Motorcycle, bicycle, scooter rentals in Taranto

Taranto is where a scooter genuinely earns its keep. Cross the swing bridge into the old town at the right moment and you'll see it rotate open for a passing ship, then wander the narrow lanes of the Città Vecchia before riding the seafront out to the mussel rafts of the Mar Piccolo. It's a city that rewards moving around, not standing still.

The historic island is largely pedestrianised, so a car does you no favours there — you'll park it just outside and walk in anyway. What a scooter buys you is everything else: the modern town, the palm-lined Lungomare, and the beaches strung along the coast, some 20 to 60 minutes out, where summer parking for cars all but disappears. If you want to rent a scooter in Taranto, this is exactly the mix of short hops and longer coastal runs it's built for.

Top 10 things to see in Taranto by scooter

1. Città Vecchia (Taranto Old Town) — the island old town, dense with narrow lanes, the Cathedral of San Cataldo and views over both seas; park up and walk it.
2. Castello Aragonese — a 16th-century castle guarding the old town's canal entrance, with guided tours and views of the swing bridge in action.
3. Ponte Girevole — the rotating bridge linking old and new Taranto, best watched swinging open for a passing ship.
4. MArTA – Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Taranto — one of Italy's top archaeological museums, a short ride into the new town.
5. Lungomare Vittorio Emanuele III — a palm-lined seafront promenade along the Mar Grande, easy and scenic, with cafés along the way.
6. Villa Peripato — a shaded historic garden near the old town, a good stop between rides.
7. Mar Piccolo waterfront — ride around the inner sea to see Taranto's famous cozze, the mussel-farming rafts the city is known for.
8. Spiaggia di San Vito — a popular sandy beach a short ride east of the city, good for a swim stop.
9. Punta Prosciutto — a striking Salento beach with turquoise water, roughly 45–60 minutes down the coast and well worth the ride.
10. Marina di Pulsano / Lido Bruno coast — closer beaches and seaside restaurants south of the city, ideal for an easy half-day loop.

What do you need to rent a scooter in Taranto?

For a 50cc moped you need at least a category AM licence, obtainable in Italy from age 14. For anything from 50cc up to 125cc you'll need category A1, though holders of a full car licence may be able to ride a 125cc scooter under certain conditions — check with the operator before booking, as acceptance of a foreign licence varies. If your licence was issued outside the EU/EEA, bring an International Driving Permit. Most rental shops set their own minimum age, usually 18, and will ask for a security deposit, taken as a card hold or in cash, scaled to the value of the scooter.

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

Expect around EUR 5-15 per day in low season, rising to EUR 25-40 per day in high season, with newer 125cc+ models running EUR 35-50 per day in August.

• Cheapest from November through February, plus shoulder weeks in March and October.
• Priciest in July and August, Puglia's peak beach season.

When to book a rental scooter in Taranto?

July and August are the busiest and priciest months, when beach traffic to spots like Punta Prosciutto pushes demand up — book ahead if you're travelling then. Low season runs November to February, when prices drop and availability is easy, with March and October offering a good middle ground of mild weather and lighter crowds.

Local traffic rules in Taranto

Italy drives on the right. Helmets are compulsory for every rider and passenger on a scooter, moped or motorcycle, no exceptions. Speed limits are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km/h on regular roads outside towns, and 110 km/h on extra-urban dual carriageways; 50cc mopeds are capped at 45 km/h and can't use motorways or main dual carriageways. Headlights stay on at all times when riding. 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. Watch for ZTL restricted-traffic zones around the old town — entering without a permit brings an automatic fine.

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!