Looking for adventure, excitement, and freedom on your trip through the Old Continent? A road trip is the best way to achieve it. There are many ways to explore Europe, but none compare to starting a car and going wherever the road takes you. Whether group travel with friends, as a couple, or solo, in this article we’ll show you some of the best road trip routes in Europe.
To help you, we propose 15 spectacular routes, each through a different European country so you have more options to choose from. Although, without a doubt, we recommend that you try them all throughout your travels. Which one will you choose first?
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1. Romantic Route through Germany
Let’s start with a classic. If you like charming little towns, fairytale landscapes, and visiting castles with centuries of history, this is undoubtedly one of the best road trip routes you can take in Europe. It is one of the most famous routes in Germany and originated after World War II, when in the 1950s the country sought to promote tourism.
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The Romantic Road in Germany runs through the southern states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg and can be traveled from north to south or vice versa. The most important stops are the following: Würzburg, Tauberbischofsheim, Bad Mergentheim, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Dinkelsbühl, Nördligen, Harburg, Donauwörth, Augsburg, Landsberg am Lech, Füssen, and Neuschwanstein Castle.
In total, this route comprises no fewer than 30 towns, but the ones most popular with travelers are those listed above. It will take you about a week to explore them.
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2. The Transfagarasan Route in Romania
We continue with the most famous road trip in Romania. The Transfagarasan is a road (sometimes considered the most beautiful in the world) that connects the regions of Wallachia and Transylvania. It is full of winding curves (its most distinctive feature) and must-see stops, making it perfect for travelling as a couple or with friends, as long as you enjoy adventure.
Along this road, you can visit sites such as the Arges Monastery, the ruins of Vlad Tepes’ fortress, the Vidraru Dam and its reservoir, and the glacial lake Balea, from where you can take some hiking trails before finishing your road trip by driving down to Sibiu.
Unlike some of the other road trips we suggest in this article, the Transfagarasan Highway can be driven in about 3 to 6 hours. It is, therefore, an essential plan in your travel itinerary for the country.
3. A Tour of Northern Spain and Southern France
If there’s one place in Spain where driving is a joy, it’s undoubtedly the north. But why visit one country when you can visit two via one of the best road trip routes in Europe? We’re talking about combining a road trip through northern Spain and southern France.
It all starts in San Sebastián, where you can leave the car behind and explore the city. Continue your journey to Bilbao, where, in addition to sightseeing in the city centre, you can’t miss San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, an idyllic coastal enclave that was one of the most impressive locations in the Game of Thrones series. Today, it’s considered one of the most beautiful landscapes in Spain.
This route then continues to Biarritz, a glamorous French city known for its golden beaches. Finally, the route heads back into Spain, ending in Pamplona. A week will be enough to see all these places and enjoy this wonderful route.
4. Baltic Road Trip, one of the best road trip routes in Europe
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are the three states known as the Baltic countries, as they are bordered by this sea. Located in Northwest Europe, Passporter, your travel planner, recommends you dedicate around two weeks to this fantastic trip. It’s a relatively inexpensive journey, ideal for young people looking to travel on a budget. Plus, it’s a destination with breathtaking natural beauty.
In this case, you can completely design your road trip itinerary through the three countries, as there’s no set route. However, if you’d like some ideas, we recommend not skipping: Tallinn, Muhu Island, Saaremaa Island, Kuressare, Somma Rahvuspark, and Tartu in Estonia; C??sis, Sigulda, Turaida, and Riga in Latvia; and the Hill of Crosses, Kaunas, Trakai Castle and Vilnius in Lithuania.
5. Roadtrip through Italian Tuscany
If there’s one road trip worth taking in Italy (besides the Dolomites), it’s undoubtedly the one through Tuscany. It’s the perfect route if you enjoy tranquillity, charming little towns, culinary journeys, and relaxing in one of the many thermal baths scattered throughout the region, as it’s rich in thermal waters brimming with beneficial properties.
Monteriggioni, Siena, San Quirico, Pitigliano, San Gimignano, Pisa, Volterra, the Abbey of San Galgano, Lucca, Florence, and Pienza are just some of the places you can’t miss. Two weeks is the minimum time we recommend to fully enjoy the area, but you can also be more selective if you have less travel time.
Tuscany is one of the twenty regions that make up Italy. It is located in the centre of the country, but its west coast is bathed by the Ligurian Sea, which means you can also visit some special beaches.
6. The Legendary North Coast 500 Through Scotland
The North Coast 500 route through Scotland is not only one of the best road trip routes in Europe, but also one of the most beautiful in the world. It’s the perfect choice for adventurers and nature lovers, and an ideal trip to do with a group of friends. Breathtaking coastal landscapes, remote villages, mountains…
This route is the best way to discover northern Scotland and the true essence of the region. This circular route passes through different points in the six regions of northern Scotland: Black Isle, Caithness, Easter Ross, Inverness-Shire, Sutherland, and Western Ross. However, you can design your own itinerary and choose the places you want to visit in these areas. In fact, the fun of this route lies in venturing off the beaten path. And, best of all, there are many activities you can enjoy besides driving along beautiful roads, such as canoeing, hiking, rafting, or snorkelling.
Another great thing about the North Coast is that it can be visited at any time of year, with ten days being the minimum recommended time to fully enjoy the route.
7. Serbia, one of the best and most undiscovered road trip routes in Europe
You probably hadn’t thought this Balkan country would be on this list of the best road trip routes in Europe, but now you’ll understand why it deserves a place.
Firstly, while road trips can last as long as the traveller wants, this is a perfect route if you have a week to spare. After exploring the capital, you can drive to destinations like Subotica, Novi Sad, Sremski Karlovci, Fruška Gora National Park, Ovcar Banja, Arandjelovac, the Goluba and Smederevo Fortresses, and Mount Avala.
This route will be especially enjoyable for lovers of cultural and historical travel who are also looking for a touch of adventure. It’s also perfect for those seeking an authentic trip at a good price.
8. The Ring of Kerry: A Unique Journey Through Ireland
Along the Ring of Kerry route, you’ll experience a summary of all the charms Ireland has to offer: breathtaking ocean views, miles and miles of verdant fields, and beautiful white-sand bays. And let’s not forget the sheep! That’s why County Kerry is called “Ireland in miniature.”
Of all the destinations on the list, the Ring of Kerry route is the most highly recommended for travellers seeking tranquillity and the kind of slow travel everyone talks about. And despite the country’s great development, Ireland still retains that tranquil atmosphere of yesteryear.
The Ring of Kerry is a circular route that runs through the county of the same name, located on the Iveragh Peninsula. It all starts (and also ends) in Killarney and follows a 179-kilometre road, which can also be cycled. We encourage you to continue exploring and discover the best stops along the route, such as the lakes of Killarney; the beaches of Derrynane, Rossbeigh, and St. Finian’s Bay; or the towns of Sneem, Portmagee, Kenmare and Waterville.
9. Adventure through the Tatras Mountains: from Poland to Slovakia
Pure nature amidst mountains; that’s the best description for one of the best road trip routes in Central Europe. It all starts in Krakow, the Polish capital, and continues through the charming town of Zakopane and across the Tatra Mountains to Slovakia. But before you begin, there’s a must-see stop in Krakow: the Wieliczka Salt Mine.
Once in Zakopane, before starting your drive through the mountains, we recommend exploring the area on foot to discover its charming wooden houses, take the cable car up to Kasprowy, and enjoy the surroundings. In addition, a hike to Lake Morskie Oko is also highly recommended.
Once in Slovakia, you can continue hiking in the High Tatras National Park and visit Štrbské Pleso, Poprad, or Košice, the country’s second-largest city. Between one and seven days is the perfect amount of time for this trip.
10. Discover Bulgaria’s East Coast along the Black Sea
Looking for a European road trip this summer? Look no further and rent a car in Bulgaria to explore its east coast from Burgas to Varna. Besides the fact that Bulgaria is still relatively uncrowded, you can enjoy beautiful beaches and charming historic centres along the route, with Nesabar being a highlight.
Burgas, Sozopol, and Cape Kaliakra are other must-see destinations on this itinerary. It’s the perfect getaway to enjoy for a week, making it accessible to all types of travelers. And if what really interests you are the beaches, sign up for these: Silistar Beach, Butamyata Beach, Veleka Beach and Bolata Beach.
11. Tour of the Swiss Alps
Switzerland couldn’t be missing from this ranking. It’s one of the favorite European destinations for nature lovers, where its mountains become the protagonists of every landscape. There are many routes around the country, but one of the most comprehensive is the Grand Route of Switzerland, which travels in a circular way around the country and connects its most outstanding points. You’ll pass by 46 points of interest, 5 mountain passes, 22 lakes, and 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites!
The route is made up of 8 stages:
- Stage 1. Zurich – Appenzell
- Stage 2. Appenzell – St. Moritz
- Stage 3. St. Moritz Bellinzona
- Stage 4. Bellinzona – Zermatt
- Stage 5. Zermatt – Lausanne
- Stage 6. Lausanne – Neuchâtel
- Stage 7. Neuchâtel – Bern
- Stage 8. Bern – Zurich.
Each stage consists of different places to visit. For example, stage 3 includes 10 highlights. Many tourists dedicate 10 days to this route, but if you can do more, even better, as you can include more stops along the way.
12. Iceland: Golden Circle, South Coast and Ring Road. One of the best road trips in Europe
No landscapes can compare to those of Iceland. Although its roads are not the best, I have no doubt that Iceland will become one of the best road trip routes in Europe you will ever experience in your lifetime, even one of the best car trips you will ever take anywhere in the world. Furthermore, the car is the best way to travel around the country, as there are no trains. However, many tourists also choose to travel around Iceland in a motorhome for even more freedom.
In total, there are three main routes through Iceland:
- The Golden Circle. This is the most famous route in the country. It starts in the capital, Reykjavík, and takes in some of the island’s most spectacular wonders. It can be visited in one or two days.
- Route through the south of the country. This is usually combined with the Golden Circle route, taking a minimum of 7 or 8 days to complete. It can be visited all year round, but winter is a very good option.
- Ring Road. This is the road route that goes around the island and allows you to see the most important points around the country. It is not advisable to go in winter, as the roads in the north may be closed, so you can leave it for spring or summer.
13. Driving along the Albanian coast
We return to the Balkan Peninsula, but this time to a different country and one of the most underrated coastlines in Europe. Believe it or not, on the Albanian coast you will find pristine beaches with crystal clear waters in a truly Mediterranean setting. The best way to enjoy this area is by car, as freedom of movement allows you to get the most out of this destination.
Your route should include places such as Ksamil, the Llogara Pass and Dhërmi. But it’s not just the beach that makes this area attractive. Its northern mountain area is also unique. You can go on fantastic hikes and, best of all, you’ll be practically alone, as there aren’t many people around.
Ten days is a good amount of time to enjoy this road trip. And to avoid the crowds as much as possible, we recommend to book trips to the Albanian coast between May and September, avoiding July and August if possible.
14. Route through Macedonia, one of the best road trips in Europe for wine lovers
This is a very special route. The Macedonian wine route is highly recommended for wine lovers. It all starts in Skipie, from where you’ll head to Veles, a wine region with countless wineries offering a wide range of tastings. You can then continue on to another wine region, in this case Tikveš. It’s the heart of winemaking in the country and boasts iconic wineries.
To put the finishing touch on your trip, we recommend visiting the historic city of Bitola, the ancient Roman site of Heraclea Lyncestis, and ending in Ohrid, a lakeside location ideal for taking some of the best photos of your trip.
The Macedonian wine route is also an ideal summer tour, and you can easily cover it in seven days.
15. Road trip through the Norwegian fjords
We’re ending this list of the best road trip routes in Europe on a high note. How could we not include the incredible fjords? In this case, there are also many route options, but the most comprehensive of all is the Grand Route, a true classic. Through this route, you can discover not only these natural enclaves, but also the country’s main cities, its picturesque villages, and its national parks.
This route, which runs along the entire southern coast of Norway from Oslo to Ålesund, can be adapted to each traveler, adding or removing places depending on the time available. However, these are the places you absolutely can’t miss: Oslo, Geirangerfjord, Sognefjord, Bergen, Vøringsfossen waterfalls, the Jæren Route, Jostedalsbreen National Park, Hardangerfjord, and Stavanger. It’s a trip that won’t disappoint and is always a hit with road trip lovers.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Road Trip Routes in Europe
Renting is usually the best option, unless your route is entirely within your own country or a very nearby one. Insurance is typically included in the rental price, giving you greater peace of mind. You’ll also have the option to choose from modern and efficient models, which are safer and less likely to break down. Plus, you know they’ll be equipped according to the country’s regulations.
If you’re Spanish and traveling to a country within the European Economic Area (EEA), your valid national driver’s license will suffice. If you’re from a country outside the EEA or traveling to one (for example, car rental in Cuba), you’ll most likely need an International Driving Permit. However, check with the embassy beforehand to be sure.
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