Motorcycle Rentals in Lesbos (Lesvos) island

Picture a morning ride out of Mytilene harbor, castle walls catching the light behind you, the road opening up toward olive groves and the wide sweep of the Gulf of Kalloni. Lesbos rewards exactly this kind of freedom — a couple of hours west and you're winding up to Molyvos, its Genoese castle looking down over a maze of stone houses, or further on to the black volcanic ridges around the Petrified Forest of Sigri. This is not an island you see from a bus window; it's one you ride into.

Lesbos is big — Mytilene to Sigri is close to 90km — and its landscape shifts constantly, from coastal flats to switchbacking mountain roads through pine forest and olive terraces. Public transport can't cover that ground on your schedule, and taxis add up fast. A scooter or a mid-size motorcycle lets you string together villages, beaches and viewpoints in a single day, and outside Mytilene town the traffic is light enough that even a moderately experienced rider feels at ease. If you want to rent a motorcycle in Mytilene, this is really the only way to see the island properly.

Top 10 things to see in Mytilene by motorcycle

1. Mytilene Castle — the Byzantine-Genoese-Ottoman fortress overlooking the capital's harbor, a natural spot to start or end your loops around the island.
2. Molyvos (Mithymna) — a hilltop castle above a stone-built village on the north coast, one of the most photographed rides you'll do here.
3. Eftalou hot springs — seaside thermal baths just past Molyvos, an easy detour to round off the north coast run.
4. Petrified Forest of Sigri — a UNESCO-listed fossilized forest at the island's wild western tip.
5. Ipsilou Monastery — a clifftop monastery near Sigri with sweeping views across the western hills.
6. Skala Eresou — a relaxed beach town on the southwest coast, birthplace of Sappho, with a long stretch of sand.
7. Gulf of Kalloni salt pans — wetlands and flamingos along the road between Mytilene and the west, worth a slow pass.
8. Agiasos — a mountain village on Mount Olympus known for pottery, reached by a scenic switchback climb.
9. Plomari — a harbor town on the south coast famous for its ouzo distilleries and waterfront tavernas.
10. Vatera beach — one of the longest sandy beaches on the island, near Polichnitos on the south coast.

What do you need to rent a motorcycle in Mytilene?

For a 50cc moped, category AM is enough, and the minimum age is usually 16. Anything from 125cc up requires a matching motorcycle licence — A1, A2 or A depending on engine size and power — and rental shops are required to check that your licence covers the bike you want. A standard car licence does not qualify you to ride a scooter or motorcycle in Greece. If your licence isn't from an EU country, bring an International Driving Permit. Expect a deposit on top of the rental price, usually held on a credit card, with the amount set by the individual operator.

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

A 50-125cc scooter runs roughly EUR 20-28 per day in low season and EUR 30-45 in high season; larger 250cc-plus motorcycles go for EUR 45-70 a day in peak months, and premium 300cc-plus bikes can reach EUR 60-90.

• July and August are the priciest months, with demand pushing rates up and availability down.
• Shoulder months — May, June, September, October — bring lower rates with plenty of choice.
• Deep winter (November to March) is cheapest on paper, but many small rental shops close for the season entirely.

When to book a rental motorcycle in Mytilene?

If you're coming in July or August, book several weeks ahead — bikes sell out and prices sit at their highest. May-June and September-October are the sweet spot: mild weather, thinner crowds, and better rates, usually bookable with just a week or two of notice. Outside that window, from November through March, check ahead that a shop is even open before you count on riding.

Local traffic rules in Mytilene

Greece drives on the right. Helmets are compulsory for rider and passenger alike, and police do enforce this, with real fines for skipping one. Speed limits are 50 km/h in built-up areas and 90 km/h on the open road, lower for smaller-engine bikes. The blood-alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l generally, but drops to a stricter 0.2 g/l for motorcyclists. Keep your licence, IDP, rental agreement and insurance papers with you whenever you ride, and stick to paved roads — insurance almost never covers dirt tracks or beaches.

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!