There's no shortage of epic road trip routes in Europe waiting to be discovered. From winding coastal highways to mountain passes, here are 10 of the best Europe road trips if you're planning a driving holiday for 2025 or beyond.

If you're considering a campervan road trip but aren't sure where to start, our comprehensive Campervan Guide for Beginners is packed with essential tips and planning advice to help you hit the road with confidence.

Best European Road Trip Routes

1. Lofoten Islands, Norway

Lofoten – I’m not sure if words can do this place justice. With rugged mountains jutting seemingly straight from the sea, Arctic beaches resembling tropical paradises, and quaint red fishing villages dotting the coastline, it's no wonder this place is on so many bucket lists.

🇳🇴 Country: Norway

📍 Locations:   Begin at Å (the southern tip) → drive north through Reine → continue to Leknes (central Lofoten) → venture east to Henningsvær → conclude in Svolvær (the capital).

The E10 road runs all the way through the Lofoten Islands so it really is the perfect place for a road trip. You could turn up and drive down there and simply turn off when you see a beautiful view, however, we know in reality most people like to go with a plan. 

So, here are our unmissable places along the way: Reine and Reinebringen, Lofotodden Nature Park, Leknes for a choice of incredible beaches and hikes like Haukland beach and Offersoykammen. Henningsvaer is an absolutely quintessential Norwegian fishing village and both here and Svovlaer offer some incredible hikes like Festvågtind and Fløya.

💎 Highlights: Mountains and white sand beaches (yes, in Norway). Road tripping here might even be the best road trip route of Europe..  It’s also an incredible place to witness some of nature's most captivating phenomena. From the mesmerising dance of the Northern Lights painting the night sky to the surreal experience of the midnight sun casting an otherworldly glow over the landscape, Lofoten is like no other. 

There is no better way to experience Lofoten than on a road trip through Norway. The country's "right to roam" allows travellers to explore and stay overnight in nature, as long as they respect local communities and the environment. 

⏳ Length: ideally 10 days, but you could spend a week in the Lofoten islands if you have less time.

🌞 Best visited: Summer is impeccable in the Lofoten Islands, although it probably rains here more than in other locations during the summer. However, you have the incredible bonus of 24 hours of daylight from May to September. If you visit in the winter, you may get to experience the Northern Lights, but there is a lot less daylight and you will unlikely to be going on any hikes unless you are experienced or with a guide.

2. The Adriatic Highway, Croatia

Croatia is a country known for its stunning coastal resorts but there’s even more to discover if you take on a road trip there. Travelling by car allows you to reach secluded beaches and camp spots tucked away on Croatian islands. 

🇭🇷 Country: Croatia

📍 Locations: Begin in Zadar (North Dalmatia) → drive south along the coast (via Šibenik & Trogir) → explore Split & consider an island hop to Hvar → conclude in Dubrovnik (South Dalmatia).

Start in the oldest city in Croatia and your first taste of ancient walled cities. From here, you can take a short drive to a less-visited natural wonder, Zrmanja Canyon. Admire hidden waterfalls here, take a swim in the Zrmanja River or opt for the more adrenaline boosting activity of white-water rafting. Or all of the above!

Next, make your way down the coast to the beautiful old town Sibenik full of white washed buildings and a wonderful promenade. Sibenik is located close to one of Croatia's most popular hotspots Krka Waterfalls, which is well worth the visit and we advise going early!

Lastly, you'll wander through the narrow cobblestone streets of Split and Dubrovnik, and immerse yourself in the rich history and culture. But, not without a small diversion to one of Croatia's most beautiful islands, Hvar, to seek out some secluded coves. 

💎 Highlights: Secluded coves, picturesque old town's and waterfalls!

⏳ Length: At least 7 days 👉🏻 7 Day Croatia Road Trip Itinerary

🌞 Best visited: If you want the absolute best weather, summer is the best time to visit but if you don't want to visit in the summer heat then you can still expect sun in Croatia in the shoulder season. As well as a lot fewer tourists! 

We spent 6 weeks in Croatia over summer, but if we ever went back we'd love to go out of season to beat the crowds. 

3. Pembrokeshire, Wales

Pembrokeshire, surprisingly, is not the most well-known coastal road trip in the UK (the NC500 has taken that podium). But, as the UK's only National Park that is made up almost entirely of the coast, in our eyes, it's the best place to road trip. 

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Country: Wales

📍 Locations: Start in Tenby (South Pembrokeshire) → head west to Barafundle Bay → continue to Newgale → explore St. Davids & the Blue Lagoon → conclude your journey in North Pembrokeshire around Dinas Head and Poppit Sands.

Start in Tenby for a colourful, seaside town. Admire the incredible sandy beaches, Tenby harbour and be sure to find yourself an ice cream. Following this you'll head to the beach that has been crowned one of the most beautiful in the UK, Barafundle Bay.

Newgale is the perfect place to either head for a long coastal walk at low tide or hop into your wetsuit and give some surfing a go. Once you're sandy and salty from Newgale, head to St Davids, the smallest city in the UK. The harbour here is beautiful and there are also lots of independent places to visit. 

Abereiddy (the Blue Lagoon) is one of the most well-known place sin Pembrokeshire thanks to Red Bull's competitions there. Either head straight there for some cliff jumping, or walk the coastal path from here to Porthclais. 

Your final few stops include more surfing or sunbathing at Whitesands, a coastal walk round Dinas Head and a visit to Poppit Sands, located at the Teifi Estuary.

💎 Highlights: Rugged coastal cliffs, sandy beaches, cliff jumping and surfing

⏳ Length: At least 7 days

🌞 Best visited: Wales is a notoriously rainy destination so if you want to be swimming in the sea and sunbathing on the beach, you're definitely going to want to visit in summer. That being said, we have been to Pembrokeshire in January and had wonderful blue skies and empty beaches. 

4. Austria Road Trip

Austria is one of the most stunning countries we've visited and it's just perfect for a European driving holiday. In just 2 weeks, you can see some of the most incredible views of your life.

🇦🇹 Country: Austria

📍 Locations:   Begin your journey in Innsbruck (Tyrol capital) → head east to the Zillertal Alps → continue to Achensee → then explore the Salzkammergut Lake District (including Hallstatt and Wolfgangsee) → conclude with Krimml Falls.

Start off in the colourful mountain city of Innsbruck, the the capital of Tyrol. Explore the city and take in the impressive architecture and the insane mountain views before heading into the mountains of the Zillertal Alps. There's endless hikes to do here but the stand-out hike is Olperehutte for unbeatable lake and mountain views.

Next up, head to the 'Tyrolean Sea', Achensee, there are some absolute must-see locations around Achensee as well as the lake itself.

Finish up your trip at the Austrian Lake District - Salzkammergut. Whether you prefer a leisurely dip or an adrenaline-pumping water sports adventure, like wind-surfing, Salzkammergut's lakes have something for everyone.  

And when you're ready to get the blood pumping, lace up your hiking boots and set off on scenic trails that wind through the breathtaking Alpine landscape, like Gosau lakes.

And then there's Hallstatt, often called the most beautiful village in Europe. While its beauty is clear, we believe that some of its lesser-known neighbours have even more charm. But we'll let you discover those hidden gems for yourself – a little spontaneous find adds to the adventure.

💎 Highlights: A combination of stunning lakes, majestic mountains, and picturesque towns. This corner of Europe is a paradise for summer adventures, offering a perfect blend of natural beauty and Austrian charm.

⏳Length: At least 7 days

🌞 Best visited: If you want to hike and swim in lakes, summer is the obvious choice. But if you're happy to visit in colder, snowy weather, it would still be beautiful but less accessible. 

5. The Transfagarasan Highway, Romania

The Transfagarasan Highway might not be the top of your list of road trips in Europe but it certainly belongs on any list of epic road trip routes.

🇷🇴 Country: Romania

📍 Locations:  Begin by exploring Transylvanian cities like Sighișoara → move to Sibiu → then embark on the Transfăgărășan Highway → conclude in Brașov.

Before you head to the mountains, begin your journey by immersing yourself in the authentic Transylvanian cities like Sighisoara and Sibiu that will transport you back in time. We really felt these places were so charming because they weren't picture perfect like a lot of European cities that are well-kept for tourism. 

After a taste of city life, begin your road trip along the Transfagarasan Highway. Make sure to stop high up in the Fagaras Mountains. There are plenty of hiking trails to choose from, we chose to do a hike from Balea Lake up to Carpa Lake and we had truly stunning panoramic views. 

Lastly make your way to Brașov via Dracula's Castle for a little more Romanian culture. If you still have time after this you could head to the capital Bucharest too. 

💎 Highlights: Mountain scenery!

It's not just the views that makes the Transfagarasan Highway unique. Keep your eyes peeled for the region's famous inhabitants – the bears. These 'wild' animals are pretty tame around humans because tourists have been known to feed them creatures, resulting in the bears relying on them for food rather than trying to stay away.

It's important to admire them from a respectful distance and refrain from feeding them. Don't be surprised if you spot them while driving near the Vidaru Dam!

⏳ Length: The core Transfăgărășan experience can be done in 1-2 days, but a complete road trip incorporating the cities could be a long weekend up to a week (4-7 days total), depending on whether you visit Bucharest. The route length itself is approximately 400-600km depending on your start/end points.

🌞 Best visited: This road trip is best done over the summer season from July to October. The Transfagarasan Highway is closed during the winter due to snowfall. Even when we did the route in September/October, it was pretty cold up in the mountains when it was hot at sea level, so you'll want to consider this too.

6. The Dolomites, Italy

The Dolomites is hands down one of the best road trips through Europe for  mountain scenery. With its unique peaks like Seceda and Tre Cime, the Dolomites boast a landscape that is simply too spectacular to miss.

🇮🇹 Country: Italy

📍 Locations: Start around Bolzano (South Tyrol) → explore Lago di Carezza → drive to Ortisei & the surrounding Val Gardena → venture towards Cortina D'Ampezzo → conclude with the iconic landscapes of Parco Naturale Tre Cime and Fanes-Sennes-Braies Natural Park.

Begin your road trip by making your way to the scenic emerald waters of Lago Di Carezza, simply beautiful with its backdrop of fir trees and rocky mountains. Drive the Sella Pass to Ortisei and explore some of the iconic mountains here, such as Alpe di Siusi. 

Continue your journey to Cortina D'Ampezzo, a great hub in the Dolomites with plenty of restaurants and mountain activities in close proximity. Finish your road trip by making your way to Parco Naturale Tre Cime and Fanes-Sennes-Braies Natural Park for some of the most iconic locations in the Dolomites.

💎 Highlights: Mountain scenery and glacial lakes! What makes the Dolomites a perfect road trip destination is the ease with which you can explore it. Despite its vast area, you don't need to cover much distance to encounter breathtaking views. Whether you're hiking through alpine meadows, marvelling at dramatic rock formations, or simply soaking in the tranquility of a mountain lake, the Dolomites never fail to impress visitors. 

But, since there is so much to see it can be difficult to know where to start with planning your road trip in the Dolomites. 

⏳ Length: You could spend anywhere from a long weekend to 2 weeks in the Dolomites.

🌞 Best visited: This road trip is best done over the summers eason from May to October so that you can really make the most of the hiking trails and get out in the mountains. 

 

7. Bernese Oberland, Switzerland

Switzerland is so picturesque, it feels like stepping into a scene from a fairytale. With its lush green meadows, turquoise glacial lakes, and towering snow-capped mountains, this Alpine country is too good to be true. Even if you're not an avid hiker, the sheer beauty of Switzerland's mountain landscapes is guaranteed to leave you in awe.

 🇨🇭 Country: Switzerland

📍 Locations: Start in a major city like Zurich (for easy access) → drive to Interlaken (the adventure hub) → explore the valleys and villages of Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald → conclude your mountain journey

One of the best ways to experience Switzerland's natural beauty is by taking a road trip through the Bernese Alps nestled in the heart of the country. But before you get there, start by visiting a Swiss city, either Zurich (the financial captial) with beautiful architecture and huge lake, or Bern (the capital city) known for its UNESCO Old town. 

From there, venture to the pristine turquoise waters of Lake Brienz and Lake Thun, where you can find a peaceful corner to soak up the peace. Take a short drive to the enchanting village of Lauterbrunnen, where waterfalls tumble down sheer rock faces. Lastly, close to these two stunning areas is Grindelwald. Home to the majestic peak of Jungfrau, known as the "Top of Europe," Grindelwald is a popular mountain resort for outdoor enthusiasts.

💎 Highlights: The most beautiful turquoise lakes you will ever see, impressive waterfalls, and mountain vistas.

⏳ Length: 1 week

🌞 Best visited: This road trip is best done over the summers eason from May to October so that you can enjoy swimming in the lakes and hiking. If you visit near the start or end of this season, you might experience some snow! Over the winter, some of the mountain passes will be closed due to snow, so that is worth considering when deciding what time of year to visit. 

Experience the best road trips in Europe

We hope this curated list has given you a taste of the incredible diversity Europe offers for your next driving holiday. While these glimpses provide inspiration, each of these routes has so much more to explore. To truly plan your adventure, delve into our comprehensive European travel guides.