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Best scenic drive destinations in Europe

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Zermatt
Alpine Magic and the Matterhorn
9.3
As a car free resort, this Swiss village is reached by shuttle train from Täsch. The drive up the Mattertal valley follows a river through small villages. The Matterhorn is visible from many points near the village. Parking in Täsch is paid and fills early in busy seasons.
Highlights:
  • ❄️ Visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Europe’s highest cable car
  • 🏞️ Hike to Riffelsee Lake and see the Matterhorn’s reflection
  • 🚞 Ride the Gornergrat Railway for stunning Matterhorn views
Amalfi Coast
Italy's Coastal Gem
8.1
Carved into steep cliffs above the Tyrrhenian Sea, this coast has a narrow road with hairpin bends. Lemon terraces and pastel villages such as Positano and Praiano appear around the curves. Traffic is heavy in summer, so many drivers start early. Parking is limited in the villages, so patience helps.
Highlights:
  • ⛪ Visit Amalfi Cathedral's stunning medieval architecture
  • 🏖️ Relax on Positano’s colorful cliffside beaches
  • 🥾 Hike the breathtaking Path of the Gods trail
Inverness
Highland Gateway, Castles and Loch Ness
7.5
Serving as the capital of the Highlands, this city is where many road trips begin. The A82 runs along Loch Ness to Fort William in about two hours. Culloden battlefield and Moray Firth beaches are a short drive east. Car hire is easy at the airport and station.
Highlights:
  • ⚔️ Explore Culloden Battlefield, site of a famous battle
  • 🛥️ Take a boat tour on Loch Ness in search of Nessie
  • 🏰 Visit the historic Inverness Castle and its scenic views
Killarney
Ireland’s Adventure Gateway Town
8.0
Rain falls often in County Kerry, so views change quickly between sun and cloud. The Ring of Kerry loop begins here and covers about 179 kilometres. Many drivers go clockwise to avoid tour buses, which usually go the other way. Ladies View and Moll's Gap are classic viewpoints.
Highlights:
  • ⛵ Take a boat trip to Innisfallen Island and see ancient ruins
  • 🏡 Visit historic Muckross House, Gardens, and Traditional Farms
  • 🌲 Explore Killarney National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
Lofoten
Dramatic Peaks and Northern Lights
8.4
Fishermen have hung cod on wooden racks to dry here for centuries. Many of the racks still stand beside red fishing cabins called rorbuer. The E10 road links the main islands with bridges and tunnels. Beaches and sharp peaks line the route. The midnight sun is visible in summer.
Highlights:
  • 🏖️ Relax on white sands of Kvalvika Beach
  • ⚔️ Explore the Viking history at Lofotr Viking Museum
  • 🥾 Hike the steep trail up Reinebringen for views
Flåm
Fjord Dreams and Railway Magic
8.4
Quiet and green, this small village sits at the end of the Aurlandsfjord, a branch of the Sognefjord. The Aurlandsfjellet Snow Road climbs to a bare plateau and is usually open only in summer. Roads here pass through long tunnels, including the Lærdal Tunnel, which is about 24 kilometres long.
Highlights:
  • 🧗‍♂️ Explore Flåm Zipline for thrilling views over fjord
  • 🛥️ Cruise the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord fjord landscapes
  • 🚂 Ride the Flåm Railway, famous scenic mountain descent
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Half-timbered streets and a walkable town wall
8.3
Compared with Munich or Nuremberg, this walled town is small enough to cross on foot in under half an hour. It is a popular stop on the Romantic Road, which runs about 350 kilometres from Würzburg to Füssen. Fields, vineyards and half timbered villages are common along the route.
Highlights:
  • ⚖️ Explore the Medieval Crime and Justice Museum exhibits
  • 📸 Visit the iconic Plönlein for picturesque photo moments
  • 🏰 Walk the well-preserved medieval town walls and towers
St. Moritz
Alpine Glamour and Winter Magic
8.3
Set at about 1,800 metres in the Engadin valley, this Swiss resort town overlooks a lake. The Bernina Pass road climbs south towards Italy past glaciers and turquoise lakes. The Albula Pass road to the north is quieter and full of curves. The Maloja Pass road leads down towards Lake Como.
Highlights:
  • ♨️ Relax at the luxurious St. Moritz thermal spa
  • 🏔️ Take in panoramic views from Piz Corvatsch peak
  • ⛷️ Ski pristine slopes at Corviglia and Piz Nair
Scottish Highlands
Rugged Beauty and Ancient Legends
8.1
General Wade built military roads across the Highlands in the 1700s after the Jacobite risings. Today the road through Glen Coe is one of the most scenic drives in Scotland. Single track roads with passing places are common in the remote west. Stags and sheep often stand near the road.
Highlights:
  • 🚗 Drive the legendary North Coast 500 scenic route
  • 🛥️ Cruise across mysterious Loch Ness and spot Urquhart Castle
  • 🥾 Hike through the dramatic landscapes of Glencoe Valley
Zell am See
Lakes, Mountains and Alpine Charm
8.3
Relaxed and lively, this Austrian lake town is a short drive from the Grossglockner High Alpine Road. The toll road is about 48 kilometres long and climbs above 2,500 metres. It is usually open from May until early November. Viewpoints face Austria's highest peak, the Grossglockner.
Highlights:
  • 🏘️ Explore historic Zell am See Old Town cobblestones
  • 🚤 Take a boat tour on picturesque Lake Zell
  • 🥾 Hike or ski on Schmittenhöhe mountain trails
Andermatt
Alpine Adventure Awaits You
7.9
Traders and soldiers have crossed the Gotthard Pass for centuries. Today this Swiss village is a base for several famous mountain roads, including the Furka and Susten passes. Most passes close in winter and reopen in early summer. Each drive has hairpin bends and wide alpine views.
Highlights:
  • 🚗 Explore the historic Gotthard Pass and tunnel
  • 🥾 Hike through dramatic Schöllenen Gorge and Devil’s Bridge
  • 🎿 Ski the challenging slopes of Gemsstock mountain
Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve
Starlit horizons over Ireland’s rugged coast
8.9
Compared with the busy daytime roads of the Ring of Kerry, this protected dark sky area is calm after sunset. It covers part of the Iveragh Peninsula and has very little light pollution. Drivers often stop near Cahersiveen and Waterville to watch the stars. Clear nights in autumn and winter are often good for stargazing.
Highlights:
  • 🍃 Explore Killarney National Park's emerald lakes
  • 🏞️ Hike the dramatic cliffs of Skellig Michael
  • 🌌 Stargaze at the International Dark Sky Reserve
Passo dello Stelvio
Majestic alpine vistas and historic passes
Cyclists and motorcyclists gather on this pass each summer to climb its tight hairpin bends. The road reaches 2,757 metres, which is among the highest paved passes in the Alps. Signs along the Prato side number each hairpin bend. It is usually open only from June to October.
Highlights:
  • 🍷 Sample Tyrolean wine and cheese at a mountain tavern
  • 🥾 Hike the ridge trail, sunrise over mountains
  • 🚠 Ride the cable car to Stelvio's highest peak
Transfăgărășan Highway
Scenic mountain route through Romania's heart
This high mountain road is usually open only from about July to October. It crosses the Făgăraș Mountains between Transylvania and Wallachia with many hairpin bends. The route reaches about 2,040 metres near Bâlea Lake. The road was built in the 1970s for military use.
Highlights:
  • ⛪ Take a detour to the fortified church in Săcele and explore its medieval charm
  • 🏞️ Stop at Bâlea Lake for a panoramic sunrise view
  • 🚗 Drive the winding Transfăgărășan, photographing dramatic cliffs
North Coast 500
Scenic cliffs and rugged coastlines
Looping around the far north of Scotland, this route covers about 516 miles. It passes Applecross, Durness and John o' Groats on the way. Sections such as Bealach na Bà are steep and narrow, with sharp turns. Many roads are single track, so drivers should use passing places.
Highlights:
  • 🚤 Stroll through picturesque Portree harbor at sunset
  • 🌊 Explore Skye's Fairy Pools waterfalls
  • 🏔️ Hike the scenic Old Man of Storr ridge
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