The 3 best car routes through Europe

Europe offers a varied mix of landscapes, from snow-covered mountains and stunning fields to sandy beaches and rugged coastlines. Take your time to explore this vast continent in a rental car. Below, we offer you a selection of the best road trips in Europe, so you can unleash your travel spirit.

1. Driving around the Italian lakes:

Discover the hidden gems of northern Italy and enjoy a road trip around the spectacular Italian lakes. Driving is the perfect way to see the lakes, stopping whenever you wish to cool off with a swim or savor a delicious Italian gelato. Head first to Lake Garda and spend a few days exploring Sirmione and Peschiera del Garda, without missing the charming Lake Tenno: with its pure water, white stones, and surrounding vegetation, it is known as the “blue lake”.

Continue to Lake Como, rent a boat from Varenna, and admire the spectacular scenery that rises as a backdrop to the lake from the water. The last stop is Lake Maggiore, where you can find the Borromean Islands and the colorful village of Cannobio.

2. Traveling through northern Spain:

For foreigners who have never visited northern Spain, it is surprising how different it is from the sunny beaches of the south of our country. Its rugged coasts and green landscapes make it inevitable to compare it with the typical landscapes of Scotland or Ireland. Start your journey in the Basque Country, savoring pintxos and spending a day at the beach before driving to Bilbao to enjoy its hustle and bustle. Next, reach Santander, with its historic buildings, beaches, and delicious cuisine.

Take some time during your trip to visit the small inland villages, where you can experience local customs and enjoy their gastronomy and wines.

3. Visiting Austria and Germany:

Start in the historic city of Vienna, home to Beethoven and Mozart, before traveling to Salzburg. After exploring the city, enjoy an impressive drive along the Grossglockner Road (Großglockner-Hochalpenstraße), Austria’s highest mountain road, which is only passable from March to October and offers unforgettable panoramic mountain views.

From here, continue skirting the Alps towards Innsbruck and make a stop to spend a couple of days skiing before crossing the border into Munich, Bavaria (Germany). There you can visit fairy-tale castles and various historic buildings, such as the famous St. Peter’s Church with the mythical Rathaus Glockenspiel.

4. Following the route from Paris to Nice:

This picturesque journey takes you through some of the most beautiful areas of France. Before leaving, visit the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum and take a boat tour on the Seine. Once you have left the city, take the road to the Burgundy wine region, stopping at your own pace along the way to explore some of the evocative villages. Next, head to the cultural city of Lyon, with its impressive Gothic and Renaissance architecture, before heading to Provence.

There, with its vast lavender fields and miles of open countryside, it is well worth spending a few days. Then head to the port of Marseille, where you could spend hours watching the luxurious yachts, before heading to your final destination, Nice. Take advantage of your stay in the capital of the French Riviera to explore the old town, the crystal-clear waters of its beaches, and the delicious cuisine in one of its many restaurants.

5. Exploring the Wild Atlantic Way:

This is one of the most spectacular routes in Ireland and should not be missing from your travel destination list. Start in the modern city of Cork and take your time to enjoy the narrow streets and quaint bars before heading to Kerry. The incredible ocean views and rocky coastline are the perfect backdrop for countless selfies of your trip. Before leaving, take the opportunity to tour the Ring of Kerry, with its crystal-clear lakes and green hills.

The next stop is Limerick, where you can explore historic castles and Irish medieval streets. Then, take the road to County Clare, passing by the fascinating Cliffs of Moher, where the waves crash against these spectacular vertical cliffs. A special place to soak up Irish culture is Galway, with its traditional Irish pubs. Then, head to Mayo Beach to get some fresh air before reaching your final destination, Donegal. (Do you like Star Wars? “The Last Jedi” was filmed there!)

No matter if you only have a few days or a whole month, renting a car is undoubtedly the best way to see Europe. Road trips are the perfect way to enjoy with family and couples, and the best part is that you can travel at your own pace and create the itinerary that suits you best.