Sicily is bigger than the map suggests: crossing from one coast to the other takes hours, not minutes. That's exactly why it's a destination where having the right car genuinely changes the trip.
The three main bases
Taormina is the classic choice for the Ionian coast, with Etna behind and Syracuse an hour and a half away. Catania is the most common arrival point and the best logistical hub. Palermo opens onto the Tyrrhenian coast and the west of the island.
Real distances to plan for
Catania–Taormina: 50 minutes. Catania–Palermo: around 2h30. Taormina–Syracuse: 1h30. They're enjoyable drives, but they need planning: cramming too many stops into a few days is the most common mistake.
Which car
For coastal roads and tight historic centres, a convertible or a compact sports car is ideal. If your route includes inland stretches and rougher surfaces, an SUV gives you more margin.
Delivery
We deliver to the airport, your hotel or villa, with the option to return the car in a different city from where you collected it — useful for itineraries crossing the island east to west.
