Motorcycle Rentals on Symi island

Symi rewards anyone willing to get off the ferry and onto two wheels. Pick up a motorbike by the pastel mansions of Gialos harbour and within minutes you can be climbing the switchbacks to Horio, or heading south past pine-covered hills toward the monastery at Panormitis. It's the kind of island where the ride itself becomes the sightseeing — narrow lanes, sudden sea views, and small coves that most day-trippers never reach.

Symi simply isn't built for cars. There's essentially one paved through-road, running from town down to Pedi and Nimborios and on to Panormitis, plus the steep loop up to Horio, and parking in Gialos or Horio's alleyways is tight even for locals. A scooter or small motorbike slips through where a car struggles, and since nothing on the island is far — Panormitis is roughly 30–40 minutes away — you don't need much engine to see it all. If you plan to rent a motorbike in Symi, this is exactly the kind of place where a modest-cc bike buys you real freedom, including the odd detour down a side track to a beach a car could never reach.

Top 10 things to see in Symi by motorbike

1. Gialos harbour (Symi Town) — the neoclassical waterfront of pastel mansions, and the natural start and end point for any ride.
2. Horio (Ano Symi) — the old hilltop town above the harbour, reached by a looping road, with narrow lanes and views back over Gialos.
3. Panormitis Monastery — Symi's most famous monastery, set on a sheltered bay at the island's southern tip, a full cross-island ride along the one paved through-road.
4. Pedi beach and village — a short, easy ride from town to a working fishing harbour with tavernas and a swimmable bay.
5. Nimborios beach — a quiet pebble beach just a few minutes from town, a good easy first stop.
6. Nos beach — the closest beach to Symi Town, and a popular spot for sunset.
7. Agios Nikolaos beach — one of the island's few sandy beaches, on the east coast near Pedi.
8. Emporios (Nimos) beach — a small bay facing the islet of Nimos, a little further along the coast road past Pedi and Nos.
9. Kali Strata staircase — the stepped street linking Gialos to Horio; park below and climb it for the classic view over the harbour.
10. Panormitis road viewpoints — the winding southbound road climbs through the Marathounta hills, with sweeping sea overlooks along the way.

What do you need to rent a motorbike in Symi?

For mopeds up to 50cc you'll need at least a category AM 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. The minimum age is 16 for a 50cc moped and 18 for the larger categories, though most rental companies set their own, often higher, age and experience requirements. Non-EU visitors should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their licence, and expect to leave a deposit, usually held on a credit card, when you pick up the bike.

How much does it cost to rent a motorbike in Symi?

Prices move a lot across the year. Expect around 20-25 EUR per day in low season, rising to 30-40 EUR per day in high season, with premium or larger-cc models running 45-60 EUR per day.

• Cheapest: November-March, when many rentals also close for winter.
• Most expensive: July-August, the height of the season.
• In between: shoulder months tend to sit somewhere between the two extremes.

When to book a rental motorbike in Symi?

July and August are peak season on Symi — bikes sell out and prices are at their highest, so book well ahead if you're travelling then. Outside of that, May, June, September and October offer a good balance of open rental shops, milder weather and easier availability. From November to March many operators shut down entirely, so if you're visiting off-season, check ahead before you rely on finding a bike on arrival.

Local traffic rules in Symi

Greece drives on the right, and helmets are compulsory for both rider and passenger on any scooter or motorbike — police enforcement is strict and fines are steep. Speed limits are 50 km/h in built-up areas and 90 km/h on open roads, though Symi's narrow, winding lanes rarely let you get near that. The blood-alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l for most drivers, but a stricter 0.2 g/l applies to motorcyclists, so it's best to treat riding and drinking as mutually exclusive. Keep to the tarmac, too — rental insurance almost always excludes dirt tracks and beaches, and riding outside your licence category will void your cover.

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!