If you’re searching for the best road trips in Europe, you’ve arrived at the perfect place.
This European road trip guide runs through 16 of my favourite locations across mountains, coastlines, ski towns, and budget-friendly trips, so you can pick the one that best suits your desired travel style. Whether you’re after Alpine scenery, small surf towns, or historic castle-village drives, European road trips vary so much from country to country, with different landscapes, cultures, and architecture to suit every kind of independent traveller.
Europe is basically a road-tripper’s paradise. You’ve got the Alps and their year-round mountain towns (equally as beautiful in summer as winter), the wild fjords of Norway, the stunning coastlines of Portugal and Croatia, and much of the continent that still feels undiscovered.
Summer (June–August) is peak road tripping season for mountain hikes and warm coastal swims, spring and autumn are perfect for beating the crowds and better prices (yay), and winter is like a picture-perfect version of the Alps, with beautiful snow-covered mountains where you can visit ski villages and Christmas markets galore.
You’ve probably already heard of some of the most popular routes, including Chamonix, the Amalfi Coast, and Iceland’s Ring Road, but there are so many hidden gems along lesser-known routes that are just as worthy of a visit.
Settle into this best European road trip guide and get ready to start planning the trip of a lifetime (with beautiful views for days!).
Below, we’ve put together 16 of the best road trip destinations in Europe into four categories. Whatever you prefer, whether it be adventure, beaches, skiing, or budget-friendly, so you can jump straight into the type of trip you are craving.
Road trips for the outdoor adventurers
Switzerland: the Swiss Alps
Switzerland is the road trip for anyone who’s ever said, ‘I just want to see mountains, and more mountains.’ Expect snow-covered peaks even in summer, and villages like Evolène and Saint-Luc that look like the postcard picture you’ve always dreamed of visiting. The Tignousa gondola near Saint-Luc offers access to some of the region’s best day hikes.
Fun fact:
You only need one road sticker (around 40 CHF) to cover you on every Swiss motorway for the year.
Western Norway: the fjords
If outdoor adventure is your love language, this is one of the best road trips to go on in Europe, full stop. Drive between Bergen and the Geirangerfjord, and you’ll pass Trolltunga, the Flåm railway, floating saunas (what a dream!), and enough waterfalls to lose count.
Summer brings long daylight hours and the midnight sun further north, while Norway’s ‘right to roam’ law means you can legally wild camp almost anywhere. It’s one of the very best European road trips for campervan travel. Check Roadsurfer for campervan hire.
Get lifetime access to my endless hours of research and time spent on the ground finding the best places to eat, drink, relax and explore in Norway. Simply open the Google Map on the go and all my recommendations are at the touch of your fingertips.
Iceland: the Ring Road
Iceland really is a once-in-a-lifetime trip, think black sand beaches, hiking through ice caves, geysers and the chance of the Northern Lights (with September to March your best chance at seeing them) all along one looping road. Expect temperatures around 0–10°C, depending on the season. Iceland highlights include:
- Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
- The Golden Circle
- Skógafoss waterfall
It’s a bucket-list country within this European road trips guide. It’s honestly other-worldly.
West Scotland: the North Coast 500 region
Expect changeable weather year-round (pack layers, whatever the forecast says), with June to August giving you the best chance of sunshine. Highlights include:
- Glencoe
- Glenfinnan Viaduct (Harry Potter!)
- Isle Of Skye
- Eilean Donan Castle
- White-sand beaches that surprisingly look more like Caribbean than Scottish (you’d never have thought it).
This is one of those European road trips people underestimate until they’ve done it – then they can’t stop talking about it.
Get lifetime access to my endless hours of research and time spent on the ground finding the best places to eat, drink, relax and explore in Scotland. Simply open the map on your device and all my recommendations are at the touch of your fingertips.
Italy: the Dolomites
For jaw-dropping mountain scenery without the Swiss price tag (what more can you want), the Dolomites in northern Italy are hard to beat. Known for its picturesque peaks, alpine lakes like Lago di Braies, and via ferrata routes for the adrenaline-seekers.
Summer (June–September) is best for hiking; December to March turns the region into a ski wonderland.
Fun fact
The Dolomites were once an ancient coral reef, which is why the rock glows pink and orange at sunset – a phenomenon locals call ‘enrosadira’.
For the beach lovers
Cornwall: England’s surf coast
Cornwall is proof that you don’t need to leave the UK for an insane coastal road trip. Full of dreamy, bright blue-coloured seas, clotted-cream teas, and surf towns like St Ives and Newquay.
Summer brings the warmest sea temperatures, and both July and September are your months to try to secure good weather and less-busy roads and beaches. Though Cornwall is gorgeous to road trip even off-season. Take your layers and embrace cliff walks, hot chocolates and saunas that have become popular additions to many beach fronts.
Cornwall road trip highlights include:
- the Minack Theatre (carved into a clifftop)
- fishing villages of Padstow, Mousehole and Port Isaac
- Surfing in Newquay
- Wandering the shops and art galleries of St. Ives
Get lifetime access to my endless hours of research and time spent on the ground finding the best places to eat, drink, relax and explore in Cornwall. Simply open the Google Map on your device and all my tips are at the touch of your fingertips.
Dorset: the Jurassic Coast
Dorset‘s Jurassic Coast is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with chalk cliffs and postcard beaches located on the South Coast of England. Summers are mild around 18–22°C but again this is England so weather is never guaranteed haha!
Consider adding:
- The iconic Durdle Door limestone arch
- the long curve of Chesil Beach
- Lyme Regis
- Corfe Castle
- Old Harry Rocks
It’s a brilliant weekend or week-long option if you want the coastal road trip without leaving England. In my opinion, it’s the best place to go for a spontaneous trip.
Portugal: Not Just the Algarve
Portugal consistently ranks among the best road trips in Europe for beach lovers on a budget. A road trip in Portugal is all about soaking up golden cliffs, secret coves and warm summers, plus surf culture in the likes of Ericeira, and the charm of cities such as Lisbon and Porto.
Highlights of a Portugal road trip include:
Get lifetime access to my endless hours of research and time spent on the ground finding the best places to eat, drink, relax and explore in Portugal. Simply open the Google Map on your device and all my tips are at the touch of your fingertips.
Croatia: the Dalmatian Coast
Croatia‘s Dalmatian Coast is one of Europe’s most photogenic road trips. It’s an insanely stunning stretch of coastline. Think red-tiled roofs, crystal-clear waters, island-hopping options, and an abundance of Roman history to dive into. Croatia is an incredible country for a road trip, and one of the most popular journeys is from Split down to Dubrovnik.
Highlights of a Dalmation Coast road trip in Croatia:
- Island-hopping ferries to Hvar and Vis
- Roman ruins in Zadar
- Explore the medieval walls of Dubrovnik
- Jump in the Waterfalls of Krka National Park
- Wander the bustling open-air museum of Split
- Game of Thrones filming locations around every corner.
Fun fact:
Croatia has over 1,200 islands, so no two coastal stops ever feel the same. It’s genuinely one of the best European road trips if you love both beach days and wandering the beautiful streets of the old towns.
Greece: the Peloponnese Peninsula
Less crowded than the islands but just as stunning, the Peloponnese peninsula has so much to offer, from ancient ruins, clear blue waters and mountain villages within a single loop.
If you are a heat-loving summer lover, the Peloponnese could be ideal for you with very hot 30°C+ summers (May and September are a little cooler), plus highlights like Nafplio’s Venetian old town, the theatre at Epidaurus, and the beaches of Elafonissi-style sand near Voidokilia. It’s an underrated pick for anyone who wants a beach road trip with a slice of ancient history.
For the ski season
France & Switzerland: the Alps ski loop
This route places together Chamonix, Annecy and the Swiss Alps into one pretty amazing winter (or summer, take your pick!) adventure. Expect snow-heavy conditions from December to March with some of the best skiing in the world, and pretty alpine lakes once the snow melts. It’s regularly rated one of the best road trips in Europe for combining French charm with Swiss efficiency.
Iceland in winter: the aurora edition
We’ve mentioned Iceland already for its summer season, but a winter version of the same route is genuinely a different trip. Expect minus degree temperatures, snow-dusted waterfalls, and (with luck) the Northern Lights dancing overhead. It’s one of the more magical winter European road trips you can take, especially when paired with relaxing at the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon.
For the budget-conscious
Morocco: the Atlas Mountains and desert
Technically a short hop from Europe (and often grouped into European road trip itineraries from Spain), Morocco offers incredible value: think 20–35°C days, the Atlas Mountains and dreamy Sahara Desert camps.
Highlights include the blue-washed town of Chefchaouen and the winding souks of Marrakech. It’s one of the best road trips on Europe’s doorstep for travellers who want full adventure for every euro spent.
The Netherlands: Holland on wheels
Flat, very easy driving and a low cost of living make Holland a brilliant short, budget-friendly road trip. Expect mild 15–25°C summers, windmill-dotted countryside, tulip fields (peak bloom is in April, a real must-see), and cities like Utrecht and Rotterdam, which are wildly underrated. It’s a fantastic long-weekend option among European road trips if you’re short on time but still want variety.
Northern France: Normandy and beyond
Northern France is underrated for road trips; you get history and fishing villages just a short ferry ride from the UK. Enjoyable mild 15–22°C summers, cheaper fuel and food than the south of France, and highlights like Étretat’s chalk cliffs and the medieval streets of Honfleur.
The Dover–Calais ferry takes just an hour, making this one of the most accessible European road trips for UK-based travellers.
Slovenia: Lake Bled and the Julian Alps
Slovenia is a great budget mountain road trip destination in Europe right now. Warm 20–28°C summers, glacial lakes like Bled and Bohinj, and the dramatic Vršič Pass through the Julian Alps, all at a fraction of Swiss or French prices (happy days). Lake Bled’s tiny island church can only be reached by a traditional wooden gondola boat called a pletna. For budget-conscious travellers chasing Alpine views, this is one of the best road trips in Europe.
Ready to plan your own European road trip?
Have you been on a European road trip?
Where are the best places to go for a road trip in Europe? Anything you’d add to this European road trip bucket list?
Charlotte Storey
