European Road Trip Adventures: 10 Scenic Routes from Portugal to Romania
Embark on a European road trip of a lifetime with these 10 scenic routes, from the sunny shores of Portugal to the medieval wonders of Romania. Discover the best driving itineraries, picturesque landscapes, and historic landmarks along the way. Start your engines and explore Europe by car!
If you have a car, a passion for travel, and time — start your engines! From the sunny shores of Portugal to the darkest dungeons of Dracula's castle in Transylvania — all these routes can be easily combined, speeding up or slowing down the pace of travel according to your preferences. Here are the 10 best routes in Europe.
Let's go!
Start your road trip in Braga before heading south to the medieval city of Guimarães. Guimarães is of historical value and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Then, the road goes forward to the second "exciting" city - Porto. Read more here.
Waves and Sun in the Basque Country
Welcome to Spain! Begin your road trip in Spain by car from the Atlantic. Specifically, from the famous city of Bilbao. The nearby villages boast one of the best Atlantic waves in the world.
Drive along the Atlantic to San Sebastian — you will find unforgettable landscapes! You will also discover wonders of water sports and a gastronomic paradise. Then head south through the Pyrenees desert to Pamplona. Climb the Roncesvalles pass before heading back to the coast. Read more here.
From the Glamour of Paris to the Glorious Berlin
For trips to France, rent a car. Start your road trip to France by car from Paris. Leaving Paris, follow through the gentle hills of Champagne and Reims to the picturesque capital of Luxembourg. Explore the numerous fairytale castles of this beautiful country. Trier - the oldest city in Germany. It's less than an hour's drive away.
Next — head northeast, where you'll find ancient Roman baths and basilicas that are remarkably well-preserved. Spend a night in the medieval village of Bacharach, in the Riesling wine country, before wandering through the coastal streets of Heidelberg.
Forward to Nuremberg! And then to Leipzig for a strong dose of hot caffeine with a history of the Cold War, classical music, and pastries.
From Leipzig, find the exit to the city of Dresden, rebuilt after devastating bombings in World War II, before it ended up in one of the coolest cities in Europe — Berlin.
Also, try starting your engines in London and take a ferry to France, turning this trip into a pilgrimage between the holy trinity of European art cities. How many days is such a trip designed for? — For one or two weeks.
Advice. If you are traveling by car to France, by law, you will need to have safety equipment with you: a reflective vest and a hazard signal. Also, keep some cash (in euros) in your wallet to pay road tolls along the way, including toll roads.
High-Altitude Adventure on Germany's Alpine Road
The Alpine Road or Alpine Road is your ticket to an excellent Bavarian odyssey. It is a safe car route through unforgettable views of Germany's high meadows, mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and cozy rural restaurants!
Start your journey from the lakeside in Lindau and head to Oberstaufen if you don't mind therapeutic treatment in the "health capital" of the country. After Oberstaufen, head east to the stunning Breitachlammlam gorge, where the Breitach river flows, cutting through green rocks and colossal boulders. Read more here.
From London to Edinburgh and the Highlands
Start your car journey from London. Then, leave the restless pace of England and visit, for a start, Oxford — the birthplace of the world's oldest English-speaking university. Oxford is also known as the legendary pub where the likes of JRR Tolkien and Lewis Carroll regularly washed down their whistles.
If you have time — be sure to get to the Cotswold Cottages, it's the fastest way. If not — head to Stratford-upon-Avon, where the famous Shakespeare was born.
Take a two and a half hour drive north to Manchester to walk around the city and watch a football match. And then head to the twisting medieval streets of York, which were surrounded by ancient Romans almost 2000 years ago.
The Lake District National Park is a must-visit and fits perfectly into this road trip. Enjoy the park's scenery, which inspired England's best romantics, before making your way past tiny villages to the magnificent wonders of Edinburgh.
If you crave a visit to the Highlands — head to Stirling, Inverness, or the Western Isles - it's worth it. This route — from London to Edinburgh and the Highlands by car - takes from five days to a week. It is suitable for locals who want to feel like foreigners and for foreigners who want to feel like locals. Read also here: England by car.
Arctic Fjords from Bergen to Trondheim
Take a new route by car to the city of Bergen on the southwest coast of Norway. Drive past mighty fjords to Voss and the colossal Twindefossen waterfall. Then take a drive through the world's longest road tunnel! This cave route passes completely under the mountains and reaches a length of 24.5 kilometers. Read more here.
Unexplored East: Bucharest and Vienna
Start your car journey in Bucharest. Leave Bucharest, traveling north through the Carpathian Mountains to Transylvania. Make a mandatory stop at Bran Castle, which is claimed to be the old refuge of Dracula himself.
Take note of the Transfagarasan Mountain Road — one of the most incredibly beautiful routes in the world! You will pass through centuries-old towns and countless castles in Sibiu, Brasov, and Sighisoara. Then set a course for the undiscovered architectural treasures of Timisoara. Read more here.
