From the U.K. to Italy, here are 10 of the best European road trips.
For Europe road trips, you’ll want to take it slow and enjoy the journey as the destination.
Before you embark on a European road trip, there are a few practical things to know.
Credit: Getty Images
you could also useAuto Europefor help selecting a rental company.
Be sure to reserve the car in advance.
Adding a manual shift to that mix is too much to handle for most of our brains.
Michela Sieman/Travel + Leisure
Be sure to see if you need anInternational Drivers Permit(IDP) before you leave.
Here are a few ideas to get you started with planning your own Europe road trip.
Heading south out of Berlin on A-9, you might drive straight through or stop along the way.
AlasdairJames/Getty Images
In other places, speed limits are just suggestions.
Stay to the right the left lane is mainly for passing.
Remember that on Europe road trips, you’ll be dealing in kilometers, not miles!
Christopher Larson/Travel + Leisure
Leipzigis a good halfway point and an ideal place to spend the night.
Next head forInverness, taking Route A-82 along the eastern edge ofLoch Ness.
Allow nearly two hours for this part of your trip.
Rory Fuller/Travel + Leisure
A relaxing dinner and a walk along the river would be perfect after a day on the road.
On to Strasbourg the next day and a trip down all or part of the winery route.
Explore vineyards, medieval chateaux, and quaint villages.
Laura La Monaca/Travel + Leisure
Barcelona to Malaga, Spain
Rory Fuller/Travel + Leisure
FromBarcelona, head south along the coast.
It’s also a great stop for its beaches, seafood restaurants, and medieval Old Town.
The walled city offers steep streets and stunning coastal views from its high point above the beaches.
Andrey Danilovich/Getty Images
Your next stop will probably beValencia, the perfect halfway point and a fascinating place to spend the night.
On the way, stop in the beach town ofCefalujust an hour away.
From Cefalu, you’ll enjoy unsurpassed views of the Mediterranean and arrive inMessinaafter about two hours of driving.
Paul Hayward/Getty Images
Etna sending smoke into the sky.
In the morning, explore the ancientGreek theater, which is still used for concerts and events.
The ancient port city has much to see, and it’s worth exploring if there’s time.
iStockphoto/Getty Images
A few reminders: You’ll undoubtedly encounter drivers who want to go faster than you.
Move to the right to let them pass when you see them approaching or get their signal.
Or you might want to go on from Brugge to explore other cities in Belgium.
Irjaliina Paavonpera/Travel + Leisure
Set on the North Sea, the city offers several museums and landmarks dating to the 11th century.
The city has been restored to its original style after bombing during World War II.
Stay and explore or head back to Amsterdam on A-27 and E-19, about a three-hour drive.
iStockphoto/Getty Images
Besides, there’s a lot to see on what has been called the Cornish Riviera.
Decide where you want to stay, and then settle in to explore this historic part of Britain.
See a show at the open-airMinack Theater, high on the cliffs above the Atlantic.
Visit castles such as thePendennis Castle, which was built by King Henry VIII to protect Cornwall.
Thisroad triptakes you inland on A-5, paralleling Portugal’s southern coast until it reachesEstoril.
Both Estoril and Cascais can be explored during your day-trip visit.
For the drive back to Lisbon, consider taking a different route for a bit of variety.
This one takes you inland a little further, but adds only about fifteen minutes to the trip.
You’ll want to spend a few days exploring Killarney’s historic castles and museums.
From there, it’s about a two-hour drive west to thecoastal town of Dingleon R-563 and R-561.
And perhaps enjoy a pint at a local pub.
The trip should take less than two hours.
(Keep in mind the right-hand-drive cars and driving on the opposite side of the road.)
There’s so much to do in Austria’s capital with its legacy of music and art.
The most direct route is on A-2, for about two hours of drive time.
Take the longer scenic route on B-72 and A-2, which adds about an hour to the trip.
