Recently updated on October 6th, 2022 at 05:13 pm
Some of the best views in the world can be experienced on the road, weaving around picturesque hillsides overlooking glorious rolling landscapes. Whether you want to hug the twists and turns of Italy’s glamorous Amalfi Coast, or soak up the wild wilderness of Scotland’s lochs and glens, here are eight fabulously scenic driving routes in Europe.
1) Ring of Kerry: Ireland 3hr 30mins
The Ring of Kerry is a looping road that sweeps Ireland’s Iveragh Peninsula, taking in rolling mountains, lakes, waterfalls, Celtic ruins and ancient stone circles. Stop along the way at the pretty fishing village of Waterville, the Black Valley and of course, Blarney, to get that infamous gift of the gab.
2) Black Forest: Freiburg – Frankfurt, Germany 3hrs
See the best of Bavaria by travelling north through the dense, evergreen Black Forest to the stunning city of Frankfurt. A magical land that inspired the Brothers Grimm fairy tales, look out for timbered houses and pretty towns as you journey through the dramatic Black Forest.
3) Catalonian Coast: Valencia – Granada, Spain 5hrs
Cruise along the Catalonia coastline from Valencia to Granada accompanied by a vista of rugged cliffs and pretty coves. Head inland, through quaint villages and sand-dusted mountains, until you reach your picturesque destination.
4) Ancient England: Bristol – London, England 3hrs
Traverse England from west to east, starting at the old maritime city of Bristol. See its spectacular Clifton Suspension Bridge before heading off via the Georgian Spa town of Bath to the ancient wonders of Stonehenge. Journey onward to London, over the verdant North Wessex Downs.
5) Douro: Porto – Fatima, Portugal 2hrs
The Douro countryside surrounding Porto is so beautiful the nearby N222 has been awarded the best road in the world. Snaking south from Porto across winding roads and vineyard-covered mountains, you’ll pass through the charming ancient towns of Coimbra and Tomar on your way to the pilgrimage site of Fatima.Â
6) Amalfi Coast:  Salerno – Positano, Italy 2hrs
Pastel-hued towns nestled vertiginously into the hillside rise up over emerald waters. It could only be the Amalfi Coast. Around every bend is an Instagram-worthy shot; the coastline is that sublime. Snake your way from Salerno, hugging the coast all the way to the unapologetically gorgeous Positano.
7) The Highlands: Cairngorms National Park – Glasgow, Scotland 2hrs 30mins
Scotland has been voted the most beautiful country in the world for a reason; wild mountain wildernesses stand punctuated with glacial lochs and heather-strewn hills. Journey down through the Highlands, through the stunning Glencoe via glens and valleys to Scottish capital, Glasgow.
8) The Napoleon Route, Cannes – Aix-en-Provence, France 2hrs
This stretch of road connecting Grasse to Grenoble is one of the most scenic driving routes in France. Named after the path the French emperor took on his return from exile in Elba, it takes in the exquisite Riviera, the spectacular mountains of Provence and picture-perfect villages along the way.
If you’d like to take to the road on one of these scenic driving routes in Europe, click here to discover an extraordinary Trafalgar tour.
Image credits: Ireland © iStock/cmfotoworks. Germany © iStock/Britus. Spain © iStock/unikatdesign. England © iStock/ChrisHepburn. Portugal © iStock/PhilAugusto. Italy © iStock/amoklv. Scotland © iStock/sara_winter. France © iStock/kodachrome25.