Amalfi Coast, Italy
Route: Naples – Sorrento – Amalfi – Salerno
Distance: 50 km (31 miles)
Best time: April to October
Nothing beats driving the Amalfi Coast. The road twists and turns along cliffs that drop straight into the Mediterranean, and every corner reveals another breathtaking view. You’ll pass through postcard-perfect towns like Positano, Ravello, and Amalfi. Pull over for a plate of fresh seafood or just to soak up the sun on a pebbled beach. Sure, the roads are tight and those hairpin bends keep you on your toes, but the scenery more than makes up for it.
North Coast 500, Scotland
Route: Inverness – Applecross – Ullapool – Durness – John O’Groats – Inverness
Distance: 830 km (516 miles)
Best time: May to September
Scotland’s North Coast 500 is pure adventure. People call it the Scottish Route 66, but it’s got a wild charm all its own. You’ll weave through rugged highlands, past deep-blue lochs, and stumble across ancient castles. The coastal views are dramatic, the whisky distilleries are tempting, and if you’re lucky, you might spot dolphins splashing in the Moray Firth.
Ring Road, Iceland
Route: Reykjavik – Vik – Hofn – Akureyri – Reykjavik
Distance: 1,322 km (821 miles)
Best time: June to September
Iceland’s Ring Road circles the entire island. One day you’re gazing at glaciers, the next you’re standing before roaring waterfalls or wandering black sand beaches. Don’t miss Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss, or the icebergs floating in Jökulsárlón lagoon. The geothermal fields around Lake Myvatn bubble and steam like something from another planet.
Romantic Road, Germany
Route: Würzburg – Rothenburg ob der Tauber – Neuschwanstein Castle – Füssen
Distance: 460 km (286 miles)
Best time: May to October
The Romantic Road feels like driving through a children’s storybook. Medieval towns, rolling vineyards, and castles that look straight out of a fairy tale line the route. Rothenburg ob der Tauber’s half-timbered houses are a highlight, and Neuschwanstein Castle—yeah, the one Disney copied for Cinderella—never disappoints.
The Atlantic Road, Norway
Route: Kristiansund – Molde
Distance: 8 km (5 miles)
Best time: May to September
Short but unforgettable, Norway’s Atlantic Road skips across tiny islands, linked by swooping bridges that seem to float above the sea. When the weather’s wild, driving here feels like an adventure all its own. Pair it with a trip to the fjords, and you’ve got the makings of an epic journey.
The Algarve Coastal Drive, Portugal
Route: Faro – Lagos – Sagres
Distance: 200 km (124 miles)
Best time: March to October
Golden beaches, steep cliffs, and sleepy fishing towns—Portugal’s Algarve Coast is basically summer in a nutshell. Make time for Benagil Cave, Praia da Marinha’s stunning shoreline, and the old streets of Lagos. If you love fresh seafood and sunshine, you’ll never want to leave.
The French Riviera, France
Route: Nice – Monaco – Cannes – Saint-Tropez
Distance: 150 km (93 miles)
Best time: April to September
The French Riviera is all about glitz, glam, and sun-soaked drives along the sea. Cruise through Nice, Monaco, and Cannes, then slow down in villages like Èze, where the views stretch forever. It’s a place for lazy beach days and glamorous nights out.
The Transfagarasan Highway, Romania
Route: Sibiu – Balea Lake – Vidraru Dam – Curtea de Argeș
Distance: 90 km (56 miles)
Best time: July to October
Top Gear called it the world’s best road, and they weren’t kidding. The Transfagarasan Highway twists up and over the Carpathian Mountains, with endless switchbacks, deep tunnels, and jaw-dropping views. Don’t miss Balea Lake or Poenari Castle—rumored to be the real Dracula’s haunt.
Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Austria
Route: Bruck – Heiligenblut – Bruck
Distance: 48 km (30 miles)
Best time: May to October
This route takes you right into the heart of the Austrian Alps. The Grossglockner High Alpine Road climbs to 2,504 meters, offering sweeping mountain views the whole way. Stop at Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe for a look at the Pasterze Glacier—it’s a sight you won’t forget.
Dalmatian Coast, Croatia
Route: Split – Makarska – Dubrovnik
Distance: 230 km (143 miles)
Best time: May to September
Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast is all about turquoise water, ancient towns, and island adventures. Pull over in Makarska, hop on a ferry to Hvar, then wander Dubrovnik’s old city walls. It’s one of those drives that sticks with you long after you’ve left.
