Bicycle Rentals on Patmos island

Patmos rewards anyone willing to cover a little ground. This is a small, hilly Dodecanese island where a single road links the harbor at Skala to the fortress-monastery crowning Chora, and where half the best beaches sit just out of easy reach of the local bus. Hop on a scooter and the island opens up: you can watch the sun catch the whitewashed walls of Chora, swim at the sheltered cove of Grikos Bay, then still make it back for dinner on the Skala waterfront. Renting a scooter on Patmos isn't just convenient — it's the difference between seeing the postcard version of the island and actually living in it for a day.

Patmos measures barely 34 square kilometers, so nothing is ever really far — but "close" doesn't mean "flat." The climb from Skala up to Chora is short and steep, more than most cyclists want to take on in the Aegean sun, while a car feels oversized on the island's narrow lanes and impossible to park in Chora's old town. A scooter or light moped splits the difference: quick enough to reach beaches the infrequent buses skip, nimble enough to squeeze into a tiny parking spot, and genuinely enjoyable on quiet coastal roads with the sea always somewhere in view.

Top 10 things to see in Patmos by scooter

1. Monastery of Saint John the Theologian (Chora) — the UNESCO-listed fortress-monastery crowning the island's highest hilltop town, a steep but short ride up from Skala.
2. Cave of the Apocalypse (Grotto of St. Anne) — where St. John is said to have received the Book of Revelation, right on the road between Skala and Chora.
3. Chora old town — whitewashed 17th- and 18th-century captains' houses and maze-like lanes around the monastery, best explored on foot once you've parked.
4. Grikos Bay — a sheltered pebble-and-sand beach with a relaxed village and tavernas, an easy coastal ride south from Skala.
5. Psili Ammos Beach — a sandy favorite reached via a short unpaved track from Diakofti, worth the ride for the walk-in arrival.
6. Lambi Beach — known for its colorful pebbles, on a scenic route across the island's narrow waist.
7. Kambos Beach — a family-friendly sandy beach with watersports, a straightforward ride north of Skala.
8. Petra Beach — a quiet stretch near Grikos with a striking rock formation just offshore.
9. Skala waterfront and harbor — the island's port and main town, and the natural starting point for any bike route.
10. Geranos / Diakofti coastal road — a scenic minor road along the south coast linking Grikos to the Psili Ammos trailhead.

What do you need to rent a scooter in Patmos?

For a 50cc moped, an AM category licence is enough, and you'll need to be at least 16. Anything 125cc and above calls for a matching motorcycle licence (A1, A2 or A) — a plain car licence won't cover you here. Non-EU visitors should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their home licence. Rental shops will also ask for a deposit, usually held on a credit card, with the exact amount varying by operator and by bike.

How much does it cost to rent a scooter in Patmos?

Prices swing a lot with the season. A basic scooter starts around EUR 3 per day in the quietest months and climbs to roughly EUR 12–20 per day in high season; larger motorbikes, quads or buggies can run EUR 25–40 or more per day at the July–August peak.

• Cheapest rates: November to March, though many rental shops close for the winter.
• Realistic low-price riding season: April–May and October.
• Highest prices and least availability: July and August.

When to book a rental scooter in Patmos?

July and August are peak season on Patmos — scooters and quads sell out early and prices sit at their highest, so book a few weeks ahead if you're travelling then. May, June, September and October offer a gentler mix of good weather and lower prices, and are the sweet spot for exploring without rushing. Outside of that, from November to March, the island quiets down and many rental shops shut entirely, so check availability before you count on picking up a bike.

Local traffic rules in Patmos

Greece drives on the right. Helmets are compulsory for every rider and passenger on a scooter, moped or motorcycle, and police enforcement is strict, with real fines for skipping one. Speed limits top out at 50 km/h in towns and villages and 90 km/h on the open road, though Patmos's narrow, winding lanes rarely let you get near that. The blood-alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l generally, tightened to 0.2 g/l for motorcyclists, so it's safest to treat riding and drinking as mutually exclusive. Keep in mind that rental insurance almost never covers unpaved tracks or beach riding, so stick to the tarmac and you'll stay both legal and covered.

Types of bikes available

On our website you can rent the following types of bicycles: classic bikes, tandems, road bikes, carbon, cyclocross, touring, trekking, hybrid, mountain bikes (MTB), cruisers, comfort, city, commuter, urban, Dutch bikes, lady, bike for kids, folding, tricycles with three wheels, bikes with basket, with gears, with suspension, with rear rack, fat-tire bikes, electric bicycles.

Models of bicycles available

On our website you can hire a bike of the following manufacturers: Avanti, Batavus, Bianchi, Trek, Cannondale, Cube, Diamant, Felt, Scott, Gazelle, Genesis, Giant, GT Bicycles, Ideal, K2, Diamondback, Schwinn, Jamis, Raleigh, Kona, Kross, Merida, Mongoose, Next, Orbea, Órbita, Murray, Roadmaster, Rocky, Miele, Rover, Shimano, Vélo, Specialized.

Which insurance is provided with my rental bicycle?

Bicycle rentals typically come with basic cover for third-party damage, but theft and damage terms vary from one provider to another. Some include simple loss or damage protection in the price, while others cover it through your deposit; always check the exact terms on the booking page before you confirm.

Extra services available

When you make a reservation of a bicycle you also can order the following extra services and equipment: helmet, GPS navigation, clip pedals, side cases, rear rack, basket, light, gloves, speedometer, individual guide or tour, full insurance, one-way rental, or delivery to the address of your choice.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Find the best deals for bicycle hire in the city;
• Compare prices of bicycle rental companies;
• Read reviews of previous customers;
• Reserve a bicycle online with the Best Price Guarantee!

Most of our local bicycle rentals have many years of experience and will provide you with a well-kept bike, lock, basket and friendly service. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a bicycle, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!