Welcome to Catania, Sicily’s dynamic eastern hub, where renting a car isn’t just about transportation—it’s your ticket to some of the Mediterranean’s most spectacular sights.
BEST PALERMO CAR RENTAL COMPANY: DISCOVER CARS
I recommend and use Discover Cars. They search through all rental companies to find and offer only the best deals.
Nestled between the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna, Catania serves as the perfect starting point for exploring eastern Sicily’s treasures.
From avoiding common pitfalls to securing the best deals, we’ll share everything we’ve learned from our own road trip around Sicily and our experience of renting a car.
Should You Rent a Car in Catania?
Before diving into the details, let’s consider whether renting a car in Catania makes sense for your trip.
Here are the key benefits:
- Direct access to Mount Etna’s hiking trails and wine regions
- Easy exploration of baroque towns like Noto and Ragusa
- Quick trips to the ancient Greek theater in Taormina
- Convenient beach-hopping along the eastern coast
- Early morning visits to local markets without taxi costs
- Freedom to explore Syracuse and its archaeological parks
Consider starting your rental after exploring Catania’s historic center, as the city’s excellent public transportation makes a car unnecessary for urban sightseeing.
I always use DiscoverCars.com to compare prices and availability of different car hire companies when planning a trip to Sicily, Italy.
This consolidator offers the best rates in terms of pricing and availability, allowing me to choose the perfect car for my needs and budget.
The Best Place To Rent A Car In Catania
The optimal pickup location is Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (CTA), offering several unique advantages:
- Dedicated car rental terminal with efficient processing
- Direct access to the highway network
- No need to navigate city center traffic immediately
- Larger selection of vehicles
- Better rates than city locations
After comparing multiple rental options in Catania, we consistently recommend using Discover Cars for several important reasons:
- World’s Leading Car Rental Booking Website for 4 consecutive years
- Exceptional rating of 4.5 from over 175,000 verified reviews across Trustpilot, Google, and Review Center
- Exclusive deals including contactless pickup options, competitive rates, and complimentary upgrades
- Trusted by over 4 million users worldwide
You do have to be careful with car rental companies in Italy. It is common for car rental companies to try to blame you for dents and scratches etc. on the car in order to squeeze extra dollars from you.
So we love renting with Discover Cars because not only do they have a price comparison from all the rental companies in one handy spot, but you can also clearly see reviews from recent customers – to make sure that you are renting from a reputable and reliable rental company.
5 Stars! Great car hire agent
We have used Discover cars twice now.
The second time was just this week in Sicily. Both times the cars have been as advertised, good condition and competitively priced. Will definitely use them again.
– Trina (Reviewed on Trustpilot)
Essential Requirements for Catania Car Rentals
To rent a car in Catania, you’ll need:
- Valid driver’s license (minimum one year)
- International Driving Permit (IDP) for non-EU licenses
- Credit card with sufficient limit for deposit
- Minimum age 21 (some mountain routes require 25)
- Valid passport or EU identity card
Choosing the Right Vehicle
For Sicily’s narrow roads and challenging terrain, consider these factors:
- Opt for a smaller car for easier parking and navigation
- Choose automatic transmission if you’re not comfortable with manual
- Consider air conditioning essential, especially in summer
- Ensure adequate trunk space for your luggage
Tips: The most popular rental car in Italy is the Fiat Panda, although travelers also tend to pick the Ford Fiesta and the Fiat 500 a lot. The most popular rental car types are economy, mini, and compact.
Understanding Insurance Options
Insurance is crucial when driving in Sicily. The minimum required coverage includes:
- Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)
- Theft Protection
- Third-party liability insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing full coverage through Discover Cars (approximately $9 USD per day) to protect against:
- Scratches and dents
- Tire damage
- Window damage
- Interior damage
- Loss of keys
- Towing costs
Cost Expectations for 2025
Rental prices in Catania typically range from:
- Economy cars: Starting at $4 USD per day
- Mid-size vehicles: $8 USD per day
- Premium vehicles: $74 USD per day
Additional costs may include:
- Full coverage insurance
- Young driver fees (under 25)
- Additional driver charges
- GPS rental
- Child seats
What Are The Best Catania Rental Companies?
If you book through Discover Cars (which we highly recommend) because it does a price comparison from all the popular car rental companies in Palermo.
It also shows you the star rating of each company so that you can easily make an informed decision of which company you would like to use.
Popular Catania car rental suppliers include: GaldieriRent, Felirent, RentalPlus, Brid, Differental
How to Get the Best Catania Car Rental Deal
- Book 3-4 months ahead for high season
- Compare airport versus city rates
- Look for multi-week discounts
- Consider shoulder season rentals
When to Rent (And When Not to)
Perfect Times for a Rental:
- Exploring the Etna wine region
- Beach-hopping along the eastern coast
- Visiting baroque towns like Noto and Ragusa
- Day trips to Taormina and Syracuse
- Early morning market runs to La Pescheria
Skip the Rental When:
- Staying exclusively in Catania’s historic center
- If your accommodation doesn’t include parking
- During peak summer season if you’re inexperienced with Italian driving
Must-Visit Destinations from Catania by Car
One of the biggest advantages of renting a car in Catania is easy access to eastern Sicily’s most stunning locations.
Here are our favorite destinations, all easily accessible with your rental car:
Mount Etna Region
- Rifugio Sapienza: Main access point for Etna south, with cable car access to higher altitudes
- Etna Wine Route: Visit prestigious wineries like Benanti and Barone di Villagrande
- Alcantara Gorge: Stunning volcanic canyon with unique hexagonal basalt columns
Taormina & Surroundings
- Taormina Center: Famous Greek theater and medieval streets
- Isola Bella: Beautiful protected nature reserve and beach
- Castelmola: Panoramic village above Taormina with stunning views
- Giardini Naxos: First Greek settlement in Sicily with excellent beaches
Syracuse & Noto Valley
- Ortigia Island: Historic center with stunning baroque architecture
- Archaeological Park: Greek theater and ancient quarries
- Noto: UNESCO-listed baroque town with honey-colored buildings
- Vendicari Nature Reserve: Pristine beaches and flamingo spotting
Eastern Coast Gems
- Aci Castello: Norman castle built on volcanic rock
- Aci Trezza: Cyclops Islands and traditional fishing village
- Riviera dei Limoni: Scenic coastal drive with lemon groves
- Santa Maria la Scala: Hidden fishing village with excellent seafood
Baroque Towns
- Ragusa Ibla: Stunning baroque architecture split between two hills
- Modica: Famous for chocolate and dramatic urban setting
- Scicli: Less touristy baroque town with beautiful churches
- Caltagirone: Known for ceramic staircases and artisan shops
Tips for Driving in Catania and Sicily
1. Special Zones:
- Market area time restrictions
- ZTL restrictions in historic centers
- Etna park access limitations
- Coastal zone regulations
2. Understand parking colors:
- White lines: Free spaces
- Blue lines: Paid zones
- Yellow lines: Restricted parking
- Green lines: Electric vehicle charging spots
3. Keep valuables hidden: Never leave belongings visible in the car
4. Fill up before returning: Return the car with a full tank to avoid extra charges
5. Document everything: Take photos or videos of any existing damage during pickup
6. There are two toll roads on Sicily — the A18 between Catania and Messina and the A20 between Palermo and Messina. The toll gates accept credit cards, cash, and Telepass.
Final Thoughts On Renting A Car In Catania, Sicily
A rental car in Catania opens up eastern Sicily’s most spectacular sights, from volcanic landscapes to ancient ruins.
BEST PALERMO CAR RENTAL COMPANY: DISCOVER CARS
I recommend and use Discover Cars. They search through all rental companies to find and offer only the best deals.
Start your Sicilian adventure with the right vehicle and proper preparation for an unforgettable journey through Italy’s most dramatic landscapes.
Your perfect Sicilian road trip awaits – begin by securing the right car for your eastern Sicily adventure today!
Ready to start planning your Sicilian adventure? Here’s what to do next:
- Book your rental car through Discover Cars to secure the best rates
- Check out our guide to “8 Best Islands off Sicily That Most Tourists Miss” to plan your island-hopping itinerary.
- Don’t miss our article on the “11 Prettiest Places To Visit In Sicily” for must-see destinations.
- 50 Best things to do on this Italian island – Your Ultimate Sicily bucket list!
- Visit our comprehensive Italy travel blog for insider tips, and detailed itineraries.
