Top 5 best scooter rentals in Bologna

Bologna rewards anyone willing to look past the porticoes at street level and just start riding. Hop on a scooter and you can cross from the medieval huddle around Piazza Maggiore to the base of the Portico di San Luca in minutes, then climb the hill under nearly four kilometres of covered arcade to the sanctuary at the top, where the whole red-roofed city opens up below you. It's the kind of morning that on foot would eat your whole day — on two wheels it's just the start of one.

The historic center is compact but far from flat, and that combination is exactly where a scooter earns its keep. Distances that look walkable on a map turn tiring once you factor in the climb toward San Luca or a detour into the Colli Bolognesi hills, while a car is the wrong tool entirely for streets built for foot traffic centuries before anyone imagined parking. A scooter slips through the university quarter's narrow lanes, gets you into the Quadrilatero market district without circling for a space, and makes the hillside routes genuinely enjoyable rather than a chore.

Top 10 things to see in Bologna by scooter

1. Piazza Maggiore — the city's monumental heart, ringed by the Basilica di San Petronio and Palazzo d'Accursio, and the natural place to start.
2. Le Due Torri (Torre degli Asinelli e Garisenda) — Bologna's leaning towers, a short ride into the medieval center to see, and climb, up close.
3. Portico di San Luca — the world's longest portico, a covered arcade climbing toward the hills with sweeping views the higher you go.
4. Santuario della Madonna di San Luca — the hilltop sanctuary at the end of the portico, with panoramic views over Bologna and the plain beyond.
5. Piazza Santo Stefano — the charming Sette Chiese complex, quieter and more intimate than Piazza Maggiore.
6. Quadrilatero market district — narrow medieval lanes packed with food stalls and delis, best reached by scooter and then explored on foot.
7. Giardini Margherita — the city's largest park, an easy loop for a break from the historic core.
8. MAMbo (Museo d'Arte Moderna di Bologna) — a contemporary art stop in the former Forno del Pane, a change of pace from the medieval streets.
9. Via Zamboni and the University quarter — the historic university street lined with palazzi, theaters and student energy.
10. Colli Bolognesi — the hills south toward Sasso Marconi, ideal for a longer countryside ride once you've had your fill of the center.

What do you need to rent a scooter in Bologna?

For anything up to 50cc you'll need at least a category AM licence; scooters between 50cc and 125cc call for category A1. A full car licence (category B) can sometimes cover a 125cc scooter within Italy, but rental firms differ on whether they'll accept a foreign B licence for this, so it's worth confirming when you book. If your licence wasn't issued in the EU/EEA, bring an International Driving Permit. Most operators want riders to be adults, and you should expect to leave a deposit, usually a hold on your credit card, scaled to the value of the scooter.

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

Prices swing a lot with the season. In low season you're typically looking at EUR 5–8 per day, while high season runs EUR 12–20 per day; larger or premium 125cc+ models cost more, around EUR 20–30 per day.

• Cheapest: November through February, when demand drops off.
• Priciest: June through August, when summer travel and the city's busy graduation season overlap.

When to book a rental scooter in Bologna?

If you're flexible, aim for the shoulder months: prices are gentler outside June–August, and you'll find scooters easier to book on short notice. Come summer, especially with graduation ceremonies drawing extra visitors, it pays to reserve ahead rather than hope for same-day availability at low-season rates.

Local traffic rules in Bologna

Italy drives on the right. Helmets are mandatory for every rider and passenger on a scooter, no exceptions by age. Speed limits are 50 km/h in built-up areas and 90 km/h on ordinary roads outside town, with 50cc mopeds capped at 45 km/h and kept off motorways and main dual carriageways. The blood-alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l, dropping to zero for riders under 21 or who've held a licence less than three years. Keep dipped headlights on at all times, and watch for Bologna's ZTL restricted zones in the historic center — ride into one without a permit and the fine will find you weeks later, plus an admin fee from the rental company.

Types of scooters available

On our website you can rent the following types of scooters: classic scooter, Vespa, moped, motoroller, motoscooter, with a sidecar, with automatic or manual gears, three-wheeled scooters, large, maxi-scooter, touring, scooters with a windscreen and a roof, underbones, electric scooters.

Models of scooters available

On our website you can hire scooters from the following manufacturers: Adly, Aeon, Aprilia, Piaggio, Bajaj, Benelli, Beta, BMW, Derbi, Gilera, Honda, Kawasaki, Kymco, LML, Malaguti, Peugeot, PGO, Suzuki, SYM, TVS, Vespa, Yamaha.

Which insurance is provided with my rental scooter?

Usually basic third-party insurance is included in the rental price. If you wish to have more protection you can purchase additional CDW insurance, which limits your risk to the amount of your deposit. If you wish to rent a scooter without a deposit and with zero risk, you will need to add full insurance to your reservation.

Extra services available

When you make an online scooter 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, delivery to your hotel, delivery to your address, delivery to the arrival point of your choice.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

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

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