Scooter Rentals in Sintra

Picture leaving the crowds at Palácio Nacional de Sintra behind and climbing the forested hill road toward Palácio da Pena under your own power, no tour bus schedule to follow. That's the appeal of a scooter rental in Sintra: you set the pace, stop wherever the view demands it, and still make it back down for dinner in town.

Sintra's roads are steep, narrow and full of switchbacks, and the historic centre gets so congested in high season that cars barely move and parking all but disappears. A scooter slips through where cars can't and gets you up to the hilltop palaces without the walk. It also closes the distance to the coast — Cabo da Roca and the beaches around Colares are a bit far on foot but an easy half-day loop on two wheels.

Top 10 things to see in Sintra by scooter

1. Palácio da Pena — the iconic hilltop Romanticist palace with sweeping views over the Sintra hills, and the top destination for anyone renting here.
2. Castelo dos Mouros — Moorish castle walls right next to Pena, reached by the same winding hill road.
3. Quinta da Regaleira — a Gothic mansion with grottoes and the famous Initiation Well, a short ride from the old town.
4. Palácio Nacional de Sintra — the twin-chimneyed palace in the historic centre, a natural start or end point for your loop.
5. Cabo da Roca — the westernmost point of mainland Europe, about a 15km ride along winding coastal roads.
6. Praia da Adraga — a dramatic, cliff-backed beach on the coast and a favourite scooter run from Sintra.
7. Praia Grande — a wide surf beach near Colares, best timed for sunset.
8. Palácio de Monserrate — an exotic Moorish-revival palace set in lush botanical gardens, quieter than Pena.
9. Convento dos Capuchos — a rustic, cork-lined 16th-century monastery tucked in the hills, worth the detour on a longer loop.
10. Azenhas do Mar — a whitewashed cliffside village further up the coast, one of the most photographed stops around.

What do you need to rent a scooter in Sintra?

For scooters up to 50cc, a category AM licence is enough, obtainable from age 16, and any full car (B) licence covers it too. If you'd rather ride a 125cc, you'll need an A1 motorcycle entitlement — note that Portugal's rule letting local B-licence holders ride 125cc doesn't extend to visiting drivers. Bring an International Driving Permit if your licence isn't from the EU/EEA, and expect a deposit, usually held on a credit card, with the exact amount set by the rental operator.

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

Prices on our website start around 5 EUR per day in the quiet winter months and typically run 15-25 EUR per day in high season, with larger or newer models going for 25-35 EUR per day.

• Cheapest: November to February
• Priciest: July and August
• Shoulder months sit comfortably in between

When to book a rental scooter in Sintra?

June through September is high season, with July and August the busiest and priciest weeks — book ahead if you're travelling then. November to March is low season, with the best rates but cooler, wetter weather. For the sweet spot, aim for April to June or September to October, when the roads are dry, the light is good, and things are far less crowded.

Local traffic rules in Sintra

Portugal drives on the right. Helmets are compulsory for every rider and passenger on a scooter. Speed limits are 50 km/h in town, 90 km/h on open roads and up to 120 km/h on motorways, though mopeds are capped at 45 km/h and can't use motorways at all. The blood alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l, dropping to 0.2 g/l if you've held your licence less than three years, and checks are common, so leave the wine for after you've parked. If you want to rent a scooter in Sintra, 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!