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Embark on an unforgettable journey through Europe as we explore breathtaking landscapes, iconic landmarks, and hidden gems on the ultimate European road trip.
Come with us and explore the beauty and diversity of France, Germany, Austria, and Italy! From the gorgeous Loire Valley, the breathtaking Alps and the historic cities of Europe, this unforgettable European road trip promises stunning landscapes, rich history, delicious cuisine and exciting adventures at every turn!
Best time to take a road trip in Europe
Europe is a diverse continent with every type of climate imaginable! The weather can vary from scorching hot in the southern countries, to year-round snow in the north – parts of Europe even venture into the Arctic Circle!
Our European road trips take place in the temperate countries of Western Europe, which experience distinct seasons including warm summers and cool winters, and moderate rainfall throughout the year.
During the summer months, temperatures are warm but not excessively hot, often ranging from around 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F). Winters are much cooler, but rarely extremely cold, with temperatures usually staying above freezing.
We’ve been road-tripping in Europe for many years and think May to June, September and October are the best times to travel in Europe by car because the climate is perfect at this time of year, attractions won’t be too busy and you’ll be able to get better deals on travel.
Try to avoid August if at all possible as this is the month when much of Europe breaks for the summer. The roads become congested, businesses shut down and all the top spots and attractions are overwhelmed.
Expert Tip: Pack layers and make sure to include a warm top for evenings, a very lightweight outfit for the occasional very hot day and a waterproof jacket for the inevitable showers!
Suitable cars for your road trip in Europe
For the best Europe road trip experience, choose a reliable and comfortable car with good fuel efficiency, as well as enough space for luggage and passengers. Air conditioning and an inbuilt sat nav are also good options to enhance your ride.
A compact SUV or a regular-sized car would be ideal. Ultimately, choose a hire car that suits your budget and comfort preferences.
Estimate your road trip budget
Before finalising your plans, it’s helpful to know how much road-tripping in Europe will cost. Here are some costs, based on comparisons from hundreds of travel providers to help you work out your budget:
- Average price for one night in a mid-range double hotel room in France: €129
- Average price for one night in a hostel in France: €53 371
- Average daily rate for a rental car in Paris: €76 532
- Average cost of 1 litre of fuel: £1.89 in May 2024, according to numbeo.com (you’ll need approx. 6 litres to cover 100km)
Based on an 800 km seven-night road trip in France, we would expect the costs to range from around £1000 to £1525 per person, depending on your hotel and meal choices.
European Road Trip from UK: The Best of Northern France
Day 1: Honfleur (one night)
We suggest sailing from the UK into Le Havre for a quick 30-minute drive over the spectacular Pont de Normandie bridge to Honfleur.
Honfleur is renowned for its picturesque harbour, charming streets ideal for leisurely strolls, and numerous historical landmarks.
The old port, Vieux Bassin, is the city’s focal point and is characterised by its tall, narrow half-timbered buildings lining the quay and colourful boats floating in the water, making it a perfect spot for capturing stunning Instagram-worthy photos.
Just a short walk from the port, visitors can explore several must-see attractions, including the Lavoir rue de la Foulerie Museum, the 15th-century Église Sainte Catherine Catholic Church, and the fascinating 17th-century greniers à sel, or salt halls.
Where to stay in Honfleur: Hôtel Les Maisons de Léa is centrally located and has excellent reviews.
Day 2: Giverny and Versailles (one night)
Distance from Honfleur: 186 km – 2 hours 20 minutes
On route to Versailles, make a stop at Giverny, a picturesque village 121 km southeast of Honfleur, most famous for being the home of renowned Impressionist painter Claude Monet and the inspiration for many of his masterpieces.
Monet’s Garden is simply exquisite and features vibrant flowerbeds, tranquil ponds, and the famous Japanese bridge. In addition to the garden, visitors can tour Monet’s house and explore the Museum of Impressionism, as well as the village which has lots of interesting galleries.
You’ll arrive in Versailles with enough time for a stroll around the town, which is very traditional, and has beautiful architecture, but we’re saving the Palace of Versailles for tomorrow!
Expert tip: Book your tickets for both Monet’s Garden and Versailles well in advance. These are two of northern France’s most visited attractions.
Where to stay in Versailles: MGallery Le Louis Versailles Chateau is close to the Palace and offers parking.
Day 3: Versailles and Orléans (one night)
Distance from Versailles: 126 km – 1 hour 30 minutes
Spend the morning exploring the magnificent 17th-century Palace of Versailles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the top museums in France. The palace served as the royal residence of Louis XIV, the Sun King, and later became the seat of the French government. It is renowned for its stunning architecture, extravagant interior decor, and breathtaking gardens.
The palace features opulent halls, grand apartments, and sumptuously decorated rooms that reflect the wealth and power of the French monarchy. Highlights include the Hall of Mirrors, a spectacular gallery adorned with 357 mirrors and sparkling chandeliers, and the King’s and Queen’s Apartments, which are lavishly decorated with gold leaf, frescoes, and intricate woodwork.
Head south to Orléans on the banks of the mighty Loire River. A city steeped in history, Orléans is famous for its association with Joan of Arc. Le Maison de Jeanne d’Arc is a museum dedicated to the life and legacy of the iconic French heroine and is well worth a visit.
Orléans boasts a charming old town with narrow medieval streets, timber-framed houses, and historic landmarks such as the Orléans Cathedral (Cathédrale Sainte-Croix d’Orléans) and the Hôtel Groslot, a Renaissance-era town hall.
Where to stay in Orléans: The Hôtel de l’Abeille Orléans is centrally located and receives excellent reviews.
Day 4 & 5: Tours (two nights)
Distance from Orléans: 117 km – 1 hour 20 minutes
Although it’s a relatively short drive from Orléans to Tours, it will probably take all day as you stop to admire château after château along the Loire River!
You won’t have time to see them all but Château de Chambord, Château de Chenonceau, Château Royal d’Amboise and Château de Chaumont are widely held to be the most beautiful chateaux in the Loire Valley, and all of them are on your route!
Tours is criss-crossed with charming medieval streets, bustling markets, and impressive monuments. Be sure to explore the magnificent Tours Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, and the enchanting Place Plumereau, a picturesque square lined with half-timbered houses, lively cafes, and restaurants.
Expert Tip: The Loire Valley is also famous for its delicious Sauvignon Blanc and Sancerre wines. A vineyard tour and wine tasting is a great way to end the day, and we recommend Plou & Fils in Amboise. A few kilometres east of Tours, you could end your journey here and find a local hotel so you don’t need to worry about how much wine you taste!
Where to stay in Tours: B&B La Héraudière is a historic house set in beautiful grounds just outside the city.
Day 6: Mont Saint-Michel (one night)
Distance from Tours: 276 km – 3 hours
UNESCO Mont Saint-Michel is an iconic tidal island known for its stunning architecture, crowned by a magnificent 8th-century abbey, and picturesque setting.
Perched atop a rocky outcrop, the abbey is a stunning example of medieval architecture, with its soaring spires, ancient walls, and intricate Gothic details.
Surrounding the abbey is the charming village of Mont Saint-Michel, with its narrow streets, historic houses, and quaint shops and restaurants. The village is wonderful to explore, with hidden courtyards, charming gardens, and stunning views around every corner.
Mont Saint-Michel is also known for its dramatic tides, which mean the island is cut off from the mainland at high tide. At low tide, you can walk across the tidal flats surrounding the island and at high tide, you can catch a boat.
Where to stay in Mont Saint-Michel: Mercure Mont Saint Michel is located on the mainland for better access and offers a free shuttle to the island.
Day 7: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (one night)
Distance from Mont Saint-Michel: 174 km – 2 hours
Your final stop on this northern France road trip is Cherbourg. You can catch a ferry back to the UK from here, but there’s so much more to Cherbourg than its port!
Cherbourg’s rich maritime heritage is evident in its historic harbour, which has been an important naval base since ancient times. You can explore the Cité de la Mer, a fascinating maritime museum housed in a former transatlantic ocean liner, which showcases Cherbourg’s rich maritime history and the importance of the sea to the region.
Cherbourg’s old town is a delightful maze of narrow streets, lined with colourful half-timbered houses, charming cafes, and artisan shops. The city is also home to several historic landmarks, including the 12th-century Basilica of Sainte-Trinité, the imposing Fort du Roule, and the beautiful Botanical Gardens.
Where to stay in Cherbourg: The Ambassadeur Hotel – Cherbourg Port de Plaisance has harbour views and excellent reviews.
European road trip: the ultimate 2 weeks itinerary
Day 1: Munich (one night)
Munich is the capital of Bavaria and Germany’s third-largest city. Located on the Isar River north of the Bavarian Alps, the city is known for its centuries-old buildings, world-class museums and beautiful schloss like the splendid 17th-century neo-classical Nymphenburg Palace.
Marienplatz is the city’s main square and is home to the iconic Glockenspiel, a clock tower that features a mechanical performance of jousting knights and dancing peasants. Many historic buildings, including the New Town Hall and the Old Town Hall, also surround the square.
If you can’t be in Munich for the most famous festival in Germany, you can find the Oktoberfest vibe and traditional Bavarian beer at the 400-year-old Hofbräuhaus, the most famous beer hall in the world.
Where to stay in Munich: The Nyx Hotel Munich by Leonardo Hotels is an hour’s drive from Munich International Airport and well-placed for your onward journey. You can also hop on the nearby UBahn and be in the city centre in 20 minutes.
Days 2 & 3: Füssen (two nights)
Distance from Munich: 123 km – 1 hour 30 minutes
Füssen is a charmingly traditional Bavarian town right on the border with Austria and makes a great base for exploring the castles of the region.
But before we get to that, your drive there from Munich will take you along the famous Romantic Road, possibly the world’s best-known touring route. Head Landsberg am Lech and then Schongau, Peiting and the villages of Rottenbuch, Wildsteig and Steingaden.
This area of Bavaria is known as the Pfaffenwinkel and is famous for its picturesque pilgrimage churches and monasteries. The name itself refers to the local dialect for priests or pfaffen and means ‘priest’s corner’.
Expert tip: If you have time, stop for a kaffee und kuchen (coffee and cake), a popular German tradition at one of the pretty villages you’ll pass through.
Spend day three of your trip exploring the nearby castles the area is famous for. We recommend the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle with its fairytale turrets and towers and dramatic mountain backdrop, and Linderhof Palace, the smallest and simplest of King Ludwig II’s castles located close to Oberammergau, the gorgeous Bavarian village famous for the once-in-a-decade Passion Play.
Where to stay in Füssen: Hotel Sonne is centrally located and has its own parking.
Day 4 & 5: Grainau (two nights)
Distance from Füssen: 56 km – 1 hour 10 minutes
Grainau is a pretty little German town, unremarkable but for its dramatic mountain backdrop and position at the foot of the German Alps.
Known as ‘the top of Germany’, at 2,962m high Zugspitze is the tallest peak in Germany and getting to the summit is an unmissable adventure!
There are two different ways to the top: you can either jump on the ultra-modern world record-breaking Zugspitze cable car or take the slow route on the century-old cogwheel train from Grainau to the Zugspitze Glacier and then the Gletscherbahn cable car to the top. Or why not go up one way and come back down the other?
Once you reach the summit you will experience panoramic views of over 400 mountain peaks in Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland.
As you descend you’ll have the incredible sight of the deep turquoise Eibsee lake below. The best views of the summit are from the opposite side of the lake and you can hire a bike to cycle the path, walk the 7.2 km circuit around the lake or rent a paddle board or canoe to take those memorable photos.
Where to stay in Grainau: Hotel am Badersee enjoys a lakeside location and fantastic facilities.
Days 6: Innsbruck (one night)
Distance from Grainau: 66 km – 1 hour 15 minutes
Day six sees you heading deep into the Austrian Alps and the beautiful city of Innsbruck, the capital of the western Tyrol.
The city centre is a feast for the eyes, with its Baroque churches and the Imperial Palace sharing the city’s historic past. Don’t miss the Golden Roof, a balcony with a roof covered in over 2,500 gilded copper tiles and Hofburg, a historic palace complex once home to the Habsburgs.
For a real adventure, take the Muttereralmbahn cable car up to 1600m and ride one of the downhill mountain go-karts down a dedicated track all the way back to the cable car. Not for the faint-hearted, but a whole lot of fun!
Expert tip: Make sure to sample the unique cuisine of the region. We recommend Tiroler gröstl, a delicious potato, bacon, onion and egg dish, and kaiserschmarrn, a sweet pancake served with apple sauce.
Where to stay in Innsbruck: Hotel Maximilian – Stadthaus Penz is a family-run hotel in the heart of Innsbruck.
Day 7 & 8: Canazei (two nights)
Distance from Innsbruck: 140 miles – 2 hours 20 minutes
Another day, another country! Today you’re heading into Italy and the dramatic Dolomites mountains – be prepared for a spectacular drive!
From Bolzano, pick up the Great Dolomites Road, or SS 24. After a series of balconies and tunnels, you’ll get your first jaw-dropping sight of these very special mountains that, unbelievably, were once a sea!
The first of the Dolomites to come into sight is the Latemar massif and the distinctive Torre di Pisa before the mighty Catinaccio rises to take your breath away. Also known as the Rosengarten group in German, this massif is a distinctive shade of pink because of the mineral dolomite, which absorbs the sunset and glows pink in the evening light.
After a series of tight turns along the road, you’ll pass Lago di Carezza, a small and beautiful lake of a deep emerald colour. The crystal clear waters reflect the sunlight and give rise to the name ‘Lake of the Rainbow’, but the pool also has legends of magicians, wizards and mermaids.
Soon after, you’ll pass through Vigo di Fassa, to be surrounded by dramatic sheer peaks topped by sharp and craggy rock formations amongst lush green meadows.
Look around to see Marmolada, the Dolomites highest peak at 3,342m above sea level, unsurprisingly known as the ‘Queen of the Dolomites’; the huge Sella massif, topped by Piz Boè at 3,151m; and Sassalungo, or ‘long rock’ the highest peak of the Langkofel group.
If you make an early start, you’ll be in Canazei by lunchtime, leaving you with the difficult task of deciding what to do for the next 36 hours. I say difficult because there’s so much to do it’s almost impossible to choose! This is a list of our favourite activities in Canazei:
Take a cable car: There is a huge network of cable cars, gondolas and lifts in the Dolomites. You can take one from Canazei, hop on another across the valley and be high in the mountains in just a few minutes.
Go for a hike: Whatever your level of fitness, there’s a hike here for you. Use the cable cars to gain elevation if you don’t enjoy hills, or tackle one of the epic hikes of the area.
Take a bike ride: There are lots of places in town to hire electric bikes and there is a great cycle route along the River Avisio which visits pretty villages along the way. If you’re a bit more adventurous you could hire a downhill mountain bike and use the cable cars to get up to one of the many trails in the area.
Visit Piz Boè: If you only do one thing, do this! Drive the Pordoi Pass from Canazei and take the Pordoi cableway to the Terrace of the Dolomites on Sass Pordoi at 2,939m. The cable car is a masterpiece of engineering and the five-minute ride is breathtaking.
The summit of Sass Pordoi is well above the treeline creating a lunar-like landscape that stretches for miles. From the cable car station it’s a fairly challenging hike to Piz Boè with some via Ferrata elements such as steps and rungs to assist you. If you don’t have the four hours or so you’ll need, it’s interesting to wander around Sass Pordoi and enjoy the glorious views.
Where to stay in Canazei: Locanda degli Artisti Art Hotel is well-located in the town and is known for its well-reviewed restaurant.
Day 9: Bardolino (one night)
Distance from Canezei: 179 km – 2 hours 30 minutes
On this leg of your road trip through Italy you’ll be leaving the mountains behind and heading for Lake Garda, the most famous of the Italian Lakes.
On the eastern shore is Bardolino, a pretty lakeside town with a charming historic centre that is a delight to explore. With narrow cobblestone streets and colourful buildings, you can easily spend an afternoon strolling the lakeside promenade, relaxing on the sandy beaches, or taking a boat tour to explore the crystal-clear waters of Lake Garda.
Bardolino is also known for its superb light and fruity Bardolino red wine. Taking a local winery, sampling the wines, and learning about the winemaking process is an experience not to be missed!
Where to stay in Bardolino: Palace Hotel San Pietro is right on the shore and has a pool to cool off in after your drive.
Day 10 & 11: Venice (two nights)
Distance from Bardolino: 152 km – 1 hour 35 minutes
The unique city of Venice has prospered over centuries in the face of adversity. Built in the tidal waters of the Adriatic Sea on a series of mud banks, Venice regularly floods, but its beauty and charm more than compensate for that!
The ‘City of Canals’ is one of the most iconic and romantic cities in the world, made up of a group of 118 small islands separated by canals and linked by bridges.
The city is famous for its stunning architecture, including beautiful palaces, historic churches, and elegant piazzas. Do not miss St. Mark’s Basilica, with its intricate Byzantine mosaics, the Doge’s Palace, a masterpiece of Venetian Gothic architecture and the Rialto Bridge.
For us, one of the highlights of Venice is simply wandering through its narrow streets and getting lost as you cross picturesque bridges, soaking up the unique atmosphere of this enchanting city.
Other attractions include taking a gondola ride along the Grand Canal and visiting the famous glass island of Murano, the lace-making island of Burano, and the haunting Torcello.
Expert tip: Park at one of the many parking garages on Tronchetto Island (book well in advance) and walk or take a water taxi to your hotel.
Where to stay in Venice: Hotel Moresco is well-placed for parking and gets truly excellent reviews, scoring 4.9 out of 5.
Day 12 & 13: Bologna (two nights)
Distance from Venice: 155 km – 1 hour 50 minutes
Known as ‘la Rossa, la Grassa e la Dotta‘, meaning the red, the fat, and the learned, Bologna has a wealth of cultural history and is the culinary powerhouse of Europe.
In the saying, red is for the terracotta rooftops of the historic centre, fat refers to Bologna’s delicious food and produce, and learned refers to the ancient Bologna University, founded in 1088.
One of the best things to do in Bologna is eat! To sample, smell and experience the cuisine of the wider Emilia-Romagna region surrounding Bologna is truly a feast for the senses.
Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma and Balsamic Vinegar of Modena are all produced locally, and there is no shortage of opportunities to see where this delicious food comes from.
Don’t forget to admire the beautiful architecture too, which includes the UNESCO listed porticoes of Bologna, and the two towers, a famous symbol of Bologna.
Where to stay in Bologna: Hotel Brun is in the heart of the old town and is known for its delicious breakfast.
Day 14: Milan (one night)
Distance from Bologna: 219 km – 2 hours 30 minutes
The last stop on your road trip of Europe is the fashion capital of Italy, Milan. An incredible blend of historic and modern, the most iconic site in Milan is its Il Duomo di Milan, an fantastic example of Gothic architecture.
Other must-sees in Milan are the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Santa Maria delle Grazie, where you can see The Last Supper, Leonardo da Vinci’s unrivalled masterpiece painted between 1495 and 1497, and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, one of the world’s oldest shopping malls, which is perfect for those interested in luxury brands.
Where to stay in Milan: The Radisson Blu Hotel Milan is well positioned for Milan’s airports and has a pool and sauna to help you unwind from your trip.
Conclusion
By the time you complete your European road trip, you’ll have visited some of the most beautiful places in Europe. From the spectacle of the Dolomites to the history of France and the culture of Italy, this unforgettable journey will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.
Start planning your adventure today and discover the beauty and diversity that await you in the heart of Europe.
The post European road trip: A journey through history, culture, and adventure! appeared first on KAYAK Blog UK.
