Is driving in Folegandros hard for beginners?

The main spine is among the gentlest in the Cyclades: light traffic, low speeds, good asphalt. Beginners should stay on asphalt the first days and leave dirt tracks for when they feel confident — or take an ATV, which forgives more.

What if I get a flat or a breakdown somewhere remote?

You call us — 24/7 roadside assistance across the whole island, dirt tracks included. We come with tools or a replacement vehicle; you're never left alone on the road.

Can one vehicle take me everywhere?

A 4×4 ATV, yes — asphalt and dirt alike. A scooter covers all the asphalt plus the tamer tracks with care. If your plan features several 'hidden' beaches, the ATV is the right call.

Folegandros' main road overlooking the Aegean

Rental & driving

Driving in Folegandros: Roads, Fuel, Parking and Safety

Everything to know before driving on the island: road conditions, dirt tracks, the single petrol station, parking at Chora, and the rules.

The Road Runner teamUpdated 21 July 20262 min read

The road network: one spine, many branches

Folegandros' network reads in a minute: one paved central spine links Karavostasi – Chora – Ano Meria (about 9 km), with asphalt also down to Agali. Everything else — to Livadaki, Ambeli, Ligaria, Agios Georgios, Katergo — is dirt track of varying quality. The asphalt is generally good but narrow, with bends and no guardrails at several cliff-view points; drive conservatively and enjoy the views at stops, not in motion. Speed limits are low (50 km/h and less in the settlements) — and honestly, nowhere is worth hurrying to.

Dirt tracks: when a scooter is enough and when you need an ATV

The rule of thumb: if your destination is on asphalt (Chora, Agali, Ano Meria, Karavostasi), any of our scooters does the job comfortably. If it involves a dirt track — which means nearly all the 'hidden' beaches — a 4×4 ATV isn't a luxury but a tool: bigger wheels, grip on gravel, brakes and suspension made for steep descents. On a scooter in loose dirt the rear brake locks easily, and low-speed drops are the island's most common mishap. Unsure about a route? Ask us — we know the live condition of every road, all season long.

See the 4×4 ATVs for the dirt tracks →

Fuel and parking: the two practicalities

Fuel: the island has one petrol station, on the main road near Chora. Its hours are 'island hours' — don't plan on refuelling late at night. The good news: distances are so short that a full scooter tank lasts your whole holiday; we always hand over fuelled and simply explain how to return it. Parking: Chora is pedestrianized with parking areas at its two entrances — on two wheels or an ATV you'll always find a spot within metres; at Agali, park on the flat above the beach. Lock the helmet under the seat and you're set.

Rules and safety: the non-negotiables

Helmets for rider and passenger — law and common sense; we provide them free, in sizes for everyone. The right license: A1/A2 for 125–200cc scooters, B (car) for ATVs, plus an IDP for non-EU drivers. Always ride in shoes — not flip-flops — and wear sunscreen: the breeze of the ride hides the sun. After dark, watch for animals on the road (mostly goats) and use high beam on the unlit stretches. And our safety net: 24/7 roadside assistance across the island — one call and we're there, wherever you are.