Car & Van Hire - Ferrara

Ferrara is an ancient city dating back to the time of the Etruscans. While the settlement has a rich history dating back thousands of years, the city as it stands today is heavily influenced by Renaissance architecture. It was once the seat of the House of Este, spawning a dynasty that would last until the 19th century. Ferrara has been a celebrated cultural hub for centuries and was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.

With car hire in Ferrara, you can experience the best this historic city has to offer. This enchanting corner of Italy is home to an endless schedule of festivals and events. Looking for live music? The annual Ferrara Buskers Festival has been going strong since 1987, bringing together entertainers from the performing arts for a packed schedule of free events.

The Ferrara Balloons Festival is another hugely popular annual event. Every September, teams from across the world gather to unveil their uniquely designed aircraft. Head to Bassani Urban Park to watch competitors take to the skies, then look forward to ten days of musical concerts, live shows and other festival attractions.

If you're looking into car and van hire in Ferrara, there are plenty of cultural attractions to keep you entertained during your stay. The National Archeological Museum of Ferra can be found in the Palazzo Costabili. Inside, you'll find exhibits dating back as early as the 6th century BC. If you want to immerse yourself in the romanticism of the Renaissance era, head to the Schifanoia Museum. With hundreds of works on display, it's one of the finest art gallery installations in the city.

Thanks to its ancient roots, Ferrara is home to some truly inspiring architecture. Este Castle stands in the centre of the city. This impressive manor house was built in the late 1300s and was heavily restored during the 16h century. The Cathedral of Saint George is another must-see sight. While this Romanesque cathedral was originally completed in the 1100s, it's been heavily renovated over the years. As such, it's one of the more eclectic buildings in Ferrara, combining Renaissance-era design with more traditional Gothic elements.

Got the urge to shop? You're spoiled for choice in Ferrara. The meandering streets of Ferrara's old town are lined with boutiques and antique stores. If you're searching for budget-friendly buys, head to the open-air markets at Piazza Municipale or Piazza Savonarola to sniff out a once-in-a-lifetime find.

The Emilia-Romagna region is served by an expansive road network, making car hire in Ferrara a good choice if you want to get the most out of your trip. The Viale Cavour cuts through the centre of town, with several state highways providing convenient connections for those looking to venture further afield.

Several of Italy's autostrada routes pass through Emilia-Romagna. The A1 is one of the most heavily used but offers the simplest connections to nearby destinations like Piacenza and Bologna. If you're eager to take a more scenic route, use the Via Emilia (SS9). Although you'll add a little more time to your journey, the SS9 is one of the oldest road routes in Europe and rewards you with unbeatable views as you get from A to B.

Ferrara's centre can become congested during peak hours. Avoid major thoroughfares like Viale Cavour between 07:00 and 09:00 to beat rush hour traffic. Likewise, try and avoid driving into the city between 16:00 and 18:00 if you want to avoid the evening rush.

If it's your first time behind the wheel in this country, bear in mind that Italian motorists drive on the right-hand side of the road. Speed limits also need to be taken into account. Typical of other urban centres in Italy, motorists need to limit their speed to 30 k/ph when driving in Ferrara. In suburban and built-up areas, this rises to between 50 k/ph and 70 k/ph. Outside of built-up areas, this rises to 90 k/ph and up to 130 k/ph on motorways.

Some parts of central Ferrara are classed as a Limited Traffic Zone. This means that during certain times of the day, no vehicles without a ZTL permit are allowed to enter the area. Limited traffic zones are clearly marked. Look for a white circle with a red border. Sometimes, traffic restrictions are only limited to certain parts of the day. If you're staying at a hotel in the city centre, you're usually exempt from Ferrarta's ZTL rules and won't have to worry about registering for a permit.

Finding a parking space in the city is easy enough. Ferrara has several large car parks, with many sites offering free parking between 00:00 and 07:30. Colour coding is used to identify parking spots in this part of Italy. A white space means you can park for free, while blue spots mean you'll need to pay. Yellow and pink spots are reserved for taxis, official vehicles and motorists with handicapped permits.