Top 5 best scooter rentals on Porto Santo island

Porto Santo is small enough to feel like a secret and open enough to explore freely, and a scooter is what lets you do both in the same afternoon. Ride the coast road with the ocean on one side and the dunes on the other, stop wherever the light looks good along Praia de Porto Santo, then climb inland to Pico do Facho for a view that stretches over the entire island. Nobody who's tried both ever wishes they'd rented a car here instead.

The island is only about 11km long, with one simple loop of coastal and hill roads connecting everything worth seeing. Traffic is light, junctions are few, and there's no need to plan a route in advance — you just follow the ring road and turn off wherever something catches your eye. That makes a **scooter rental in Porto Santo** the easiest and cheapest way to reach spots that are a real hassle on foot or by the island's limited bus service, from viewpoints in the hills to quiet coves at the far end of the beach.

Top 10 things to see in Porto Santo by scooter

1. Praia de Porto Santo — the island's famous 9km stretch of golden sand, and the main reason to have a scooter for hopping between access points along its length.
2. Pico do Facho — the highest viewpoint reachable by road, with panoramic views over the whole island and coastline.
3. Pico do Castelo — a short, scenic climb through forest to an old fort site, with views back toward Vila Baleira.
4. Fonte da Areia — strange sandstone rock formations and a natural spring on the north coast, a classic detour on two wheels.
5. Miradouro da Portela — a popular lookout over the bay and Vila Baleira, an easy stop on a loop of the island.
6. Vila Baleira — the main town, home to the Christopher Columbus House Museum and a harbour worth a coffee stop.
7. Ilhéu de Baixo (Ilhéu da Cal) area — near the golf course at the southwestern tip, with quiet coastal views and birdlife.
8. Zimbralinho Beach — a quieter, more secluded cove reached via a short dirt path, good for escaping the crowds on the main beach.
9. Serra de Fora — rugged eastern hills with a scenic route well away from the tourist centre.
10. Campo de Golfe de Porto Santo — a green contrast to the island's arid landscape, and a pleasant stretch of road to ride past.

What do you need to rent a scooter in Porto Santo?

For scooters up to 50cc, a category AM licence is enough (available from age 16), and a full car licence (category B) also covers you. For 125cc scooters you'll need an A1 motorcycle entitlement — note that the domestic rule letting Portuguese B-licence holders ride 125cc doesn't extend to visiting drivers. Bring an International Driving Permit if your licence isn't from the EU/EEA, and expect rental companies to hold a deposit on your credit card, with the amount and minimum age varying by operator.

How much does it cost to rent a scooter in Porto Santo?

Expect to pay around 15–20 EUR per day in low season and 25–35 EUR per day in high season, with larger or newer models running 35–50 EUR per day.

• Prices climb through the summer, peaking in July and August.
• They drop to their lowest between November and February.
• Booking a few days ahead in summer helps you avoid the smaller, less desirable scooters selling out first.

When to book a rental scooter in Porto Santo?

High season runs from June to September, with July and August the busiest and priciest months on the island. Low season stretches from November to March, when rental prices fall and the roads are far quieter. If you want the best of both — good weather without peak-season prices — aim for the shoulder months either side of summer, and book ahead once you're inside the June–September window.

Local traffic rules in Porto Santo

Portugal drives on the right, and helmets are compulsory for both rider and passenger on any scooter or moped. Speed limits are 50 km/h in built-up areas and up to 90 km/h on open roads, though mopeds are capped at 45 km/h. The blood alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l (0.2 g/l if you've held your licence less than three years), and headlights must stay on at all times, day or night. If you want to **rent a scooter in Porto Santo**, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice 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!