We usually try to avoid renting a car in Italy but did so in Tuscany last fall and in spite of our best efforts still drove into a ZTL at least once. * Is driving in Sicily similar? Is parking a problem in smaller cities? * We're thinking of going in mid-December and making a loop counter-clockwise beginning in Palermo. Stops are still to be determined. Thanks!!!
Posted by
Atlanta
800 posts
Sharon - we didn't drive in Palermo, at least no more than to pick up our car and get out, that was crazy enough. But we loved having a car and drove from Palermo to near Marsala in order to see Segestra, Selinunte, & Erice then up to Acireale which is a small town between Catania & Taormina. It was our base for driving to Mt. Etna, Siracusa & Taormina. We found the driving between towns to be lovely - nice big, new highways! We found it easy to get to the parking areas in Siracusa, Taormina, etc.
Posted by
Cesena, Italy
791 posts
I drove all over the western part of Sicily, including Palermo,with no problems. Had no problems finding parking anywhere but the driving is pretty crazy even in the smaller towns. Palermo was insane! I've been told Catania and Messina are worse.
Posted by
OP
Atlanta
3262 posts
Thanks Ron! From what I've read, public transportation isn't really an option, right?
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
It gets my attention when Ron, who lives and drives in Italy, says what he's said about driving down there, if you read between the lines. But I haven't done it.