Top 5 best scooter rentals in Ithaca (Ithaka)

Ithaca doesn't feel like an island built for cars. It feels like one built for a scooter — narrow lanes dropping down to Kioni's harbor, hairpin bends climbing toward Stavros, and quiet coves that most visitors never reach because the road in is too tight for a bus. Start in Vathy, the island's little capital, and within twenty minutes you can be sipping coffee on a fishing quay that has barely changed in decades. That's the whole appeal of a scooter rental in Ithaca: the island is small enough to circle in a day, but scattered enough that you need your own wheels to see it properly.

Ithaca is mountainous and compact, laced with winding roads that connect its handful of villages — most rides between them take under 30 or 40 minutes. A car feels oversized on these lanes, and a scooter turns every steep grade and blind hairpin into part of the fun rather than a hassle. Outside a few busy days in August, traffic is close to nonexistent, so a **scooter hire in Ithaca** opens up cove beaches, hilltop ruins and viewpoints that larger tour groups simply can't get to.

Top 10 things to see in Ithaca by scooter

1. Vathy (Ithaki Town) — the island's capital and port, with harbor cafes and an easy starting point for any loop.
2. Kioni — a picturesque harbor village on the northeast coast, all tavernas built right over the water.
3. Frikes — a small ferry-port village reached by a scenic, winding descent from Vathy or Stavros.
4. Stavros — the main village of the north, near the site many associate with Homer's Odysseus.
5. Cave of the Nymphs (Marmarospilia) — a legendary cave near Vathy tied to the Odyssey, a short ride plus a walk.
6. School of Homer archaeological site — hilltop ruins near Stavros with sweeping views over the north channel.
7. Anogi — a quiet mountain village with a Venetian bell tower and old frescoed church, worth the uphill ride.
8. Gidaki Beach — an isolated cove reachable by a short ride plus footpath, often called Ithaca's best beach.
9. Filiatro Beach — a long pebble-and-sand beach close to Vathy, with easy scooter access.
10. Perachori — a hillside village above Vathy with panoramic harbor views, best at sunset.

What do you need to rent a scooter in Ithaca?

For mopeds up to 50cc, a category AM licence is enough, and the minimum age is generally 16 — though most rental shops set their own higher minimum. Anything 125cc or above requires a proper motorcycle licence (A1, A2 or A) matched to the bike's power; a standard car licence won't cover it here. Non-EU visitors should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their licence. Expect to leave a deposit, usually as a credit-card hold, with the amount varying by shop and vehicle.

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

Prices swing a lot with the season. In low season you can find a scooter for as little as 5-12 EUR per day, while in July and August, the busiest and priciest stretch, daily rates typically run 20-35 EUR. Premium models go for 30-50 EUR per day year-round.

• Cheapest: November to March, though many island shops close entirely over deep winter.
• Priciest and busiest: July-August, when scooters can sell out in advance.
• Best value: shoulder months like May, June, September and October combine good weather with calmer prices.

When to book a rental scooter in Ithaca?

If you're travelling in July or August, book ahead — availability tightens and prices sit at their yearly high. Shoulder season, from May to June and again in September to October, is the sweet spot: fewer crowds, milder heat, and rates well below the summer peak. Come November through March, plan carefully, since many rental shops shut down for the off-season and options thin out fast.

Local traffic rules in Ithaca

Greece drives on the right, and helmets are compulsory for riders and passengers alike — enforcement is strict and fines aren't small. Speed limits top out at 50 km/h in villages, 90 km/h on open roads and up to 130 km/h on motorways, though Ithaca's winding lanes rarely let you get near those numbers anyway. The blood-alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l generally, but drops to 0.2 g/l for motorcyclists, so it's best to treat riding and drinking as mutually exclusive. Keep your licence, IDP and rental papers with you, and stick to paved roads — insurance typically excludes dirt tracks and beaches entirely.

Most of our scooter rentals in Ithaca come from operators with years of local experience, offering a well-maintained bike, a helmet, insurance and genuinely friendly service. If you want to rent a scooter in Ithaca, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!

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!