Holiday in Sicily
Discussion
Hi all posted this in the Italy forum and had some really good advise, posting here to see if anyone else has and advise -
Advise about touring around Sicily, how mad are the drivers, are the police friendly etc. Any advise or experiences good or bad.
In Siracusa we will need on street parking anyone else had to do this. Any advise of the do’s and don’t of driving in Sicily would be very helpful.
Thanks in advance
Advise about touring around Sicily, how mad are the drivers, are the police friendly etc. Any advise or experiences good or bad.
In Siracusa we will need on street parking anyone else had to do this. Any advise of the do’s and don’t of driving in Sicily would be very helpful.
Thanks in advance
Driving outside of big towns is perfectly ok.
Driving and parking in Palermo was quite alarming to be honest - scooters come at you from all directions.
A lot of on street parking involves bumping up onto some pretty high pavements - I wasn’t prepared to do this in a hire car because risk of damage was to high.
Driving and parking in Palermo was quite alarming to be honest - scooters come at you from all directions.
A lot of on street parking involves bumping up onto some pretty high pavements - I wasn’t prepared to do this in a hire car because risk of damage was to high.
Had a holiday in Sicily two years ago. Three days in Palermo, three in Agrigento and three in Syracusa, all excellent places to visit for that length of time. Plenty to do and see, especially if you are into museums, galleries, churches, markets, and just walking around. Palermo is quite a classy city, Agrigento small but you have to see the Greek temples etc, and Syracusa is just madly baroque so stunning architecture. Never had any problem with finding good restaurants.
We did not hire a car but travelled by train and bus, dead easy and possible to see timetables and buy tickets online here in the UK before you go.
As said before driving is "lively" in all towns and cities in Italy, but the big problem with cars are the ZTLs: no go zones without the local pass and heavy fines if you stray into them which is all to easy to do. They are controlled by number plate auto recognition cameras. If you do hire a car make sure you get a pass so you can drive to/from your hotel if it is in a ZTL. Parking can be expensive at the hotel.
R.
We did not hire a car but travelled by train and bus, dead easy and possible to see timetables and buy tickets online here in the UK before you go.
As said before driving is "lively" in all towns and cities in Italy, but the big problem with cars are the ZTLs: no go zones without the local pass and heavy fines if you stray into them which is all to easy to do. They are controlled by number plate auto recognition cameras. If you do hire a car make sure you get a pass so you can drive to/from your hotel if it is in a ZTL. Parking can be expensive at the hotel.
R.
Had a holiday in Sicily two years ago. Three days in Palermo, three in Agrigento and three in Syracusa, all excellent places to visit for that length of time. Plenty to do and see, especially if you are into museums, galleries, churches, markets, and just walking around. Palermo is quite a classy city, Agrigento small but you have to see the Greek temples etc, and Syracusa is just madly baroque so stunning architecture. Never had any problem with finding good restaurants.
We did not hire a car but travelled by train and bus, dead easy and possible to see timetables and buy tickets online here in the UK before you go.
As said before driving is "lively" in all towns and cities in Italy, but the big problem with cars are the ZTLs: no go zones without the local pass and heavy fines if you stray into them which is all to easy to do. They are controlled by number plate auto recognition cameras. If you do hire a car make sure you get a pass so you can drive to/from your hotel if it is in a ZTL. Parking can be expensive at the hotel.
R.
We did not hire a car but travelled by train and bus, dead easy and possible to see timetables and buy tickets online here in the UK before you go.
As said before driving is "lively" in all towns and cities in Italy, but the big problem with cars are the ZTLs: no go zones without the local pass and heavy fines if you stray into them which is all to easy to do. They are controlled by number plate auto recognition cameras. If you do hire a car make sure you get a pass so you can drive to/from your hotel if it is in a ZTL. Parking can be expensive at the hotel.
R.
If you are going to venture off the main roads, consider the size of your hire car. I stayed north of Catania a couple of years ago and had a few 'moments; in small towns with oncoming traffic and getting through villages heading towards Etna from the coast meant sometimes navigating very narrow lanes.
We stayed in Taormina earlier this year. Lovely place and worth a visit (drive to the very summit for an amazing view). We had a car for 5 days and made the most of it as it's a larger Island than we had anticipated. As most above have mentioned, driving out of the towns is fine (amazing investment on tunnels!), but things get a little hairy in town, especially the scooters - but just let them by or give way to them, and you'll be fine. The drive up to Etna was pretty easy, just be mindful that 8 million tourist coaches are using the same road and some of the bends are tight. Being proper tourists, we drove up to Bar Vitelli (of Godfather fame) which was also worth it for the views alone (and the token Michael Corleone pose). Nice place. Enjoy.
Thought I'd simply piggy back this thread for updates and ideas.
Couple, mid 50's, looking for a chilled 4 or 5 days first time visit to Sicily. A few wish list criteria
Last week of May 2024, preferably departing Gatwick
Sandy beaches with good swimming
Away from kids/family orientated locations
Hour or less from an airport
Is hiring a car a must?
Not too fussed with museums/architecture/history tbh. More walking/exploring/beach
Looking at Booking.com/AirBnB for accommodation options. Nothing too fancy, but nice all the same. Pool would be great.
Any suggestions on towns/resorts/locations to home in on?
Anywhere that has walkable beach access from accommodation?
Anywhere to avoid?
Thanks for any input
Couple, mid 50's, looking for a chilled 4 or 5 days first time visit to Sicily. A few wish list criteria
Last week of May 2024, preferably departing Gatwick
Sandy beaches with good swimming
Away from kids/family orientated locations
Hour or less from an airport
Is hiring a car a must?
Not too fussed with museums/architecture/history tbh. More walking/exploring/beach
Looking at Booking.com/AirBnB for accommodation options. Nothing too fancy, but nice all the same. Pool would be great.
Any suggestions on towns/resorts/locations to home in on?
Anywhere that has walkable beach access from accommodation?
Anywhere to avoid?
Thanks for any input
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