10 Incredible European Road Trips Every Traveler Should Take Once

"A European road trip is a traveler's rite of passage. Not only does it allow you to explore villages, mountains, lakes, and ancient ruins you might not get a chance to see when taking public transportation, but it also challenges you a bit. You may have to drive on the other side of the road, figure out how to pump gas in another country, or navigate the route via signs that aren't in your first language."

"Bryan Lewis, the founder of Tenon Tours, also recommends employing a leisurely pace. "Travelers often underestimate how much there is to see along the way, and rushing from A to B can mean missing the moments that make a trip memorable, like a spontaneous stop at a roadside cafe or a village market," he says. "I also always remind people to avoid overpacking the itinerary; two or three regions are plenty for a weeklong trip.""

"The Dolomites, Italy "If I had to choose just three road trips around Europe, I'd start with the Dolomites in the north of Italy, where driving the green alpine roads with the amazing lakes and mountain landscapes makes travelers feel the real beauty of nature," says Pablo Gómez, CEO at Holafly. Brendan Fox, the managing director at Destination Sport Experiences, is also partial to this part of the world, noting how you can choose to follow "the roads made famous in the Giro d'Italia," the annual road cycling race primarily held in Italy. Start your journey in Bolzano, where you can pick up a rental car, then set out to"

A European road trip enables access to villages, mountains, lakes, and ancient ruins that public transport often misses while introducing practical challenges like unfamiliar driving rules, foreign fuel pumps, and nonnative signage. Optimal travel windows are typically April through June and September through early November for milder weather and fewer crowds. Adopting a leisurely pace reveals memorable moments such as roadside cafes and local markets. For a weeklong journey, focus on two to three regions to avoid overpacked schedules. The Dolomites are a top pick for alpine roads, scenic lakes, and routes associated with the Giro d'Italia.

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