While trains and planes are useful for getting between major cities, travelling by car offers something different, the freedom to slow down and explore places that might otherwise be missed. From roads twisting between Norwegian islands to sun-drenched Mediterranean coastlines, a European driving holiday can make the journey every bit as memorable as the destination. Remote villages, mountain passes, quiet beaches and panoramic viewpoints become much easier to incorporate when you can set your own route.
Table of Contents
Norway's Atlantic Road and Fjord Routes
The country's combination of mountains, fjords and exposed coastline provides a spectacular backdrop, but the Atlantic Road is one of its most recognisable stretches. The National Scenic Route Atlanterhavsvegen runs for 36 kilometres, with its famous Atlantic Road section connecting Averøy to the mainland via a series of small islands and bridges. Rather than simply providing a route from one destination to another, the road encourages travellers to stop and take in the coast, with viewpoints and walking opportunities along the way. The wider fjord region is equally suited to a longer driving itinerary. Travellers can build routes around dramatic waterways and waterfalls, stopping for hikes or viewpoints whenever the landscape catches their attention.
Exploring Corfu by Car
Corfu offers a combination of coastal scenery, traditional settlements and quieter corners beyond its better-known resort areas. A driving itinerary can balance popular beaches and historic sights with spontaneous stops in smaller villages and viewpoints along the coast. Rather than staying in one place for the entire holiday, travellers can use the road as a way to see several sides of the island, from lively seaside areas to more peaceful inland surroundings. For anyone considering a trip to Corfu Greece, having access to a car can also make it easier to seek out different beaches and build a more flexible itinerary.
Portugal's Wild Atlantic Coast
A journey between Porto and the Algarve can incorporate large cities, seaside towns, fishing communities, stretches of countryside and some of the country's striking Atlantic coastline. Heading south gives travellers plenty of opportunities to break up the journey. Portugal's coastal towns range from traditional fishing destinations to places known for long sandy beaches and dramatic cliffs, making it easy to design a route around both scenery and local culture. Food can become part of the experience too. Breaking up a coastal drive with visits to smaller towns gives travellers the opportunity to spend time around traditional fishing communities and sample local cuisine.
Alpine Roads of Austria and Northern Italy
Austria and northern Italy are particularly well suited to travellers who want winding roads, high-altitude viewpoints, lakes and traditional mountain villages all within the same trip. One of Austria's standout routes is the Grossglockner High Alpine Road. Running for 48 kilometres through the mountain landscapes of SalzburgerLand and East Tirol, it features 36 hairpin bends and reaches the 2,504-metre Hochtor Pass. The route also offers views towards the Grossglockner and Pasterze Glacier. A road trip does not need to end at the Austrian border. Continuing into northern Italy opens up another selection of mountain landscapes and alpine communities, making the two regions easy to combine into a broader European driving holiday.
Ultimately, Europe's best road trips are not necessarily about covering the greatest distance. Their appeal lies in having the freedom to pause when somewhere looks interesting and change plans when a more tempting route appears.