Santorini Quad Rental: Your Complete Guide

Santorini Quad Rental: Your Complete Guide

Santorini Quad Rental is the most comprehensive comparison article on the Internet of the costs, companies, and places to go when you have a quad rental on Santorini, as well as all the FAQ about ATV/quad rental on this spectacular Greek island.

Best 10 ATV Santorini Quad Rental Companies

These best 10 companies have hundreds, and some have thousands of consistently high Google Reviews. Here you’ll find the address and contact details and below the summary table is a map showing the location of the quad rental companies.

Rental CompanyRatingAddressPhoneWebsite
Fresh Rent Moto ATV & Car Rental4.9Messaria+302286034216fresh-rent.com/
Santorini Rentals by Koletsis5.0Karterádos+302286023243santorinimotorentals.com/
J&J Santorini Car Scooter Rental5.0Fira+306936106189www.car-rental-santorini.com/
Santori Rental – Rent a Car/Atv-Moto in Santorini5.0Perissa+306946252020www.santorirental.com/
Santorini Rent a Quad(ATV) by Super Moto5.0Monolithos+306979164615super-moto-motorcycle-rental-agency.business.site/
Atv/Quad Tour Experience5.0Perivolos+306943987559atvsantoriniexperience.com/
Sexy Motors4.9Kamari+306976700577sexy-motors.business.site/
Santo Wheels Rentals5.0Firestofani+306981874909santorini-rentamoto.gr/
Santoride – Rent a Moto4.9Kamari+302286032138santoride.com/
Moto Panos Santorini4.8Messaria+302286031668rentalcars-santorini.com
Best ATV Quad Santorini Rentals Companies

ATV Quad Rental Santorini: Map of Office Locations

Locations of the Best 10 Santorini Quad Rental Companies
Locations of the Best 10 Santorini Quad Rental Companies

Join A Quad Rental Tour

If you only want to rent a quad for a day or half-day, or perhaps if you’re not confident to head off on your own, why not join one of these two ATV tours that give you a good look around tiny Santorini? Just a warning – they sell like hotcakes so reserve early!

And whether you choose to join a tour or get your own Santorini quad rental, read below to see the license and documentation you’ll need.

This article may contain compensated links. Please read the disclaimer for more info.

Photo of the Viator ATV-Quad Santorini Experience Tour

ATV-Quad Santorini Experience Tour

See Santorini from a different perspective on this fun ATV tour. Maximum of six travelers. Start at Perissa Beach and follow back roads to the Venetian Castle, a wine cellar, the Windmills of Emporio, and more. See the island’s highlights in a unique way!

Check itinerary, price & Book!

ATV Quad Lunch Tour

Explore Santorini on an ATV. Join a small group and zip around the island to discover its main points of interest including the black sand beach of Perissa, the Emporio windmills, and local villages.

Check itinerary, price & Book!
santorini-viator-quad-tour

What kind of license do you need to Rent a Quad in Santorini?

Greek law is very clear on the kind of license you need to rent an ATV or quad bike:

To drive a quad bike on the road you need to have a full car licence or a category B1 licence if it was issued before January 1997.

This law was part of a change made in 2018 that applies to tarmac (paved) roads. This law does not apply to off-road ATV/quad biking.

Photo of International Driving Permit
International Driving Permit

International Driving Permit (IDP)

If you are not from an EU country, you may be stopped by Greek police who demand to see your International Driving Permit and fine you if you don’t have one.

You will probably be required by the rental company to produce one in order to take possession of your rental vehicle.

It is not the law, despite what you may have read on the internet, that you are legally required to have an IDP if your home country’s license system is recognized by the Greek government as equivalent.

For example, in November 2021, Greece recognized Australian licenses as equivalent to Greek licenses.

However, if you are not from an EU country, I strongly recommend that you get an IDP and keep it with you when driving any vehicle in Greece.

Some places don’t seem to care, but increasingly, foreign drivers are required to produce one if you want to pick up your rental.

General tips for renting a Quad in Santorini

As you’ll see below when I give you some tips about getting a good price for a quad rental in Santorini, the island is completely overcrowded during peak season.

The crowds in Oia, particularly, make it very difficult to take photos and I only travel to Santorini in the shoulder seasons now.

Moto Panos Santorini quad bike and rider on caldera rim, Santorini, Greece
Moto Panos Santorini quad bike and rider on caldera rim, Santorini, Greece

Even in the shoulder seasons in Santorini, taxis are expensive. You can mention pretty much any place on the island and you’ll be told it’s between €20 and €40 each way.

This makes a quad rental look cheap!

This is a very small island – only 18 km long and in 2022 it had 811,000 tourists visiting, mainly during June, July, and August.

There really aren’t enough vehicles in Santorini for this number of people. Buses are super crowded and you need to arrive at least 30 minutes before the bus is due to depart if you want to cram onto it.

A quad gives you freedom and is simple to park, but it’s very important in Santorini not to go near the edge of the clifftops, and not to go off the road down steep hillsides.

Photo of  Tourists on a quad bike on Firon-Ormou Perissis Road, Perissa, Santorini
Tourists on a quad bike on Firon-Ormou Perissis Road, Perissa, Santorini

You will be driving on the road, and sharing it with buses, gas trucks, tourists, and even donkeys. Just remember to pull onto the hard shoulder when the vehicle behind wants to take over you, and don’t overtake yourself!

It’s important to find a quad that is near-new and excellently maintained. Choosing a reputable company like the 10 given above is your best chance of having no hassles or hidden fees.

Tipping in Greece when you return your vehicle, for a tour guide, and for parking and gas station attendants is always a question people want to know about, and in Greece in general, it’s appreciated but not required.

Saying thank you in Greek is especially appreciated!

The Cost of a Quad Rental in Santorini

So how much does renting a quad on Santorini cost?

Moto Panos Santorini quad bikes on the caldera rim, Santorini, Greece
Moto Panos Santorini quad bikes on the caldera rim, Santorini, Greece
  • Low season rates for a quad rental in Santorini start at €30 for a small 150cc – 200cc quad or ATV rental, €32-€40 for a mid-range 310-400cc rental per day, rising to €70 for a 550-650cc+ rental per day.
  • High season rates for a quad rental in Santorini start at €20 for a small 150cc – 200cc quad or ATV rental, €55- 65 for a mid-range 310-400cc rental per day, rising to €85 for a 550-650cc+ rental per day.
  • The daily rate of renting a quad bike/ATV in Santorini decreases the longer the period you rent it for and about half of the won’t rent for only one day in peak season.
  • These starting prices for high season may seem a little steep, but compared to the cost of ATV rentals on Milos, Naxos, Corfu, and Mykonos, they are competitive.

Tips for Finding Good Prices for Quads

Santorini is very competitive for ATVs and Quads so you’ll see lots of ‘extras’ included in the pricing. For example, “Full insurance with  €0 excess,” “No hidden costs,” and “free C.D.W.”

This competition means you can usually get free C.D.W. (Collision Damage Waiver Insurance) as well as free drop off to wherever you are (airport, port, hotel, and so on) and pick up.

Quad bike parked at Vlychada Beach. Santorini Island, Greece
Quad bike parked at Vlychada Beach. Santorini Island, Greece

Third-party insurance and helmets are included in Quad rentals but I also make sure I choose a company that includes 24/7 roadside assistance.

If you can get this thrown in as well, you are well on your way to getting excellent value for your rental.

Make sure you know if the tax is already added to the cost that you were originally quoted and if an additional driver is allowed without extra cost.

The biggest temporary charge is the security deposit that is secured by your credit card. This is several hundred Euros.

Quite a few rental companies in Santorini offer “no deposit booking” but this refers to the cost of the rental, not the security deposit.

Riding quad bikes in Santorini, Greece
Riding quad bikes in Santorini, Greece

So if you want to rent a quad for some of the time you’re in Santorini it is just like trying to find somewhere great to stay in Santorini – you need to book several months in advance.

Book online and compare companies online. If you book online you can take advantage of standing online booking discounts (usually between 5 and 30%), as well as annual sales periods (such as Easter), and have a wider range of vehicles to choose from.

This means you don’t have to rent the most expensive quad (with the most power) because it’s the only one left!

Top 8 Places to Visit on Santorini With a Quad Renta

There are so many places to see and things to do in Santorini, here’s a roundup of my favorite 8 places to go on a quad bike.

1. Akrotiri

This fishing village on the southern tip of Santorini has seen more action over its life than most places on earth.

It is sometimes considered to be the original Atlantis as the ancient village here was obliterated by the largest explosion on earth when the volcano blew up, smashing Thera into 5 pieces, one of which is Santorini.

Prehistoric Town of Akrotiri at Santorini island in Greece
Ancient Akrotiri archaeological site, Akrotiri, Santorini, Greece

The Ancient Akrotiri archaeological site is Greece’s Pompeii – currently being excavated and one of the most important ancient sites in Greece to visit.

Eat at the little fish tavernas at the modern-day Akrotiri village, and visit the incredible Red Beach before heading up to the Akoriti Lighthouse.

2. Akrotiri Lighthouse

You’ll find Akrotiri lighthouse featuring in most articles about where you should go with a rented vehicle in Santorini.

Photo of Akrotiri lighthouse and the cliffs of Akrotiri from the sea below
Akrotiri lighthouse and the cliffs of Akrotiri from the sea below

The lighthouse is not particularly exciting in itself, but it is one of the few places on the island where you can drive along the caldera.

Sunset from here are magical and without the insane crowds watching the sunset in Oia.

3. Kamari Beach

Black volcanic beach of Kamari in Santorini. Cyclades, Greece
Black volcanic beach of Kamari in Santorini. Cyclades, Greece

On Santorini’s eastern side, the long black beach has a promenade behind it and beach bars and accommodations.

There’s a large parking lot here which makes this a fantastic place to swim (it’s a Blue Flag beach).

4. Perissa Beach

13 km from Fira town you’ll find Perissa, another black beach, it’s stretch of dark sand the companion to the other black sand beach of Kamari.

Also located on the southeast side of the island, it has similar facilities to Kamari Beach: a promenade, restaurants, sun loungers, and parking.

Photo of Black volcanic beach of Perissa in Santorini, Greece
Black volcanic beach of Perissa in Santorini, Greece

5. Emporio

Emporio (Emborio) is 12 km south of Fira, on the road to Perissa.

Its the largest village on the island, has the best Venetian castle, unusual architecture, deserted parts, and is a brilliant little warren of ancient narrow laneways to explore.

Take your camera, it’s a very atmospheric place.

Photo of Emporio Village with Windmills on a Hill in Santorini Island, Greece
Emporio Village with Windmills on a Hill in Santorini Island, Greece

6. Megalochori

Megalochori is a quintessential Cycladic village of white houses, blue-domed churches, great cafes, bakeries, and hotels with panoramic sea views, and an enchanting maze of alleyways.

Photo of a White Bell Tower in Megalochori Village - Santorini Island, Greece
White Bell Tower in Megalochori Village – Santorini Island, Greece

7. Pyrgos

The steep alleyways of medieval Pyrgos are lined with boutiques, galleries, and wine bars. Sitting atop a hill in the foothills of Mount Profitis Ilias you have the most spectacular views of the whole island laid out below you.

A phot of Pyrgos Village in Santorini Island, Greece
Pyrgos Village in Santorini Island, Greece

8. Santorini wineries

Photo of the Estate Argyros Winery entrance, Santorini, Greece
Estate Argyros Winery entrance, Santorini, Greece

Driving between the Santorini wineries for a day of wine tasting is a perfect adventure that you can only do on a guided tour or with your own rented vehicle.

Top 10 FAQs about ATV Quad Rental Santorini


1. Can you drive ATVs around Santorini?

An ATV is quick to learn if you’ve ridden bicycles and driven cars before. Except for controlling the throttle, it’s a whole lot like riding a bike. It takes a little while to get used to accelerating and also to changing your center of gravity as you would on a bicycle.


2. What side of the road do you drive in Santorini?

Like all of Greece, in Santorini, you’ll be driving on the right-hand side of the road. Remember that you enter roundabouts by going right and you must, even while on the roundabout, give way to any driver entering the roundabout from the right!


3. Do you need a license to rent an ATV in Santorini?

To rent a Quad, ATV, or Buggy: a valid full car driving license (or a category B1 license if it was issued before January 1997) is required to drive on the road. This law does not apply to off-road ATV/quad biking.


4. Do you have to wear a helmet on an ATV in Santorini?

You must always wear a helmet when riding an ATV/Quad in Santorini and in the rest of Greece. You may be fined if you’re not, you’ll void your third-party insurance and also any travel/medical insurance you have purchased.


5. Is it worth renting a quad in Santorini?

A Quad bike (ATV) is a fun way to get around Santorini and avoids waiting for, and being crammed into buses, paying expensive rates for taxis (if you can find one), and the additional cost of hiring a car.
It means you don’t need airport or port transfers so it can be economical as well as whole lot of fun to get around Santorini on a Quad!


6. Can you drive around Santorini in a day?

Santorini is only 11 miles (18 km) long and is shaped like a croissant. It is very easy to drive around the island in a day and will take 50 minutes along the caldera coast in each direction, or under 3 hrs to drive a circuit around the island.


7. What is the speed limit in Santorini?

The speed limit in Santorini outside the towns and villages is limited to 50 km/hr (31 mph). In villages and towns it is usually 30 km/hr (19mph).


8. Can you rent quad from Santorini airport?

Not only can you rent a quad when you arrive at Santorini airport, but all of the Santorini Quad rental companies will arrange to drop a quad off to you when you land so you won’t need an airport transfer.


9. How many kms is too many for a quad?

Quads that are driven regularly through the year do about 1,000 miles, and sometimes double that. Once a Quad has 5,000 miles on it, it’s considered to have high mileage.