Top 10 Best Road Trips in Europe
Nothing compares to a road trip vacation. You are free to travel whenever and wherever you desire, to explore the beauty of nature or experience the culture ... read more...along the way. Here are the best road trips in Europe that are worth visiting once in a lifetime!
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The driving route from Turin, Italy to Montreux, Switzerland made it into the best of travelers’ wishlists for road trips in Europe they wanted to explore. It starts in Turin, a major city in Northern Italy, and finishes up on the shoreline of Lake Geneva, Montreux. The road distance is 228.2 kilometers and it would take approximately 3 hours for travelers to get to the destination.
Along the way, you will be fascinated by majestic, snow-capped peaks in the Alps and the stunning view of Lake Lugano from the mountaintops as well as many charming cities of both countries. You may stop by and visit some cities such as Chamonix, Asti, Zermatt, Aosta, Morzine, etc. Each city has its own beauty and is full of fun activities for you to do. For example, if you visit Zermatt village, you can experience skiing and local food around the corner. When coming to Chamonix, the most popular city on the route, you may go sightseeing at many neighboring peaks like Aiguille du Midi and Pointe Helbronner by cable car. Moreover, there are other famous stops along the way that you should visit, which are the Egyptian Museum, Chillon Castle, Castel Savoia and Fort of Bard. If you travel through Asti city on the weekend of the second Sunday in September, you can also enjoy Festival Delle Sagre there. The best time to take the road trip is in summer and early fall as you can enjoy the most pleasant weather in Italy and Switzerland.
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One of the most beautiful roads in the world is the coastal Atlantic Road, which is hidden away on the western part of the Norwegian coastline. It is part of a 36-kilometer-long National Tourist Route between the towns of Kristiansund and Molde. The route is comprised of eight bridges and runs between four rest stops.
People even call it “the world’s best place to mend a broken heart” due to the amazing scenery it offers along the way. Those who travel the 8 kilometers long highway get the experience of a lifetime because every inch passed by is incredible. The iconic zigzag road featured small ragged islands between the causeways, the magnificent Norwegian Sea and the charming towns of Krvg and Vevang, which can all be viewed from a car. Although the Atlantic Road is just over 8 kilometers long and doesn't take much time to go, you will experience the feeling of being on a roller coaster throughout the journey as the entire route is sinuous and dipping. It is even possible to take a peek at seals and whales while traveling along the route as it crosses a part of the Norwegian Sea. There are various tourist destinations available in the archipelago for visitors to have a rest and enjoy watching those adorable sea creatures.
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Looking for an ultimate route for travel lovers? You definitely don't want to miss the North Coast 500 in Scotland. The North Coast 500 starts and finishes in Inverness, the capital of the Scottish Highlands. It is was created in 2014 by the North Highland Initiative and was officially launched in 2015. The route crosses six northern Scotland regions, which are Black Isle, Caithness, Easter Ross, Inverness-Shire, Sutherland, and Wester Ross. Although it is called "Scotland's Route 66", North Coast 500 is not a single road or highway but rather a group of current roads that follow the coastline.
Driving this 516-mile route has become a must-do activity for travelers when coming to Scotland and it is easy to understand why. Visitors can explore the rocky landscapes, white sandy beaches, coastal views, spot natural wildlifd, visit museums, heritage sites along the way. Moreover, you should try the local food of the Scottish Highlands at a wide variety of food stops. There are also many fun activities to do around the route such as wild camping, kayaking, hiking. The full route takes about 3 days of driving without stopping, but come on, you're on one of the most beautiful roads in the world so you should stop several times for the scenery. North Coast 500 is more than a road trip! Give yourself a week or more to complete this road trip and it will leave you fascinated.
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Driving through Bavaria, a land at the heart of Europe is an exciting idea for your next big adventure! Located in southeastern Germany, bordering Austria, the Czech Republic, and Liechtenstein, Bavaria is Germany's largest state and one of the most popular tourist destinations. Traveling to Bavaria Germany, you will surely be overwhelmed by the beauty of real-life fairytale towns, snow-covered peaks, and stunning Alpine rivers.
The German Alpine Road is best for visiting during the holiday. Travelers may begin their itinerary in Munich and take the time to explore Dachau Concentration Camp - the famous historical site or visit the Viktualienmarkt market and the popular beer hall - Hofbrauhaus. Moreover, Munich will treat you to a variety of delicacies such as Bratuwurst (German sausage), Schweinshaxe (pork knuckle) and its unique beer. Heading towards Austria - the charming city of Salzburg, people will have the chance to witness the scenic Salzach River flowing through it in the middle and the majestic Alpine mountains to the south. Fussen, Neuschwanstein Castle, Linderhof Palace, and Weis Pilgrimage Church in the south are also highly- recommended as the next destinations.
Beautiful scenery, a long history, a vibrant culture, quaint towns, and spectacular castles are some of the attractions of the Bavarian region. A week is enough time to see the most of lovely Bavaria, including its cities, gorgeous castles, scenic routes, and natural attractions.
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Wild Atlantic Way is a spectacular touring route located on the west coast and portions of Ireland's north and south shores. It stretches over 9 countries and is 2500 kilometers long, making it one of the world's longest-defined coastal roads. The route's impressive length is not, however, what gives the Irish the greatest sense of pride; rather, it is honored for its magnificent beauty and endless inspiration for those who visit even just once. Diving into turquoise waters, climbing to the top of massive sea cliffs, and taking in stunning walking paths there are some exciting activities that attract many visitors to pack their bags and drive through Wild Atlantic Way. Along the way, this breathtaking route features magnificent scenery, diverse culture, music events, and seafood that has just been caught off the boat. These things make every minute of the Wild Atlantic Way a worthwhile experience!
There are many hidden gems for travel lovers to explore when having a drive along the Wild Atlantic Way. Donegal with the rugged Malin Head, Fanad Head and Sliabh Liag Cliffs is a perfect choice to start the road trip. Then, for watersports enthusiasts, County Sligo will offer a wide variety of thrilling activities; and history lovers will love to visit County Mayo. Other signature discovery points are Clifden (County Galway), Kinsale (County Cork), County Clare,... No matter what your destination choices are, Wild Atlantic Way will not let you be disappointed.
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Route Napoleon, one of the most beautiful drives in France, is the road that Napoleon Bonaparte and his army took in 1815 after having made their way out of exile from Elba to Grenoble. To avoid royalists, Napoleon tried to choose a remote road and that's why a route that passes through the picturesque countryside was chosen. The current Route Napoleon, established in 1932 as a paved tourist route, comprises segments of the routes N85, D1085, D4085, and D6085. Taking this road trip means that you are following in the legendary historical footsteps of the greatest general of all time and understanding more about the memorable milestones of France's history while sightseeing the scenic route.
This epic route begins at the coastal town of Golfe-Juan, crosses spectacular mountains and ends in Grenoble, the southern Pre-Alps. The 325 kilometers (200 miles) drive can be completed in a single day, but it is recommended that you take your time and stop frequently to extend your trip to six or seven days. Route Napoleon crosses two regions and four departments so there are a lot of places for you to visit. Highlights of this road trip are lavender fields, beautiful towns, the Gorge de Verdon National Park and the statues of the French Imperial Eagle, etc.
Take your time to drive along this stretch of road and combine sightseeing the fantastic scenery with learning about the culture and history of France.
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From glaciers, volcanoes, deserts to the Northern Lights phenomenon... all of them make every visitor amazed and fascinated when coming to Iceland. Iceland is also ideal to do some of the world's most epic road trips, including the 830-mile Ring Road, which connects all of Iceland's islands. It is 1,328 kilometers long and covers most parts of the entire country. That's why the Ring Road also referred to as "Iceland’s national road Route 1".
Driving through Ring Road is a perfect road trip idea as it offers people the chance to witness Iceland's outstanding natural wonders, impressive scenery, and distinctive charm. It crosses North Iceland, the Westfjords and the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Several of Iceland's incredible sights, including the Jökulsárlón glacier, may be explored along the Ring Road. For an impressive view of the river, visitors can rent a boat and travel there. Some of the route's highlights include the Dyrhólaey cliffs, the Seljalandsfoss and the Skógafoss waterfalls. For the best experience, it is recommended that visitors plan a road trip for up to 7 or 10 days. Especially, there are a lot of fun things to do in Iceland during the winter, including hiking on glaciers, whale watching, skiing, and even just unwinding in hot mineral pools while the snow falls all around you.
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Transfagarasan is the most scenic and famous highway of Romania. Transfagarasan features serpentine hairpins twisting up from medieval Curtea de Arges towards the high Balea Lake together with the Stelvio Pass in northern Italy are considered to be the most known sections of road in Europe. It was constructed in the 1970s by Nicolae Ceausescu in order to build a strategic route via the Fagaras Mountains to transport soldiers north in case Romania was invaded by the USSR. It is estimated that hundreds of people perished while building "Ceausescu's folly," frequently through the use of 6,500 tons of dynamite to break the Fagaras Mountains.
With a length of more than 150 kilometers, alongside the fantastic driving experience, it offers so much more. The first attraction when you drive from the south is Lake Vidraru with one of the largest dams in Europe. Another highlight is the glacial Balea Lake, which is near the highest point of the road at a height of 2,034 meters. The special thing is the water there is used for the one and only Ice Hotel in the country. Capra Tunnel is perfect for those who crave challenging experiences as this 890meter-long tunnel has no lights inside it! When making your drive to Poienari Fortress, you will have the chance to have a great view of the surrounding area from a beautiful historical site. Those reasons above make Transfagarasan a great choice for road trip in Europe.
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Catalonia is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe due to its beautiful cities like Cadaques, Rosas, Tossa de Mar, Girona, Palamos, Barcelona, and Besalu. Surrounded by mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, Catalonia is a traditional region of Spain that prides itself on its unique culture.
You may look forward to the sun, the sea, lovely beaches, and reasonably priced dining options when making your road trip to the Catalonia region. Barcelona is full of attractions and things to do, with an atmospheric medieval neighborhood, surprising modern architecture and vibrant urban culture. Barcelona confronting in historical importance is Girona, with its medieval heritage, and Tarragona, a former Roman capital. Further afield, in the idyllic countryside of verdant valleys and rolling hills, tourists can discover quaint medieval towns, picturesque seaports and tranquil villages where the sounds of birds chirp singing and church bells ringing are the loudest. At every stop along the way, local cuisine will definitely tempt visitors. From Barcelona, you can drive through Tossa de Mar, Palamos, Rosas, and Cadaques before returning to Barcelona via Besalu and Girona. Stretching to the northeast from the bays and the beach of Blanes to the border of Catalonia with France, you can visit the Costa Brava coast - the most beautiful coast of Spain. In short, a Catalonia road trip is a fantastic way to explore one of Spain's most fascinating and stunning regions.
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The highest mountain pass road in Austria should be a must if you're planning a full road trip through the Alps, which is Grossglockner High Alpine Road. You may experience an exhilarating journey through some of Austria's most breathtaking countryside on this twisting mountain pass road.
The road distance is 48 kilometers and it would take approximately 2 hours for travelers to finish the route. The Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse is surrounded by a breathtaking landscape of floral fields, snowy mountains, glaciers, and winding roads. Thirty-seven distinct mountains can be seen while driving through Hohe Tauern National Park in a car that takes you through the clouds. Through the Ferleiten toll port, soon the endless majestic scenes will appear in front of you. The roads take visitors to an altitude of about 8,200ft (about 2,500m) with lots of U-shaped bends and sleeves. From this height can see the whole scene below with lakes, glaciers, pine hills, vertical cliffs and immense green fields. It should be noted that a ticket is required to drive through this route. And last but not least, do not forget to visit the Alps Natural Exhibition Museum or spend time discovering information about the history of establishing this route at the display space near Fuscher Lacke Lake. Let's pack your things, come to Austria and finish this amazing road trip!