Europe is exceptional road-trip territory: well-maintained roads, enormous variety packed into manageable distances, and a tradition of scenic routes that have been drawing drivers for generations. The following selection ranges from dramatic coastal drives to alpine passes and wild northern loops — each one chosen for the quality of the journey itself, not just the destination at the end.
Scotland: the North Coast 500
The North Coast 500 (NC500) is Scotland's most celebrated modern driving route — a roughly 500-mile loop from Inverness around the top of the Scottish Highlands, passing through some of the most dramatic and sparsely populated scenery in Europe. Expect single-track roads (with passing places), white-sand beaches that seem improbable in the far north, and an ever-changing cast of mountains, sea lochs and sky. It deserves its own full guide — see the NC500 in detail.
Italy: the Amalfi Coast (SS163)
The drive along the SS163 between Sorrento and Salerno — clinging to the cliffs above the Tyrrhenian Sea, squeezing through Positano, Amalfi and Ravello — is one of the most visually spectacular roads in the world. It is also genuinely narrow, frequently congested in summer, and demanding of driver concentration. Go in May or October for the views without the gridlock. The Amalfi Coast drive guide covers the logistics in full.
France: the Route des Grandes Alpes
This classic Alpine route runs from Lake Geneva (Thonon-les-Bains) south to the Côte d'Azur (Nice) via a chain of high mountain passes, including the Col du Galibier, Col d'Izoard and Col de la Bonette — the highest paved through-road in France. The full route covers around 700 km, but it is the passes themselves — many closed until late June — that are the point. Open the windows, drive slowly and appreciate the scale.
The route passes through multiple ski resorts that are busier in winter, and some sections are genuinely challenging: narrow roads, no barriers on hairpin bends, and occasional shepherds moving flocks across the tarmac. June through September is the window; check which passes are open before planning specific dates. French motorway tolls apply on approach sections — see the motorway tolls guide.
Germany: the Romantic Road (Romantische Straße)
Running from Würzburg in Franconia south to Füssen at the foot of the Bavarian Alps — roughly 350 km — the Romantic Road is Germany's oldest and most visited themed touring route. It threads through medieval walled towns (Rothenburg ob der Tauber is the centrepiece), Baroque churches, hop-farming villages and increasingly alpine scenery as it heads south. The route ends at Neuschwanstein, the fairy-tale castle that inspired Disney.
It is best done slowly, over three or four days. Traffic on the route itself is manageable outside midsummer, and Germany's autobahn network makes getting to Würzburg from elsewhere quick. Note that Germany has no motorway tolls for private cars — a minor but pleasant surprise after crossing from France or Switzerland.
Norway: the Atlantic Road and Trollstigen
Norway offers some of the most dramatic driving in Europe, and the Atlantic Road (Atlanterhavsveien) between Molde and Kristiansund — a series of causeways and bridges linking a string of small islands above the open Atlantic — is frequently voted among the world's most beautiful roads. It is also short (about 8 km of the named road itself) and best combined with the nearby Trollstigen mountain pass: eleven hairpin bends rising steeply up a cliff face, with a waterfall tumbling alongside.
Norway is expensive, and road trips here require budgeting for fuel, road tolls (Norway has an extensive electronic toll system), and accommodation that reflects a high-cost economy. But the fjords, the light in summer (near-midnight sun in the far north) and the almost complete absence of other traffic outside the peak weeks make it extraordinary value for a certain kind of traveller.
Portugal: the Alentejo and Algarve interior
While the Algarve coast is busy and well-known, the interior of southern Portugal — rolling plains of cork oak and olive trees, whitewashed villages and almost total quiet — is one of the most underrated driving landscapes in Europe. A loop from Évora through Monsaraz, Mértola, the Serra de Monchique hills and back covers some of the most beautiful and emptiest countryside on the continent.
Roads are good and distances manageable. Portugal has converted some formerly free motorways to electronic tolling — see the toll guide for how to handle Via Verde as a foreign driver.
Spain: the Picos de Europa
Tucked into the north of Spain between Asturias, Cantabria and Castilla y León, the Picos de Europa is a compact massif of dramatic limestone peaks, deep gorges and small mountain villages that feels entirely different from the Spain most visitors encounter. The drive through the Desfiladero de los Beyos gorge and the road to the Mirador del Cable above Fuente Dé are the scenic highlights. The nearest town of note is Potes; the wider loop takes in the Cantabrian coast as well.
Switzerland: the Gotthard Pass
The Gotthard Pass (Passo del San Gottardo, 2,106 m) over the Swiss Alps is the storied historic route between northern and southern Europe. The modern traveller has a choice: the tunnel (quick, practical, underground) or the pass road (seasonal, dramatic, winding through some of the most beautiful mountain scenery on the continent). The old cobblestone Tremola road — a UNESCO heritage route — is the most atmospheric approach from the south. Remember that Switzerland requires a vignette for motorway use; the pass road itself is free.
Planning any European road trip
Before setting off on any of these routes, a few preparations apply to all of them:
- Check the driving in Europe checklist for the documents and kit the law requires in each country you pass through.
- If hiring a car, understand the insurance and cross-border rules — relevant guides on Viamo cover renting abroad and taking rentals across borders.
- Check for vignette requirements if you are crossing Austria, Switzerland or Slovenia.
- Book accommodation ahead for peak weeks on popular routes — the NC500 and Amalfi in July fill up months in advance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most scenic road trip in Europe?
That depends on what you find scenic. Norway's fjord roads and the Route des Grandes Alpes are among the most dramatic in terms of sheer mountain scale. The Amalfi Coast is the most cinematic. Scotland's NC500 offers the most consistent variety of landscapes over a driveable loop. All have strong claims.
How long does the Romantic Road take to drive?
You can cover the 350 km from Würzburg to Füssen in a single long day, but three to four days lets you actually stop, walk the medieval walls in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, and visit castles along the way. The driving itself is easy; the temptations to stop are the constraint.
Are these routes suitable for motorhomes or campervans?
Most are, with caveats. The Amalfi Coast SS163 is specifically difficult for large vehicles due to width restrictions and many sections where passing requires one party to reverse. The NC500's single-track roads require care and courtesy at passing places. The Alpine passes have height and weight limits on some tunnels and sections — check before setting off.
Can I combine multiple countries on one road trip?
Absolutely — this is one of the great joys of European driving. The logistics involve checking vignette requirements per country, having the right documents (including a cross-border letter if hiring), and being aware of different speed limits and road rules per country. The driving in Europe checklist is a useful starting point for the preparation.
Sources and further reading:
- NC500 route information: North Coast 500 (northcoast500.com).
- Route des Grandes Alpes: Comité Régional du Tourisme Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
- Romantische Straße: Romantische Straße Tourismus-Arbeitsgemeinschaft.
- Norwegian toll roads: Fjellinjen / Norwegian Public Roads Administration.
- Gotthard Pass road status: Switzerland Tourism (myswitzerland.com).