Motorcycle & Scooter Rentals in Bilbao, Spain

Bilbao's old town is easy on foot, but the real reason to swing a leg over a motorcycle here is everything waiting just past the city limits. Within an hour you can be tracing the coast road toward San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, the islet chapel that looks like something out of a film, or winding down to Playa de Laga as the Urdaibai estuary opens up beside you. Rent a motorcycle in Bilbao and mornings in the Guggenheim's shadow turn into afternoons on empty coastal bends.

Bilbao itself is compact, hilly and short on parking in the old town, which makes a car more hassle than help. The places that make this region worth visiting — Bermeo, Mundaka, the mountain passes inland — sit thirty to sixty minutes out along narrow, twisting roads that get slow and congested by car in summer but are exactly what a scooter or motorcycle is built for. It's this contrast, compact city core and wide-open coast and mountains just beyond it, that makes Bilbao such a natural base for a rental.

Top 10 things to see in Bilbao by motorcycle

1. San Juan de Gaztelugatxe — the islet chapel along the Bermeo cliffs, one of the most photographed viewpoints on the Basque coast.
2. Puente Bizkaia (Vizcaya Bridge, Portugalete–Getxo) — the UNESCO-listed transporter bridge, a short ride from the city and a classic photo stop.
3. Playa de Laga — a scenic beach near Urdaibai reached by a winding approach road riders love.
4. Playa de Laida — the neighbouring beach in the estuary, easy to pair with Laga for a coastal loop.
5. Mundaka — the famous surf town at the river mouth, with a great coastal road along the way.
6. Faro de Matxitxako — a lighthouse and clifftop viewpoint near Bermeo with sweeping views over the Cantabrian Sea.
7. Monte Artxanda — a hill above Bilbao with a short switchback climb and a panorama over the whole city.
8. Balcón de Bizkaia — a dramatic cliffside viewpoint near Getxo, a popular short ride from the centre.
9. Guggenheim Museum Bilbao — the obvious landmark to start or end a ride from, right in the city centre.
10. Puerto de Orduña — a mountain pass south of the city with hairpin bends, a favourite longer route for motorcyclists.

What do you need to rent a motorcycle in Bilbao?

The licence you need depends on engine size. An A1 licence covers machines up to 125cc from age 16; A2 covers restricted-power bikes from 18; a full A licence, for anything unrestricted, requires either two years on A2 from age 20 or direct access at 24. If your licence was issued outside the EU, bring an International Driving Permit along with your home licence, since rental desks commonly ask for it. Most companies also set their own minimum age, often 18 or 21 depending on the machine, and will block a deposit on a credit card in the renter's name.

How much does it cost to rent a motorcycle in Bilbao?

Expect roughly 15-25 EUR per day for a scooter or small-displacement bike in low season, rising to 30-50 EUR per day for a mid-size motorcycle in high season. Large-displacement or touring models, 650cc and up, run from around 60-90 EUR per day.

• Prices climb steadily from spring, peaking in July and August, especially around Semana Grande in mid-August.
• They ease off from autumn onward, bottoming out from November through February.

When to book a rental motorcycle in Bilbao?

High season runs July and August, when prices and demand both peak, so book a few weeks ahead if you're travelling then. Low season stretches from November to March, when rates drop and availability is easy to find on short notice. If you want good roads without the crowds or the cost, May-June and September-October hit a sweet spot for riding.

Local traffic rules in Bilbao

Spain drives on the right. Helmets are compulsory for both rider and passenger on mopeds and motorcycles, on every road, at all times. Speed limits top out at 120 km/h on motorways, drop to 90 km/h on conventional roads, and fall to 50 km/h in built-up areas, with some urban streets capped at 30 km/h or even 20 km/h. The blood alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l, tightened to 0.3 g/l for riders with under two years' experience. Motorcycles and mopeds must run with dipped headlights day and night, and handheld phones are off-limits while riding.

If you want to rent a motorcycle in Bilbao, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!

Types of motorcycles available

On our website you can rent the following types of motorcycles: cruiser, sport, touring, standard, classic, dual-purpose, dirt bikes, street, naked bikes or roadsters, choppers, custom, streetfighter, sport-touring, dual-sport, on-road, off-road, adventure motorcycles, supermoto, scrambler, motorcycle with sidecar, enduro, motocross mx, trail, motards, tricycles, bikes with automatic or manual gears, luxury motorbikes.

Models of motorcycles available

On our website you can hire motorcycles from the following manufacturers: BMW, Harley Davidson, Aprilia, Buell, Cagiva, Ducati, Gilera, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, KTM, Husqvarna, Jawa, MV Agusta, Moto Guzzi, Triumph, Benelli, Bajaj, Indian, Royal Enfield, TVS, Beta, Bimota.

Which insurance is provided?

Most providers include basic third-party liability insurance in the rental price, with options to upgrade to fuller coverage that reduces or removes your deposit liability in case of damage or theft. Always confirm exactly what is and isn’t covered before you set off.

Extra services available

When you make an online motorbike reservation you can also order the following extra services and equipment: integral helmet, GPS navigation, intercom, unlimited mileage, top case, side cases, boots, jacket, gloves, individual guide or tour, map, full insurance, one-way rental, or delivery to your chosen address.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Compare prices from multiple local rental companies in one place;
• Read reviews from previous customers;
• Reserve online with a Best Price Guarantee;
• Friendly support if your plans change.

Most of our motorcycle rental providers have years of experience and will equip you with a well-maintained bike, helmet and insurance for the ride ahead. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a motorcycle locally, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!