Car & Van Hire - Terni

Terni might be seen as a hidden gem. Not as famous as major Italian cities like Milan or Florence, it's nevertheless beautiful, with fascinating architecture, a colourful history, and great food. It also benefits from stunning natural surroundings. Car hire in Terni is the best way to get around, as it will enable you to visit nearby national parks, lakes and waterfalls.

Terni is known as the City of Lovers, as it is the resting place of the most romantic saint, St Valentine. His tomb can be seen in the Basilica San Valentino, a 17th-century Baroque church. This building features a number of impressive frescoes and intricate decorations, while St Valentine's tomb is marked by an ornate gold death mask.

Many visitors consider the basilica to be more impressive than Terni's cathedral, the Duomo di Terni. Built in an unusual style for an Italian cathedral, the Duomo may look more like a mansion or a city hall at first glance. The interior removes all doubt, though: you'll find elaborate decoration, splendid paintings of the major saints and other religious figures, and incredible stained glass windows.

Roman ruins are found all over Italy, but some of the best are near Terni. The ancient town of Casulae was founded around 300 BC, and today is one of the best-preserved settlements of that era. Some of the buildings still standing include an amphitheatre, theatre, public bathhouse and religious buildings. You can explore the site on your own or take a guided tour to learn more about it.

The Parco Fluviale del Nera is a magnificent park. Its highlight is the Cascata Delle Marmore, a spectacular waterfall where the water flows down different tiers before cascading into the river below. As you gaze upon it, you might be surprised to hear that it's actually man-made. In fact, Marmore Falls is the tallest man-made waterfall in the world, as well as one of the oldest. It was created by the Ancient Romans and has stood ever since. Come here for a day trip with a car or van hire in Terni. There are many hiking trails and footpaths near the waterfalls, allowing you to explore the surrounding park.

Another great place to visit in summer is the Lago di Piediluco. This vast lake is surrounded by trails for hikers and cyclists. Here you can hire the equipment to go rowing and stand-up paddleboarding or take a boat trip to enjoy the water in a more relaxed way.

Anyone driving in Italy soon learns to dread the letters ZTL! These initials indicate a limited traffic zone. You'll find at least one ZTL in every Italian city and large town, protecting the historic centre from too many vehicles. If you drive into one by accident, you will be fined. To make things even more confusing, each city regulates its own ZTL in different ways. Some are only active during certain hours of the day or days of the week, while others allow certain types of vehicle to enter.

In the case of Terni, the ZTL covers the historic part of the city centre. It is always active, so you should never try to drive through it. You may see some vehicles entering in the morning and evening, but this is only permitted if they are delivering goods. Look out for the sign that indicates the boundaries of the ZTL, which is a white circle with a red outline. When you see one of these signs, you'll know it's time to find a parking spot and continue your journey on foot.

Some on-street parking is available in Terni, but the roads can be narrow. Ensure that you tuck your wing mirror when you leave your car to prevent any possible damage. You may prefer to go to a large car park instead.

The area around Terni is quite rural. If you are going on a road trip, you can take highways for a smoother experience, but you may have to pay tolls. Country roads – marked on maps as SS, or "strade statali" – are free. It might take you longer to reach your destination, but you'll often be rewarded with better views along the way. There are a few things to think about before you set out on your journey. Country roads are often quite narrow, and overtaking can be difficult. If you get stuck behind a tractor, you'll just have to be patient! They are not as well-maintained as the highways, so always keep an eye out for potholes.

In rural Italy, petrol stations often close between 13:00 and 16:00 and all day Sunday. Petrol stations on highways are open all the time.

Remember when driving in Italy that you are legally required to keep your headlights on at all times unless you are inside a city.