Motorcycle Rentals in Heraklion, Greece

Heraklion rewards anyone willing to put a motorcycle between their knees. Start at the Venetian Harbour, where the old fortress of Koules guards the water, then head inland to Knossos Palace in under twenty minutes — no bus schedule, no tour group, just you and Crete's most famous ruins. From there the island opens up: mountain roads climbing toward the Lasithi Plateau, coastal stretches toward Agios Nikolaos, and beaches that stay half-empty because most visitors never get past the resort strip.

Heraklion's old town wasn't built for cars. The streets are narrow, one-way, and short on parking, so a scooter slips through where a rental car gets stuck circling the block. But the real case for two wheels is outside the city. Crete's gorges, plateaus and remote beaches sit at the end of winding roads that turn tedious in a car and genuinely enjoyable on a bike — this is an island made for **motorcycle rental in Heraklion**, not for queuing at bus stops.

Top 10 things to see in Heraklion by motorcycle

1. Knossos Palace — the Minoan palace ruins, Crete's top archaeological site, a short ride south of the city.
2. Heraklion Venetian Harbour & Koules Fortress — the old port fortress and waterfront, an easy starting or ending point for any ride.
3. Agios Nikolaos — a scenic coastal ride east to a picturesque lakeside harbor town.
4. Elafonisi Beach — the famous pink-sand lagoon, a long but classic full-day ride across the island.
5. Balos Lagoon — a turquoise lagoon and viewpoint in the far west, with dramatic coastal views along the way.
6. Samaria Gorge — Europe's longest gorge, reached by a scenic mountain road into the Lefka Ori (White Mountains).
7. Rethymno Old Town — a Venetian old town with its own fortress, a relaxed coastal ride west of Heraklion.
8. Matala Beach — a famous cove beach with man-made caves, a good day-trip destination on the south coast.
9. Lasithi Plateau — a high mountain plateau with old windmills, reached by a winding scenic drive inland.
10. Vai Beach — a palm-forest beach in the far east of Crete, worth a dedicated day trip.

What do you need to rent a motorcycle in Heraklion?

Your licence needs to match the bike: an AM category covers 50cc mopeds, while anything 125cc and up needs the matching motorcycle category — A1, A2 or A. A Greek rental shop won't accept a plain car licence as a substitute. Minimum age is generally 16 for 50cc mopeds and 18 for the larger categories, though many rental companies set their own higher minimum and expect you to have held your licence for a while. Non-EU visitors should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their home licence. Expect to leave a deposit, usually as a credit-card hold, with the exact amount set by the individual rental company.

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

Prices move with the season, and it pays to book with that in mind.

• Low season (roughly November–March): around 20-30 EUR per day for a standard scooter or small motorcycle.
• High season (July–August): 35-55 EUR per day for a standard model, climbing to 50-80+ EUR per day for larger-displacement or premium bikes.
• Book ahead in peak summer — popular models sell out fast once the island fills up.

When to book a rental motorcycle in Heraklion?

July and August are Heraklion's high season: the busiest roads, the highest prices, and heat that can climb past 35°C, which makes full riding gear uncomfortable. November through March is low season, with the cheapest rates but some smaller operators reducing hours or closing for the winter. If you can, aim for May-June or September-October — the weather is kinder, the roads are quieter, and prices sit well below peak summer.

Local traffic rules in Heraklion

Greece drives on the right. Helmets are compulsory for both rider and passenger on any scooter or motorcycle, and police enforcement is strict, with real fines behind it. Speed limits run 50 km/h in built-up areas and up to 90-110 km/h on open roads outside town. The blood-alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l for most drivers, but motorcyclists and new licence-holders face a stricter 0.2 g/l. Keep your licence, IDP and rental papers with you while riding, and stick to paved roads — rental insurance almost always excludes dirt tracks, beaches and unpaved routes, so leaving the tarmac can void your cover entirely.

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!