Scooter, Bicycle, ATV, Motorbike Rentals in Taormina and Giardini Naxos

Perched on its cliff above the Ionian Sea, Taormina rewards anyone willing to skip the coach tours and go exploring on two wheels. Picture riding down to the pebble shores of Isola Bella in ten minutes, or climbing the switchbacks to Castelmola for a granita on a terrace with the whole coastline spread out below you. A scooter turns those trips from a logistical headache into the best part of the day.

Taormina's old town clings to a steep hillside, and its lanes were laid out centuries before anyone imagined a car. Parking is scarce and pricey, traffic on the coast road backs up fast in summer, and the villages, beaches and gorges worth seeing are scattered well beyond walking distance. A scooter slips through the jams, tucks into spots a car never could, and gets you to Castelmola, Forza d'Agrò or the Alcantara Gorge on your own schedule.

Top 10 things to see in Taormina by scooter

1. Teatro Antico di Taormina (Ancient Greek Theatre) — the clifftop Greek theatre with Mount Etna framed behind the stage, Taormina's must-see and an easy ride up from the coast road.
2. Isola Bella — a tied-island nature reserve with a pebble beach just below town; riding down beats queuing for the cable car.
3. Castelmola — a hilltop village reached by a tight, winding road, with panoramic terrace bars over the entire coast.
4. Giardini Naxos — a beach town just south along the coast, site of Sicily's first Greek colony, with long sandy stretches for a swim stop.
5. Mount Etna (Rifugio Sapienza area) — Europe's highest active volcano, a longer scenic ride south via Nicolosi or Zafferana to the lava fields and cable car.
6. Gole dell'Alcantara — a basalt river gorge inland, a favourite half-day ride for dramatic rock formations and cold-water swimming.
7. Piazza IX Aprile — the terrace square with the classic postcard view over the bay and Etna, close to easy parking near Porta Messina.
8. Corso Umberto — Taormina's pedestrian main street, the natural spot to park up and explore the old town on foot.
9. Castello di Taormina (Monte Tauro) — a ruined hilltop castle above town, reached by a steep switchback climb rewarded with 360-degree views.
10. Forza d'Agrò — a medieval hill village north of Taormina on a scenic mountain road, known for its church and its Godfather filming locations.

What do you need to rent a scooter in Taormina?

For a 50cc moped up to 45 km/h, an AM category licence is enough. Anything from 50cc up to 125cc calls for an A1 licence, though holders of a full car (B) licence may sometimes ride a 125cc scooter in Italy — rental operators vary on whether they accept a foreign B licence for this, so confirm before you book. If your licence was issued outside the EU/EEA, bring an International Driving Permit alongside it. Expect a deposit, usually a credit card hold, and most operators ask for a minimum age of 18.

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

A basic 50cc scooter runs 5–15 EUR per day in low season and climbs to 25–45 EUR per day at the height of summer. Larger or automatic 125cc-plus scooters and premium models cost 40–70 EUR per day, especially in high season.

• Prices are lowest from November through February, outside the Christmas and New Year peak.
• Rates climb steadily through spring and peak hardest in July and August.
• Booking ahead in summer secures both the better rate and the vehicle you actually want.

When to book a rental scooter in Taormina?

High season runs June through August, with July and August the busiest and priciest months on the coast. Low season stretches from November to March, when demand and rates both drop and some seasonal outlets close entirely. If you can, aim for May, June, September or early October — mild weather, thinner crowds, and easier availability than midsummer.

Local traffic rules in Taormina

Italy drives on the right. Helmets are compulsory for every rider and passenger on a scooter, no exceptions by age. Speed limits are 50 km/h in town, 90 km/h on ordinary roads outside built-up areas, and up to 110 km/h on the fastest extra-urban roads — though Taormina's switchbacks rarely let you get near that. A 50cc moped is capped at 45 km/h and can't use motorways or main dual carriageways. The blood-alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l, dropping to zero for riders under 21 or holding a licence less than three years. Dipped headlights stay on at all times, day and night.

Most of our scooter rentals in Taormina come from operators with years of local experience, handing over a brand-new vehicle, helmet, insurance and friendly service. If you want to rent a scooter in Taormina, 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!