Looking for a luxurious European getaway? Imagining yourself lounging on a beach in the Mediterranean eating olives off the branch? Zakynthos Island might be the perfect destination for you! Zakynthos, also commonly known as Zante, is the largest Greek island in the Ionian Sea. If you’re into beautiful beaches with stunningly clear water, amazing live music, and scenery filled with fruitful vegetation, then Zakynthos will be a dream come true. Seriously, everything in Zakynthos looks like it should be on a postcard. There’s even an airport on the island if you want to skip the mainland and make straight for the beaches. But once you actually get to the island, you’re definitely going to want to find some transportation so that you can experience every beach and beautiful vista that this island has to offer, and there’s no better way to do that than to rent a motorbike.
Should you rent a motorbike in Zakynthos?
If you’re planning a vacation to Zakynthos, you definitely need to consider renting a motorbike. There’s simply no better way to get around the island and experience everything that this Ionian paradise has to offer. Drive around from beach to beach. Get lost on a backroad and discover a secret olive grove to spend your afternoon in. There’s so much to see and do in Zakynthos that it would be a shame if you missed out on any of it, and renting a motorbike will free up time for you to cover every inch of the island. Now, as a fair warning, driving in Zakynthos and in Greece in general can be slightly dangerous if you’re not careful. Many of the roads in Greece are low quality, there are a number of stray animals that can run into the road, signage is scarce and often unhelpful, and some drivers in Zakynthos do not fully follow the rules of the road. However, if you stay alert when you're riding on your motorbike and always wear a helmet, you’ll have nothing to worry about. All in all, renting a motorbike will take your vacation to the next level, and there’s really no better way to explore Zakynthos than on a rented two-wheeler.

What are the best motorbike rental shops in Zakynthos?
Once you make your way to Zakynthos Island, you should have no trouble at all finding a place to rent a motorbike. But there are some rental shops on the island that are far superior to the others, and their ratings reflect it. Here are some of the best and highest-rated motorbike rental shops in Zakynthos:
What are Zakynthos motorbike hire prices like?
Renting a motorbike in Zakynthos is typically very affordable. Depending on what kind of bike you’re looking to get, how long you want to rent it for, and where you choose to rent it from, the amount you pay will vary:
- Kymco People 50cc - €15 per day
- Kymco Super 50cc - €16 per day
- Kymco Agility 50cc - €17.50 per day
- Kymco Agility 125cc - €15 per day
- Piagio Liberty 125cc - €15 per day
- Aprilia Scarabeo 200cc - €22 per day
- Yamaha XT 660cc - €33 per day
As you can see, renting a motorbike in Zakynthos is extremely affordable, and it’s the best way to get the most out of your stay on one of Greece’s most amazing islands.
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Greece?
While many people opt not to get an International Driving Permit before renting a motorbike in Greece, you are by law required to have one to drive in the country. While most rental shops only require that you have a valid driver’s license in your home country, if you are caught by the police driving without an IDP, you may have to pay a fine. So if you’re planning to go to Greece and rent a motorbike, it’s better to get an IDP so you can drive stress-free. If you’re a citizen of the USA, you can apply for your IDP here.
Things to do in Zakynthos Island?
So now that you’ve made the decision to rent a motorbike in Zakynthos, you probably want to plan out some sort of itinerary of the places you want to go with your motorbike. Here’s a few suggestions of things to do in Zakynthos:
- Take a ride on over to Navagio, or as it’s more commonly known, Shipwreck Cove. That’s right, there is an actual wreck of a container ship that went down around 1980. Unfortunately you can’t go swimming around the wreck unless you catch a boat to the cove. But you can drive your motorbike to the top of the beautiful white cliffs and look down upon the crystal-clear blue water and the skeleton of the wrecked ship.

- Hop on your motorbike and make a visit to the longest beach in Zakynthos: Banana Beach. Here you can relax and enjoy the soft golden sands or swim in the beautiful turquoise shallow waters. And if you get hungry or want to enjoy a cocktail while you lounge on the beach, check out Banana Casa Playa Beach Bar & Restaurant. In addition to serving world-class food and delicious drinks, they also rent out lounge chairs and umbrellas so you can enjoy the beach comfortably.
- If you’re looking for something more historic, check out Anafonitria Monastery. This monastery was built in the Byzantine period and somehow survived the earthquake that Zakynthos experienced in 1953. The courtyard is probably the best place to take a photo here, as it’s filled with beautiful flowers and trees and rustic stone columns.