My Top 10 Scenic Drives in Europe: Backroads and Scenic Routes
| Updated on January 16, 2025
With charming villages and breathtaking landscapes, Europe has so many iconic roads and hidden gems that make it a paradise for those wanting to experience a unique road trip. This list is my own top 10 from the places I have visited. It’s clearly missing some of the most iconic drives in Europe, such as Ireland’s Atlantic Way, Iceland’s Ring Road or Italy’s harrowing Amalfi Coast. Only because I haven’t been there yet. This list is also heavily influenced by backroads and more scenic routes, rather than major highways. Basically, where did I have fun just driving around exploring and taking in the views?
Europe is a treasure trove of breathtaking landscapes, charming villages, and iconic roads that make it a paradise for road trip enthusiasts. Here are ten unforgettable drives that showcase the best of what the continent has to offer:
1. The Backroads of Tuscany, Italy
Driving through the rolling hills with cypress trees and vineyards dotting the landscape all around you is quite literally the quintessential Tuscany experience. Much of my time in Tuscany was spent in the Val d’Orcia area. This part of Tuscany is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for postcard-worthy landscapes all around. Driving through the backroads is a big highlight. Driving from Pienza to Montalcino, every turn reveals medieval towns, golden fields, and rustic farmhouses. If you base out of Pienza like we did, you can easily drive to many of the most beautiful and iconic locations. This is one of those places you really want access to a car. In Tuscany, especially as you get away from the bigger cities and towns like Florence, it is better to have a rental car to really explore the stunning countryside. That’s why it takes the top spot for scenic drives in Europe for me.
Read more: Tuscany Photography Guide | 5 Top Photo Spots
2. Croatia’s Coastal Road
Driving Croatia’s Coastal Road along the Adriatic coastline rivals any stretch of coastline in the world. It really belongs up there with Big Sur in California, the Amalfi Coast in Italy or Australia’s Great Ocean Road. The stretch between Dubrovnik and Split is particularly stunning. With the turquoise sea on one side and dramatic cliffs on the other, the views are endless!
One of my favorite sections of the road was the ancient pirate town of Omis. The Centina River flows straight through dramatic canyon before emptying out into the Adriatic Sea, where Omis is located. Hundreds of years ago, pirates would use lookout towers high on the cliffs to signal that it was time to sail out of the river to attack merchant ships coming up and down the coastline from Venice to Dubronik and other locations. You can still climb up one the two main fortresses and get a stunning view of Omis, the Centina River and the Adriatic Sea. I climbed up Mirabella Fortress to photograph the image above, but those looking for even more adventure can climb to Starigrad Fortress, 262 meters above sea, which was used to defend against the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century.
Thanks to the new Pelješac Bridge, drivers also can now drive down to Dubrovnik from the rest of Croatia without having to cross into Bosnia and Herzegovina. This was a major obstacle in years past, as some rental car companies in the Schenzen region of Europe didn’t want their cars traveling into Bosnia, Montenegro or other countries further south. But with the new bridge, just finished in 2022, travelers can now drive to Dubrovnik without leaving Croatia, making the journey much easier. Along the way, you’ll encounter charming fishing villages, pristine beaches, and local fruit stands brimming with fresh produce. Be sure to take your time and enjoy the panoramic views from roadside pull-offs.
To the north of Omis is Split. I didn’t quite make it that far, as I spent my final morning on this leg of my trip taking a dive into the Adriatic and swimming around Brela Rock, 20 minutes south of Omis. Instead, my route back to Slovenia from here was back to the main toll road, which is one of the smoothest highways I encountered in all of Europe (or North America for that matter).
3. Driving around the Julian Alps and Lake Bled, Slovenia
The Julian Alps, and Lake Bled in particular, are easily some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere in Europe. Out of all the countries I visited in 2023, Slovenia might have been the most impressive. Driving the backroads in this northwestern part of Slovenia is full of twists and turns with beautiful vistas and hidden gems alike. Lake Bled is easily the crown jewel of the Julian Alps and Slovenia itself. However, it takes less than half an hour to drive around the lake, if that, and really, you should get out and walk at least part of it if possible!
For the perfect Julian Alps roadtrip, begin your journey in Bled, taking in a beautiful sunrise somewhere along the shoreline, with its medieval castle on a cliff and the famed church-topped island surrounded by it’s turquoise waters, it makes for a great start to the day. From there, drive the 25-30 minutes to Lake Bohinj in Triglav National Park. If you have time, drive up to at Savica Falls. From there, backtrack a bit to Bled and head into another part of Triglav National Park at Vrsic Pass, a beautiful drive that winds its way over the mountains. Finally, visit the Soca River Valley, home to cascading waterfalls and the emerald Soca River.
4. Mountains Roads of the Italian Dolomites
With some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the world, the Dolomites of northern Italy are a great place to do some mountain driving. With winding roads that will take you over many beautiful mountain passes and down through verdant valleys filled with cascading streams and picturesque villages, these jagged peaks make for a great road trip. Make sure not to miss the the Great Dolomites Road, which spans from Bolzano to Cortina d’Ampezzo. With countless lookout points and hiking trails along the way, it’s a stunning road trip worth taking. Don’t just take the main roads either. Drive some of the backroads through villages to areas like Val di Funes that are easier to access by car. You’ll be glad you did when you see the fantastic views in every direction!
5. Exploring the Roads of the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland
Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland is a paradise for mountain lovers. I first visited in 2009, taking the train or walking for my entire trip. This is a region that has some car-free areas, which is why it’s a little lower on my list than others and certainly not because of any lack of beautiful scenery. In fact, this is one of the most beautiful mountain paradises you could ever visit! The drive around the Thunersee and Brienzersee, two crystal-clear stunning alpine lakes is mesmerizing. Driving around to little mountain villages with scrumptious bakeries and jaw-dropping views can fill up a morning easily! A drive up to Grindelwald and eventually Lauterbrunnen is a must do in this area as well. You can park the car in Lauterbrunnen and explore by train or on foot. If you have the time, take the train to Wengen, which is easily top five views of my entire photography career! Towering peaks and cascading waterfalls dominate the landscape here. When you head back down to Interlaken, Spiez or Thun, keep an eye out for all sorts of beautiful castles and vineyards that dot the landscape around the lakes.
6. The Road to Foroglio in Ticino, Switzerland
With it’s Italian influence, the Ticino region of southern Switzerland is full of stunning natural beauty, charming villages, flowing waterfalls and beautiful lakes. One of my favorite drives in the area is up to the ancient town of Foroglio. Multiple cascading waterfalls await you on the drive, along with lush valleys and old stone churches, houses, fairytale bridges and small villages. Once you arrive in Foroglio, it’s like taking a step back in time. Narrow cobblestone paths separate the ancient houses, many of which were built in the 15th century or earlier. The region has roots dating back millenia with a nearby Roman age bridge known as Chial Fontana. The valley, known as Val Bavona (Bavona Valley), plays host to not only Foroglio, but 12 other ancient villages. The drive up here to explore is well worth it!
7. Hallstatt to Gosausee, Austria
Austria’s Hallstatt is a fairy-tale village set against the backdrop of a pristine alpine lake. The drive to the nearby Gosausee is equally enchanting, with breathtaking views of the Dachstein mountains. This short but scenic route offers ample opportunities for photography, hiking, and immersing yourself in Austria’s natural beauty.
8. The German Romantic Road: The Bavarian Countryside
With fairy-tale castles, lush countryside and medieval towns, Germany’s Romantic Road is situated in some of the most beautiful countryside Europe has to offer. While the main road stretches from Wurzburg in the north down to Fussen in the south, it was this southern section that I spent my time, with it’s picturesque villages, scenic castles and rolling meadows that really captured the essence of Bavaria. The main tourist attraction in the area is surely the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle, famed for being the inspiration behind the Disney castles. The picturesque castle is perched dramatically on the top of a hill at the base of the Bavarian Alps. Hohenschwangau Castle is another famous castle on this south end of the Romantic Road. Stay in Fussen and enjoy some German ice cream and then enjoy the southern end of the Romantic Road with picturesque villages.
Don’t forget to try out Germany’s Autobahn while you’re at it. With it’s legendary no-speed-limit sections, I got off the Romantic Road going north to head to the Munich Airport at the end of my journey’s in Germany and gave it a try.
9. Driving the Tuff Towns of Southern Tuscany
For a more off-the-beaten-path adventure, southern Tuscany offers the magnificent “tuff towns” of Sorano, Sovana and Pitigliano. These villages predate the Roman Empire, going back to the Etruscans, offering a unique glimpse into what life may have been like millenia ago. The villages of Sorano, Pitigliano and Sovana get their name from the volcanic rock known as “tuff” that these towns were built onto.
Blending natural beauty with this amazing historical intrigue, it only takes a few minutes to drive between towns, but winding through forest, you come out to some of the most stunning viewpoints imaginable. On the drive down to here from Pienza one evening, we came out from the trees to the jaw-dropping scene you see below. After picking our jaws off the floor and prying myself away from my camera, we drove on to a pullout for Sorano that required a short hike to another viewpoint for the image below, taking after sunset.
With olive groves and vineyards dotting the countryside, local trattorias serving up regional delicacies and the ability to blend history with culture and breathtaking scenery, this is a hidden gem of an area to explore for those that want something a little more off the beaten track.
Read more: Sorano And Pitigliano: Two of Italy’s Tuff Towns
10. Italy’s Lake Region
There are a number of amazing lakes in Italy’s famed Lake Region, such as Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore. However, it was Lake Como that I spent my time at. The drive around and near these lakes are legendary. Beautiful vistas and charming lakeside villages around each twist and bend of the roads. Most of my driving took me from the town of Como up to Bellagio, then from Bellagio south on the other side of the lake around Milan and to the south. When I say the drive isn’t for the faint of heart, it’s because my first experience was driving it as Sunday evening traffic was heading back to Milan and Como from Bellagio. While I’ve driven many times on small roads in Colorado, I was not used to the narrow roads here and the traffic flying around the bends one after another. It was the only place in Europe that tested my driving abilities to the max. Nothing else in Italy or elsewhere came close to being as stressful. That said, even through the white knuckle driving kept me on my toes, the views were simply fantastic! The next morning, driving the other side of the lake out of Bellagio was a less stressful experience, even if the road was still narrow and windy. All of the towns around Lake Como are worth a visit. From lush gardens, fantastic walking paths, scenic promenades and delicious restaurants to eat at, the Lake District is definitely on my list to visit again someday!
Whether it was the coastal vistas, the winding drives through the Alps or the gentle drives through Tuscany, I hope you’ve enjoyed my top 10 drives in Europe. I hope to update this list over time as I visit more places on the continent!