Located on the gorgeous Costa del Sol of the Iberian Peninsula, Marbella, Spain is an often-overlooked gem on the Mediterranean. The Andalusian city has a rich history that dates back to the ancient Romans, but also offers many modern amenities like lively nightclubs and yacht tours.
Marbella offers a wide range of cultural experiences. You can sample the world-famous Spanish tapas, go to one of the city’s many performance spaces and witness concerts ranging from reggae to opera, visit a museum or historical site, or check out one of Marbella’s sophisticated coastal nightclubs. If all that sounds like too much work for you, you can simply chill out in the town center and watch the streetlife go by or enjoy one of the city’s many beaches. It’s impossible not to have a good time in Marbella. However, to make your trip even more comfortable and enjoyable, you should hire a motor scooter to take you wherever you want to go.
Here is everything you need to know about renting a scooter in Marbella. Most things here can also be applied if you are renting a motorcycle. This guide includes:
- Whether you need an international driving permit to rent a motorbike in Marbella
- Where to hire a scooter in Marbella
- The price of scooter rental in Marbella
- What you should know about driving conditions in Marbella
- The best things to do in Marbella by scooter
Do You Need an International Driving Permit To Hire a Motorbike in Spain?
If you are a U.S. citizen and plan on renting a Vespa or any other kind of motor vehicle in Spain, you’ll need to obtain an international driving permit prior to arriving in the country. Additionally, you must carry a valid copy of your U.S. driver’s license and passport as well as your IDP at all times while driving in Spain.
If you want to apply for an international driving permit, you can do so here. There is an application fee of $20, and you should apply at least two weeks prior to your departure for Spain because that’s typically how long it takes for the permit to come in the mail. Once you have your IDP, it is valid for one full year.
Where Can You Find Scooter Hire in Marbella?
There is no airport in Marbella, so if you plan on flying to the city, you’ll probably be landing in either Malaga Airport, Gibraltar Airport, Grenada Airport, or Jerez Airport. Most of these airports will have scooter rental services right outside the terminals, so you can drive your rental scooter from the airport to your accommodation in Marbella if you’re traveling light. Malaga Airport is undoubtedly the best to fly into if you’re traveling to Marbella.
If you would rather wait until you get to Marbella to hire a motorbike or Vespa, you can find rental shops in many places around the city. The best areas to start looking for a rental shop are the Marbellamar and El Mirador neighborhoods in the center of the city. You can also find some shops in the La Alcazaba neighborhood, though they’re less frequent.
What Is the Cost of Scooter Rental in Marbella?
Marbella is cheaper in general than many parts of Spain, and scooter hire in the city is typically pretty affordable. You can find a basic motor scooter, such as a Riya Rome 50, for as little as €25 per day. You can also find more comfortable or more powerful scooters, such as a Scomadi TL125, for more like €40 per day.
If you plan on staying in Marbella for a while, rental shops will often give discounts for weekly or monthly rentals, so that’s something worth looking into. You should also always make sure that insurance and helmet rental are included in the stated price.
How Safe Is Driving a Scooter in Marbella?
If you’re from the U.S. and you plan on driving in Marbella or the surrounding areas, you should not find it too difficult at all. They drive on the right side of the road in Spain, the road infrastructure is pretty good all throughout the country, and Spanish drivers are typically pretty mild-mannered. If you are used to driving in urban traffic, you should have no problem with the relatively little amount of traffic in Marbella.
You should be aware that the legal limit for drunk driving in Marbella is 0.05 BAC, which is lower than many parts of the United States. Driving above the speed limit can also be very costly in Spain, so it’s best to stick to the speed limits and drive cautiously.
While driving in the city of Marbella is fairly easy, the road from Malaga Airport to Marbella can get quite congested. Be wary of people speeding on this road and be sure to take it slow and easy.
What Are the Best Things To Do by Scooter in Marbella?
Now that you know everything you need to rent a scooter in Marbella, here are some of the best places in the city to visit with your rented wheels:
Alameda Park
Located about a 1 minute drive or a short walk from the Marbella Center neighborhood, Alameda Park is a public space that feels like a well-cultivated private garden. The park is filled with beautiful foliage and benches covered in classic Andalusian hand-painted tiles.
Alameda Park is a great place to take a stroll around or buy a cup of coffee and take refuge from the sun under a giant palm tree. There are also plenty of vendors along the walkways selling incredible Spanish street food.
Plaza de los Naranjos
About a 5 minute drive northeast from Alameda Park will bring you to the liveliest square in Marbella Old Town, Plaza de los Naranjos. The name of the square comes from the orange trees that surround a Renaissance fountain that sits in the center.
Plaza de los Naranjos is the best place in Marbella to really get a sense of the city’s pace and culture. There are numerous restaurants around with umbrella-shaded patios, so stop in and grab a bite of some world-class Spanish food.
Bounty Beach
Perhaps the most beloved of all of Marbella’s many beaches is Bounty Beach, which is located about a 5 minute drive east from Plaza de los Naranjos. You can find it right next to La Bajadilla Marina, where boats and yachts are constantly coming in and out.
Take a seat on the beach near the end of the afternoon, and you’ll see the area come alive with joggers, people playing sports, sunbathers, and any other number of people. You can partake in some watersports or simply lounge on a beach chair and soak up the Mediterranean sun.
Renting a Scooter in Marbella Is a Must
Whether you’re only staying in Marbella for a day or two, or you plan to stay there for months, the best way to get the most out of your time in the city is to get on a hired scooter and start exploring.
Do you still have questions about scooter rentals in Marbella? No worries, you can always contact us by phone, email, or our website's live chat.
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