Car hire in
Palermo
Our top branches in Palermo
Our services at Palermo
SIXT car hire in Palermo
Choosing car hire in Palermo is a popular choice for many travellers, especially those hoping to immerse themselves in the raw, authentic Sicilian urban rhythm of the city, sampling street food and perusing bustling markets. The top SIXT branches are conveniently located around the city and include branches like Sicily Palermo Airport (PMO) and Sicily Palermo Port, where you'll find a diverse fleet of vehicles, including a wide selection of luxury cars.
If you're hoping to make your rental even more comfortable, have a look at the choice of bookable extras* on offer, including child seats if you're bringing your little ones along, unlimited mileage if you plan on making the most of your trip or a sat nav to keep you from getting lost.
Driving tips for Palermo
Car rental in Palermo is the ideal way for you to immerse yourself in this culture and experience an unfiltered glimpse into genuine Sicilian life. But, before you hit the road, there are a few things to be aware of when driving in the city.
- Navigating organised chaos: Palermo's traffic operates on a unique, less rigid system where lane markings and indicators are often treated like suggestions. Drive assertively but not recklessly, going with the flow. Expect drivers to create their own lanes and merge without signalling. Keep your focus and anticipate sudden movements.
- Dealing with parking assistants: In some free parking areas, you may find unofficial ""parking assistants"" who ask for a few euros to ""watch"" your car. While not mandatory, paying a small amount (1-2 euros) is a common local practice to make sure your car stays undisturbed.
- Honing your roundabout skills: Unlike structured roundabout rules, drivers in Palermo often do not signal their intentions or yield predictably. Observe the front of other cars and make eye contact with drivers to gauge their movements, as this often overrides standard road signs.
- Prioritising a small car for tight spaces: Palermo's ancient city layout includes exceptionally narrow streets and extremely tight parking spots. Renting the smallest car possible is highly advisable. This will minimise a lot of your stress when navigating alleyways and attempting to squeeze into available spaces.
Best places to visit in and around Palermo
Here are a few places to check out after you rent a car in Palermo.
- Monreale Cathedral: This stunning Norman cathedral with its golden mosaics is roughly 10-15 minutes southwest of Palermo city centre, nestled on a hillside overlooking the Conca d'Oro valley. There are several paid municipal car parks near the cathedral, like on Via Ignazio Florio, offering convenient access to the site.
- Palermo Cathedral (Cattedrale di Palermo): Located directly inside Palermo city centre, the cathedral is easily accessible. While street parking in the immediate vicinity is extremely limited due to ZTLs and high traffic, there are several paid underground parking garages within a 10-15 minute walk. These include Parcheggio Giardinaccio and Parcheggio Piazza Ungheria.
- Mondello Beach: Mondello is a popular sandy beach about 20-25 minutes north of Palermo city centre. Free street parking can be found on side streets, especially outside peak season. During summer, paid car parks become available, often with blue lines indicating paid spaces. Arriving early is recommended to secure a spot.
Picking car hire in Palermo is one of the best ways to explore the intricacies of this city and other charming towns in Italy, so get planning today.
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*Our Customer Excitement Score is based on a survey sent to all customers who booked in Palermo. The score is an average of all customer responses.
Good to know when renting in Palermo
Take the stress out of your Palermo car hire, select ‘pay later’ during booking so that cancellation is free any time up to the pick-up day.
In Italy to hire a high number of cars the minimum age is 18 years old; we require a valid licence held for at least a year and it induces a surcharge when under 25.
Us the straightforward booking tool to see the availability of one-way car hire in Palermo. Always make sure to check this is available before finalising any booking.
