Car Hire in Brescia

About Brescia

Brescia is a city and municipality in northern Italy, more precisely in the Lombardy region. It is the second-largest city in this region and the capital of the province of Brescia. With its great location at the foot of the Alps and near Lake Garda and Lake Iseo, it is a perfect city for tourism. Brescia is a very ancient city, founded more than 3200 years ago, and today you can visit here many historical monuments from Roman and even pre-Roman times.

Besides tourism, Brescia is also well developed in other areas. There is a great environment for artists here, so many famous artists from all over the world have found inspiration here in this charming city and its surroundings. Brescia is also an important industrial city in Italy. And of course, we should not forget to mention that Brescia and its surroundings were "European Region of Gastronomy" in 2017.

So, these are more than enough reasons to come to Brescia and explore this beautiful place. If you are taking a road trip through northern Italy, Brescia should definitely be on your list of cities to stop in and spend a few days, and you will not regret it. There are so many different things to see and do here, from various historical, cultural, religious and natural sites to great restaurants and even lively nightlife. So what more do you need for a perfect vacation? Buckle up and drive safely.

Basic info and car hire in Brescia

• Location: Lombardy region, Italy
• Population: 200,423
• Official language: Italian
• Currency: Euro
• Weather: Brescia has a mid-latitude humid subtropical climate
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Brescia are in good condition.
• Car hire in Brescia:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Brescia is at the Brescia Airport. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks in advance of your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire in Brescia!

 Driving in Brescia

Renting a car is the best solution here in Brescia if you want to really explore the city and its surroundings. There are so many fantastic places outside the city that you can not reach by public transport, but if you have rented a car, you'll have the perfect opportunity to go anywhere you want. And there are so many places here that you will be amazed when you see them. You do not need a car to explore the old town, which you can leave in one of the many parking lots in the city. But after you explore Brescia, you will have a lot of fun driving around, because the roads are in good condition and the views are breathtaking.

Traffic in the old town of Brescia is subject to ZTL regulations. Zona a traffico limitato (ZTL) (literally: traffic restricted zone) is a traffic restricted zone in Italy. There are about 200 regulations enforced with cameras, as well as 100 environmental zones. They help protect historic city centres from excessive traffic that would otherwise make the city less attractive.

If you need to enter the ZTL in Brescia please contact

Office of Brescia Mobility Access Control

Tel: 030.3061115

Fax: 030.3061119

It is good to know that the police in Italy are very strict. So make sure you follow all the rules and obey all the traffic signs on the road. Above all, stick to the speed limits because there are many speed checks and you can get a fine even if you are not a resident. But of course, it is good to keep to the speed limits and other rules, not only because of the police but also for your own safety and the safety of other road users

• Age limits: 21 years old-25 for larger vehicles
• International Driving Permit:  Yes, if you are a non-EU license holder.
• Additional papers:   Identification(passport), a valid driving license, and valid proof of insurance.   
• Additional requirements: Glasses (in case you need glasses, you must always have a spare pair in the car), light bulbs (are usually already in the car and are provided by the car rental company), warning triangle (2 are required for all vehicles registered in Italy and 1 if coming from abroad), high visibility vest (recently made compulsory)- First aid kit (not compulsory, but we strongly recommend you have it with you, just in case).
• Children in the car: Children up to the age of 10 may only be taken in the back seat and a suitable child seat must be available up to a height of 1.50 meters.
• Driving side of the road: Right hand
• Lights:  Check that all lights are working, clean, and correctly aimed.
• General speed limits: The speed limit in cities is 50 km/h, although in certain areas the speed limit may be reduced to 30 km/h. Main highways are limited to 130 km/h, non-major highways to 110 km/h, and local roads to 90 km/h.

Popular day trips from Brescia

Monza, Milano, Bergamo, Tempio Capitolino, Castello, Santa Maria della Carità, Broletto and Piazza Paolo VI, Lake Iseo, Lake Garda.

What to see in Brescia

There are quite a few impressive sights to see in Brescia. For example, you should start with Piazza del Foro, located in the center of the old town. This charming little square is one of the oldest parts of the city and is surrounded by wonderful buildings that add another dose of charm to this pretty historic square. This square is also home to the Capitoline Temple, which is a must-see. It is a Roman building dating back to 73 AD and is a great example of Roman architecture. Next to the temple, there is also a museum where you can learn more about Roman history in the area.

You should also visit the Museum of Art and History of Brescia, which is housed in an old monastery and offers a great collection of different objects from different periods.

The Duomo Nuovo, or New Cathedral, is located right next to the Old Cathedral and is the exact opposite of the Old Cathedral. This baroque church is large and fully decorated. You should visit it and explore the interior as well because there are many fantastic works of art to see.

Other places to visit in Brescia: Broletto, Piazza della Loggia, Brescia Castello, Santa Maria dei Miracoli, Monte Isola, Museo Mille Miglia, Lake Iseo, Lake Garda, Monte Maddalena, Torre della Pallata, Parco delle Orobie Bergamasche...

Drive your rental car beyond Brescia

Brescia is part of the Lombardy region. This region is famous for its diversity. You can either go to a city or discover beautiful nature. So a road trip through Lombardy is really a perfect vacation opportunity. The roads here are in good condition and you can always extend your road trip, for example to Switzerland, because Lombardy is also a part of Switzerland.

But there are so many other regions in Italy worth exploring. For example, if you decided to stay in the Umbria region and take a road trip through it, one of the activities you should put on your wish list should undoubtedly be truffle hunting. This region is famous for its truffles and truffle hunting is truly a unique experience. In the countryside, you will find many experts searching for these "black diamonds". Besides truffle hunting, you can also learn a lot about the history of the region and the daily life of the locals. The Marmore Waterfalls are another sight not to be missed on your trip to Umbria. These are the largest man-made waterfalls in the world and the second-largest waterfalls in Italy. These amazing waterfalls were created by the Romans who wanted to divert the Velino River in order to use more fertile land. For this reason, the Marmore Waterfalls are one of the most visited attractions in this region. For people who prefer a more active vacation, there are many activities here, for example, rafting on the Nera River, cycling in nature, visiting the Monte Cucco Regional Park, a side trip to San Pietro

There are so many places to visit in Italy that you really need to make a good plan if you want to take a road trip through Italy. Italy is a very diverse country with so much to see and do. But one thing is for sure, there is something for every kind of tourist here. Italy is known for its fantastic beaches, amazing cities, a large number of historical, religious and cultural monuments, great gastronomy, volcanic islands, the Alps, the Mediterranean Sea, beautiful lakes and rivers, breathtaking landscapes, etc.

The capital is Rome, which of course you must see. It is considered one of the most iconic cities in the world and is certainly the most talked-about city in the history of mankind. Travelling from the north to the south of the country, you can experience so many different landscapes, people, cultures, cities and traditions that make Italy a special place. If we then add the truly rich and turbulent past of this tribal land, there is no doubt that you should visit Italy at least once in your lifetime.

If you prefer winter and winter sports, then you should definitely go to the Dolomites, because there are some of the most famous ski resorts in the world, such as Cortina d'Ampezzo. However, if you are more interested in history, you should visit Pompei and other cities in the south of the country.

Where to eat, drink, and party in Brescia

If you are in what was once the best culinary region in Europe, you can be sure that you will enjoy amazing gastronomy. Brescia is known for its great restaurants where you can order a wide variety of dishes. From traditional Italian cuisine to modern cuisine and also menus from all over the world.

This region is known for its many specialities. Some of the most popular is undoubtedly cheeses such as Bagòss, Grana Padano, Rosa Camuna and Formagella di Tremosine. But of course, we must not forget to mention, oil, truffles, sea fish, caviar and fine wines.

Best restaurant in Brescia

Corte del Mago

Amarcord Artisan Piada Restaurant

Antica Trattoria del Ponte

I Du dela Contrada

La Bottega di Vittorio Ristorante in Salumeria

Trattoria G.A. Porteri