Palermo, the capital city of Sicily, has everything a tourist could possibly desire in a holiday destination. For those who want a chance to wallow in temperate crystal clear waters and bask on glorious sandy beaches, indulge in heaven-sent traditional cuisine and sample locally produced wines in picturesque surroundings, Palermo and its locales are perfect. Equally so, for the more energetic traveller there are a wealth of historical treasures, from catacombs to Norman palaces to explore, cycling and walking tours to partake in, a plethora of boating activities and watersports to relish in, as well as golf courses and aquaparks, all under the blessing of the fantastic Sicily weather.
Currently flights to Palermo from the UK go between Stansted Airport and Palermo Airport, also known as Punta Raisi Airport, and are operated by Ryanair. Once here, most people opt for car hire at Palermo Airport, which is offered by 10 different companies. The Palermo car hire firms are Avis, Dollar/Thrifty, Easycar, Europcar, Hertz, Holiday, Locauto, Maggiore, Sixt and Targarent.
Make sure when booking to be clear what is offered in the quoted price, as many will not include insurance and the fuel charge, and there is no worse way to start a holiday then with a surprise payment. Besides travelling around the north coast of Sicily, it is definitely worth having a car to be able to travel further afield to visit Mount Etna, the active volcano situated a 2½ hour drive away on the east side of the island, near Sicily´s Catania Airport. Located 32km north-west of Palermo, the city centre is approximately a 40 minute drive from the airport by car along the A29.
If not hiring a vehicle, then the other options are to organise a Palermo Airport transfer, which can save a huge amount of stress and inconvenience as a driver meets you in the Palermo arrivals hall. Likewise a seat on a Palermo Airport shuttle bus offers a simillar service but at a slightly cheaper rate. The most affordable choice by far is to use the Palermo buses which run regularly from the airport into Palermo itself and to destinations further afield such as Agrigente, Sciacci and Trapani or the Trinacria Express, the Palermo train which has services from the airport to Palermo Centrale Station and costs just €5 one way. The taxis at Palermo Airport are probably the most expensive option at around €35 for the 45 minute journey.
Whether staying at one of the many splendid Palermo hotels or renting out an apartment or villa, Sicily is a wonderful place to stay year round. The Palermo weather is probably at its best between May and June, when it is warm but not extreme. July and August is great for sun-worshipers with temperatures reaching 30°C, while the winter months are mild and rarely fall below 10°C.
Michelle Elkins is a regular contributor to the Sicily Airport Guide, which provides useful information on everything from the best rates for Palermo car hire to Palermo airport transfers, as well as information on flights to and hotels in Sicily.
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