Here are five of the ten best road trips in Europe.
Sometimes a road trip is a way to reach a destination; other times the road itself is the destination. Scenery that would disappear if you flew over it, or turn into a blur if you passed by it on a train, is yours to enjoy at your own pace. For Europe road trips, you’ll want to take it slow and enjoy the journey as the destination.
Having a car lets you stop where and when you want, letting you find those out-of-the-way spots that make a trip especially memorable. My favorite way to do a road trip is to spend time at a destination, and then add a drive to the itinerary for a day or two. Or you could spend your entire vacation on the drive, spending a night or two in each place before moving on to the next.
Before you embark on a European road trip, there are a few practical things to know. The major car rental companies (Avis, Hertz, and Budget) generally have pickup offices at airports, near train stations, and in some city locations. You can book directly, or use Auto Europe for help selecting a rental company. Be sure to reserve a car in advance.
Most European cars have manual transmissions, but automatics are available at a higher cost, which can be worth it. Unless you’re very comfortable shifting, you don’t need another thing to think about as you navigate unfamiliar roads. This is especially true in the U.K. and Ireland, where cars are right-hand drive and you drive on the opposite side of the road. Adding a manual shift to that mix may be too much to handle for your brain.
Be sure to check if you need an International Drivers Permit (IDP) before you leave. You will, of course, need your state-issued driver’s license and passport, but many countries also require the IDP. It takes a few weeks to arrive if you do it by mail, so be sure to leave time before your trip to complete the paperwork. It’s also a good idea to double-check your rental car coverage with your insurance and credit card companies, and to consider adding insurance from the rental company at additional cost.
Driving in Europe has gotten easier with the advent of GPS devices and phone apps. You no longer have to depend on paper maps, although they can be helpful for getting an overview of your route and noting the big cities along the way.
Google Maps, Waze, Here We Go, and other apps are useful in guiding you, and maps can be downloaded offline for convenience. If you are concerned about internet availability, data charges, or phone battery life, you can always rent a GPS with the car or take along a separate GPS device, making sure the specific country information is downloaded before you leave.
Some notes: You’ll undoubtedly encounter drivers who want to go faster than you. Move to the right to let them pass when you see them approaching or get their signal. Also, parking in many of these towns is difficult or impossible, but most have parking garages on their outskirts where you can leave your car and taxi, metro, or bus to your destination. And remember in Europe, distance is measured in kilometers, not miles!
Here are five suggested routes to get you started with planning your Europe road trip. Check out the next post for another five! The itineraries can be extended with a few days at either end (or somewhere in the middle), and several can be done in a day or two from major European cities.
Berlin to Munich, Germany
This is your chance to drive the famous Autobahn, making the one-way trip in about five to six hours—depending on your speed, of course. Heading south out of Berlin on A-9, you can drive straight through or stop along the way. Contrary to popular opinion, there are speed limits in certain zones, and they are displayed on electronic signs are adjusted based on traffic or weather. In other places, speed limits are just suggestions. Stay to the right—the left lane is mainly for passing. Your signal to get out of the way of a faster car will probably be that car hovering on your rear bumper and flashing headlights. Leipzig is a good halfway point and an ideal place to spend the night. Historic and home to art, music, and culture, it’s a blend of old and new with great food as well. Spend at least a day in Munich, Bavaria’s capital, exploring its historic buildings, restaurants, and beer gardens. For your return trip, consider a scenic route heading north along A-93 and A-13 with a stop in Dresden, home to art museums and an old town reconstructed after World War II bombing. Be sure to also spend a few days in Berlin, Germany’s capital, at either end of your trip. A visit to the remains of the infamous Berlin Wall and the 18th-century Brandenburg Gate should be on your itinerary.
Edinburgh to Inverness, Scotland
Spend a few days in Edinburgh taking in the history, exploring the ancient streets, walking up to the iconic Edinburgh Castle at the top of the Royal Mile, and taking in Holyrood Park and its highest point, Arthur’s Seat, for a stunning view of the city. When it’s time to set out for your drive across the Scottish Highlands, you’ll be on Route M-9 and A-82 heading northwest across green hills and rocky peaks, enjoying waterfalls and streams on your way to Fort William. On the way, you’ll pass Helix Park and the Kelpies, the largest horse sculptures in the world, and after about three to four hours, you’ll be in Fort William, looking up at Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. It’s time for lunch and some warm Cullen skink, Scotland’s famous fish soup, at one of the town’s restaurants or cafes. Next head for Inverness, taking Route A-82 along the eastern edge of Loch Ness. Allow nearly two hours for this part of your trip. You’ll want photos of the picturesque scenery, and you also want to be ready to snap one in case Nessie should show her head. You’ll want to spend some time in Inverness before heading back to Edinburgh or on to your next adventure in Scotland.
Paris to Strasbourg and the Alsace Wine Route
After a few days in Paris, a drive through the countryside could be a nice change, if you can tear yourself away from the Eiffel Tower views and morning croissants. If you have time for a two- or three-day trip, consider spending a night in or near Strasbourg before touring the wine country. The actual drive time between Paris and Strasbourg is around five hours, but you’ll want to stop along the way in both directions, especially if you include the Alsace Wine Route. About two hours east of Paris on Route A-4, you’ll get to Reims, known for its magnificent Gothic cathedral as well as for its role as the center of France’s Champagne region. After another two hours or so of driving, you’ll arrive in the city of Metz, also home to a stunning cathedral, Saint-Etienne, one of the tallest Gothic buildings in Europe. Strasbourg is still around three hours away, so if you’ve driven enough for one day, you have your choice of lodging in this lovely city situated along the Moselle and Seille Rivers. A relaxing dinner and a walk along the river would be perfect after a day on the road. On to Strasbourg the next day and a trip down all or part of the winery route. Explore vineyards, medieval chateaux, and quaint villages. Before heading back to Paris, especially after a day in wine country, you may want to continue your Alsace experience with a restful night in historic and charming Colmar. With an early start the next morning, you can be back in Paris after about five hours of drive time.
Barcelona to Málaga, Spain
From Barcelona, head south along the coast. After an hour or two of enjoying views of the Mediterranean and stopping to take a photo or two, you’ll get to the port city of Tarragona. Roman ruins are among the attractions, including a second-century amphitheater, Roman tombs, and the remains of the Forum. It’s also a great stop for beaches, seafood restaurants, and a medieval Old Town. From there, continue south on AP-7, passing through more medieval towns. Peñiscola is known for its thirteenth-century castle, which played an important role in Christianity for many years. The walled city offers steep streets and stunning coastal views from its high point above the beaches. The city at the halfway point is Valencia, a great place to spend the night. After a day of medieval towns, Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences with its futuristic buildings and displays will be a welcome contrast. There’s a lot to explore, both old and new, in town, plus Valencia is the place to dine on paella. From Valencia, A-92 takes you inland from the coast and on to beautiful Granada, known for its medieval and Moorish architecture, including the Alhambra. From there, it’s just a few more miles to Málaga, with its beaches and blend of Renaissance, Moorish, and modern architecture.
Palermo to Siracusa, Italy
After enjoying Palermo’s cuisine, art, architecture, history, and people, you’ll want to head eastward along the northern coast of Sicily on Route A-20 towards Messina, the closest point to the mainland of Italy. On the way, stop in the beach town of Cefalù just an hour away. If the weather is warm, it’s a great place for a dip in the Mediterranean, and if you’re hungry, you’ll find pizza, pasta, and more at the cafes overlooking the beach. From Cefalù, you’ll enjoy unsurpassed views of the Mediterranean and arrive in Messina after about two hours of driving. Take some time to explore the ancient city, and note its cathedral and unique bell tower, said to be the largest astronomical clock in the world. Seafood is the specialty in this city bordered by the Mediterranean and Ionian seas, so if you’re hungry, I’d order the fresh fish! One more hour of driving will take you to Taormina, a hilltop city with views of the sea, cobblestone streets, and a good choice to overnight. Buy a cannolo or gelato and stroll along the Corso with the locals on their evening passeggiatta and watch Mt. Etna send smoke into the sky. In the morning, explore the ancient Greek theater, which is still used for concerts and events. From Taormina, head south on A-18 for an hour to the city of Catania, the location of the area’s main airport. The ancient port city has much to see, and it’s worth exploring if there’s time. Another drive of about an hour will take you to Siracusa, with its thousands of years of history, Greek ruins, medieval buildings, and the lovely island of Ortygia, where I suggest you stay to check out its magnificent Piazza Duomo at night, sip a prosecco, and relax after a day on the road.
Twist’s Take: Consider taking any of the five road trips for a different kind of Europe trip.