You don’t need a European road trip planner. Check out the best road trips in Europe – from Germany to Norway we have all the best European roads!
Is fuel running through your veins? I bet it does! Otherwise, you wouldn’t be searching for the best road trips in Europe, would you?!
Great news my friend, we are addicted to the most beautiful and scenic routes too! And luckily for us, Europe is full of amazing roads to drive on.
Driving holidays Europe – car hire:
We have rented cars many times during the best European road trips and we always used discovercars.com
Check out our guide to the European rental car companies or simply explore the options directly on discovercars.com if you need a car during a trip in Europe.
Not sure where to start and which of the European roads is the best for a trip? We have you covered! The best European road trips are waiting for you!
Where are the best places to do a road trip in Europe?
In no particular order, we would like to introduce you to the top 15 road trips in Europe.
So, start your engine!
Ready, steady, GO! It’s time to learn more about the top driving holidays in Europe:
15 best Road Trips in Europe
1. Amalfi Coast Road, ITALY
Driving holidays Europe? The legendary Amalfi Coast Road (the Costiera Amalfitana) is considered one of the most scenic road trips in Italy and maybe even in Europe.
The very popular Amalfi Coast route follows the shoreline from Sorrento to Vietri Sul Mare. There are incredible sceneries to be seen on many road trips in Europe and this one will definitely guarantee that! ? Would you add Amalfi Road to your list of the best road trips in Europe?
Are you ready to cross the Amalfi Coast? Check out what’s the best time to visit Italy before going on this stunning European road trip!
Read also: Amalfi Coast Italy (Campania) – Italy’s most scenic & famous coastline!
2. Ring of Kerry, IRELAND
Best driving roads in Europe? This stunning Irish loop is probably Europe’s most underrated road trip so be quick before it becomes too popular! With few airports nearby all you have to do is rent a car and in a couple of hours, you will get to this amazing location.
Ireland is a great country for road trips in Europe. And with some many beautiful landscapes Ring of Kerry is a must-do for all 4-wheel lovers. Could this be the best driving holidays in Europe? Oh YES! 🙂
Highlighting dramatic Irish coastlines, hillsides and plenty of opportunities to do hiking Ring of Kerry sound like a dream! Additionally, with a relatively short distance (just about 180-kilometers) driving around Ring of Kerry is a perfect weekend trip.
Read also: 3 days Ring of Kerry itinerary. Is driving the Ring of Kerry worth it?
3. Grossglockner Road, AUSTRIA
Does anyone fancy a stunning European road trip? Any trip to Austria without a drive on Grossglockner High Alpine Road is a crime! In just a couple of hours drive from either Salzburg or Innsbruck, you will reach to this stunning road!
Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse is one of the best things to do in Austria! Stretching a total of a 48km toll road through the Austrian Alps is probably among the top 3 most scenic drives of Europe we have done – an amazing road trip in Europe!
The Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse is one of the European road trips you just must do in your lifetime. No excuses! Book your trip today! ?
Read also: 13 UNIQUE Things to do in Austria. Bucket List Must Haves!
4. Great Dolomite Road, ITALY
Best roads Europe? Some say that the Dolomites are the most beautiful mountains in the world. Do you agree? For sure, this Italian region has some of the best European roads, and the Great Dolomite Road is one of them! Strada dell Dolomiti is a glorious 62 mile drive through the mountains of Northern Italy – it’s one of the best places to visit in Italy.
This incredible road trips take you from Bolzano to Cortina D’Ampezzo and offers the most gorgeous and scenic views you can imagine! There are endless opportunities to go hiking in the Dolomites as well as visiting some of the great lakes in Italy.
So, is Dolomitenstrasse your next place to drive? Make sure you add this European road to your travel bucket list.
Read also: Things to do in Dolomites – breathtaking views & incredible lakes included!
5. Trollstigen, NORWAY
Top road trip routes Europe? Trollstigen Road, Troll Road or The Troll Ladder – whichever you call the Road 63 in Norway you are right choosing it for your next European road trip! This serpentine mountain road in Rauma Municipality is simply stunning – it is one of Norway’s most dramatic and most visited attractions.
Norway is probably one of the best places to do self-drive holidays in Europe and Trollstigen just has to be on the list!
Would you challenge yourself on this legendary road made up of eleven 180º bends across the Norwegian fjords? The Trollstigen Road ascends to 850 metres above sea level so make sure you take advantage of that and enjoy the breath-taking views!
6. Zante island, GREECE
European road trip holidays – How to combine a stunning road trip with the best beaches in Europe? Go to Zante in Greece!
You can drive around Zante in about two hours. But if you really want to explore and make the most of this stunning island you will have to book a few days trip. With scattered villages, beautiful countryside and Zakynthos’ most famous attraction – Navagio Beach, the northern route is a great starting point on your road trip on the Zakynthos island.
Read our guide about top things to do in Zante before planning your road trip on the island.
Read also: TOP 13 Things to do in Zakynthos [Zante – Ionian Island in Greece]
7. GC-200, SPAIN
Great road trips Europe – driving in the mountains on one of the best European islands? Sounds like a great European adventure, right? ?
This stunning European road is located on the west coast of Gran Canaria – one of the best Spanish islands we have visited. The drive on GC-200 is one scenic tour you will just love! A great idea for an amazing road trip in Europe.
we have visited. The drive on GC-200 is one scenic tour you will just love! A great idea for an amazing road trip in Europe.
The coastal highway, a rocky and wild road attract 1000s of tourists every year – including many Norwegian who have many spectacular roads in their country too.
Make sure you stop at Mirador del Balcón – a stunning viewing point on the Gran Canaria island. Would you add the GC-200 road to your European road trip list?
Read also: 20 Things to do in Gran Canaria & best places you HAVE to visit!
8. Romantic Road, GERMANY
Scenic European road trips? There are probably many romantic road trips you can take in Europe. But there is the only one that matters – the Romantische Strasse in Germany. Who would have thought that you can find great European road trips in Germany?! 😉
Germany’s Romantic Road stretches for just over 400 kilometres from Wurzburg to Füssen and it is a great way to discover the real fairy-tale Europe ?
Rent a car and get on the road! A Romantic Road in Germany!
Read also: 4 days in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany – Best Places to visit in GaPa
9. Golden Ring Road, ICELAND
European road trip ideas? The most popular route you can take in Iceland, the Golden Circle, is one of our favourite travel experiences while visiting Iceland. Þingvellir, Gullfoss and Geysir are only a few of the beautiful Icelandic landscapes and views you will be able to see!
The best way to do the Icelandic Ring Road? Rent a car and do it yourself! Don’t do any organized tours, you should really go for a driving holiday around Iceland’s Golden Circle if you want to experience this piece of heaven!
Don’t forget to pay a visit to Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa, Reynisfjara and the Dimond Beach – both totally worth driving few hours on the empty roads in Iceland ?
Ready for best driving holidays in Europe? Just watch out the sheep!
10. Algarve Coast, PORTUGAL
Best road trip routes Europe? Any European road trip wouldn’t be complete without a drive along the Algarve Coast. This is probably the coolest and most scenic road trip to take in Portugal. Fly to Faro, hire a car and start exploring the Algarve region. There are so many lovely country villages, historical spots and some of the best beaches in Europe.
This is a must-do Europe road trip for all beach lovers 🙂
So, what would you say about taking the perfect road trip through Portugal’s Algarve region this summer?
Read also: Best beaches in Algarve Portugal – Algarve’s TOP 13 beaches!
11. Verdon Gorge circuit, FRANCE
Best road trips Europe summer? For many, the Verdon Gorge is France’s most beautiful natural attraction. And it’s hard to disagree! Driving to the Gorges du Verdon is just a must-do as it’s one of the best road trips in Europe you can ever do. The scenic drive along the deepest and most impressive river canyon in Europe is just fabulous!
If you are looking for a bit of drama and breath-taking scenery in the heart of the Verdon Regional Natural Park, make sure you book a holiday on the French Riviera and go for a day trip to Gorges du Verdon.
Driving on hairpin bends and narrow roads is something you expect from the best European road trips – you will get a lot of that while on the circuit.
Read also: Visiting Verdon Gorge France – Top tips to French Grand Canyon!
12. High Alpine Road, GERMANY
Most beautiful roads in Europe? Alpenstraße – the Bavarian dream for every 4-wheel freak! ? The German Alpine Road is a 515 km drive that snakes along the Austrian border. It starts at Lake Constance and it will take you right to the Lake Königssee. During the drive, you can enjoy the most spectacular scenery of the Bavarian Alps, including views of the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain.
You will need a few days to complete this stunning European road trip as there are just way too many things to see – Eibsee Lake, GaPa or Eagle’s Nest are only a few of them. Believe me! This is a must-do and one of the best European road trips!
This exhilarating route full of twists and turns is one of Germany’s greatest secrets so be sure you drive on it before it’s too popular ?
Read also: How to visit Zugspitze? A STUNNING trip to Germany’s highest mountain!
13. Cote d’Azur, FRANCE
European driving holiday routes? France is one of those European countries that you just have to visit for a road trip. Not sure where to go to the south of France for a road trip? Cote d’Azur is the 1st answer! It has one of the best views in France. Hikers and those in search of a scenic drive absolutely love the panoramic views of the French Riviera.
From the picturesque cobblestone streets in French villages, lavender fields to amazing beaches – there is a bit of everything for you during this European road trip.
Read also: Best Places to visit on the French Riviera – Cote d’Azur’s TOP 7
14. Transfagarasan (DN7C), ROMANIA
Driving around Europe? If you watched BBC’s Top Gear in 2009 you probably know that Jeremy Clarkson and his team declared the Transfăgărășan as “the best road in the world”. Looking for a few twists and turns on your road trip? The Romanian road DN7C, as the Transfăgărăşan road is officially called, will give you that joy!
With gorgeous views, spooky dark tunnels and interesting history, the Transfagarasan Highway is just THE road you must drive before you die!
Is Transfagarasan on your list of the best road trips in Europe? I bet, it is! 🙂
15. The Military Road, ENGLAND
Looking for coastal views during your European road trip? The Military Road on the Isle of Wight is your answer! I guess every dude in England has this road on the UK bucket list 🙂
Make sure you drive it east to west simply because of the views and stunning landscape on the right and open sea on the left-hand side. The A3055, A-Class Road on the Isle of Wight in Southern England is a must-drive for any 4-wheel enthusiast as well as for everybody looking for best places to visit in England!
Read also: Isle of Wight things to do – TOP 11 attractions & places to visit on the I.o.W.
How many of the best road trips in Europe have you done?
We hope you will enjoy your European trip! 🙂 Let us know case there are other amazing roads in Europe and we will add them to our bucket list 🙂
Is it worth doing a road trip in Europe?
There is no question about that! If you only have wheels, wanderlust and a bit of time you have to try one of the above stunning European road trips! Touring Europe by car is one of the best ways to enjoy our continent. From amazing European landscapes in Ring of Kerry to a scenic road trip in the Dolomites – there are many great European places to be visited on a perfect road trip in Europe! Which one is on your bucket list next? 🙂
Love travelling in Europe?
Read our other articles related to this stunning continent:
Best places to visit in Europe
Most romantic places in Europe
Most beautiful landscapes in Europe
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Read also our guide: Renting a Car in Europe – How not to get fooled by Car Hire Companies!
