Car rental in Palermo

Book your car rental in Palermo through Localrent. We've gathered the best offers from local rental companies so you can easily choose the right vehicle.

Palermo is located on the island of Sicily in the Tyrrhenian Sea. The city is surrounded by pristine nature and renowned for its historical monuments. With a car, you'll have time to visit numerous fascinating locations not only in Sicily's capital but across the entire island.

Benefits of Renting Through Localrent

We've created a service that helps you book a car in Palermo in advance and properly plan your Sicilian getaway.

Our clients value:

1. Wide vehicle selection. Choose cars by class, model, transmission type, engine size, price, and other parameters.
2. Convenient booking. Service filters personalize your search based on your specified criteria. The booking process is straightforward and takes just minutes. When placing your order, you only need to pay a deposit of 15–20% of the total rental cost.
3. Transparent services. During booking, you'll immediately see the rental price, insurance, and other options. Localrent has no hidden fees.
4. Security. When picking up your vehicle, you'll sign an official contract with the rental provider. This protects your rights and guarantees both parties honor the rental terms. The service works exclusively with verified rental companies.

We value each client and respond promptly to your inquiries. If questions arise during your rental period, our support specialists will help resolve them.

Requirements for Car Rental in Palermo

Age and driving experience requirements are specified in each vehicle listing. These may vary by rental provider. Use search filters to find cars matching your criteria.

To rent a car, you'll need:

• Passport
• Valid driver's license
• Bank card

When collecting your vehicle, you must present the voucher confirming your booking. We send this document to your email after deposit payment.

Traffic Regulations in Palermo: Essential Information

If you've traveled through Europe by car before, Italian traffic rules won't surprise you. However, enforcement is very strict. Always carry your driver's license and rental documentation.

Drivers and passengers must wear seatbelts. Use headlights during nighttime or limited visibility conditions. Don't use mobile phones while driving.

Speed limits are critical and vary by road type:

• Historic districts (ZTL): 30 km/h
• City streets and urban areas: up to 50 km/h
• Rural roads: up to 90 km/h (unless signs indicate otherwise)
• Expressways: up to 110 km/h
• Highways: up to 130 km/h (110 km/h in rain)

Children over 12 years old and taller than 135 cm can use standard seatbelts. Otherwise, secure children in appropriate car seats based on their height and weight.

Fuel Stations

Gas stations in Sicily are located in populated areas—they're nearly absent on highways. During evening and nighttime hours, stations operate in automatic mode. Pull up to a terminal marked "self-service," insert cash or bank card, enter your pump number, and refuel.

Parking Guidelines

The city has open parking zones along roads marked with blue lines. These areas have both paid and free hours, so always check the surrounding signs carefully.

Parking in Palermo and across the island:

• Paid zones: marked with blue lines
• Free zones: marked with white lines
• Reserved spaces: marked with yellow lines

Yellow-marked spaces are designated for people with disabilities.

For barrier-controlled parking: take a ticket when entering, then pay at the automated cashier when exiting using your ticket.

How to Book Your Car for a Palermo Getaway

We've designed a user-friendly website with built-in search filters. Using Localrent and finding a car matching your requirements is simple:

• Select your pickup location in Palermo—where you'll collect and return the vehicle. You can also specify a different Italian city for vehicle return.
• Set pickup and return dates.
• Click "Filters" and choose options:

1. Vehicle type: compact, crossover, luxury, convertible, etc.
2. Transmission type
3. Deposit presence, payment method, and maximum amount
4. Payment method
5. Additional services (leave these fields empty if not essential)

• Select your vehicle. Review the rental price in Palermo, technical specifications, and rental company terms. If everything suits you, click "Continue."
• Complete fields for pickup and return time and location. Add driver information, phone number, and preferred contact method. Leave comments if necessary. Review the price displayed on the right.
• Pay the deposit.

After this, you'll receive a voucher and rental company contact details via email. Your booking is complete.

Where to Drive in Palermo with Your Rental Car

Palermo represents a blend of Italian, Arab, and Norman traditions. The city may seem somewhat chaotic but invariably charms visitors with its eclecticism.

Top 5 interesting destinations accessible by car:

1. Mondello. A resort area perfect for beach relaxation, including active pursuits. After your activities, try local seafood dishes at a cozy restaurant. Distance from central Palermo: 15 km, with paid and free parking available.
2. Monreale. Palermo's southern suburb. A historic town featuring the famous Santa Maria Nuova Cathedral. Reachable by car in half an hour. Use a powerful, maneuverable vehicle—the route includes steep climbs.
3. Santo Stefano di Camastra. Sicily's ceramic capital with wild beaches and numerous authentic shops. Reach it from Palermo in 1.5 hours via the A20 highway. A comfortable crossover suits this journey well.
4. Castelluccio di Monreale Castle (Il Castellaccio). Norman fortress ruins in the mountains. Spectacular views of Palermo from here. Accessible with any vehicle—just 10 km from Palermo. You'll need to walk a bit from the parking area.
5. Zingaro Nature Reserve (Riserva dello Zingaro). This reserve near the city ranks among Sicily's most picturesque. Approximately one hour from Palermo along the coastal road. Plan a full day for this destination. Wild coves, museums, and hiking trails offer breathtaking scenery—even the drive provides visual enjoyment.

Where to Pick Up Your Rental Car in Palermo

The standard option is the rental company's office. This is most economical since it requires no vehicle delivery fee. However, other options exist. Possible pickup locations include:

• Palermo Airport (PMO)—the city's only airport
• Palermo Centrale—the central station at Piazza Giulio Cesare

Some rental providers deliver vehicles to specified addresses throughout the city.

Car Rental Tips

Use our recommendations based on years of experience. They'll help prevent unexpected situations during your rental and make your trip more comfortable.

Inspect the vehicle thoroughly

Carefully examine the car inside and out before signing the contract. If damage exists, document it in the inspection report and photograph or video record it. Note the fuel level in the handover document—you'll need to return the vehicle with the same amount.

Follow traffic regulations

Local drivers don't always follow driving rules—they may skip turn signals or change lanes abruptly. However, if you drive cautiously and observe traffic laws, you won't encounter problems.

Plan your route before departure

The island is small with limited roads and clear signage. Still, plan your route beforehand and use navigation to find the shortest path to your destination. This saves time you can spend enjoying your trip.

Frequently Asked Questions