Top 5 best motorcycle rentals in Bologna

Bologna doesn't announce itself the way Rome or Florence do — and that's exactly its charm. Slip through the arcades of the historic centre on two wheels and you'll pass under the leaning Torre degli Asinelli before the traffic even notices you, then climb out toward the Santuario di San Luca, watching the city drop away behind the longest portico in the world. Keep going and the road turns into something else entirely: vineyard curves through the Colli Bolognesi, or a long ridge run over the Apennines toward Florence. Few cities pack this much riding variety into a single afternoon.

This is a city built for a bike, not a car. The historic centre is threaded with narrow lanes, a camera-enforced ZTL, and almost no parking, so a scooter slips through where a rental car just sits in traffic. Push past the ring road and the terrain does the rest: the hills start almost immediately, and Bologna sits at the doorstep of Italy's Motor Valley, home to Ducati, Ferrari and Lamborghini. If you want to rent a motorcycle in Bologna, you're choosing the one vehicle that turns both the old town and the surrounding hills into your own route.

Top 10 things to see in Bologna by motorcycle

1. Portici di San Luca / Santuario della Madonna di San Luca — a hilltop sanctuary reached via the world's longest portico, with a winding climb up Colle della Guardia and views over the whole city.
2. Piazza Maggiore and Le Due Torri — Bologna's historic heart and its leaning medieval towers, the natural starting point for any ride.
3. Colli Bolognesi — the hilly wine district just south of town, all tight curves, vineyards and osterie.
4. Passo della Futa — a classic Apennine pass on the road to Florence, loved by riders for its curves and ridge-top views.
5. Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola — the legendary F1 and MotoGP circuit, a short ride east and a must for any motorcycle fan.
6. Museo Ducati and Ducati Factory, Borgo Panigale — Ducati's home turf on the city's western edge, with a museum and factory tours.
7. Museo Enzo Ferrari, Modena, and Casa Museo Giorgio Morandi — a longer day out southeast, tying together Ferrari, Maserati and Lamborghini heritage.
8. Vignola and the Panaro Valley — cherry orchards, a medieval castle, and easy countryside roads west of the city.
9. Dozza — a hilltop village near Imola known for its painted house facades, an easy detour off the Imola road.
10. Marina di Ravenna — the nearest coast, about an hour east, for riders who want a taste of the Adriatic.

What do you need to rent a motorcycle in Bologna?

The licence you need depends on the machine: an A1 licence covers bikes up to 125cc, A2 covers mid-power motorcycles, and a full A licence is needed for anything unrestricted. EU licences are accepted as issued; if yours was issued outside the EU, bring an International Driving Permit alongside it. Rental companies in Bologna typically ask for a minimum age of 18 and hold a deposit, usually as a credit card authorisation, scaled to the value of the bike.

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

Expect to pay 25-35 EUR per day in low season, rising to 40-60 EUR per day in high season, with premium touring or sport models starting around 70-100+ EUR per day.

• Cheapest rates land between November and February.
• Prices climb steadily from spring, peaking June through August.
• Booking ahead in summer usually locks in a better rate.

When to book a rental motorcycle in Bologna?

June to August is Bologna's high season, when demand for a **scooter rental in Bologna** or a motorcycle both spike alongside the heat. If you can, aim for May, June, September or early October instead — the riding conditions are just as good, roads are quieter, and prices sit well below the midsummer peak. Winter, from November through March, is cheapest of all, though mountain routes like the Passo della Futa are best left to warmer months.

Local traffic rules in Bologna

Italy drives on the right. Helmets are compulsory for every rider and passenger, no exceptions, and motorcycles must keep their headlights on at all times, day or night. Speed limits are 50 km/h in town, 90 km/h on rural roads, and 110-130 km/h on faster roads and motorways. The blood-alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l, dropping to zero if you've held your licence less than three years. And watch for the ZTL around the historic centre — ride into it without a permit and the fine finds you months later, usually with a rental company admin fee attached.

Ready to see Bologna and its hills the way locals do? Use the search form at the top of the page to rent a motorcycle in Bologna, and 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!