Scooter Rentals on Symi island

Symi rewards anyone willing to leave the harbour behind. From the pastel neoclassical houses lining Gialos harbour, a narrow road climbs into pine-covered hills and drops down again toward Panormitis, Toli Bay and half a dozen coves most visitors never reach. Renting a scooter turns Symi from a pretty stop on a boat tour into an island you actually get to explore — at your own pace, with the wind doing the work public buses can't.

This is a small, hilly island with a single paved spine connecting Gialos to Panormitis Monastery, plus narrow lanes and almost no parking in the old town. A scooter is by far the easiest way to reach the monastery, the southern bays and the viewpoints that buses skip and that are a long, hot walk from the harbour — and it sidesteps the steep stone stairs and tight alleys that make a car impractical here.

Top 10 things to see in Symi by scooter

1. Gialos harbour (Symi Town) — the neoclassical, pastel-coloured harbourfront where most rentals start and end, and the classic postcard view of Symi.
2. Panormitis Monastery (Moni Taxiarchis Michail Panormitis) — the island's most important monastery, at the southern tip, reached by a scenic full-island ride through pine-covered hills.
3. Pedi beach and village — a short ride over the hill from Gialos to a relaxed fishing-village bay with tavernas and a swimmable beach.
4. Nos Beach — the closest beach to Symi Town, an easy first stop right on the edge of the harbour.
5. Nimborio Beach — a quieter pebble beach a few minutes from town, good for an easy scooter loop.
6. Kali Strata staircase and Ano Symi (Chorio) — park at the top of the old town and walk the famous stone stairway; the upper town has the best rooftop views over Gialos.
7. Symi Clocktower viewpoint — a well-known lookout above the harbour for classic wide shots of the bay and boats.
8. Agios Vasilios Bay — a remote, scenic bay on the west side, rewarding for those wanting a quieter ride.
9. Marathounta — a small settlement and beach along the road toward Panormitis, a good midway stop on the southern route.
10. Toli Bay — a secluded cove on the way toward Panormitis, popular for a quiet swim off the main tourist track.

What do you need to rent a scooter in Symi?

Mopeds up to 50cc 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. The minimum age is 16 for 50cc mopeds and 18 for the larger categories, though many rental shops set their own higher minimum and may ask for a minimum time you've held the licence. Non-EU visitors should bring an International Driving Permit alongside their home licence. Expect a deposit, usually a credit-card hold, with the amount set by the individual operator.

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

Prices swing a lot across the year. In low season you can find a basic scooter from 5 to 10 EUR per day; in high season that rises to roughly 15 to 25 EUR per day, and premium models run 25 to 35 EUR per day.

• Cheapest months: November to March, though some island shops close entirely over winter.
• Most expensive months: July and August, when scooters also sell out fastest.

When to book a rental scooter in Symi?

July and August are Symi's high season — hot, busy and the priciest time to rent, so book well ahead if you're travelling then. Shoulder months, May-June and September-October, tend to bring milder weather and calmer roads, a comfortable middle ground on price. From November to March is the quiet low season with the cheapest rates, though it's worth checking that a shop is actually open before you count on it.

Local traffic rules in Symi

Greece drives on the right. Helmets are compulsory for both rider and passenger, and police enforcement is strict, with substantial fines for skipping one. Speed limits are 50 km/h in built-up areas and 90 km/h on the open road, 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 safest to treat riding and drinking as separate activities altogether. Keep to paved roads, too — rental insurance almost always excludes dirt tracks and off-road riding.

Types of scooters available

On our website you can rent the following types of scooters: classic scooter, Vespa, moped, motoroller, motoscooter, with a sidecar, with automatic or manual gears, three-wheeled scooters, large, maxi-scooter, touring, scooters with a windscreen and a roof, underbones, electric scooters.

Models of scooters available

On our website you can hire scooters from the following manufacturers: Adly, Aeon, Aprilia, Piaggio, Bajaj, Benelli, Beta, BMW, Derbi, Gilera, Honda, Kawasaki, Kymco, LML, Malaguti, Peugeot, PGO, Suzuki, SYM, TVS, Vespa, Yamaha.

Which insurance is provided with my rental scooter?

Usually basic third-party insurance is included in the rental price. If you wish to have more protection you can purchase additional CDW insurance, which limits your risk to the amount of your deposit. If you wish to rent a scooter without a deposit and with zero risk, you will need to add full insurance to your reservation.

Extra services available

When you make an online scooter 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, delivery to your hotel, delivery to your address, delivery to the arrival point of your choice.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

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

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