Rent a car Palermo (Italy)

Tips For Renting a Car in Palermo

Whether you are a local resident or simply visiting Palermo, it's important to understand the rules of the road and how to rent a car in Palermo. It's better to be safe than sorry when driving in Italy.

You need to have a valid license and a passport. If you're not a resident of Italy, you need to get an International Driving Permit. You can obtain one in your home country or online. In addition, you should bring your Italian driving license with you when you travel.

If you're renting a car in Palermo, it's important that you take photos of the vehicle. This will help you prove the condition of the car when you pick it up. You should also upload the photos to a cloud account. If the car is damaged, you will be liable to pay a large amount of money.

You will also need to purchase third-party insurance. This is usually available at the car rental agency. If you don't have insurance, you will have to pay a deductible. Also known as a Collision Damage Waiver, this insurance policy will cover the car if it's damaged in a collision.

Italian car rental companies can be problematic. They often charge extra for hidden damages. If you're unsure, ask your rental agent to show you the car. This will help you determine if the car is in good condition and is safe for travel.

You'll also need to consider the amount of luggage you plan to carry. If you're traveling with a large family, you'll need a vehicle that can handle the weight. Also, consider driving in a smaller vehicle to save on fuel costs. This will make driving in narrow streets easier.

Popular Places to Visit in Palermo

Located on the island of Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea, Palermo is the capital of the island. This city is rich in history and culture, with a number of important buildings and sites to see. Below are a few of the more popular attractions to visit in Palermo.

Cathedral

Located in Palermo, the Cathedral is one of the most beautiful churches in Italy. It is an early Christian basilica built by the Normans. In fact, it was built to compete with the Duomo of Monreale. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The cathedral's treasury contains goblets, monstrances, and vestments. You can also visit the crypt. However, you will need to buy a ticket. The tombs of many important Sicilian rulers are here. The crypt is open from 9 AM to 5:30 PM.

The cathedral is a good place to learn about Palermo's history. You can find books inside to explain the monuments. In addition, you can get a human guide. There are also audio guides available.

The church was originally built in 1143. During the 18th century, Ferdinando Fuga decided to remove the Arab-Norman influence and went with a neoclassical design. The cathedral's central nave is 230 feet high. It features decorative Biblical and Arabic-style ornamentation.

Catacombs

During a visit to Sicily, you should include the Capuchin Monastery Catacombs in your itinerary. They are a unique tourist attraction and have a remarkable history. They contain hundreds of mummified bodies and skulls.

They are open daily from 9 am to 6 pm. Admission costs EUR3 per person. There are guided tours available. If you do not want to do a guided tour, you can buy a booklet with extra information at the entrance.

It is best to take an audio guide, but a guidebook is available for EUR7. There is also an audio guide available in the Cathedral.

The Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo are a strange and unique attraction. Visitors are surrounded by bodies stuffed with clothes and bones. There are separate sections for men, women and children.

In the Professors' section, you will see the bodies of lawyers, doctors, soldiers, professors and painters. Some of the mummies are even dressed in fashionable clothes.

Botanic Garden

Located near the seafront, the Palermo Botanic Garden is one of the most beautiful gardens in Europe. It has been a proud symbol of Palermo since 1787. The garden boasts more than 12,000 plant species. Its diverse habitat allows it to house tropical species. It has the largest Ficus macrophilia in Europe.

Its main administrative buildings are neoclassical. The garden was developed under the supervision of praetor Bernardo Filangieri. Various extensions led to the garden's size being increased to 10 hectares by 1892.

The Garden contains plants that have practical applications, such as medicinal herbs. It also features fine stands of papyrus and banana trees. There is also a botanical museum, which contains many rare plants. The garden also hosts an aquarium. It is surrounded by a lagoon and features small ponds.

The museum has an extensive collection of Egyptian items, Phoenician items, and world-famous finds. The garden also hosts an Asian inspired garden. There are several rare species in the garden, such as the dragon tree and the bottle tree.

Zisa Palace

Located in western Palermo, the Zisa Palace is a former palace built in the 12th century. It is one of the most popular places to visit in Palermo. It has been restored after a period of neglect and is now open to the public.

The Zisa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was originally built as a royal summer residence for the Norman kings. The structure was built by craftsmen from the Arabian region and was heavily inspired by Egyptian and royal buildings in North Africa.

The structure is composed of three floors and a large central hall known as the Fountain Room. The main entrance to the palace is through the central archway. The Fountain Room has a vaulted ceiling in the Arabic style. Its interior is a richly decorated room with niches, marble walls, and small columns.

The upper floors feature smaller rooms that may have been used as private chambers. In the 19th century, the Notarbartolo family built partitions between the main rooms and added floors.