7 most beautiful road trips in Europe you must take at least once in your life — take a road trip around Europe with CarTrawler

5 minutes | September 3, 2025 | Written by Klara Krysiak

Planning your next trip? Start by booking a flight to one of the European cities in our extensive network. And once you arrive, enjoy the ultimate freedom of sightseeing with a rental car from CarTrawler. It’s the perfect combination—a comfortable flight, followed by the independence of the open road. Here are 7 of the most beautiful road trips in Europe that you must drive at least once in your life.

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Abstract

We present 7 fantastic road trip routes in Europe, ideal for your next adventure. These include scenic drives in Norway (Golden Road), Iceland (Ring Road), Italy (Dolomites), Romania (Transfagarasan Highway), Switzerland (Furkapass), Spain (Costa Brava), and Germany (Romantische Strasse).

All of these routes are conveniently connected to airports where you can land and rent a car through CarTrawler.

What are the most beautiful road trips in Europe? Discover breathtaking landscapes

Planning a trip but don’t know where to start? Do you love sharp turns and stunning views? If so, in this article, we’ve prepared 7 ready-made road trip suggestions for you. Each of the scenic routes we’ve chosen in Europe is the perfect idea for a holiday or a long weekend. All you need to do is book a flight to the selected city, and once there, pick-up your car from CarTrawler, allowing you to explore the beautiful viewpoints at your pace.

Admire the picturesque views on the Golden Road Route (Norway)

Rent a car at Oslo-Gardermoen Airport (OSL) and embark on a journey along one of Europe’s most beautiful routes—the Golden Road (Rv63). The winding roads will take you through snow-capped peaks and waterfalls, leading you to the Geirangerfjord and Trollstigen (Troll’s Ladder). Along the way, you'll experience incredible views and the rugged beauty of Norway’s nature.

» See flights to Oslo.

» Route length: around 446 km.

A smiling woman is sitting in a car and admiring the sunset.

Experience breathtaking views on the Ring Road (Iceland)

Next, we invite you to drive along Iceland's Ring Road, also known as the “circular road,” famous for its picturesque fjords. This is one of the most beautiful roads in the world, encircling the entire island. During your drive, you’ll pass landmarks like the Gullfoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, the Geysir hot spring area, lava fields, the black beaches in Vik, the Vatnajökull glacier, and natural geothermal pools.

» See flights to Reykjavik.

» Route length: approximately 1,300 km.

family during an autumn walk in the city, where for vacation in October
Godafoss (Icelandic: waterfall of the gods) is a famous waterfall in Iceland. The breathtaking landscape of Godafoss waterfall attracts tourists to visit the northeastern region of Iceland.

Drive through the Dolomites (Italy)

Dreaming of driving one of the most beautiful roads in Europe? Land at Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) and take a scenic drive through the Dolomites, a mountain range in northern Italy, part of the Alps. The road winds through five mountain passes and breathtaking peaks, including the Sella Ronda (a loop around the Sella massif), Lake Braies, and charming alpine villages like Cortina d’Ampezzo.

» See flights to Venice.

» Route length: approximately 150 km.

A group of friends driving a car during the day in a warm country.

Marvel at the Scenic Alpine Views on the Furkapass (Switzerland)

Furkapass, located near Zurich Airport (ZRH), is one of the most breathtaking routes in the world. The road takes you through the Alpine mountains and valleys, with steep inclines and numerous curves. Along the way, you'll find hiking trails, viewpoints, and cozy alpine inns where you can stop for a hot coffee or tea. It’s also the location where some scenes from James Bond movies were filmed.

» See flights to Zurich.

» Route length: approximately 150 km.

A cottage by the lake near the forest, with mountains in the background.
Engelberg in central Switzerland, surrounded by the Titlis glacier.

Plan a drive through the Transfăgărășan Highway (Romania)

From Bucharest Otopeni Airport (OTP), head to the Transfăgărășan Highway—one of the most incredible routes in Europe, cutting through the Carpathian Mountains. The road winds its way through mountain peaks and is renowned for its hairpin turns and spectacular views that will take your breath away—including lakes, waterfalls, mountain forests, and vast valleys.

» See flights to Bucharest.

» Route length: approximately 150 km.

View of Lake Vidraru along the Transfagarasan Road

Start your drive along the Costa Brava Coast (Spain)

From Barcelona El Prat Airport (BCN), you'll quickly reach the main road along the Costa Brava, a stunning coastline in northeastern Spain with plenty of scenic viewpoints. This is one of the most beautiful coastal routes in Spain, passing by coves, sandy beaches, vineyards, and charming towns like Tossa de Mar and Girona.

» See flights to Barcelona.

» Route length: approximately 200 km.

A woman taking a picture of the sunset over the sea from a car.
Two women sitting on a car watching the sunset over the sea.

Drive along Europe’s most scenic road: Romantische Strasse (Germany)

From Munich Airport (MUC), head out on the Romantische Strasse—a true feast for the senses. This road takes you through charming medieval German towns, castles, and vineyards. It’s also a journey through Germany’s rich history. Along the way, you’ll visit picturesque towns like Rothenburg ob der Tauber, vineyards, and medieval castles, all while enjoying stunning Bavarian landscapes.

» See flights to Munich.

» Route length: approximately 400 km.

A woman leaning out of the front window of a car at sunset among fields.

Summary

Europe offers countless roads that captivate with their scenic views and take you off the beaten path. Choose your destination, book your flight, and once you arrive, rent a car through CarTrawler. This way, your adventure starts the moment you take off, and you’ll have the freedom to explore as a driver at your destination.

Klara Krysiak

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