Motorcycle Rentals in Rethymno

Picture swapping the tour bus for a motorcycle and having Crete's northwest coast entirely on your own schedule. In Rethymno, Greece, that's exactly what a rental gets you: a quick spin through the Venetian harbour in the morning, then a run up into the Kourtaliotiko Gorge before lunch on the sand at Preveli. Rethymno rewards riders who want more than the old town's cobbled lanes — the real prize is everything within an hour of it.

The old town itself is largely pedestrian, with narrow streets and next to no car parking, so a scooter is genuinely the easiest way in and out. But the bigger reason to rent a motorcycle in Rethymno is the terrain around it: gorges, mountain villages and south-coast beaches like Preveli and Plakias sit 30 to 60 minutes away on winding roads that a rental car simply can't do justice to. On two wheels, those roads become the highlight of the trip rather than an obstacle to it.

Top 10 things to see in Rethymno by motorcycle

1. Rethymno Old Town & Venetian Harbour — cobbled lanes, Ottoman minarets and the lighthouse; the natural start and end point for any ride, with easy scooter parking.
2. Fortezza of Rethymno — the huge Venetian fortress above the old town, worth the short ride up for the walls and sunset views over the sea.
3. Preveli Beach & Preveli Monastery — a classic south-coast run through the Kourtaliotiko gorge to a palm-lined river beach, with the monastery just above it.
4. Kourtaliotiko Gorge — a dramatic gorge road on the way to Plakias and Preveli, worth riding for its own sake, with a short waterfall walk along the way.
5. Plakias — a laid-back south-coast beach town and a favourite loop destination, with tavernas right on the sand.
6. Arkadi Monastery — a historic 16th-century monastery inland, reached on an easy, scenic ride through olive groves.
7. Spili village — a mountain village famous for its Venetian lion-head fountains, a good coffee stop on the way to the south coast.
8. Bali — a small cove village east of Rethymno with several sheltered beaches, an easy short coastal ride.
9. Margarites — a traditional pottery village in the foothills of Mount Ida, a scenic inland detour with working ceramic workshops.
10. Lake Kournas — Crete's only freshwater lake, a pleasant ride west of Rethymno with tavernas and a loop road around the water.

What do you need to rent a motorcycle in Rethymno?

For mopeds up to 50cc you need at least an AM category licence; 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. Minimum age is 16 for 50cc mopeds and 18 for the motorcycle categories, though rental companies often set their own higher minimums. Non-EU visitors should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their licence, and expect a deposit, usually held on a credit card, with the amount varying by operator and vehicle.

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

Prices swing a lot with the season. A small scooter runs from roughly 20 to 25 EUR per day in low season, rising to 35-45 EUR per day in high season, and larger touring or sport motorcycles (300cc and up) can reach 45-70 EUR per day or more at the peak.

• Cheapest: November to March, when demand drops and shops offer their lowest rates.
• Priciest: July and August, when both prices and demand for scooters and quads peak.
• Bigger bikes cost noticeably more than small scooters year-round, especially in summer.

When to book a rental motorcycle in Rethymno?

High season runs July through August, when prices peak and popular models sell out early — book a couple of weeks ahead if you're travelling then. Low season, November to March, is cheapest, but many island rental shops close entirely over these months. May-June and September-October hit the sweet spot: good weather, thinner crowds, and prices well below the August peak, so it's worth booking a few days ahead rather than day-of.

Local traffic rules in Rethymno

Greece drives on the right. Helmets are compulsory for both rider and passenger on mopeds, scooters and motorcycles, and enforcement is strict. Speed limits are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km/h on open roads and up to 130 km/h on motorways, though smaller-engine bikes face lower limits. The blood-alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l generally, but drops to a stricter 0.2 g/l for motorcyclists. Keep in mind that rental insurance almost always excludes unpaved roads and off-road use, and riding outside your licence category voids cover entirely — both are checked by police, especially on the islands.

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!