Top 5 best motorcycle rentals in Donousa

Picture this: a boat pulls into the tiny harbour at Stavros, and within ten minutes you're on two wheels, climbing out of the village with the whole island ahead of you. Donousa is small enough to feel like your own private discovery, and a scooter is the key to it — you'll be swimming at Kedros Beach before lunch and watching the sun drop from the chapel above Stavros by evening. If you're going to rent a motorcycle in Donousa, this is exactly why: nowhere else in the Cyclades lets you cover so much ground, so effortlessly, in a single afternoon.

Donousa measures only a few kilometres across, with one main road connecting Stavros to the northern villages and a scatter of dirt spurs leading down to the beaches. There's barely any traffic to speak of, so a scooter or small ATV can take you from one end of the island to the other in an afternoon, reaching coves and viewpoints the local buses simply don't serve. The terrain gets hilly and partly unpaved past the main village, which is exactly where two wheels beat walking — or a car you'd struggle to park anyway.

Top 10 things to see in Donousa by motorcycle

1. Stavros (Chora) — the island's tiny port village and main hub, with tavernas and the ferry dock where every ride begins.
2. Kedros Beach — Donousa's best-known beach, a long sandy stretch a short ride from Stavros and the classic first stop.
3. Fikio Beach — a quieter sandy cove near Kedros, reachable on the same coastal track for a low-key swim.
4. Livadi Beach — sheltered and close to Stavros, easy to fit in on a short evening ride.
5. Mersini — a small inland village with a taverna and valley views, a scenic detour off the main road.
6. Kalotaritissa — a remote settlement at the island's northern end; the ride there is one of the most scenic on Donousa.
7. Messaria — a quiet hillside village en route to Kalotaritissa, worth a stop for the view back over the coast.
8. Sarakiniko Beach — a more secluded beach further north, good for a quieter swim away from the Kedros crowds.
9. Panagia tou Roukounioti — a small hillside chapel outside Stavros with a fine sunset view over the port.
10. The coastal road to Kalotaritissa — the route itself is the real attraction, with cliffside views the whole way and best ridden by scooter or quad.

What do you need to rent a motorcycle in Donousa?

For mopeds up to 50cc you'll need at least a category AM licence; anything 125cc or above requires the matching motorcycle category (A1, A2 or A) — a car licence won't cover you here. The minimum age is generally 16 for AM, 18 for the motorcycle categories, though rental shops often set their own higher minimum and may ask for a minimum time you've held the licence. Non-EU visitors should carry an International Driving Permit. A deposit is standard, usually held on a credit card, with the amount set by the individual operator.

How much does it cost to rent a motorcycle in Donousa?

Expect around 20–25 EUR per day in low season and 30–40 EUR in high season, with a larger scooter or ATV running roughly 40–55 EUR per day.

• Cheapest in May, June, September and October, the shoulder months either side of summer.
• Priciest in July and August, when demand on the small islands peaks.
• Booking ahead matters more here than on bigger islands, since Donousa has only a handful of vehicles to go round.

When to book a rental motorcycle in Donousa?

High season runs July to August, with the highest prices and the greatest risk of everything being booked out on such a small island. Low season, roughly November through March, is quieter but many island rental shops close entirely over the winter. May–June and September–October hit the sweet spot: mild weather, lower prices, and enough operators open to get a scooter without stress — book a few days ahead even then.

Local traffic rules in Donousa

Greece drives on the right. Helmets are compulsory for rider and passenger alike, and it's strictly enforced with real fines if you skip one. Speed limits top out at 50 km/h in built-up areas and 90 km/h on the open road, though Donousa's narrow, unlit lanes rarely let you get near that. The blood-alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l generally, but a stricter 0.2 g/l applies to anyone on a motorcycle — so it's best to leave the wine for after you've parked. Keep in mind that rental insurance almost never covers unpaved roads or beach tracks, so stick to the tarmac where you can and always carry your licence, IDP and rental papers with you.

Types of motorcycles available

On our website you can rent the following types of motorcycles: cruiser, sport, touring, standard, classic, dual-purpose, dirt bikes, street, naked bikes or roadsters, choppers, custom, streetfighter, sport-touring, dual-sport, on-road, off-road, adventure motorcycles, supermoto, scrambler, motorcycle with sidecar, enduro, motocross mx, trail, motards, tricycles, bikes with automatic or manual gears, luxury motorbikes.

Models of motorcycles available

On our website you can hire motorcycles from the following manufacturers: BMW, Harley Davidson, Aprilia, Buell, Cagiva, Ducati, Gilera, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, KTM, Husqvarna, Jawa, MV Agusta, Moto Guzzi, Triumph, Benelli, Bajaj, Indian, Royal Enfield, TVS, Beta, Bimota.

Which insurance is provided?

Most providers include basic third-party liability insurance in the rental price, with options to upgrade to fuller coverage that reduces or removes your deposit liability in case of damage or theft. Always confirm exactly what is and isn’t covered before you set off.

Extra services available

When you make an online motorbike 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, or delivery to your chosen address.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Compare prices from multiple local rental companies in one place;
• Read reviews from previous customers;
• Reserve online with a Best Price Guarantee;
• Friendly support if your plans change.

Most of our motorcycle rental providers have years of experience and will equip you with a well-maintained bike, helmet and insurance for the ride ahead. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a motorcycle locally, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!