3 Beautiful Road Trips in Sicily by Rental Car

If you’ve rented a car to tour Sicily, you’ll probably be surprised to find that distances on this Italian island aren’t what they seem. Of course, 50 kilometers is 50 kilometers, but in Sicily, that distance usually takes much longer to cover than you’re used to. Not only because many roads are narrow and winding, but also because there’s so much to see along the way. Once visitors have been to Sicily, they always want to return to this largest island in the Mediterranean.

Get inspired here for a vacation in Sicily with a rental car: we’ll give you ideas for the most beautiful road trips. We’ll avoid the highways as much as possible, because they take you from one place to another far too quickly, causing the real Sicily to literally fly by. You’ll find that once you’ve completed one route in your rental car, you’ll already be making plans for your next vacation in Sicily with a rental car. That’s how addictive this beautiful island is!

Rent a car from Palermo or Catania?

Do you want to take a road trip through eastern or western Sicily? Of course, you can drive across the entire island in a rental car, but most people don’t have enough time for that. For the west (and north), Palermo Airport is the perfect choice; for the east (and south), Catania Airport is better located. Now that Ryanair is flying to Trapani Airport in the far west of Sicily again, that’s also an option for picking up your rental car.

All of Sicily is worth exploring, and no matter which part of the island you choose, if you’ve rented a car, you’re in for a fantastic road trip. But there are subtle differences. For example, the east has traditionally been more touristy, but the best beaches are actually on the west and southwest coasts. Picturesque towns and villages are found mainly in the southeast, but for the best street food, you really have to be in the capital, Palermo. Mount Etna is located in eastern Sicily, and the Valley of the Temples is in the south (and those temples are easiest to reach on a round-trip by rental car through the western part of the island).

Eastern Sicily by Rental Car

If you land at Catania Airport, you’ll probably want to spend a day or two in the city before setting out in a rental car. In that case, it’s best to rent a car from one of the city offices in Catania starting on the day you want to begin your road trip.

Catania isn’t exactly brimming with tourist attractions, but it’s a city you really need to experience. For example, visit the traditional fish market behind the Duomo in the morning. The city is known for its abundance of Baroque architecture. From the Chiesa della Badia di Sant’Agata, you’ll have a beautiful view of Catania.

After a few days in Catania, it’s time to get in your rental car and drive south. The first stop is ancient Syracuse, founded more than 2,500 years ago by the Corinthians. The oldest and most dazzlingly beautiful part of the city is located on an island, Ortigia. You can park your rental car in a parking lot along the access road to the island. Wander through the old streets and the local market, and enjoy a drink at one of the outdoor cafes overlooking the sea. On the outskirts of “newer” Syracuse lies the Parco Archeologico della Neapolis, featuring ruins from the Greek and Roman eras and an interesting cave system.

The Sicilian Baroque style is so ubiquitous because towns and villages had to be rebuilt after a major earthquake in 1693. Drive your rental car 45 minutes further south and you’ll arrive in the Baroque town of Noto. The center of this town is especially charming in the evening. It’s also a great base for day trips in your rental car to one of the beaches or the nature reserve Vendicari. Vendicari is a paradise for birdwatchers but also offers spectacular white-sand beaches (Spiaggia di Calamosche). Just south of this nature reserve lies the charming fishing village of Marzamemi, the perfect place to enjoy seafood!

After Noto, hop back in your rental car to drive to Ragusa. You can take the road via Modica or the spectacular route via the SP58. Ragusa, too, was rebuilt after that devastating earthquake in the 17th century. The picturesque old part of the city (Ibla) is a must-see.

Central Sicily is home to many hidden gems. For example, drive your rental car from Ragusa via Caltagirone to Piazza Armerina. The main attraction is the Villa Romana del Casale with its stunning mosaics, but be sure to spend at least one night in this beautiful old town. Next, drive your rental car to the heart of Sicily: the town of Enna, situated at an altitude of over 900 meters. Because of its elevation, it was of strategic importance, and there is a fortress there—the Castello di Lombardia —from which you can enjoy fantastic views of the town and the surrounding area.

Enna is located just south of the A19, so you can drive right back to Catania on that highway in your rental car. But it’s more fun to take a detour and drive your rental car to Mount Etna via the beautiful towns of Nicosia and Troina. Choose for yourself which side you want to climb the volcano from. You can’t reach the very top from the north side, but you can from the south side. Plus, there’s a cable car that takes you up on the south side.

Want to relax on a beach before returning your rental car in Catania? Then drive to Taormina or Giardini Naxos.

Rent a car for a road trip through western Sicily

Palermo’s airport is quite far from the city and located right on the coastal highway that runs westward. So decide in advance whether you want to start your road trip immediately after picking up your rental car or would rather spend a few days in Palermo first. In the latter case, it’s better to rent a car from an office in the Sicilian capital.

The first stop is Trapani (and this also applies if you rented a car at the airport of that name). The town itself is very charming and serves as the perfect base for day trips in the surrounding area with your rental car. For example, you can visit the beautiful medieval fortified town of Erice. You’ll enjoy spectacular views even on the winding road leading there. At the most scenic spots, there are (small) parking areas where you can pull over for a moment. Just outside the fortress, there are large parking lots where you can park your rental car.

If you drive south from Trapani via the SP21, you’ll pass through an area with salt pans. Not only is salt harvested here, but it’s also a nature reserve. You can continue following the coastal road in your rental car, passing through the wine town of Marsala and the fishing town of Mazara del Vallo, among other places. Park your rental car here for a delicious seafood meal! Or you can take your time driving along back roads, past seemingly endless vineyards and olive groves, to your next stop: Sciacca.

The medieval center of Sciacca is surrounded by 16th-century city walls. Three ancient gates remain almost entirely intact. Sciacca is a colorful fishing village where you can wander around for hours. In Greek times, it was popular for its thermal sulfur springs, and some are still in use today. Prefer to relax in saltwater? There are beautiful beaches in the area.

On the way to your next stop, Agrigento, you’ll pass the Scala dei Turchi, which has been carved by wind and water into dazzling white marlstone. To protect the soft stone, you can no longer visit the Scala dei Turchi itself, but there are viewpoints along the SP86 as you drive your rental car.

Perched on a hill, Agrigento has a beautiful historic center, but its main attraction lies in the Valley of the Temples. From the city, it’s about a 10-minute drive there in a rental car. Incidentally, it’s not actually a valley, but a ridge with the remains of Greek temples.

From Agrigento, you can take various routes to Sicily’s north coast, but you’ll almost certainly have to drive (a short stretch) on the A19 toll road. For example, drive through the old towns of Canicatti and Caltanissetta to the Parco delle Madonie , where breathtaking natural scenery alternates with medieval villages surrounded by high mountain peaks. Be careful when driving through the area in your rental car, as the road surface can be poor, especially on the smaller roads.

North of that nature park lies Cefalù, a popular seaside resort thanks to its beautiful sandy beach. The medieval center features, among other things, a magnificent Arab-Norman cathedral. From La Rocca, the hilltop that overlooks the town, you’ll enjoy a beautiful view. At the summit, you can see the ruins of a medieval fortress.

From Cefalù, it takes just over an hour to drive to Palermo on the highway in a rental car. But if you have the time, be sure to take a side road to enjoy even more of Sicily before returning your rental car. Or take the road that runs right along the coast, the SS113.

One-Way Car Rental in Sicily

Of course, you can also rent a car in Catania and return it somewhere else, such as (the airport in) Palermo. This is called one-way car rental. If you enter a different return location on our search form, we’ll only show you the cars for which that’s possible.

If you’re driving from Catania to Palermo, you can take beautiful trips through the mountainous northeast of Sicily. You can spend plenty of time here by planning a different route through the Monti Peloritani every day. Fantastic hairpin turns, breathtaking nature, and picturesque medieval towns—such as Novara di Sicilia, which is on the list of Italy’s most beautiful towns. The SS113 runs right along the coast, offering spectacular views, especially in this part of the island.

On the way to Palermo, you can drive through beautiful nature reserves in your rental car, such as the vast Parco dei Nebrodi, which consists of densely forested mountains interspersed with mountain lakes. Book a night at one of the accommodations in the park and leave your rental car behind for a day to enjoy a beautiful hike or bike ride.

Renting a Car in Sicily: More Ideas

Want to get more inspiration and discover what else there is to see and do when you’ve rented a car in Sicily? Then visit the official tourism website: Visit Sicily.