Feel the wind on your face as you watch the city rushing by: the easiest and most satisfying way to get moving in Athens is on two wheels. After the arrival of tech startups Lime and Hive, the city center is full of new electric scooters, which you can pick up in seconds and responsibly leave wherever you please. All you need is a smartphone to download the relevant app; once you’ve completed a simple registration process and scanned the scooter’s QR code, you’re ready to go.

This noiseless and eco-friendly mode of transport is growing in popularity among locals and tourists alike. The scooters are a great way to fill in the gaps not easily reachable by public transportation, and rentals are charged by time, which usually proves economical for short journeys. The state of Athenian sidewalks and roads, however, often leaves a lot to be desired, so pay attention to the surface beneath your wheels and take care. You’re also obliged to stay within the designated rental area, which is limited to the center. These concerns, however, are more than offset by the feeling of freedom as you glide through the city.

If you want to be more ambitious, Scooterise (18 Chatzichristou, Tel. (+30) 216.700.3277) offers electric scooter rental by the day – where your only limit is the battery on your machine. Or, if you prefer bigger wheels and are happy to use muscle power, Funky Ride (1 Dimitrakopoulou, Tel. (+30) 211.710.9366) in Koukaki offers bicycle rentals, so you can pedal through the city – or even further afield – at your own pace.

This text was first published as part of “Beat the Heat”, an article published in Greece Is Athens, Summer 2019 Edition.