Recently updated on November 4th, 2023 at 01:32 pm
Europe is a living history book, offering a walk through history in its many museums, ruins, and heritage sites. With so much art and architecture to gaze at, it’s easy to overlook the millennia of history laid before our feet.
Ancient roadways, mountain passes, and trade routes in Europe have existed long before recorded history. These prehistoric pathways were far more than trails: their existence paved the way for the development of civilization as we know it today.
Take a literal walk through history on one of Europe’s historical roads.
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Via Appia | Italy
It’s said that all roads lead to Rome, but once upon a time, the Appian Way was the road leading to Rome. Built in 312 BC as Europe’s first super highway, the Ancient Romans used it as a main artery for communication, trade, and military movement to and from the heart of their Empire. Much of the Via Appia is still intact; visitors can walk through history, past ruins and gravesites. The Italian government is actively restoring this iconic landmark and encouraging travelers to experience it as a historical pilgrimage of sorts.
Take a walk on the Appian Way and loads of other roads leading to Rome on Trafalgar’s Best of Italy tour. Spend 13 days making your way around Italy, exploring the history of Rome, canals of Venice, and serenity of Lake Como.
The Royal Road of Knossos | Greece
On the island of Crete, one of Europe’s oldest roads leads to the Palace of Knossos. Like the road, the palace has endured for centuries, with evidence of occupation as far back as 2300 BCE. The Royal Road connected the north entrance of the palace with the surrounding town and was flanked by a court, theatre, and other structures. While exploring the archaeological zone, you can walk through sections of the road’s ruins to a number of small sites like the Roman ruins at the Little Palace and the mosaic-filled Villa Dionysios.
Old Salt Route | Germany
Salt routes were some of the most important roads throughout Europe. Though relatively small at 116km, Germany’s Old Salt Route was no less significant. Covering the gap between Lübeck and Lüneburg, this salt trade route dates back to the Middle Ages. In fact, Lüneburg was actually established atop a salt dome and now has a German Salt Museum devoted to the mineral that helped develop these northern German cities. The Old Salt Route is now a fantastic cycle route that takes you to historic salt stores, natural springs, and canal locks.
Discover more of medieval Germany on Trafalgar’s Best of Germany tour. In 12 days, you’ll venture through medieval town squares in the Black Forest before exploring medieval Rothenburg.
Via Francigena | England, France, Switzerland & Italy
Stretching all the way from Canterbury in the United Kingdom to the capital of Rome, Via Francigena was a medieval pilgrim route that you can still travel today. A large portion of the route connects the French cities of Calais and Besançon via Reims, though its most significant portion is that which connects Lausanne to Rome via Alpine passes. Whereas the Appian Way connected much of Southern Italy to Rome, the Via Francigena was the first route to stretch north beyond the Alps. This network of roads is full of medieval ruins and modern cities, offering a route that showcases the culture, history, and landscape of western Europe.
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The Ridgeway | England
Britain’s oldest road is ancient, unpaved, and completely open for you to walk through history in the footsteps of prehistoric travelers. 139km from Avebury in Wiltshire to Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire transports you across the wooded hills and chalk grasslands that are home to Stone, Bronze, and Iron Age barrows and forts. The Ridgeway is a National Trail and very accessible, welcoming walkers, cyclists, and horseback riders for some of the best hiking in Europe.
Find more of the best hiking in Europe, make your way through England and Scotland on Trafalgar’s Amazing Britain 8-day tour.
Via Augusta | Spain
More often than not, a walk through history in Europe will have you treading through the annals of Ancient Roman. Case in point, Spain’s Via Augusta. Running through ancient Hispania from Cadiz to La Jonquera, France, connecting with other road networks leading all the way to Rome. Without venturing far beyond the border, this 1500km Roman road lets you explore Spain the same way Roman soldiers once did. Nearly 100 monuments line the route from the Atlantic to the Pyrenees, offering a walk through equal parts Spanish and Roman history.
Don’t let Ancient Rome hog all the spotlight in Spain. Trafalgar’s Northern Spain tour takes you across the cap of the country for 11 days of architecture admiring and tapas tasting.
San Bernardino Pass | Switzerland
When you hear about the San Bernardino Pass on a visit to Switzerland, you’ll first learn about the road-worthy mountain pass built in the 1800s for vehicles. However, the San Bernardino Pass was a vital trade route for centuries prior, with evidence pointing to its use both in pre Roman times and even prehistoric times. Labeled after the namesake saint who preached in the area, the high mountain pass is now home to the San Bernardino village resort. Whether you drive or walk along this route, you’ll be treated to exceptional vistas of the Swiss Alps.
Take your pick of passes on Trafalgar’s Switzerland and Austria tour. This 13 day experience includes rides on the Brünig Pass, Maloja Pass, and Simplon Pass, as well as the option to take an epic train ride on the Bernina Pass.
Which European roadway or route do you think offers the best walk through history? Let us know in the comments.