How to Rent a Scooter in Naples

If you’re planning on taking a trip to Italy, Naples is an absolute can’t-miss city. It’s the gateway to the gorgeous Amalfi Coast, and it’s the birthplace of PIZZA! This city is home to some of the most beautiful views in all of Italy, and it’s situated right in the middle of a ton of other popular destinations in Italy, so you won’t be going out of your way on your trip to Naples. Undoubtedly one of the most alluring aspects of this city is the old European city streets lined with amazing architecture. You’ll feel the history in the air as you walk around and explore all the storefronts, restaurants, and museums in this wonderful city. But if you really want to get the most out of your experience in Naples, you have to do what the locals do and take to the streets with a motor scooter.

This incredible city has so much to offer, that you need to have your own set of wheels if you want to see all of the sites that make Naples so famous worldwide. So, here is a full explanation of how to rent a scooter in Naples (and some things to do once you’ve got one).

Why should you rent a scooter in Naples?

If you’re planning to explore any Italian city, the very best way to do it is on a scooter. And Naples especially is a great place for renting scooters and taking them through all of the winding streets of the city. If you rent a scooter, you do away with all that time you spend waiting for a bus, you spend less money than if you try to take a taxi everywhere, not to mention riding a scooter is a BLAST! You get to feel the breeze coming off the Mediterranean Sea running through your hair as you steer your scooter through the city streets and take in all the sights. If you’re willing to spend the money to take a trip to Italy, why not spend a few extra bucks on a rental scooter and really get the most out of your experience? 

Where to rent a scooter in Naples, Italy?

If you want to rent a scooter in Naples, you’ll have no trouble at all. Motor scooters are popular among locals in Naples, so pretty much every person in the city has an extra one that they’re willing to rent out. But if you want to ensure quality and you’re worried about getting burned by someone you don’t know, there are plenty of rental shops that have scooters at affordable prices. Some specialise in Vespas, the emblematic Italian scooter that’s so famous there was actually a Hungarian movie made in 2010 called Vespa. Depending on how much power you want and how much you’re willing to spend, there are a range of different options to accommodate your needs. Here are some of the scooters for rent by our partners in Naples: 

How do you get an International Driving Permit?  

While most rental shops in Italy do not require an International Driving permit and only require that you present them with a valid driving license from your home country, it is required by law that you have an IDP to operate a motor vehicle in Italy. So, if you’re pulled over by a police officer while driving a scooter in Italy and you don’t have an IDP, they can hit you with a heavy fine. Better to just get the proper paperwork so you don’t have to feel high-strung while you’re riding around all of those beautiful European streets. If you want to get an IDP, the process is pretty easy. Here’s all you have to do: 

• Download and print out the application here.
• Fill out the application and bring it to your nearest AAA office with two original passport photos. 
• Present them with a valid U.S. driver’s license. 
• Pay a $20 registration fee, and you’re good to go! 

How is the traffic in Naples, Italy? 

The streets in Naples were built way back in the Middle Ages, and aren’t really equipped to handle the congestion of motor traffic that modern transportation creates. Therefore, the streets of Naples are often very crowded, making it difficult to drive, especially in the city center. When driving a scooter in Naples, you have to be extremely careful to respect the rules of the road. Nothing can sour a vacation more than getting in a road accident. Driving a scooter through a foreign city is an amazing experience that everyone should have, but just make sure you’re alert and cautious the entire time. 

What are some non-touristy things to do in Naples, Italy?

So now that you’ve rented a scooter and you’ve got your International Driving Permit, you’re ready to take to the streets of Naples and start exploring every inch of the city. But you’re tired of the hordes of people with cameras crowding around the tourist sites. So where are the non-touristy spots in Naples? Here’s a few to get you started: 

• Jump on your Vespa and take a ride down to Church of San Carlo all’Arena, where you can feast your eyes on Il Crocifisso Ferito. This sculpture of Christ fell to the floor during a fire in 1923. Afterwards, the sculpture was slowly pieced back together and seated in a reclining position within the church. This sculpture is among the more interesting depictions of Christ in the world, and it’s certainly off the beaten path for people traveling in Naples. 
• Take a ride along the coast and pay a visit to Palazzo Donn’Anna. This decaying villa is unfortunately not open to the public, but it’s super cool to look at from a distance. This building sits right on the sea, and was built in the 17th century for princess Anna Carafo, who was apparently killed during a revolt. Locals say her ghost still haunts the building to this day. 
• Head on over to Palazzo dello Spagnolo, one of the most amazing architectural sites in all of Naples. The building is a breathtaking example of Neapolitan Baroque architecture with its amazing archways and stairwells that defy the laws of physics. Plus, it’s not very popular among tourists for whatever reason, so you might just get the whole place to yourself. 

Italy is one of the most incredible countries in the world. With so much to offer in terms of culture, food, landmarks, and more, you won’t want to miss a single thing. And the best way to ensure that you maximize your Italian experience is to rent a scooter!