Car & Van Hire - Udine

Udine has a wealth of riches waiting for anyone with an interest in history. This city has so many old buildings, each with its own fascinating story. You can start your journey at the castle, which stands on top of a hill in the centre of the old town. Construction started in 1517, and today this building is home to a museum and art gallery. You can take a look inside or just wander around the exterior, admiring the rows of beautiful arches and the golden angel on top of the castle church's steeple.

The 13th-century cathedral is also well worth a visit. The exterior is quite beautiful, with its impressive rose window. Inside, you'll find unexpected architecture. While the facade is built in a Romanesque-Gothic style, the interior is Baroque and has artwork wherever you look. Be sure to pay a visit to the chapel of the bell tower, which is covered with frescoes painted by Vitale da Bologna.

At the heart of the city lies the Piazza Liberta, which has long been one of the most important squares in Udine. There are several interesting buildings dotted around the square, the most important being the old commercial centre, the Loggia del Lionello, which is made from pink and white marble. The square also has several statues, but it's more than just a place to see old monuments. This is a common meeting place for locals, and it's a great way to go to see the living city and do some people-watching.

Car rental in Udine means you are not limited to the city. Instead, you can explore the surrounding region. One good spot for a day trip is Cividale del Friuli. This small village still has a lot of well-preserved medieval architecture. The old buildings, combined with its location perched on the top of a river gorge, make it look quite dramatic. Take a walk that follows the course of the Natisone River or explore the historic old town. This was once one of the most important settlements in this part of Italy, but today it is fairly quiet, allowing its historical beauty to shine.

With car or van rental in Udine, you can also take a side trip to Grado. This is the place to go if you're craving some time on the beach. Enjoy taking a dip in the Adriatic Sea or, if you just want to unwind, go to the thermal baths. This town has long been a spa destination for Italians, letting visitors soak in the soothing waters. Those who want more excitement can try a range of beach activities, including volleyball, windsurfing, canoeing and more.

The historic centre of Udine is designated as a ZTL, a limited traffic zone. If you have experience driving in Italy, you will already be familiar with the concept of these zones. There is at least one in almost every city, and they are also common in towns and villages with historic centres. In some cities, the ZTL operates during a limited timetable, but in Udine, it is active 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You will need to park outside the ZTL and enter on foot, or you risk a fine.

If you plan to drive to other Italian cities, it's important to familiarise yourself with the ZTL sign. This road sign is a white circle outlined in red. Whenever you see one, you'll know that it's time to park and continue your journey on foot. Visitors often fall foul of ZTLs and get fined, so make sure you learn to recognise the sign.

Udine is a small city, and there is not much traffic, even during rush hour. You will find both large car parks and on-street parking. If you choose the latter, check the colour of the lines around the parking space. Free parking spaces are marked in white, while blue spaces are pay and display. There are also yellow spaces, but these are reserved for residents. As the streets in Udine are narrow, make sure you tuck your wing mirror when you park. If you don't, you run the risk of it being dinged by passing traffic.

Udien is very close to the border with Slovenia. Some visitors like to plan a road trip that will take them into Slovenia and even beyond to nearby Croatia. These countries are all part of the Schengen common travel zone, so there is no border control. Regardless, you should check with our car rental representatives if you are planning an international journey, as it may have an impact on your insurance.

When driving in Italy, you are legally obliged to keep your headlights on. If you like, you can turn them off when you enter a city, but outside urban areas, you must have them on, even in full daylight.