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Few life experiences feel as freeing as taking a road trip. There’s something uniquely liberating about getting behind the wheel, deciding on your own route and pace, and having nothing but the open road stretching out in front of you.
As Brits, we’re lucky to have Europe on our doorstep – and with its diverse landscape, rich history, and beautiful towns, it’s one of the world’s best road trip regions. Whether you’re dreaming of driving along winding coastal routes, across rugged mountain passes, or through fairytale villages that look straight out of a storybook, there’s a destination to suit everyone.
To help you plan your next adventure, we’ve teamed up with Holiday Autos, one of Europe’s leading car hire comparison sites. With 24/7 customer support, 50,000 pickup locations, 1,700 suppliers, and free cancellation, hiring a car has never been easier. You can browse airport and city deals, compare prices, save money, and hit the road with confidence.
So, if you’re ready to get inspired, where should your hire car take you? Here are nine must-visit destinations for a European road trip, each promising adventure, beauty, and a touch of the unexpected.
1. Amalfi Coast, Italy
One of Europe’s most iconic drives is Italy’s SS163, also known as the Amalfi Drive. Winding along the cliffs and coves of the Amalfi Coast, it links colourful towns like Sorrento, Positano, Ravello, and Praiano. With hairpin bends, cliff-hugging roads, and breathtaking views of the Tyrrhenian Sea, the drive is just as thrilling as the destinations. Along the way, soak up the local culture in shady piazzas, visit historic cathedrals, and sip limoncello in seaside cafés.
This region is also a paradise for food lovers; at each stop, you can indulge in fresh seafood, handmade pasta, gelato, and local wines. Photographers will be in heaven, too; turquoise seas, soaring cliffs, winding roads, and pastel-colored towns make this one of the world’s most photogenic routes, especially at sunset. With so many scenic viewpoints to stop along the way, don’t be surprised if the drive takes longer than you planned!
2. Iceland
If you’re drawn to otherworldly landscapes, Iceland’s famous Ring Road circles the entire island, and in just a few hours of driving, you can encounter black sand beaches, smoking volcanoes, rugged lava fields, and breathtaking fjords. You don’t even have to leave the car to be awed, as roadside waterfalls like Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, bubbling geysers in Haukadalur, and shimmering glaciers are all within easy reach.
Beyond its dramatic scenery, Iceland offers truly magical natural phenomena. In summer, the sun barely sets, allowing extra hours to explore, and in winter, you might find yourself driving beneath the northern lights as they dance across the sky. Add to that Iceland’s reputation as one of the safest countries in the world, with well-maintained roads, clear signage, and plenty of campsites and amenities, and it’s easy to see why it’s a dream destination for road-trippers.
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3. Scottish Highlands
You don’t need to leave the UK to experience one of the world’s most iconic drives. Scotland’s North Coast 500 winds through some of the most stunning scenery imaginable, with historic bridges, dramatic vistas, and winding country roads making the drive unforgettable. Cruise past glacial valleys, gleaming lochs, hulking mountains, and craggy coastlines, stopping to explore castles, stone circles, and cascading waterfalls. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, too, including golden eagles, red deer, and elusive wildcats.
Many of Scotland’s most famous landmarks, from Loch Ness to Ben Nevis, are easily accessible by road, and you can even extend your trip to include the Isle of Skye. Charming towns like Plockton, Ullapool, and Fort William make perfect stopovers, where you can stay in traditional inns and experience Highland hospitality. Whisky lovers will find countless distilleries to tour, while adventure seekers can enjoy hiking, kayaking, or mountain biking, with trails and lochs never far from the route.
4. Provence, France
If you’re looking to combine stunning natural scenery, rich culture and history, and world-class food and wine, Provence should be high on your list. This scenic region of southern France offers incredibly varied landscapes, from dramatic gorges to silvery olive groves and rolling hills dotted with charming villages. In summer, you can drive through fragrant lavender fields, savouring the heady scent, and past vast sunflower fields so vibrant they feel like stepping into a Van Gogh painting.
Provence is also home to photogenic towns such as Gordes, Roussillon, and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence – perfect spots to pause, stretch your legs, and soak up the atmosphere. A road trip here gives you the freedom to explore vineyards, local markets, and roadside restaurants, sampling local dishes, fresh produce, world-class wine, and artisanal olive oils. And for history enthusiasts, the region is packed with fascinating sights, from Roman ruins in Arles and Nîmes to medieval castles nestled in the hills.
5. Andalusia, Spain
If you’re chasing sunshine, Andalusia has over 300 days of sun each year, and promises blue skies and scenic drives in every season. If you’re keen to get active, Sierra Nevada’s majestic mountains are crisscrossed with hiking trails, and in winter you can ski. The diverse landscape also includes lunar-like deserts, rolling olive groves, lush valleys, and sweeping golden beaches along the Costa del Sol and Costa de la Luz. So, each stretch of the journey feels refreshingly different.
Andalusia is also famous for its pueblos blancos – whitewashed hill towns that dot the countryside. A road trip allows you to tour them at your own pace, from Ronda and Mijas to Arcos de la Frontera. Venture deeper into the hills and you’ll find smaller, less-visited villages that feel untouched by time. Then there are the region’s cities – Seville, Granada, Córdoba, and Málaga – where you can admire Moorish and Gothic architecture, sample local specialities like gazpacho and fried fish, and soak up Andalusian culture with a flamenco performance.
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6. Swiss Alps, Switzerland
The Swiss Alps are among the world’s breathtaking mountain ranges, and a road trip is perhaps the best way to take in their beauty. Legendary routes like the Furka Pass, Grimsel Pass, and Gotthard Pass lead you around hairpin bends, over jagged peaks, through lush valleys, and past shimmering glacial lakes. Thanks to Switzerland’s impeccably maintained roads, driving here is not just safe but enjoyable – even in winter, when the mountains lie under a thick blanket of snow.
Every region of the Alps has its own appeal, from the Italian flair of Ticino to the French charm of Valais. And because distances between them are short, you can cover some beautifully varied ground in a single trip. Charming alpine villages such as Zermatt, Grindelwald, and Lauterbrunnen are wonderful to explore, while highlights like the Matterhorn, Jungfrau, and Lake Geneva are within easy reach. For adventurers, the Alps are a playground year-round: hiking, climbing, and lake activities are popular in summer, and in winter, skiing, snowboarding, and cosy chalet stays beckon.
7. Tuscany, Italy
For foodies, wine enthusiasts, and lovers of art and history, few places are more suited to a road trip than Tuscany. This idyllic corner of Italy is known for winding roads lined with cypress trees, rolling hills blanketed with vineyards and olive groves, and golden fields crowned with medieval hilltop towns. Routes connecting gems like San Gimignano, Montepulciano, Pienza, and Volterra are especially cinematic, while the region also offers the dramatic Apuan Alps and stretches of wild coastline.
Travelling by car allows you to set your own pace, leaving room for detours and unexpected discoveries – because Tuscany is best explored slowly. Sample local delights such as ribollita, pecorino cheese, and truffles in rustic trattorias, and sip Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, or Vino Nobile di Montepulciano at world-renowned vineyards. Cities like Florence, Siena, and Lucca are packed with Renaissance charm and Gothic architecture, making a road trip the perfect way to balance cultural exploration with peaceful, pastoral escapes.
8. Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland
Closer to home, there’s the Wild Atlantic Way. Stretching over 1,500 miles along Ireland’s west coast, it’s one of the world’s most spectacular coastal drives. The route winds past dramatic cliffs, craggy summits, and mossy boglands, linking seaside towns, quaint villages, and remote hamlets. It’s a journey through the most authentic corners of the Emerald Isle where Irish language and traditions remain strong. Highlights include the Cliffs of Moher, Slieve League cliffs, and the Ring of Kerry, each offering breathtaking views.
The Wild Atlantic Way is packed with opportunities for outdoor adventures. You can kayak (sometimes with dolphins!) in Dingle Bay, surf in Donegal, swim in hidden coves, or hike through Connemara National Park. A road trip also gives you the freedom to stop at traditional pubs to enjoy live Irish music, hearty local food, and the famously warm hospitality. History buffs can detour to prehistoric stone forts and medieval castles, while photographers will delight in the region’s dazzling ocean sunsets.
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Compare and save on car hire with Holiday Autos. Choose from 1,700 suppliers in 50,000 locations worldwide – with free cancellation, no hidden fees, and 24/7 support.
9. Bavaria, Germany
Home to towering mountains, dense forests, mirror-like lakes, and medieval villages, Bavaria is one of Germany’s most scenic regions, and it’s perfect for a road trip at any time of year. In spring and summer, meadows burst with colourful wildflowers, while autumn brings vibrant foliage, harvest festivals, and wine-tasting events. In winter, snowy peaks, bustling Christmas markets, and cosy Alpine lodges create the ultimate seasonal escape.
The roads pass through fairytale towns like Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and Füssen, where wandering the cobbled streets is a must. When it’s warm, lakes like Königssee, Chiemsee, and Tegernsee offer a chance to cool off, while iconic sights like Neuschwanstein Castle are difficult to forget. Best of all, distances between attractions are manageable, and you can relax in traditional beer gardens and country inns, sampling the local cuisine and world-famous beer along the way.
Final thoughts…
Whether you’re drawn to sun-drenched coastlines, rugged mountains, hilltop villages, or bustling cities, Europe has road trip experiences to suit every taste. From the cliff-hugging Amalfi Coast to the wild landscapes of Iceland, each journey promises breathtaking scenery, rich culture, and the freedom to explore at your own pace.
A road trip is about more than reaching your next destination; it’s about the journey itself: the winding roads, spontaneous detours, and memories you create along the way. Travelling at your own pace allows you to soak up the sights, savour local flavours, and experience each place without stress. Hiring a car through Holiday Autos, with 24/7 support, and thousands of suppliers and pickup locations, ensures your adventure starts smoothly and with complete confidence.
So, once you’ve found your perfect ride, just remember to pack your sense of adventure…as Europe’s most beautiful destinations are waiting to be discovered, one unforgettable mile at a time.