Bicycle rentals on Ios island

Picture stepping off the ferry in Ormos and, twenty minutes later, parking on the sand at Mylopotas Beach with nothing but a helmet in your hand. That's what a scooter buys you on Ios — the freedom to swap the whitewashed lanes of Chora for a swim, a windmill sunset, or a quiet stretch of coast, all on your own clock. This is a small island built for wandering, and the best way to see it is on two wheels.

Ios is Cycladic through and through: a tight web of roads linking the port, the hilltop old town and a handful of beaches, with distances measured in a few kilometres but slopes steep enough to make walking a chore and buses a gamble. A scooter or light motorbike handles the climbs easily and gets you to the south and east coast beaches that public transport barely bothers with. If you plan to rent a scooter in Ios, you'll have the whole island within reach in under half an hour.

Top 10 things to see in Ios by scooter

1. Mylopotas Beach — the island's main sandy stretch below Chora, great for swimming and watersports, and an easy flat ride from town.
2. Chora (Ios Town) — the whitewashed hilltop centre with windmills and churches, the natural place to start or end a ride.
3. Homer's Tomb (Plakoto) — a scenic run up to the island's north tip, said to be the poet's resting place, with sea views the whole way.
4. Manganari Beach — a longer crossing to the south coast, rewarded with a cluster of quiet, turquoise coves.
5. Agia Theodoti Beach — a rural road past a small chapel and a ruined Venetian kastro leads to this uncrowded east-coast beach.
6. Paleokastro — a ruined Venetian castle above Chora, a short climb for panoramic views over the Aegean.
7. Koumbara Beach — minutes from Chora and the port, perfect for a quick first swim.
8. Psathi Beach — remote and scenic, on the northeast coast, for riders after a quieter detour.
9. Plakotos — a small settlement near the island's north end with sweeping sea views.
10. Ormos (Ios Port) — the waterfront village with its tavernas, a natural loop point linking back to Chora and Mylopotas.

What do you need to rent a scooter in Ios?

For mopeds up to 50cc you'll need at least an AM category licence, while anything 125cc and above requires the matching motorcycle category (A1, A2 or A) — a standard car licence isn't accepted as a substitute in Greece. The minimum age is 16 for 50cc mopeds and 18 for the larger categories, though many rental shops set their own higher minimums. If your licence isn't from the EU, bring an International Driving Permit. Expect to leave a deposit, usually as a credit-card hold, with the amount varying by operator and vehicle.

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

Prices swing a lot with the season. In low season you're looking at roughly 3–8 EUR per day, while high season runs about 15–25 EUR per day, and premium or larger models can reach 20–35 EUR per day.

• July and August are the priciest months, with demand at its peak.
• April, May and October offer the cheapest rates and the emptiest roads.

When to book a rental scooter in Ios?

High season runs July through August, when scooters sell out fast and prices climb; low season stretches from November to March, when many island rental shops close altogether. For the best mix of good weather, open roads and fair prices, aim for May, June, September or October, and book a few days ahead once summer approaches.

Local traffic rules in Ios

Greece drives on the right. Helmets are compulsory for both rider and passenger, and police enforcement is strict, with real fines for skipping one. Speed limits are 50 km/h in towns and villages, rising to 90 km/h on open roads. The blood-alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l generally, but a stricter 0.2 g/l applies to motorcyclists and new licence holders, so it's best to keep riding and drinking well apart. Stick to paved roads — insurance typically excludes dirt tracks and beaches entirely.

Types of bikes available

On our website you can rent the following types of bicycles: classic bikes, tandems, road bikes, carbon, cyclocross, touring, trekking, hybrid, mountain bikes (MTB), cruisers, comfort, city, commuter, urban, Dutch bikes, lady, bike for kids, folding, tricycles with three wheels, bikes with basket, with gears, with suspension, with rear rack, fat-tire bikes, electric bicycles.

Models of bicycles available

On our website you can hire a bike of the following manufacturers: Avanti, Batavus, Bianchi, Trek, Cannondale, Cube, Diamant, Felt, Scott, Gazelle, Genesis, Giant, GT Bicycles, Ideal, K2, Diamondback, Schwinn, Jamis, Raleigh, Kona, Kross, Merida, Mongoose, Next, Orbea, Órbita, Murray, Roadmaster, Rocky, Miele, Rover, Shimano, Vélo, Specialized.

Which insurance is provided with my rental bicycle?

Bicycle rentals typically come with basic cover for third-party damage, but theft and damage terms vary from one provider to another. Some include simple loss or damage protection in the price, while others cover it through your deposit; always check the exact terms on the booking page before you confirm.

Extra services available

When you make a reservation of a bicycle you also can order the following extra services and equipment: helmet, GPS navigation, clip pedals, side cases, rear rack, basket, light, gloves, speedometer, individual guide or tour, full insurance, one-way rental, or delivery to the address of your choice.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Find the best deals for bicycle hire in the city;
• Compare prices of bicycle rental companies;
• Read reviews of previous customers;
• Reserve a bicycle online with the Best Price Guarantee!

Most of our local bicycle rentals have many years of experience and will provide you with a well-kept bike, lock, basket and friendly service. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a bicycle, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!