We’ve tracked down every European country’s BEST road trip

AcropolypsePhotography/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/gMOaSfgRHC5FvmhJw7mNZw–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/f4d60867bf88b486f124ce479197e8ca>

AcropolypsePhotography/Shutterstock

It’s 19.5 miles (31km) long and connects the Dukat Valley in the north with the coastal town of Himarë to the south, cutting into the Llogara National Park, a protected fir, pine and ash tree-filled forest where deer and wild boar roam beneath eagles soaring overhead. Although there aren’t any visitor facilities, it’s a nice place for a hike and picnic. If it’s a clear day, from the top of the pass you may be lucky enough to spot the Greek island of Corfu.

Andorra: Port d’Envalirasvsumin/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/xwQVsVJzAsRQF7Ao3Vr_oQ–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/bb42ee437b98092a7955d0864fe4ca1a>

In the east of Andorra, near the border with France, this stunning 17-mile-long (28km) mountain pass connects the resort town of Pas de la Casa with the rest of the country. It’s the highest paved road in the Pyrenees and has featured in Tour de France and Vuelta a España cycling races several times. Not far from Pas de la Casa, you can take in the views over to Encamp from the 7,874-foot-high (2,400m) vantage point.

Austria: Grossglockner High Alpine RoadPyty/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/z4MGyMvuLPTE35RrHiwK.Q–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/2e0654df2c8f506078be4417be0bb85e>

Dubbed ‘Austria’s best view’, this spectacularly high stretch of road is all about majestic twists and turns – 36 in total – and breathtaking alpine mountain vistas. It’s flanked by the Salzburg town of Fusch on the Grossglockner Road and Heiligenblut am Grossglockner on the Carinthian side, and cuts through the Hohe Tauern National Park, the largest national park in central Europe and home to around 15,000 animal species.

Austria: Grossglockner High Alpine RoadPyty/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/RJMtuyMJlR9UZjMYWfUeGw–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/8ee2d81f3e19df3e9205551025236249>

Although the entire road is just 25 miles (48km) long and can be completed in under two hours, slowing down and stopping off along the way reaps the traveller rich rewards. Dotting the route are museums that tell the story of the park’s natural wonders. There are also hiking trails, cafes and restaurants serving hearty mountain fare – and several traditional alpine guesthouses for a unique mountain getaway.

Belgium: The Semois ValleyCroMary/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Y5w_bqKWStkmC4c23w104g–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/2fdb5a1e6d37fdd09766fe1ad8a8b3ca>

One of the gems of this journey is to be encountered at the start of this trip: the striking Bouillon Castle. It’s a must-visit, offering everything you want from a castle: dank tunnels, musty rooms, falconry displays, eerie nooks and even a cheese cellar. Other highlights of this journey are the area’s riverside towns. Rochehaut, nestled on a beautiful bend in the Semois, sits opposite the village of Frahan (pictured). Further west, there’s Alle with its cafés and kayakers.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Banja Luka to TrebinjeJanus77/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/tobH0y9zLmYflG7_eQljXA–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/22837231c30f55698e53c4cdddddc59e>

Picture-postcard medieval cities, magical waterfalls, Ottoman history and Islamic architecture infuse this epic 220-mile (350km) road trip that cuts through, roughly from north to south, the entirety of one of Europe’s newest countries. Set off from Banja Luka, Bosnia’s second city, before working your way through the hinterland to the pretty riverside city of Trebinje in the south. Be sure to spend some time soaking up the sights in Tuzla, the capital Sarajevo, and Mostar on the way.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Banja Luka to TrebinjeZedspider/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/4nfVXdYtMzNIb2RuM5bE7A–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/62de50d92b9883e036cab0b4ba9a81b5>

The journey is at its most epic on the road between Sarajevo and Mostar – the E73 – as it follows the river through the Neretva Canyon. The beauty of medieval Mostar, rich in Ottoman history and known for the iconic Stari Most bridge, is hard to leave behind, but worth it for a detour to the Kravice Waterfalls – 20 in total – before pushing on to picturesque Trebinje in the south.

Bulgaria: Ruse to Smolyanstoyahn/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/5uzCFzPwepVsgF0iyh5HSQ–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/f2633ed0577ac08426de0df89479a3a2>

Travelling north to south from Ruse to Smolyan offers an epic 560-mile (900km) road trip adventure to discover the most beautiful places in Bulgaria, including two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It starts in the port city of Ruse on the Danube River before taking in the rock-carved churches of Ivanovo and the ancient Roman city of Nicopolis ad Istrum. The route also features Veliko Tarnovo, considered one of the most beautiful cities in Bulgaria.

Bulgaria: Ruse to SmolyanSergey-73/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/JbWPk8JL063ohvuUxIn77A–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/46fe6e42f8df54594f08a7ed93c392b8>

From Veliko Tarnovo, the road trip continues to Kazanlak, crossing the Balkan Mountains and the Shipka Pass (pictured). The latter is an incredibly scenic road. Don’t miss a climb to the top of the Monument to Freedom for some amazing views. After this, it’s onto Plovdiv. Then, the pretty town of Smolyan, the authentic village of Shiroka Laka and the stunning Trigrad Gorge leading to the Yagodinska Cave.

Croatia: The Adriatic HighwayFlystock/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ntPUS6Sy1ajHBd6ZTB3Bfg–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/0613ca1b0459cc06749545cb51b62548>

Jadranska Magistrala, as it’s known locally, is Croatia’s ultimate coastal road trip and one of Europe’s most unforgettable journeys. Running just over 400 miles (650km) from Rijeka on the Kvarner Gulf to Karasovići on the border with Montenegro, it features endless twists and turns, not to mention striking cliff-top views over to the islands of Brač, Vis and Korčula that glitter below against a cobalt-blue horizon.

Croatia: The Adriatic HighwayDaLiu/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/xeNJOp1sBUhY88wl0oUQYw–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/1aabdc9b406ea2edcbc2bacd3b638ee3>

One of the most beautiful stretches runs 158 miles (254km) along the southern Dalmatian coast between Split and the walled city of Dubrovnik (pictured). At Drvenik, it’s fun to make a detour by 15-minute car ferry to the less visited eastern tip of Hvar Island, before getting back on the mainland. Afterwards, head south to the rustic Konavle region, famous for its vineyards and the secluded beach of Pasjača outside tiny Popovići.

Czechia: Prague to Znojmo via BrnoDaLiu/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/oFHZ21BB9dXpGMl0l02H3w–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/7984d6de1bb17cd5506248f0a996a9d8>

There’s so much more to explore in Czechia than the ever-popular capital city of Prague, the starting point for a 129-mile (207km) jaunt into the country’s rural areas. A landscape of rolling hills, castles and vineyards, is discoverable starting northeast of the capital at Český Ràj, or Bohemian Paradise (pictured), an otherworldly protected landscape of volcanic pillars, hilltop castles and forests. From here, it’s an easy ride to Brno. Czechia’s second city is where you’ll find the delightful Špilberk Castle.

Czechia: Prague to Znojmo via BrnoPecold/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/TWDZxD4yUIlJg71eExGUbw–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/de50da0cf4e0796cedc7445736df9499>

This memorable 168-mile (270km) road trip starts at the village of Tankavaara, where you can pan for gold, and ends in Nuorgam, Finland’s northernmost village. Running through the country’s unsung Utsjoki region, it’s especially magical come summer when all the snow melts and the Arctic scenery of Finnish Lapland transforms into a lush, verdant landscape. We think it’s the perfect setting for a seasonal journey on four wheels.

Finland: Tankavaara to NuorgamFreeProd33/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/mjh_KMvutmNTvWuFxMndYA–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/bd35fd0ad022075858310d212f19d63d>

Expect the most dramatic scenery in the southern stretch between Thann and Soultzmatt in the south, where verdant vines cling to dizzyingly steep slopes. It all happens near Rosheim, with its fascinating Romanesque Saint Peter and Paul Church. Kaysersberg, a few miles from the German border, is a village of chocolate-box houses overlooked by a castle built in the 13th century. This is where the region’s very first vines were planted in the 8th century.

Germany: Romantic RoadTrabantos/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/8hiyBFvPCsrw57ChHOpTWg–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/c6a2aa185cc339c8a122d31b542836ad>

Lovers of ancient Greek history and dramatic mountainous scenery will love this epic road trip, exploring the unsung Peloponnese region on the southern Greek mainland. Starting in the capital city of Athens, you’ll journey for 10 days and cover 515 miles (830km) on your way to the birthplace of the Olympic games, Ancient Olympia, with plenty of stop-offs en route.

Greece: Athens to Ancient OlympiaAlexander_Magnum/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/5.UEseoE5YMceUjI3PmYJg–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/5448b115809e19fd1a6cc4464bf0bb81>

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Known for its jaw-dropping natural wonders and easy driving conditions, Iceland is the perfect European road-trip destination. Route One, or the Ring Road, is the country’s most iconic journey, a 822-mile-long (1,322km) national road that loops around its entirety. It features more epic waterfalls, glaciers, lagoons, black-sand beaches, basalt cliffs and volcanoes than you’ll know what to do with. Along the way, you’ll also pass through some fairytale towns and villages.

Iceland: Ring RoadMumemories/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/S7fs447HBc.3P4D.r69PWg–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/898c9b8d9fe0b8d9fe01c89bfc937419>

When it comes to deciding what direction to travel, locals tend to choose a direction based on which way promises better weather. Although there are plenty of waterfalls to see along Ring Road, Godafoss is arguably the most spectacular of them all. Known as the ‘Waterfall of the Gods’, it’s said to date back to around AD 1000. The spectacular piece of nature is 98 feet (30m) wide and 39 feet (12m) high.

Ireland: Wild Atlantic WayAlexandree/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/A400LV5uEnOqbWjZaAWo5w–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/758deccee83d3747c9e4f07115046acb>

Driving the wildly popular Amalfi Coast Road – or Costiera Amalfitana – is one of the top things to do in Italy. Bookended by sophisticated Sorrento and Vietri sul Mare, near Salerno, this 35-mile (55km) narrow ribbon of road is stunning – but best avoided in the height of summer. It meanders south of Naples through colourful fishing villages and past terraces of lemon trees, vineyards and olive groves, that cling precariously to the steep hillsides above the glittering Tyrrhenian Sea.

Italy: Amalfi Coast RoadDaLiu/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/i0ZlTcTyMM_lalIjK3hevw–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/ac155ca93fd9b970c16386db6e16bb20>

Positano is a must-see, with its pretty houses and popular Marino Grande beach. For epic panoramic views here, climb the town steps to the top. Head eastwards to Amalfi where the famous Cattedrale di Sant’Andrea, makes a great backdrop for a photo. Stunning Ravello is one of the quietest villages along the stretch, set slightly inland away from the bustle of the coastline but still offering amazing coastal views.

Latvia: Riga to Liepājadiariesof.lu src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/hZ5873oWQkj3DSvzpQBvRQ–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/9542fd96554527743f669a6558c1bf34>

With an area of just one thousand square miles (2,600sqkm), Luxembourg is a country of short distances. This means all its best attributes, from castles and modern buildings to natural wonders, are essentially nearby. What’s more, it boasts pretty roads surrounded by vast greenery and panoramic views. One way to take it all in is by following the Grand Tour of Luxembourg road trip route, a 450-mile (724km) national journey featuring over 200 official signposts.

Luxembourg: Grand Tour of Luxembourgjavarman/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/bDXe4bIwJcbywoywuzEp5g–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/cea8b0d085e7976d206741a40dc62de6>

At just 17 miles (27km) by nine miles (14km), the Mediterranean island of Malta offers the opportunity for in-depth discovery on a micro-road trip. This roughly 10-mile (17km) trip from the honey-coloured capital city of Valletta in the east and ending at the Dingli Cliffs in the west offers an easy slow amble packed with ancient sights, views and stunning seascapes. It’s a nice one to start after lunch so you reach your destination around sunset, in time for golden hour.

Malta: Valletta to the Dingli CliffsRadekSklenicka/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/EWaYVLt7lBkpMcE0wkEw7w–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/823637179e5c449d258318f1bf554311>

RadekSklenicka/Shutterstock

Prolong the amble with plenty of stop-offs on the way: the historic town of Paola, the Blue Grotto for snorkelling, the must-see megalithic temples of Hagar Qim and Mnajdra, the pretty Ghar Lapsi cove, Limiti tal-Ghajn il Kbira viewpoint, and finally – the Dingli Cliffs. Some 830 feet (253m) above sea level, they’re the island’s most vertiginous area with immense views, where a chapel to St Mary Magdalene nestles precariously on the edge. Walking is popular here too.

Moldova: Chisinau to Cahul districtSid0601/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Fyk0.kZKcDhVQmzoJUBp3w–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/de33fbaaaa1f2dcc19989a9399135a22>

This small, landlocked Eastern European country bordered by Romania and the Ukraine, is also one of the world’s least visited, it’s crying out for tourists, which currently makes it an ideal choice for a crowd-free road trip. This 186-mile (300km) journey follows a route around the country’s lush south, offering the traveller a flavour of Moldovan culture and countryside. It’s one to enjoy over a weekend, or a bit longer with more overnight stops.

Moldova: Chisinau to Cahul districtSid0601/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/O8VlilqatmxpOQQVTDp5.g–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/df9efc003a2a6ada540843b2a0a2ce21>

It starts in the capital, Chisinau, and ends with a stay in traditional accommodation on the shores of pretty Lake Beleu (pictured). As well as taking in the capital’s cultural sights – the National Art Museum and the National Library of Moldova are highlights – you’ll pass through dense forests and journey over rocky hills. You’ll also get to sample Moldovan wine at some of the country’s best vineyards, including Vinăria din Vale winery.

Monaco: The Grande Cornichebellena/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/5_bOcdhhEC5Wj7qN8Vyd1w–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/dea05989050a76570dd1ae35ac951d62>

Running from Nice to Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, the Grande Corniche was built by Napoleon I and follows the ancient Roman route known as Via Julia Augusta. This short section of the elevated route, with its vistas and winding paths, is the chance to soak up the glamour Monaco is known for: luxury shopping, fine dining at one of the principalities many upscale restaurants, and a flutter in the elegant Beaux Arts Casino de Monte Carlo (pictured) that opened in 1865.

Montenegro: Kotor to Durmitornadtochiy/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/kg7hZ3Bv925TNKqNIrwF8g–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/3eb99821700351bf3c93d06b906ac427>

A sublime stretch of Adriatic coastline, thick forest and crystal-clear lakes, Venetian old towns and Ottoman history – Montenegro is a fascinating destination. The 98-mile (166km) drive from Kotor on the coast to Durmitor in the centre offers some of the country’s best scenery – which starts with a drive along the Kotor Serpentine (pictured), Montenegro’s most spectacular stretch of road.

Montenegro: Kotor to Durmitorshanezhang0304/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/eV1ymtNu2LCFBv3rn5Df.A–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/7dd2cc5d9c5dcab6bd2e4dfd0d3c37ac>

shanezhang0304/Shutterstock

Don’t miss the distinctive Ilinden war monument in Krusevo, built during the Yugoslav time, and make sure to linger awhile on the crystalline shores of Lake Ohrid, a symbol of North Macedonian tourism. Shared with Albania, this is the only inscribed UNESCO World Heritage Site in North Macedonia and one of only a few dozen anywhere in the world to be included on both the Cultural and Natural lists.

Norway: Atlantic Ocean Roadpryzmat/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/2a8rjPvmSqcyCgUl3uGXhQ–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/347200dfb64569c60364a8674decbc49>

One minute you’re looking out over impressive rock formations, next you’re immersed in deep forest on a drive on this remarkable 14-mile (22km) section of road 387. It connects Kudowa-Zdrój and Radków in Poland’s lush Kłodzko Valley and is best known as the 100 Curves or 100 Bends Road. It’s a dramatic sight; a winding course of bends backdropped by rock walls offering a unique mountain landscape featuring arches, chasms and beautiful views. It’s particularly popular road trip with bikers too.

Poland: 100 Curves RoadSopotnicki/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ISLbIWL63FJq.GivWC_y_Q–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/6c993807eb6dfcd227c56e9a7da81afa>

Beginning in Chaves in Portugal’s mountainous north and ending in the rolling countryside and olive fields of Alentejo (pictured) near Faro in the sun-scorched south, is Portugal’s N2, an iconic 459-mile (739km) route through the country’s authentic heart. It’s the longest road in Portugal and is often referred to as Portugal’s answer Route 66, seeing as it was built to carry goods and people the length of the country.

Portugal: Chaves to Alentejo on Portugal’s N2streetflash/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/bnDbyUsaloc_n8mvDz4z5Q–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/cde8434215cff27e352420677dac0f84>

Nowadays, it’s almost deserted except for local traffic and makes for a perfect slow travel adventure with a focus on local culture, regional food and nature. Highlights of the N2 include the town of Lamego, a historic city where visits to the cathedral and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies are not to be missed; the latter the setting for one of the country’s most important pilgrimages that takes place every September.

Romania: Transfăgărășan HighwayDaLiu/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/y91ACTuJRGU7eSX4i.csVQ–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/a7b00ad8dcb4744730504d0663eed0be>

Usually starting in Bascov and Carțișoara, the Transfăgărășan Highway is a 71-mile (114km) road characterised by a series of hairpin bends. It was built in the 1970s for military purposes to connect the regions of Wallachia and Transylvania and dramatically snakes its way through the Făgăras mountains, known as the Transylvanian Alps, rich in stunning natural landscapes and wildlife.

Romania: Transfăgărășan Highwaytrabantos/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/JRL22l5kNg09AjN27sev9g–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/aa40cded6362eab71cda4fee3bb83694>

Landlocked San Marino is a mountainous microstate surrounded by north-central Italy. It’s made up of nine old small towns, known as castellis, each with something to discover, so a road trip like this would enable you to spend a couple of days visiting each one. And, at just 24 square miles (61sqkm), it’s one of the few European countries you can see in its entirety in a day by car. This just also happens to be the best way to get around, seeing as its roads are narrow, steep and curvy.

San Marino: The Nine Castellisserditoart/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/aKpB70XUwSA1ecrun1XA6Q–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/58d228aceaff4a7e4e42d2d17d30bc56>

The best place to start is in the capital – also called San Marino – on the slopes of Monte Titano. It’s best known for its medieval walled old town with narrow cobblestone streets and three towers (previous slide): Guaita and Cesta, both built in the 11th century, and Montale, built in the 14th century. Don’t miss a trip to Borgo Maggiore (pictured here), an old market town dating to 1244 on the UNESCO list. It’s also linked to the capital by cable car.

Serbia: Novi Sad to Tara National ParkDaLiu/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/RUmRO8WVep7wS1nWcHbJnA–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/1d2b6b67ce918bfc43832c6dd7aa236e>

With its ice-fresh rivers, charming villages and spectacular mountains, Slovenia isn’t short on impressive sights to discover on the road. One of the most spectacular parts of the country is around Triglav National Park which covers most of the Julian Alps, a trip that promises dramatic scenery and showstopping views on every bend. Start with a culture fix in Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital, before heading west into the mountains, a 107-mile (173km) journey that takes around two to three hours.

Slovenia: Ljubljana to Triglav National ParkPol.Albarran/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/wZZUqfIbqEl77CTNzqoxgA–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/08675b68d1ac8ffd2b4d15f734c2d2cc>

Pol.Albarran/Shutterstock

Sun-soaked beaches, fascinating cities and pretty fishing villages are just some of the rewards that await the traveller taking this 105-mile (170km) road trip. It starts in bustling Barcelona and ends in the quaint seaside town of Cadaqués on the bay of the Cap de Creus peninsula. It’s one of the most spectacular stretches of Spain’s Costa Brava, lapped by the Mediterranean Sea on the northeastern coast of Catalonia, an area that inspired artist Salvador Dalí.

Spain: Barcelona to Cadaquéskerenby/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/F1PPLsUlOYxfoTzvNJyfTQ–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/9895b7ce050b1cc51e98cbd2775d9f5e>

On leaving Barcelona, take the GI-682 road from Tossa de Mar to Sant Feliu de Guíxols, which is dotted with viewpoints for taking in the scenery. It’s worth detouring away from the coastline to the ancient city of Girona, to explore its ancient lanes and marvel at its spectacular cathedral – which has one of the biggest Gothic naves in the world.

Sweden: Kiruna to RiksgränsenTsuguliev/Shutterstock src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/bQLSOmXa2fSLAQG6eKwOuA–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/loveexploring_uk_835/1427ea8b03e42d969380bb7a41181212>

This 82-mile (131km) stretch of route E10 is one of the most northerly, and beautiful, roads in Sweden. The road hugs the south shore of Torneträsk, one of Sweden’s largest alpine lakes, passing through Abisko – a jewel of the national park system. You’ll see excellent views of Lapporten too, the region’s iconic U-shaped Mountain.

Sweden: Kiruna to Riksgränsen

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Publish date : 2024-11-20 10:11:00

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