Europe’s Best Road Trips
Scenic Routes Worth Driving
From dramatic Alpine passes and coastal roads to historic towns and remote wilderness, some European roads are destinations in their own right.
Find Your Ideal Road Trip
Explore routes by landscape, experience, and travel style.
Mountain Roads
Alpine passes, switchbacks, glaciers, and high viewpoints.
Explore mountain routes →Coastal Drives
Sea views, bridges, beaches, cliffs, and coastal villages.
Explore coastal routes →History and Culture
Castles, medieval towns, landmarks, and themed routes.
Explore cultural routes →Nature and Wilderness
Waterfalls, forests, volcanic landscapes, and remote scenery.
Explore nature routes →Mountain Roads with Spectacular Views
Memorable routes through Alpine and Carpathian landscapes.
Austria
Grossglockner High Alpine Road
A famous Alpine road with glaciers, mountain peaks, and panoramic viewpoints.
- Distance
- Approx. 48 km
- Highest point
- Approx. 2,504 m
- Season
- Usually May–October
Highlights: Heiligenblut, Zell am See, Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe
France
Route des Grandes Alpes
A legendary journey from Lake Geneva across famous Alpine passes to the Mediterranean.
- Distance
- Approx. 700 km
- Highest point
- Approx. 2,770 m
- Season
- Usually June–September
Highlights: Annecy, Chamonix, Briançon, Nice
Romania
Transfăgărășan Highway
A dramatic Carpathian route featuring tunnels, switchbacks, and mountain scenery.
- Distance
- Approx. 90 km
- Highest point
- Approx. 2,042 m
- Season
- Usually June–October
Highlights: Curtea de Argeș, Lake Bâlea, Sibiu
Europe’s Most Beautiful Coastal Drives
Routes shaped by cliffs, beaches, bridges, islands, and open sea.
Italy
Amalfi Drive
An iconic cliffside drive connecting colourful villages above the Tyrrhenian Sea.
- Distance
- Approx. 50 km
- Season
- Usually April–October
Highlights: Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, Ravello
Spain
Costa Brava Coastal Route
A Mediterranean journey through beaches, coves, fishing villages, and seaside towns.
- Distance
- Approx. 200 km
- Season
- Spring and autumn
Highlights: Barcelona, Tossa de Mar, Begur, Cadaqués
Norway
Atlantic Road
A short but unforgettable series of bridges connecting islands across the Atlantic Ocean.
- Distance
- Approx. 8.3 km
- Season
- Usually May–September
Highlights: Kristiansund, Averøy, Bud
Routes for History and Culture Lovers
Germany
Romantic Road, Germany
A themed route connecting medieval towns, historic landmarks, and fairy-tale castles.
- Distance
- Approx. 350 km
- Season
- Spring and autumn
Highlights: Würzburg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Augsburg, Neuschwanstein Castle
Scotland
North Coast 500, Scotland
A circular Highland route combining rugged coastlines, ancient castles, and remote scenery.
- Distance
- Approx. 830 km
- Season
- Usually May–September
Highlights: Inverness, John o’Groats, Ullapool, Applecross
Road Trips for Nature Enthusiasts
Iceland
Ring Road, Iceland
A journey around Iceland featuring glaciers, waterfalls, volcanoes, beaches, and geothermal areas.
- Distance
- Approx. 1,332 km
- Season
- Usually June–September
Highlights: Reykjavík, Vík, Jökulsárlón, Akureyri
Czechia
Šumava Panorama Road, Czechia
A quieter route through forests, mountain meadows, viewpoints, and picturesque villages.
- Distance
- Approx. 120 km
- Season
- Year-round, especially autumn
Highlights: Kvilda, Modrava, Lipno
Compare the Routes at a Glance
Grossglockner
Austria · Approx. 48 km · May–October
Grandes Alpes
France · Approx. 700 km · June–September
Transfăgărășan
Romania · Approx. 90 km · June–October
Amalfi Drive
Italy · Approx. 50 km · April–October
Costa Brava
Spain · Approx. 200 km · Spring–autumn
Atlantic Road
Norway · Approx. 8.3 km · May–September
Romantic Road
Germany · Approx. 350 km · Spring–autumn
North Coast 500
Scotland · Approx. 830 km · May–September
Ring Road
Iceland · Approx. 1,332 km · June–September
Šumava Route
Czechia · Approx. 120 km · Year-round
How to Prepare for a European Road Trip
- 1
Check Tolls and Vignettes
Confirm motorway charges for every country on your route.
- 2
Review Restrictions
Check current closures, construction, and local access rules.
- 3
Verify Seasonal Access
Confirm mountain roads and remote routes are open.
- 4
Plan Fuel Stops
Consider fuel availability and price differences between countries.
- 5
Book Early
Reserve accommodation ahead in popular tourist areas.