Car Hire Catania

Driving around Sicily in a hire car is a real pleasure. This is a landscape made for exploration, whether it’s the steep slopes of Etna, the parks and villages off the beaten track inland, or the coastline that wraps around the whole island. Once you land, you’ll be eager to get on the road as quickly as possible.

When you do, don’t forget that Sicilians – like the rest of Italy – drive on the right-hand side of the road, overtaking on the left. Seatbelts are essential for the driver and all passengers, while it’s illegal to use a mobile phone while driving.

In Catania itself and other built-up areas, the speed limit will usually be 50km/h, while on Sicilian motorways – known as autostrade – the top speed is 130km/h. There are two toll roads on Sicily, the A18 and the A20. The former links Catania with Messina, passing through Taormina – and you can pay with cash. If you want to travel to Palermo, take the A19, which goes through the island’s centre – this is toll-free.

The small, historic centre of Catania is a ‘Zona Traffico Limitado’, or ZTL, which means it’s closed to traffic except for residents with permits. Marked with signs showing a red and white circle, these were set up to limit congestion and damage to old buildings.

Avoid entering these areas as there are cameras at each entrance and you’re likely to receive a fine. If your accommodation is within a ZTL, simply pass your car details on to your hotel once you’ve picked it up and they’ll arrange for you to have access when you need it.

Sicilian spirit flows through Catania – and so did lava, once upon a time. You’ll notice that many buildings here have a tell-tale hue from the volcanic rock all those years ago.

Catania is modest about its undeniable charms, UNESCO status, sense of occasion and style. Facing out towards the Ionian Sea, it’s a bold, baroque beauty of a place to spend time.

The Catanian heart

To get to the pulse of Catania, head for Piazza del Duomo, the focal point of the historic old town. This world heritage site is lined with black and white stone buildings that have stood for centuries in a town nearly 3,000 years old.

Grab a photo of the Elephant Fountain – Fontana dell’Elefante – carved from lava – and admire the magnificent architecture of the Cattedrale di Sant’ Agata and Duomo di Catania.

The Piazza is also home to one of the world’s great markets – La Pescheria. This fish market dominates the streets around the piazza every weekday morning. Fish scales glisten in the early sunlight and the traders provide a must-see piece of street theatre.

Seafood fans will be in their element here. Wander a few streets to find Pescheria Fratelli Vittorio – owned by a fishmonger, only the finest catch makes it to the table here.

Under the volcano

Mount Etna has shaped much of this city’s fortunes for millennia. Catania’s best shopping street, Via Etnea, will even lead you from Piazza del Duomo to the mountain’s lower reaches, the route filled with an abundance of cosy cafes and boutique shops.

Mount Etna is now part of a national park and when it’s particularly active it may be closed to visitors. Don’t worry though, the volcano is constantly monitored.

Head out to explore it in your hire car and stop off to take in its majesty from the numerous viewing points. You can drive around the base and tour the smattering of villages established on its flanks, or get even closer with a guided tour, where you’ll learn more about its cataclysmic eruptions.

Compose yourself

Various writers, poets and philosophers of note have been born in Catania, but its most famous offspring is Vincenzo Bellini, dubbed the ‘Swan of Catania’.

In his short life – he was born in 1801 and passed away in 1835 – the composer became highly influential, praised by Chopin and Verdi among others.

Norma, his 1831 opera, is perhaps his best-known and most celebrated. It’s occasionally revived at the ravishing Teatro Massimo Bellini on Via Perrotta. This grand building is dedicated to him, with ceiling paintings bringing to life scenes straight from his operas.

Even those who don’t like opera will be blown away by the theatre with its imposing foyer, sense of scale and dramatic boxes. You can take a 30-minute guided tour in English but the operas, naturally, are sung in Italian.

Book car hire in Catania with Hertz and explore this fascinating city and the rest of Sicily at your own pace.