One of the best ways to see Europe’s most beautiful scenery is by car and road trips are one of our favourite ways of travelling, there’s nothing quite like renting a car and hitting the open road without a care in the world. From routes filled with castles to roads lined with more than two million cherry trees, here are a few of our favourite scenic routes in Europe…
Chateaux de la Loire, France
For a gentle but beautiful road trip try the Loire Valley, one of the most scenic area in France filled with fine food, castles and wine. Follow the Loire River (Between Orleans and Angers) in Pays-de-la-Loire region and drive past impossibly gorgeous chateaux. In fact there are over forty outstanding historical and religious sites lining the Chateaux de la Loire road, so you’re guaranteed to be kept busy.
Loch Lomond to Garelochhead, Scotland
Once voted Scotland’s most scenic drive, you won’t find more dramatic views from the driver’s seat than this. Head down the A817 from Loch Lomond to Garelochhead for a ten-mile stretch of road which rises up through Glen Fruin and crosses part of the beautiful Loch Lomond and Scotland’s first national park, The Trossachs. Highlights include beautiful mountains, lush glens and vast deep lochs.
B4632 Cheltenham to Stratford, Cotswolds
This former A-road has now been downgraded to a B-road so thankfully it’s little used. It winds though the rolling hills of the beautiful Cotswolds past meadows dotted with sheep, woodland filled with wildflowers and post-card pretty English villages. On the way, be sure to explore the historic Cotswolds town of Chipping Campden and then make time to explore Stratford, Shakespeare’s birthplace when you arrive.
Galway to Westport via the Doolough Valley, Ireland
Start in one of the most creative, vibrant cities in Ireland and head north to the wild rugged landscapes of Connemara, a region dotted with sheep which is crowned by its capital, Clifden. Then take the beautifully scenic Sky Road loop which is known for its spectacular coastal views and onto past the glacier-carved fiord of Killary Harbour. Stick to this route and you’ll go via Doolough Valley – an area known for its heath-covered hillsides, stone walls and dark, silent lakes.
Valle del Jerte Blossom Route, Spain
This is one of the most beautiful drives in Europe, especially if you time your visit around springtime. Valle del Jerte is located in the northern part of the province of Caceres (in Central Western Spain not too far from Portugal). Track the Río Jerte for 70km (N110 out of Plasencia towards Barco de Ávila) in late March or early April and the route is lined with more than two million cherry trees coming into blossom. Just make sure you plan your trip well as the flowering period only lasts around 10 days.
Bavaria’s Romantic Road, Germany
One of Europe’s most romantic roads, this ancient former trading route is brimming with old-world charm and fairytale scenes. It’s a 261 mile long drive through the picturesque countryside of Southeast Germany from Franconia wine country to the the famous castle Neuschwanstein which lie in the the foothills of the German Alps. Expect half-timbered houses, hidden monasteries, beautiful vineyards and postcard pretty towns.
28 Comments
Reb Stevenson
25 January, 2015 at 11:40 amReally nice! I can also recommend you Poland, especially Zakopane. Cottages with a winding road and mountains around them. Awesome
rebecca
26 July, 2014 at 1:11 amI love the Cotswold. I went cycling around the villages. The most beautiful cycle by far
Becky Moore
29 July, 2014 at 10:29 amYep definitely not a bad place to cycle too! The scenery is pretty special in that part of England!
Ani
25 July, 2014 at 11:50 pmGreat list guys 🙂 Another one of my favourites is the coastal road in Cornwall. It’s amazing. Have you guys driven on the German romantic road (or what is called the German Alpine road) ?
Love the pictures
Becky Moore
29 July, 2014 at 10:30 amThanks Ani! Yes we have, it’s very pretty!
Gadders
25 July, 2014 at 8:43 amOoh nice! I would like to go through the Loire Castles in France! But my next road trip will be in the Pais Vasco in northern Spain!
Dana Carmel @ Time Travel Plans
24 July, 2014 at 9:27 pmI haven’t rented many cars abroad, so I had no idea that Enterprise has such a large global presence. I would love to hit the open road in Ireland. Thanks for the inspiration!
Becky Moore
29 July, 2014 at 10:31 amThanks Dana and good choice, Ireland is so unspoilt and beautiful!
Catherine
24 July, 2014 at 8:34 pmI normally spend all my time dreaming of leaving England, but have been pretty desperate to visit the Cotswolds for a while now! Would be the perfect place for a mini road trip.
Tiana in Florence
24 July, 2014 at 6:28 pmLovely! I agree on the Cotswolds and Loch Lomond…my ultimate favorite drive was from Inverness to Isle of Skye! I would do that over and over again!
Becky Moore
29 July, 2014 at 10:32 amYes that’s another beautiful drive, that almost made the list! 🙂
Marika
24 July, 2014 at 12:53 pmwow gorgeous pictures would like to suggest also Rome 🙂
Agness
23 July, 2014 at 5:31 pmScotland, get ready for Agness, I’m coming soon!
Becky Moore
29 July, 2014 at 10:31 amOh wow Agness, you’re going to love Scotland! When you get to England make sure you give us a shout! 🙂
Jess @UsedYorkCity
23 July, 2014 at 4:56 pmOh this is giving me such a feeling of wanderlust, thanks for sharing! I’ll be in Eastern Europe later this summer and can’t wait to take in some beautiful vistas!
Katie
23 July, 2014 at 12:50 amGreat road routes – I love a good road trip. We did one around the US, never really thought of doing it throughout Europe for some reason. The Romantic Road in Germany is now at the top of my list! 🙂
Becky Moore
23 July, 2014 at 10:07 amThanks Katie, we’ve done a few US road trips too and loved them. Hope you make it to Germany one day!
Jay
22 July, 2014 at 11:21 pmI’ve never been to Europe, but I long to visit one day. The images and locations you shared having me wanting to visit even sooner now!
I can only imagining how much fun going on a road trip in Europe would be. Great times I’m sure!
Becky Moore
23 July, 2014 at 10:07 amThanks Jay you should definitely come and visit one day!
Mike
22 July, 2014 at 8:22 pmI was reading down through the various options then got to the last one a literally said out loud, “JACKPOT!!” Oh yes on Bavaria’s Romantic Road!! Germany and the Neuschwanstein Castle are pretty much right at the very top of my bucket list, Becky! Thank you so much this made me smile today 🙂
Becky Moore
22 July, 2014 at 8:24 pmThanks Mike that’s one of my favourite, that castle is soo beautiful and worth the trip alone!
Emma
22 July, 2014 at 5:52 pmI love the Loire Valley and the Cotswolds would love to try the Ireland one out soon!
Becky Moore
22 July, 2014 at 7:30 pmHi Emma, yes you definitely should – such beautiful countryside!
Scott
22 July, 2014 at 5:36 pmI agree with all of these, I’d also add Burgundy in France 🙂
Becky Moore
22 July, 2014 at 7:30 pmLove it there too, thanks Scott!
Sergio
22 July, 2014 at 1:25 pmNice post. About Valle del Jerte, sometimes the best month to visit is late-april, it depends on how cold was the winter.
Kendra (the Escapologist)
22 July, 2014 at 12:59 pmStratford looks perfectly quaint and wonderful. One of these days I’ll have to overcome my fear of driving abroad. Or find someone to be my driver!
Becky Moore
22 July, 2014 at 7:29 pmHa ha yes that sounds like a good idea!