10 Stunning Destinations for a Europe Road Trip
Escape to Europe's Most Beautiful Landscapes
For our guide to stunning destinations for a Europe road trip, we’ve hand-picked locations that’ll make you want to switch off the engine and stay a little longer. Our recommendations take you from charming Mediterranean villages and Transylvanian mountains to the breathtaking Alps, Scottish Highlands, and an exciting island in the North Atlantic.
You can stretch your legs by hiking or biking around one of the largest canyons in Europe or by taking a stroll through the cobbled alleys of a medieval town in Germany. You’ll find peace and harmony in Greek monasteries whose locations defy gravity. Everywhere you go, you’ll be met with stunning scenery, friendly locals, and memories to last a lifetime.
1. Amalfi Coast, Italy
A string of sun-kissed villages and towns near Naples
จุดเด่น: ถ่ายรูป, ผจญภัย
The Amalfi Coast is an idyllic 30-mile stretch of coastal beauty with jaw-dropping views in southwestern Italy, perfect for a panoramic drive. Here you’ll find towering cliffs, sheltered coves and beaches, lemon groves, vineyards, and cerulean waters. The Amalfi Coast is prized not only for its dramatic landscape, but also for delicious cuisine, vibrant villages, and picturesque towns.
One of the main destinations is the luxurious Positano with an amazing view of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Amalfi town is another great stop, sandwiched mostly vertically between the sea and the mountains. In Ravello, you can visit the Villa Cimbrone’s gardens, high in the hills above Amalfi. In Vietri sul Mare, shop for the perfect souvenirs, brightly colored, hand-painted plates.
Amalfi Coast, Italy
2. Interlaken, Switzerland
Breathtaking mountains, lakes, and waterfalls
จุดเด่น: คู่รัก, ถ่ายรูป, ผจญภัย
It’s no wonder that the traditional resort town of Interlaken is one of the most Instagrammed Swiss towns. This photogenic alpine gem stands on a narrow stretch of valley, between the emerald-green waters of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz in central Switzerland. It’s an ideal place to stop and relax in nature before heading out to the busy Autobahns or autostrade.
With rustic timber houses set against a backdrop of the Swiss Alps and the stunning Giessbach waterfall nighttime illuminations, Interlaken is the perfect romantic getaway. If you’re more of an adrenaline junkie, Interlaken offers an array of activities that will get your heart pumping, from paragliding and cross-country skiing to water sports on the lakes.
Interlaken, Switzerland
3. Faroe Islands, Denmark
An up-and-coming destination that’s home to puffins and turf-roofed houses
จุดเด่น: ผจญภัย, แปลกใหม่, ถ่ายรูป
Tucked between Iceland and Norway in the North Atlantic Ocean, the Faroe Islands (or ‘sheep islands’) are fast becoming a favorite Nordic destination. Music lovers may already know the region for its buzzing festival scene, but the word is spreading fast about the archipelago’s steep cliffs, hiking trails, waterfalls, and rocky coastlines on its 18 charming islands.
In Tórshavn, the cozy capital city, you’ll find 18th-century churches, a tiny Old Town, and rows of brightly painted homes. Turf-roofed houses, a local architectural style to protect dwellings from the rainy climate, have become an iconic symbol of this emerging vacation spot. To meet the area’s most famous residents, the adorable puffins, there’s no place better than the tiny island of Mykines.
Faroe Islands, Denmark
4. Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
The queen of the Dolomites and a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site
จุดเด่น: ถ่ายรูป, หรูหรา, ขาช้อป
The epitome of luxury ski resorts, Cortina d’Ampezzo is a chic town with a versatile ski area and Dolomite views, just 2 hours from Venice. It has featured in many blockbuster movies from “007 – For Your Eyes Only” to “Cliffhanger” and boasts one of the best shopping streets in the Alps.
In winter, Cortina offers 87 miles (140 km) of scenic, world-class skiing across its slopes and glamorous after-ski in the stylish cafes and bars. In summer, it’s a paradise for hikers, climbers, and mountain bikers. Be sure to have your camera ready at sunset and sunrise when the Dolomites are set ablaze by the rays of the sun in a spectacle of colors from soothing pink to fiery red.
Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy
5. Gorges du Verdon, France
France’s “Grand Canyon” with turquoise waters and versatile activities
จุดเด่น: ผจญภัย, แปลกใหม่, ถ่ายรูป
In Gorges du Verdon, one of the largest canyons in Europe, the emerald-green Verdon River carves its way between the steep limestone cliffs. Here you’ll find many options for hiking, climbing, swimming, and white-water sports. To simply admire the mesmerizing flow of the river, head to the Le Pont du Galetas bridge for an amazing view.
You can also do a spectacular road trip around the edge of the gorge, by car or by bike. If you’re a birdwatcher, bring your binoculars and enjoy the amazing birdlife: vultures, eagles, and other birds of prey. Gorges du Verdon is located a couple hours north of the French Riviera and east of the Provence region, perfect for an adventurous day trip.
Gorges du Verdon, France
6. Transylvania, Romania
Bear-spotting and medieval towns in the land of Dracula
จุดเด่น: ผจญภัย, แปลกใหม่, ประวัติศาสตร์
One of Eastern Europe’s most captivating regions, Transylvania, is known for medieval towns, mountainous borders, and castles like Bran Castle, a Gothic fortress associated with the legend of Dracula. Transylvania still feels undiscovered and here you’ll find pristine hardwood forests, lush pastures, and wildflower meadows. Horse-drawn carts rumble along dirt roads, while villagers make hay in the sunshine.
The Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania are home to wolves, lynx, and brown bears. To observe the bears up close and in the wild, visit an official hide with a ranger. You’ll also discover resort towns, famed for their therapeutic waters. To finish your day, sample a glass of the local tipple, Palincă, a fiery brandy traditionally made from plums.
Transylvania, Romania
7. Meteora, Greece
Ancient monasteries at breathtaking heights
จุดเด่น: แปลกใหม่, ถ่ายรูป, ประวัติศาสตร์
In the unique and awe-inspiring Meteora, the towering rock formations rising dramatically from the plains of Thessaly are a sight to behold. There are 6 active monasteries that cling to these peaks and add an air of mystery to the terrain. Seemingly suspended in mid-air, the Monastery of Holy Trinity is one of the most photographed.
The area around Meteora offers a variety of hiking and walking trails with stunning views of the monasteries and the surrounding landscape. In the towns of Kalabaka and Kastraki, you can enjoy traditional Greek food like tiropeta and purchase handmade wares such as leather sandals. You can reach the otherworldly Meteora in 4 hours from Athens or 3 hours from Thessaloniki.
ที่ตั้ง: Kalabaka 422 00, Greece
Meteora, Greece
8. Hallstatt, Austria
Stunning views and salt mines in a fairytale village
จุดเด่น: อาหาร, ถ่ายรูป, คู่รัก
The quaint alpine village of Hallstatt is home to fewer than 1,000 inhabitants, an ancient salt mine, and unparalleled views of the Austrian Alps. Situated in central Austria, it’s an ideal base for exploring the area in every season. It’s located an hour from Salzburg, 2.5 hours from Munich, and 3.5 hours from Vienna.
One of the most scenic towns in Austria, Hallstatt is dotted with pastel-colored houses and winding cobblestone streets surrounded by natural beauty. For the best views, take the cable car to the top of the mountain. Hallstatt’s salt mines date back to at least 5000 BCE, and you can book an extended expedition to venture into areas that are normally off-limits.
Hallstatt, Austria
9. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
Popular and picturesque medieval town on the Romantic Road
จุดเด่น: ถ่ายรูป, ประวัติศาสตร์
The charming Rothenburg ob der Tauber in northern Bavaria is best known for its medieval architecture, cobblestone lanes, and 1000 years of history packed between its streets. In St. Jakob’s Church you can marvel at the glorious 500-year-old altarpiece, while the Medieval Crime and Punishment Museum is full of diabolical instruments of punishment and torture. For breathtaking views of the town and surrounding countryside, you can walk the wall that surrounds the old town or climb the Town Hall tower.
Rothenburg is also a great place to explore the Romantic Road, Germany’s most famous scenic route, where the country looks like something straight out of a fairytale. Popular souvenirs from this adorable town include carvings, Christmas ornaments, and beer steins.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
10. Loch Ness, Scotland
Mysterious lake in the Scottish Highlands
จุดเด่น: ครอบครัว, ถ่ายรูป, ผจญภัย
Extending for approximately 23 miles (37 km) southwest of Inverness, the beautiful Loch Ness is shrouded in mystery. Does a monster named Nessie lurk in the deep of this large freshwater loch? To see for yourself, you can book boat tours and cruises from Inverness, Fort Augustus, and Drumnadrochit.
The versatile Loch Ness region offers several outdoor delights from watersports to walking. There are waterfalls, castles, and hidden lochs to explore on foot or mountain bikes. The Caledonian Canal that stretches from Fort William to Inverness invites you to discover the Urquhart castle, pretty towns and villages, and gorgeous countryside. Fans of the TV show “Outlander” flock to the Boleskine Graveyard, the final resting place of the region’s Fraser clan.
Loch Ness, Scotland
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