With its rugged coastlines and mountainous views, Europe is home to a number of incredible road trips. Road trips encourage travelers to embrace the journey as much as the destination, with frequent stops for photos, perfectly curated playlists, and an excuse to eat gas station snacks. Buckle up and get ready to explore Europe.
What You Need for a European Road Trip
For Americans looking to book a road trip in Europe there are a few, important factors to consider to keep everything safe, legal, and easy.
For starters, if you are planning a road trip to Europe, you’ll want to apply for your International Driving Permit (IDP) a month or two before your trip. The IDP is a valid form of identification in over 150 countries worldwide, and most countries require it to drive legally.
You can then use DiscoverCars to compare rental prices, and this platform is transparent about all the mandatory fees and extra costs. As for the rental itself, remember that most European cars have manual transmissions, and companies will charge extra for an automatic car.
Google Maps is essential for any good road trip, especially because you can download it offline. Just to be safe, we highly recommend that you download Airalo before your trip. Airalo makes it easy to download eSIMs for 200+ countries at some of the most affordable rates. Keeping an eSIM on your phone ensures that you’ll be prepared to search your route, find the nearest gas station, or handle any other sidequests that come up on your adventure.
Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland
At 1600 miles in length, the Wild Atlantic Way is one of the longest-defined coastal routes in the world. It winds along the west coast of Ireland from the southern town of Kinsale to the Inishowen Peninsula in the north. This road trip takes you through some of the most picturesque sites in Ireland, including the Cliffs of Moher and the Ring of Kerry.
Where to Stay: Actons Hotel Kinsale
Depending on which direction you choose, you’ll either start or end your road trip in Kinsale, a small fishing town in County Cork. Actons Hotel is a four-star boutique hotel that welcomes guests with coastal fun, local recommendations, and luxe rooms. Stretch your legs after your road trip with a long walk by the water, and enjoy their freshly prepared seafood menu and extensive wine selection.
Bern to Zurich, Switzerland
The drive from Bern to Zurich allows travelers to jump back and forth from the flashy urban cities to the quiet, stunning outdoors. The journey will start in Bern, also known as the city of Einstein, and road trippers will be able to spend one day cramming in cultural sites and the next day lounging by a lake with a good book. Get lost at the fjord-like Lake Uri or spend a night in quaint Lucerne.
Where to Stay: the Hotel Schweizerhof Zurich
The Hotel Schweizerhof is a five-star city hotel that combines historic charm with contemporary comforts. With its convenient location next to the main train station, it makes it easy to explore Zurich’s waterfront bars, medieval Old Town, and even the nearby alps. In a charming touch, the rooms also offer pillow menus that allow guests to be as selective as they please.
Lisbon to Douro Valley, Portugal
When driving from Lisbon to Douro Valley, we recommend taking the coastal route and driving through the city of Porto. This drive makes it easy to stop at some of Portugal’s cutest coastal towns, including the famous surf town of Nazaré and the colorful canal city of Aveiro. After spending a night (or two… or three) walking around the cobblestone streets of Porto, you can celebrate your road trip with world-class wine in Douro Valley.
Where to Stay: Six Senses Douro Valley
The Six Senses Douro Valley is a romantic property with vine-covered terraces and stunning views of the Douro river. This hotel boasts the Wine Library restaurant that pairs Portuguese classic dishes with the best wines of the region. If you brought your dog along for the ride, Six Senses also offers a signature paw massage for pups.
