Driving Europe

Always wanted to get behind the wheel to explore some of Europe’s great drives?

With no end of iconic driving routes, a self-drive European adventure can give you a more authentic travel experience, with the freedom to discover some hidden gems along the way. It also means you can travel at your own pace without being limited to bus and train tables.

To get you on the way, we’ve got five classic drives to consider for your European road trip.

1. Estoril Ocean Drive (National Road 6), Portugal 70km

Highlights: Rugged coastline with phenomenal beaches and dense forests; the architectural splendour of UNESCO-heritage listed Sintra; the fishing port of Cascais; Praia de Rainha and Guincho beaches.

Best direction to drive: Start in Lisbon and drive along the spectacular coast before heading to Sintra.

Accommodation: After the drive, stay at one of Sintra’s atmospheric hotels.

Best time to go: Lots of sunshine year-round so you can do this drive any time of the year. Summer is always busier.

2. Les Corniches (The Cliff Roads), France Roughly 30km on each road

Highlights: There are not one but three Corniches, which run parallel to each other and the Mediterranean Sea: The Grande Corniche was built by Napoleon I along the ancient Roman Via Julia Augusta 150 metres above the Mediterranean, the Corniche Inferieure hugs the coast, and the Moyenne Corniche between the two is one of the world’s most scenic roads. Each offers a remarkable journey along the Cote d’Azur.

The best direction to drive: Drive from Nice to Menton on each of these roads so you are closest to the view on the right-hand-side of the road.

Accommodation: Several hotels in the hilltop village of Eze are worth the splurge.

Best time to go: Spring, summer and autumn are the best times, but the route is feasible year-round.

3. The Atlantic Road, Norway 8.3km

Highlights: Named the world’s best road trip by The Guardian and Norway’s best bicycle trip, the Atlantic Road connects the island of Averøy with the mainland via eight soaring bridges across small islands and islets.

Best direction to drive: From Kristiansund, take Route 64 through The Atlantic Tunnel to Averøy and follow the signs towards Molde. The sign in Norwegian is “Atlanterhavsvegen” and the road is located in More og Romsdal county, southwest of Trondheim.

Accommodation: Cabins and campgrounds.

Best time to go: It is safest in summer but can also be dramatic in spring and autumn.

4. The Romantic Road, Germany 423km

Highlights: Medieval towns such as Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Dinkelsbuhl; The UNESCO-heritagelisted Bavarian rococo Wieskirche (Wies Church) in Steingaden; King Ludwig II’s Neuschwanstein Castle near Fussen.

Best direction to drive: The route can be driven in either direction between Wurzburg on the Main River and Fussen in the foothills of the Alps. Follow the brown “Romantische Strasse” signs.

Accommodation: Country inns offering hearty Bavarian cuisine.

Best time to go: Can be driven anytime, with lush green countryside in summer, lots of new growth in springtime, autumn colours or winter white.

5. Ring of Kerry, Ireland 180km circular route

Highlights: The Skellig Rocks with ancient monastery ruins; quaint villages such as Portmagee, Kells, and Caherdaniel; Valentia Island, accessed by a bridge at Portmagee; Cahergal Stone Fort and Ross Castle; Derrynane Beach, one of the world’s most beautiful.

Best direction to drive: Cars can start in Killarney and drive clockwise around the Iveragh Peninsula to avoid delays from tour buses which must travel in an anticlockwise direction.

Accommodation: Country inns and pubs.

Best time to go: Summer is likely to offer the best weather, but the road can be driven at any time of the year.

Images: Arndale / Shutterstock

18 September 2019