Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, is truly the perfect vacation destination for any kind of traveler. The island’s coastline features tropical sandy beaches, rugged volcanic shorelines, and incredible views of the clear ocean. The populated areas of the island are filled with incredible architectural works from the Hellenic, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, and Norman periods. There are 5 regional parks and 77 nature reserves in Sicily that feature everything from rolling hills covered in exotic plants to black volcanoes. And, of course, the Sicilian culinary culture is one of the best in the world.
Sicily is located just south of the Italian Peninsula across the Strait of Messina. It’s one of the five Italian autonomous regions and its capital city is the beautiful Palmero. The island has a warm Mediterranean climate and features one of the tallest active volcanoes in Europe, Mount Etna. With so much to do and see in Sicily, the best way to take advantage of what the island has to offer is by renting a motorcycle and exploring on your own.
Here is everything you need to know about hiring a motorcycle in Sicily. Most things here can also be applied if you are renting a motor scooter. This guide includes:
- Whether you need an international driving permit for motorcycle hire in Italy
- Safety issues related to driving in Sicily
- The price of hiring a motorcycle in Sicily
- Where to rent a motorcycle in Sicily
- The best things to do in Sicily by motorcycle
Do You Need an International Driving Permit To Hire a Motorcycle in Italy?
All across Italy, including on the island of Sicily, non-EU foreigners are required to carry an international driving permit at all times while operating a motor vehicle within the country. Unless you are a citizen of the EU with a valid driver’s license from your home country, you will need to obtain an international driving permit to hire a motorcycle in Italy.
If you want to apply for an international driving permit, you can do so here. You should apply for your IDP at least two weeks prior for departing for Italy because that’s how long it typically takes to arrive in the mail. There is an application fee of $20. Once you have your IDP, it will be valid for up to 12 months.
Is Driving a Motorcycle in Sicily Dangerous?
Driving a rental motorcycle in Sicily is not overly dangerous. However, most foreigners will be slightly surprised by the fast and aggressive nature of Italian drivers. As with driving in any foreign country, it’s best to start out by driving cautiously and learning the rules of the road before you start trying to drive like a local.
Most of the roads in Sicily’s cities are well-paved and fairly easy to navigate. When you’re traveling between cities, though, you should be wary of areas with poor signage and deteriorating roads. There are some rural roads on the island that are littered with potholes and can be very dangerous if you aren’t careful.
You also need to be careful of ZTL areas in the cities. These are areas of restricted traffic congestion, meaning you can’t enter them on a vehicle unless you have a pass from the Sicilian government. Entering a ZTL without a pass can result in a hefty fine.
What Is the Cost of Motorcycle Rental in Sicily?
Renting a motorcycle in Sicily is a little bit pricier than in other parts of the world. If you want to rent a motorcycle, you can expect to pay around €70 per day on the lower end, with more powerful bikes costing as much as €100 per day. However, if you plan on staying in Sicily for a while, you may be able to get discounted rates from your rental shop on weekly or monthly rentals.
If renting a motorcycle seems too expensive for you, you may want to look into renting a motor scooter instead, as they’re typically much more affordable. Scooter rental can cost as little as €40 per day, and a motor scooter will get you around Sicily just fine. Whether you’re renting a motorcycle or a scooter, make sure that the price of helmet rental and insurance are included in the stated rental price.
Where Can You Hire a Motorcycle in Sicily?
There are six airports on the island of Sicily, with the most popular Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (CTA) on the east side of the island near the city of Catania. If you plan on flying into CTA, as well as several other of Sicily’s airports, you should be able to find motorcycle hire right outside the airport terminals.
If you’d prefer to get to your accommodation before renting your motorcycle, there are plenty of rental shops throughout Sicily’s cities. The cities of Palmero, Trapani, Cefalu, and Catania all have high concentrations of motor rental shops, and you shouldn’t have any trouble finding motorcycle rental once you’re in those metropolitan areas.
What Are the Best Things To Do in Sicily by Motorcycle?
Now that you know everything you need to rent a motorcycle in Sicily, here are some of the best things to do on the island with your rented vehicle:
Taormina and Castelmola
A trip to the northeast area of Sicily will take you to two of the most picturesque towns on the island, Taormina and Castelmola. Both towns feature winding streets lined with idyllic houses, all drenched in Mediterranean sunlight. You can see piazzas ornately decorated with harlequins, old churches with Baroque facades, and motifs dedicated to some of Sicily’s most memorable inhabitants.
Both towns are located high above sea level and offer stunning views of the surrounding ocean and volcanic landscape, sometimes from above the clouds. Make sure to visit Taormina’s ancient Greek amphitheatre, which is a particularly good spot to soak up the landscape.
Mount Etna
As one of the tallest active volcanoes in Europe, Mount Etna can be seen from many distant parts of Sicily. The volcano absolutely dominates the Sicilian landscape, and it's even more incredible when seen up close. It takes about 4 hours to drive from Palermo to Mount Etna, but the journey is absolutely worth it.
Regardless of your fitness level, exploring Mount Etna is a great way to spend a day. You can make your experience there as challenging or easy as you want it to be. First, you’ll ride a cable car partway up the mountain. From there, you can choose to ascend on foot to the summit or simply take in the stunning view that’s right in front of you.
Siracusa and Ortigia
Siracusa is one of the most prominent cities in the south of Sicily and home to some of the island’s most astounding archaeological finds. There’s no better place on the island to get a sense of what life was like during the ancient Greek and Roman periods than at Siracusa’s many ruins. Driving from Palmero to Siracusa takes about 3 hours.
If you’re already in Siracusa, you have to take the short drive over the bridge to Ortigia, a small island just off the coast. This is where Sicilian locals go to eat, party, and just generally have a good time. You’ll find fancy shopping areas, lively bars, and endless restaurants where you can enjoy a meal at sunset.
You Should Motorcycle Around Sicily
With so much to experience on the island of Sicily, the best way to get around to the many amazing parts of the island is by renting a motorcycle and hitting the road. You’ll have the freedom to go wherever you want, and you’ll get to see the gorgeous Sicilian countryside along the way.
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