With a full tank, a sense of wanderlust, and a little extra time, road trips in Europe offer a deeply rewarding way to explore the continent’s diverse cultures, scenic landscapes, and historic cities. From the sunny shores of Portugal to the mythical mountains of Transylvania, these unforgettable road trips are designed for travelers seeking freedom, authenticity, and awe-inspiring detours.
Whether you want to trace ancient history, chase coastal sunsets, or navigate alpine passes, here are 10 epic road trips in Europe that can be combined, shortened, or customized to suit your journey.
1. From Paris to the glorious grit of Berlin
Begin your adventure in the romantic streets of Paris. Head northeast to Luxembourg City, a fairy-tale capital with medieval charm, and continue into Germany to explore Trier’s ancient Roman architecture.
Wine lovers should detour to Bacharach for a sip of Riesling before passing through Heidelberg and Nuremberg. Explore Leipzig’s classical music legacy and Cold War sites, then visit the reborn baroque beauty of Dresden. Your road ends in Berlin, which is one of Europe’s most vibrant, edgy, and historic capitals.
2. Basque Country
Start in Bilbao, a hub for art and surfing, and follow the coast to San Sebastián, a paradise for foodies and water sports lovers. Wind your way through the rugged Pyrenees to Pamplona.
On your return, enjoy coastal gems like St-Jean-de-Luz and bohemian Biarritz. Cap it off in Bordeaux, indulging in fine wine and charming French boulevards. This region is perfect for a laid-back, scenic road trip in Europe.
3. From Bergen to Trondheim
Explore fjords, tunnels, and waterfalls on one of the most unforgettable road trips through Norway. Start in Bergen, pass through Voss and the 24.5 km Tvindefossen, and drive the Laerdal Tunnel — the world’s longest road tunnel.
Ferry across the Sognefjord, visit mountain towns like Stryn, and conquer Trollstigen’s hairpin curves. The journey ends in the serene waterside town of Trondheim.
4. The unexplored east: Bucharest to Vienna
Begin in Romania’s capital and head into the Carpathians. Don’t miss Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle) and the winding Transfagarasan Highway. Continue to Sibiu and the fortified city of Sighisoara.
From Timișoara, cross into Hungary for a soak in Budapest’s famous hot springs. Travel through Bratislava and wrap up in majestic Vienna, where history and art meet.
5. To Portugal and then some
Start in Braga, then explore Guimarães, it is Portugal’s birthplace. Continue to Porto and then to the Douro Valley’s vineyards.
Take the coastal route through Figueira da Foz, Peniche, and Ericeira before arriving in Lisbon. Don’t miss the Algarve’s golden beaches in Sagres and Carrapateira. If you’re still craving more adventure, ferry from Algeciras to Morocco and drive to the edge of the Sahara.
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6. Germany’s Alpine Road
Escape London’s hustle for Oxford’s history and the dreamy Cotswolds. Travel to Stratford-upon-Avon, then north to the scenic Lake District.
Continue to York’s medieval charm before reaching enchanting Edinburgh. For true rugged beauty, drive further into the Scottish Highlands — to Stirling, Inverness, or the Western Isles. It’s one of the most unforgettable road trips for lovers of literature, landscapes, and legacy.
7. Beaches and ancient highways in Greece
From Athens, drive along the coastal road to the tip of the Attic peninsula, Sounion, via the Athenian Riviera. Then drive northward to the mythical city of Mycenae, stopping at the Temple of Poseidon and the fortress of Kórinthos.
If you’re in the mood for a luxurious seaside retreat, you cannot go wrong with Náfplio. If not, continue onto Mystra, the cultural and political capital of Byzantium. After Olympia, the ancients’ sporting grounds, we travel to Delphi, the mystic ruins of Athens. We end our tour heading back to Athens.
8. London to Edinburgh and the Highlands
Escape London’s hustle for Oxford’s history and the dreamy Cotswolds. Travel to Stratford-upon-Avon, then north to the scenic Lake District.
Continue to York’s medieval charm before reaching enchanting Edinburgh. For true rugged beauty, drive further into the Scottish Highlands — to Stirling, Inverness, or the Western Isles. It’s one of the most unforgettable road trips for lovers of literature, landscapes, and legacy.
9. Sicily and Calabria
Start in Palermo’s chaos and beauty, then explore Cefalù’s beaches. Head inland to Enna, a city perched high in the Sicilian heartland.
Continue east to Messina, or ferry to mainland Calabria. Discover the rustic mountain villages and untouched coastal stretches of southern Italy, refreshingly free of crowds.
10. Coastal Croatia & Montenegro
Travel from Zagreb through the Velebit Mountains and reach the Adriatic coast. Stop in Zadar, Split, and Šibenik before exploring island gems like Krk and Hvar.
South of Dubrovnik, enter Montenegro to discover Kotor Bay and the dramatic Dinaric Alps. This trip offers a mix of old-world charm and Mediterranean bliss, easily one of the best road trips in Europe.