Driving in Sicily: should you do it? + Tips and Tricks
I’ve read and heard a lot about driving in Sicily.
When I first went to study in Italy, I didn’t have a driver’s license, so I had no chance to drive. As the years passed, I returned to the country many times, but I used the train since I mostly traveled to the northern part.
However, things changed a few years ago, as I headed to Sicily. While the experience wouldn’t shock a fellow South or Eastern European, people from the north of the continent might need a bit of time to adapt:).
This being said, don’t let my words discourage you. If you are planning to explore Sicily for a week or more, renting a car is the most comfortable way to do it.
So, I have prepared the present guide to help you drive in Sicily for the first time.
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Table of Contents
Driving in Sicily: tips, tricks, and things worth knowing
Driving in southern Italy is something else for sure.
I explored Puglia and the Amalfi Coast by car, and I did the same in Sicily. I’m not the greatest or the most skilled driver, and if I could do it, I think you can, too.
Admittedly, I am originally from Bucharest, a city infamous for its terrible traffic and reckless drivers. Chances are the situation in your hometown is better, so you might need some heads up.
Renting a car in Sicily
First, you need a car!
No matter where I am traveling to, my go-to place for car rentals is always Discover Cars. They can help you save up to 70%, and they have a flexible cancelation policy in case your plans change.
Smaller is better
My teenage dream was to drive around Italy in a red Fiat 500. It is not only sexy but also practical.
Streets are narrow and winding in Southern Italy, and people park wherever they can. By choosing a small car, you’ll be able to go to otherwise inaccessible areas and it will broaden your parking options.
Book in advance
Learn from my mistakes and rent your car in advance, especially during the peak season.
Many of you might know this, but I think it could never hurt to repeat it: make sure to have a credit card issued in the driver’s name. You will need both when you pick up the car.
I didn’t have a credit card, lost the reservation, and ended up driving an SUV on the Amalfi Coast, barely able to squeeze through when one of those buses came from the opposite direction.
Don’t skip the insurance
If there’s one place in this world where you don’t want to skip insurance, that’s in Sicily! You will want to be covered against any possibility, especially in a place where lanes and traffic regulations are treated as mere suggestions rather than actual rules written in stone.
If you want to save money, the best option is to pick up and drop off the car at the same place—preferably at the airport.
Is driving in Sicily difficult?
As I’ve mentioned before, even though I am not the best driver, I didn’t have problems driving in Sicily.
However, if you don’t feel confident enough, don’t trust your parking skills, or cannot handle stressful situations, driving on the streets of Sicily might not be for you.
Keep your eyes peeled and treat the other drivers with a healthy dose of suspicion, and you’ll be fine. Don’t assume anything, and always yield if you are unsure what to do.
For instance, many times, I saw local drivers take the wrong way in a roundabout because they were not in the mood to go around it. Even in my native Bucharest, that is unheard of.
Overtaking another car in a curve with no visibility is normal behavior in the southern parts of Italy. Come to think of it, it is the same in southern Greece. I guess it has something to do with the weather:). For this reason, always focus on the road; you don’t know when you’ll encounter a hurried driver speeding toward you.
Lastly, respect the rules and the speed limits. It doesn’t matter if many locals don’t; you should do it for your own sake and safety.
Driver’s License
In order to drive in Sicily, you need an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) or a driver’s license issued by a European Union member state.
You will be asked to present it when you pick up your car, so make sure to have it ready when you arrive.
Read more about how to obtain an IDP here.
Tolls, fees, and limits
Road tolls apply for highways only. You’ll have to take a ticket from the gate when you enter the highway and pay when you exit.
Normally, at every exit, there are gates that accept credit and debit cards (look for the card sign as you approach and choose the appropriate toll gates). Still, carry some petty cash with you, just in case: coins or 5 and 10 euro bills would be fine.
You need to pay for most parking spaces. Look for the color of the road paint:
- white means it is a free parking space.
- blue means you have to pay. Depending on the town, you should pay at the nearby parking meter and/or by app. We are using the EasyPay app since it works in other European countries, too.
- yellow means the place is reserved for residents
Zona Traffico Limitato (ZFL). Only residents with special permits can enter the historic city centers by car. Look for the white circle with a red outline and the Zona Traffico Limitato inscription.
If your accommodation is in a ZFL zone, make sure to talk to your host and let them know you are traveling by car. They will help you activate a daily pass for the ZFL.
So, are you ready to drive in Sicily?
Now you know what to expect: narrow roads, limited parking spaces, reckless drivers. But also scenic views and freedom of movement.
Let me finish by sharing a few more tips.
Don’t leave any valuables inside the car! Take all your documents, money, and any other valuables with you. When in large cities such as Palermo, try not to leave things in the trunk either, unless you park in a secure area (e.g., hotel parking).
Before you book, check with your hotel or accommodation to see if they have private parking.
Google Maps is reliable for navigation. Follow road signs and avoid taking “shortcuts.” If you are at a loss, ask the locals or the police for directions.
Once, I drove on the wrong side of the road by mistake. Police stopped us, but when they realized we were clueless, they gave us directions and let us go without a fine. Italians are very friendly people despite their disregard for traffic rules.
In Italy, they drive on the right side of the road, and many cars have manual shifting gear. If you are not used to it, make sure to rent an automatic car; it shouldn’t be a problem nowadays.
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