Scooter Rentals in Heraklion, Greece

Heraklion's old town is a tangle of narrow, one-way lanes that a car simply can't navigate gracefully, but on two wheels you can slip past the crowds at the Venetian harbour, park right outside a taverna, and be on the road to Knossos Palace within minutes. Rent a scooter in Heraklion and Crete opens up properly: the Minoan ruins at Knossos, the cave-pocked sands of Matala, the windmill-studded Lasithi Plateau — all within comfortable reach, with plenty of room to stop wherever the view demands it.

This is a city built for a scooter, not a car. Parking in the old town is scarce and the streets around the harbour weren't designed with traffic in mind, so a compact bike gets you in and out with none of the hassle. Beyond the city, the island's best sights sit 20 to 90 minutes away on decent secondary roads — close enough for a scooter, far enough that walking or waiting on buses would eat your whole day. And unlike a tour bus, you can pull over at any viewpoint or quiet cove along the coast road whenever something catches your eye.

Top 10 things to see in Heraklion by scooter

1. Knossos Palace — the must-see Minoan archaeological site, a short ride south of the city and the top day-trip target for anyone renting a scooter in Heraklion.
2. Heraklion Old Venetian Harbour & Koules Fortress — a compact old-town waterfront ride, an easy first stop to get your bearings and see the 16th-century fortress.
3. Agios Nikolaos — a scenic coastal ride east along the old national road, known for its lagoon and harbour-town atmosphere.
4. Matala Beach — famous for its sandstone caves and laid-back vibe, reached via a winding drive through the Messara plain.
5. Lasithi Plateau — a high-altitude plateau with old stone windmills, reached via mountain switchbacks — a favourite for a more adventurous ride.
6. Balos Lagoon viewpoint — one of Crete's most photographed turquoise lagoons; a longer trip from Heraklion, but a bucket-list ride.
7. Vai Beach — famous for the natural palm forest backing the sand, a long but rewarding ride toward the island's eastern tip.
8. Gorge of Samaria — Crete's most famous gorge; riders head this way to start the trailhead drive through the White Mountains foothills.
9. Rethymno Old Town — an easy coastal-road ride west, with a well-preserved Venetian old town and fortress worth the detour.
10. Psiloritis (Mount Ida) foothill villages — mountain villages like Anogeia and Zaros offer a cooler, scenic alternative to the coast.

What do you need to rent a scooter in Heraklion?

For a 50cc moped you'll need at least an AM category licence and to be 16 or older; anything from 125cc up requires a matching motorcycle licence (A1, A2 or A) and you must be 18. A standard car licence won't cover you on a 125cc scooter in Greece, so check the engine size before you book. Non-EU visitors should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their home licence. Expect to leave a deposit, usually held on a credit card, with the amount set by the individual rental operator.

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

Average rental price runs from 5 to 10 EUR per day in low season and 12 to 20 EUR per day in high season, with bigger-engine or newer 125cc+ models reaching 20 to 30 EUR per day at the peak.

• Cheapest months: November to February.
• Dearest months: July and August, when demand is highest and scooters can sell out.

When to book a rental scooter in Heraklion?

High season runs July through August, when prices peak and the best scooters go fast, so book a few weeks ahead if you're travelling then. Low season, November to March, is quieter and cheaper, though many island rental shops close for the winter entirely. May, June, September and October hit the sweet spot: mild weather, thinner crowds, and prices well below the August rush.

Local traffic rules in Heraklion

Greece drives on the right. Helmets are compulsory for both rider and passenger, and enforcement is strict with substantial fines for skipping one. Speed limits are 50 km/h in built-up areas and 90 km/h on open roads outside town. The blood-alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l for most drivers, but a stricter 0.2 g/l applies to motorcyclists, so it's best to skip the ouzo before you ride. Keep to paved roads, too — insurance almost always excludes dirt tracks and beaches, and riding a bike outside your licence category will void your cover if you're stopped.

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!