see the mummified remains of approximately 8,000 people—still fully dressed, with some appearing eerily lifelike.
Roughly halfway between Messina and Catania lies Taormina, home to an ancient theater that still hosts performances today. If you are a film buff, travel a few miles north along the coast to the towns of Savoca and Forza d'Agrò—locations used in the filming of *The Godfather*. Several other famous movies were also shot in Sicily, including *Cinema Paradiso*, which was filmed in Bagheria and Cefalù, near Palermo.
An excellent way to rent a car in Sicily is to book online through Rent.it. They will secure the best deal for you from one of the car rental companies operating on the island and have the vehicle ready for you upon your arrival at the airport. Remember to request a model with plenty of space—you’ll want room to stock up on Sicily’s delicious food and wine as you travel!