Top 5 best scooter & moto rentals in Catanzaro

Catanzaro doesn't announce itself the way Rome or Florence do — and that's exactly what makes it worth exploring on two wheels. Perched between the Sila mountains and the Ionian coast, this Calabrian capital rewards riders who cross the Ponte Bisantis with the wind in their face and then drop down toward the sea at Catanzaro Lido for an espresso by the water. From there, the coast opens up: Copanello's rocky shoreline and the clifftop views above Stalettì are close enough for a lazy half-day loop, while the medieval streets of Squillace wait just inland. Renting a scooter in Catanzaro is the simplest way to string all of this together on your own schedule.

The historic center sits on a steep ridge between two valleys, with narrow lanes and tight parking that make a car more trouble than it's worth. A scooter slips through easily and costs nothing to leave on a side street. It also has the range and highway legs a bicycle lacks, so a morning coffee on the Lungomare and an afternoon at the archaeological park in Roccelletta di Borgia can happen on the same tank — and if you want to push further, the coast road to Tropea or the drive out to Le Castella becomes a realistic day trip instead of an ambitious one.

Top 10 things to see in Catanzaro by scooter

1. Ponte Bisantis (Viadotto Morandi) — the city's iconic Morandi-designed bridge over the Fiumarella gorge, a short but dramatic ride with skyline views.
2. Lungomare di Catanzaro Lido — the flat seafront promenade in the marina district, perfect for an easy coffee stop by the water.
3. Copanello — rocky coastline and beach clubs just south of the city, a favorite short coastal loop.
4. Stalettì — a small clifftop village above Copanello with wide sea panoramas.
5. Squillace — a medieval hilltop town with a Norman-Swabian castle and old pottery workshops, a scenic climb inland.
6. Roccelletta di Borgia (Parco Archeologico di Scolacium) — Roman ruins and the Basilica della Roccella, an easy detour off the coast road.
7. Le Castella, Isola di Capo Rizzuto — a castle rising from a rocky islet, one of Calabria's most photographed spots.
8. Sila National Park / Villaggio Mancuso — pine forests and mountain lakes on a cooler, high-altitude plateau inland.
9. Centro Storico di Catanzaro — the hillside old town, with the Villa Trieste park and views stretching over two valleys.
10. Tropea — a dramatic clifftop town on the Tyrrhenian coast, a longer full-day ride across to the other side of Calabria.

What do you need to rent a scooter in Catanzaro?

For a moped up to 50cc you need at least a category AM licence; anything from 50cc to 125cc requires category A1. Full car licence (B) holders can sometimes ride a 125cc locally, but not every rental company accepts a foreign B licence for this, so check with the operator before you book. If your licence was issued outside the EU/EEA, bring an International Driving Permit along with it. Most operators expect renters to be adults, and you should be ready to leave a deposit — usually a credit card hold, sometimes cash — scaled to the value of the scooter.

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

Prices swing a lot with the season. Our own listings start from 5 EUR per day in low season, and typical high-season rates run 20–35 EUR per day, with newer or larger 125cc+ models reaching 30–50 EUR per day in August.

• Cheapest: November to March, outside the holidays.
• Most expensive: July and August, at the height of the Calabrian coastal season.
• Booking ahead in summer helps secure both availability and the better rate.

When to book a rental scooter in Catanzaro?

High season runs June through August, when the coast around Copanello and Le Castella fills up and prices climb toward 35 EUR a day. Low season stretches from November to March, when rates can drop to around 5 EUR a day but some seasonal outlets reduce their hours or close. If you can, aim for the shoulder months — May, June or September — for warm weather, easier availability and prices well below the August peak.

Local traffic rules in Catanzaro

Italy drives on the right. Helmets are mandatory for every rider and passenger on a scooter, no exceptions, and dipped headlights must stay on at all times, day and night. Speed limits are 50 km/h in town, 90 km/h on ordinary roads outside built-up areas, and up to 110 km/h on the main extra-urban routes; a 50cc moped is capped at 45 km/h and can't use motorways. The blood-alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l, dropping to zero for anyone who has held a licence for less than three years. Watch for ZTL zones in the historic center — cameras enforce them, and a fine for entering without a permit can catch up with you months after your trip.

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!