Few cities can rival Palermo’s charm: the Baroque style of its architecture, the aroma of its inimitable street food and the centuries of history that you can find in each and every street. For many years, the Sicilian capital has been the meeting point of cultures, especially the Arab and Norman ones, which for centuries have coexisted and fought for supremacy on perhaps the most fascinating island in the whole Mediterranean: Sicily.

Tourism in this marvelous region is not exclusive to the summer season, months in which many people choose to arrive mostly by the ferry, but also throughout the rest of the year. Every season, in fact, millions of travelers come to Palermo International Airport for business or for a dream holiday. Regardless of the actual reason for your trip, hiring a car will be the ideal method of travel for your visit.

Head office

The airport, named after the late magistrates Falcone and Borsellino, houses one of RIM Autonoleggio’s offices. Thanks to the professionalism and experience of our operators, renting a car in Palermo will be very easy: no stress, hidden prices, or time-consuming paperwork. Choose your favorite model and book online or at our office in complete comfort.

Is it worth renting a car in Palermo?

The city of Palermo is less than an hour’s drive from Punta Raisi airport. Along the scenic route that skirts the sea, you will find the beautiful Isola delle Femmine, Mondello beach and also the Capaci massacre monument, which stands right along the motorway in imperishable memory. A pleasant and flowing route full of points of interest that will make your arrival by car enjoyable starting from the very first kilometres driven.

Places to visit

Once you arrive in Palermo, remember to visit the Church of Santa Maria Vergine Assunta, the evocative Cathedral that incorporates many different architectural styles, one of the most beautiful and complete in all of Italy. Once parked, take a stroll through the famous Vucciria, the historical market where you can sample all the typical products.

Another point of interest is undoubtedly the piazza and the Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele. How not to mention the Catacombe dei Cappuccini, a place as spooky as it is fascinating. Particularly interestng for the lovers of the genre, you will find an enchanting crypt in which to observe the more than 8,000 corpses preserved over centuries of history.

Another advantage of hiring a car on arrival in Palermo is, of course, the possibility of being able to move freely outside the city. In fact, many tourists use Palermo as an arrival point from which to explore the wonderful province of Trapani: San Vito lo Capo, Scopello and Castellammare del Golfo are three maritime destinations of incomparable beauty. Inland, on the other hand, we find villages of great historical and cultural significance such as Salemi and Castelvetrano, both of which are well worth a visit.

Traffic info

The historical center of Palermo offers both free and paid parking, which must be taken into account according to one’s movements. As far as the traffic situation and ZTLs are concerned, in Palermo, traffic restrictions are in force from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 6 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. However, Sundays and public holidays are exempt from these restrictions, allowing you to move much more freely. Remember, security cameras are numerous and very careful, and in case of violation you may receive a fine up to 150 euros. 

If you need to access restricted areas during closing hours, make sure you have an authorised pass. Palermo also has a few areas that are ideal for driving, such as the Politeama area, a district famous for its theater of the same name, which is fairly central but not very chaotic and has no restricted traffic zones. All this, within walking distance of the main monuments in the city center.

Sicily is a marvelous region and Palermo is its jewel in the crown: thanks to the professional service and guaranteed quality offered by RIM Autonoleggio, your visit will be complete and satisfying, with great freedom of movement and organization, accompanied by the professional assistance of our team accumulated over many years of experience.