The Best Road Trips in Europe: 7 Routes Worth Renting a Car For

Europe is built for road trips. Within a few hours’ drive you can go from a coastline to a mountain pass to a medieval hill town, and the best of it is on roads no train or tour bus will take you. These are seven of the finest routes on the continent, with the practical details — distance, how long to allow, and the best time to go — so you can pick the one that fits your trip.

1. The Amalfi Coast, Italy

The classic. The SS163 Amalfitana hugs the cliffs between Sorrento and Salerno, linking Positano, Amalfi and Ravello. It’s short — roughly 60–80 km one way — but slow and spectacular, so allow 2 to 4 days. Go in April–June or September–October; in peak summer the road clogs and the towns enforce strict ZTL restrictions. Tip: base yourself in Praiano or Sorrento and use the car for the bigger picture, not the centre of Positano.

2. The Algarve, Portugal

Portugal’s southern coast packs cliffs, golden beaches and white towns into around 200 km. A good loop runs Lagos → Albufeira → Tavira, with the Ria Formosa lagoons near the end. Allow 3 to 5 days. Spring and early autumn are ideal — warm, quiet and cheaper than July.

3. North Coast 500, Scotland

The NC500 is a 500-mile (800 km) loop around the Scottish Highlands from Inverness, full of single-track roads, lochs and empty beaches. Allow at least 5 to 7 days — rushing it ruins it. Late spring and early autumn dodge both the worst crowds and the summer midges.

4. The French Riviera, France

The hop from Cannes to Monaco via Nice and the cliff-top corniches is pure glamour: marinas, beach clubs and viewpoints over the Mediterranean. It’s short enough for a 2–3 day trip, easily combined with a flight into Nice. Spring and autumn are quieter and the light is gorgeous.

5. The Serra de Tramuntana, Mallorca

Mallorca’s mountain range delivers one of the Mediterranean’s great drives. The Ma-10 links Valldemossa, Deià, Sóller and Pollença, with the white-knuckle descent to Sa Calobra as the showpiece. Allow 1 to 2 days. Drive Sa Calobra early, before the coach buses arrive.

6. The Romantic Road, Germany

A gentler classic: around 350 km through Bavaria’s walled towns and castles, ending near Neuschwanstein. Allow 3 to 4 days to enjoy Rothenburg ob der Tauber and the smaller villages. Beautiful in autumn, magical in the run-up to Christmas with the markets.

7. The Ring of Kerry, Ireland

A 180 km loop around the Iveragh Peninsula, with the Atlantic on one side and green mountains on the other. Allow 1 to 2 days, and drive it anticlockwise to keep ahead of the tour coaches, which are required to go the other way.

Before you go: the practical bit

Unlimited mileage is essential — these routes rack up distance fast.
Book early for the right car; convertibles and automatics sell out in summer — and see our tips to save money on car rental before you do.
Watch for ZTL and access restrictions in Italian towns and on roads like Mallorca’s Formentor.
One-way rentals turn a there-and-back into a true journey — just check the one-way fee.

When you’ve picked your route, you can compare rental prices and book with free cancellation, which keeps your plans flexible if the dates shift.

The bottom line

From the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast to the empty roads of the Scottish Highlands, Europe’s best road trips reward having your own car and the freedom to stop wherever the view is best. Pick the route, allow enough days, book an unlimited-mileage car early, and the drive becomes the holiday.