The best scenic drives in Europe
Driving pleasure! Roads, you need to drive!
Top 23
Driving these selected roads is a pure pleasure. It doesn’t matter if you are on a motorbike, sitting behind the wheel of a sports car or rolling slowly in a massive motorhome. You will enjoy both: the views and the ride. We did take this European drives by ourselves, and some of those more than once. And we assure you, these are real gems, that every eager driver should hit in his life! Fun with bends, landscapes, and a noise of your engine. Ready?!
There are 23 scenic drives on the list, which we travelled by car. The routes are arranged from the lowest rated to the best one, of course, on our subjective opinion. You will find here alpine passes full of serpentines, roads along the rivers, or those running over steep, sea cliffs. We tried to choose such routes that also meet the needs of motorcyclists, travelling couples or families with children. These roads are an alternative to highways or are located in places where few people decide to go (Snowy Road).
Most of the selected proposals are full of narrow bends and sections where you can admire the scenery. We overcame the routes presented here between May and October, which is in the middle of a tourist season. Increased traffic should be expected. However, note that some of the mountain roads can be closed due to snow until late spring.
Our assessment consisted of three factors:
- Views and scenery (50%) – that is, how the landscapes and surroundings are. Here we took into account the diversity of the area, attractions and viewpoints, for which it is worth stopping.
- Driving pleasure (25%) – what an impression a driver had. The number of turns, the possibility of acceleration or the need for braking with straight parts where you can relax. Quality of surface and width of the lanes.
- Low traffic (25%) – this is the factor that raised the attractiveness of a road – there is nothing worse than having to watch out for the traffic and lame drivers around. The best is, after all, the road on which we are alone!
Makarska Riviera
Croatia, road no. 8, start in Split, end in Dubrovnik (3km out of town)
The beautiful Adriatic coastline
Fantastic landscapes, full of small towns, a seaside and holiday atmosphere. In the tourist season, it is massively overloaded.
Portofino
Italy, start in Rapallo, end in Portofino
Villas, yachts and picturesque coast
Villas, luxury yachts, beautiful bay and the sea. We pass under palm trees, through a narrow and winding road to a tiny town – an enclave of the Italian bourgeoisie. Very busy. Note – in 2018 the way to Portofino was entirely destroyed by a storm. Renovation works will last until 2020.
Amalfi Coast
Italy, start in Positano, end in Salerno
Small towns on the rocky coast and permanent traffic jams
We have not decided to go through the entire Costiera Amalfitana – every navigation including Wayz will lead you through any other direction than Amalfi. The road is narrow, and the pace, even in low season, makes you furious. You have to forget about finding a place to park by the coast. Views are fabulous, but you can only enjoy them from your car. We did manage to make a short stop at Ravello, mainly due to the viewpoint (supposedly the best on the whole coast), and with a massive dose of luck (and waiting) we got a parking spot.
Val d’Orcia in Tuscany
Italy, a loop that starts in Montepulciano, then: Pienza, San Quirico d’Orcia, La Foce and Montichello
Rolling hills, roads with cypress trees
Tuscany has always been a magnet for tourists. And for sure, the most beautiful region is undoubtedly Val d’Orcia. Most of the photos advertising this part of Italy come from this valley. Driving here is smooth and calm, the traffic is low. Unfortunately, the landscape is somewhat littered with ugly steel sheds and high power lines, but if you take a telephoto lens, you’ll capture the best places. The route we marked on Google Maps (the pin above) goes next to all the “must-see” locations.
Saxony along the Elbe
Czech Republic-Germany, start in Hřensko, end in Meissen
Rocks, river and wine
An excellent road along one of the longest rivers in Europe. You drive around rocky, high cliffs next to the massive river. You can admire splendid the landscapes from the vantage points located among many hills. There are fortresses to visit, trails to hike and Dresden (just stop here for a few hours). The last part before you reach Meissen is called the “wine route”.
Basque coast
Hiszpania, początek San Sebastian, koniec Zumaia
Atlantic, cliffs, resorts and green hills
On one side of the road you have green mountainsides and on the other – the Atlantic. The beginning of this scenic route is at a vantage point. From here you will drive around San Sebastian, through its hills to reach Zaumia and relax on its beach.
Loire Valley
France, start in Orleans, end in Saumur
The most beautiful castles and palaces in Europe
The road is 249km, which you will definitely want to divide in a few days. It is required to visit at least a few castles (Chambord, Chenonceau – castle bridge, Villandry with gardens and Chinon). More joy needed? Add some excellent white wine and tasty cheese. The road goes mostly along the wide, slow river. Hence there are nearly no corners here. Perfect to relax.
Route Napoléon
France, start in Sisteron, end in Grenoble
Passages, villages, pastures and mountains
Route number 85 connects southern France (Cannes) with the Alps (Grenoble). This is the route taken by Napoléon in 1815 on his return from Elba. We just replaced a horse with a car – you know, convenience. Green meadows, river valleys, small villages and rocky peaks. Its most enjoyable part begins in Sisteron, on the bridge under the fortress.
Dolomiti Lucane
Italy, start in Castelmezzano, end in Pietrapertosa
Tiny towns on hills and beautiful valley
The Dolomiti Lucane in Basilicata is not yet discovered. The road from Castelmezzano to Pietrapertosa, around the valley, will provide you with magnificent views of the rocky pikes and small towns. Just get to E847 and return later to the expressway to enjoy this drive. The middle section of the loop runs along a heavily damaged road, so be prepared to avoid holes at 5km/h. The SP13 that connects two cities is closed for now.
Gotthard Pass
Switzerland, start in Wassen, end in Airolo
Stream and The Alps
A narrow road runs between the peaks, and it is full of beautiful viewpoints. In winter, it is closed. Tremola, the first paved road through The Swiss Alps, will not allow you to go with full speed, due to paving stones. On the other hand, you will be able to enjoy the views even more.
Canyon of the Vrbas River
Bosnia and Herzegovina, start in Jajce, end in Banja Luka
Narrow canyon
The waterfall in Jajce makes a considerable impression. Here, near the thunder of tones of water, the route begins. Next, the road runs along the canyon of the impetuous Vrbas river, between steep walls of mountains. If you have a little more time, you can try rafting just before reaching Banja Luka. If less – stop at least for lunch.
Kotor-Cetinje
Montenegro, the P1 road, start in Kotor, end at Cetinje
Kotor Bay from above
Steep and narrow way, where every car coming from the opposite direction makes you stop. I will spare you harsh words, about passing a bus. Fantastic views to the mountains and the bay, where massive ships are mooring. Later, we enter the route running between the hills, through tiny villages. Good surface. The road is closed for winter!
San Bernardino Pass
Switzerland, start in San Bernardino, the end of Hinterrhein
High peaks, low traffic
When you pass Bellizona, be aware not to miss San Bernardino on your right. Otherwise, you will end up in a boring tunnel for 15 minutes. All the fun begins above the town, where you turn right to a small, narrow and climbing uphill, asphalt ‘path’.
Albula Pass
Switzerland, start in Bergün, end in La Punt-Chamues-ch
The Alps, railway viaducts and Glacier Express
Alpine mountain pass. From Bergün the red train of Rhaetian Railway goes south through numerous tunnels, bridges, and loops to reach St. Moritz after one hour. Once you manage to catch on a photo, you can drive up to the altitude of 2315 m above sea level.
Piano Grande
Italy, start in Ussita, end in Norcia (or further in Spoletto)
Mountains, beautiful plains, Italian villages and narrow corners
After climbing zigzags (start in Usita, then SP134) above the plain, you will encounter a stunning panorama of fields surrounded by peaks with a small village Castelluccio on one of the mountains. From Castelluccio head south to Norcia (SP477) and continue to Spoletto. The most beautiful month to visit Piano Grande is late June, when poppies are in full blossom. The road is closed in winter. Note – after the earthquake of 2017, Castelluccio and Norcia were almost wholly destroyed, and some roads in the area can be still closed. The passage from Usita to Castelluccio is to be opened in 2019.
Verdon Gorge
France, start in Balcons de la Mescla, end in Lac de Sainte-Croix
Curves, corners, great outdoors
The culmination point for this road is the turquoise lake and the entrance to the gorge. For those feel that it is not enough, there is a second road running on the north side of Verdon river. Near here you can find lavender fields (flowers bloom in late June). You can also try a bungee jumping on one of the two bridges. If not, still, there is a high vantage point there.
Snow Road
Norway, start in Aurlandsvangen, end in Lærdal
Fjords, bends and ascetic landscape
The harsh climate of mountains, snow and viewpoints from which you can admire fjords. In some parts, the road can be monotonous and somewhat depressing with this grey colour. Or maybe this is its charm than hit us so profoundly. Snow is almost all year round here, and the road is opened in late June.
Susten Pass
Switzerland, start in Wassen, end in Gadmen
Glacier, curves and peaks in snow
Narrow corners between snow-covered peaks. A view on a massive glacier and some good viewpoints. This is one of the less frequently driven passes in Switzerland, yet it is quite broad and well maintained. The attraction is Triftbrücke – a suspension bridge above a bottomless abyss. To reach it you need to take a cable car and climb up 3km.
White towns of Andalusia
Spain, start in Ronda, end in Casares
Through the mountains of Andalusia
We start in Ronda, famous for its corrida and the old bridge connecting two districts located on cliffs. We take the eastern section of the advertised route, through A369 (MA 8401 also belongs to the road, but it runs through the valleys). What waits for between Ronda and Gaucin? About a dozen viewpoints, small towns scattered on the nearby mountains and relatively small traffic. A large section goes literally on mountain ridges so you will end up looking to your right and left. And please, focus on the road. The end is in Casares – a small town located on a rock point. Book at least 6 hours on this route, because visiting Ronda or Gaucin and climbing to several peaks are worth some additional time.
Furka Pass + Grimsell Pass
Switzerland, start in Realp, end in Guttannen
The Alps and narrow corners at its best
A road is full of fantastic views. You will pass mountains and alpine valleys with a vast number of turns. Multiple parking places are along the way so feel free to stop and take some pictures. Lanes are relatively wide, but sometimes the road gets too busy. We recommend going here in the morning. Small tidbit: James Bond was almost shot here. Furkapass is closed for the winter. You can also put your car on a train and skip those dangerous, annoying, curvy part.
Madeira
Madeira, start in Porto da Cruz, then ER 103, ER 110 and ER 209 to Porto Moniz
From steep cliffs, through green forests, mountain curves and beautiful plains
This is probably one of the most diverse routes that can be checked in just three hours. Don’t get me wrong – you need at least two or three days for this experience. Simply, there are so many spots for photos and viewpoints that you will not be able to pass. The start is on a steep promontory in Faial. Next, you will go through bends leading to Pico Ariero. Next is the plateau of Paul de Serra (beware of cows! ). And you will end up in Porto Moniz – a right place for a grilled fish and swimming in rocky pools. Minus of the route? On Madeira, you can drive only rented cars, which do not have enough power for such steep climbs.
Passing through the Dolomites
Italy, start at Passo Gardena, then via Passo Sella, Passo Pordoi, Passo Falzarego to Passo Giau
101 km through the most beautiful mountains of Europe
These five mountain passes are full of a unique charm you cannot get anywhere else. Only in the Dolomites. The area is so seducing that you will just need to do some hiking. And it is Tyrol, not typical Italy – roads are well maintained, the grass is green and sidewalks are clean. Flowers are everywhere. Traffic in high season can, however, cause a headache. Therefore the best period for this expedition is the end of June. Passo Giau is a brilliant place for the end of the trip with its beautiful spot for sunsets and a cosy hotel.
Golden Road (Rv63)
Norway, start near lake Langvatnet, end in Åndalsnes
Fjords, waterfalls, bends and mountains
Golden Road (Rv63) will not let you get bored, even for single a moment. It will provide you with a full spectrum of Norwegian landscapes: mountains with snow-covered peaks, the most beautiful fjord Geiranger, some sharp corners above an abyss and spectacular waterfalls. You will pass it all, to reach the famous Trollstigen. There are several fantastic vantage points on the route (four of them near Geiranger), and each has a decent infrastructure – toilets, parking spots and some benches to make a picnic. Beare in mind, that it can get crowded here in the high season, though. And slow motorhomes can spoil some experience. But fortunately, the road is long and picturesque enough to be your number one as well.