Importance Score: 45 / 100 馃數
Discover Europe’s Most Sought-After Scenic Road Trips
Embarking on a European road trip offers unparalleled freedom to explore diverse landscapes and cultures at your own rhythm, whether venturing solo or with companions. The escalating popularity of these journeys, however, can make choosing a route overwhelming amidst a wealth of guidebooks and online resources. A recent study by insurance specialists ChoiceQuote, responding to an 86% surge in TikTok searches for “European Road Trip,” has identified the continent’s most in-demand scenic road trip routes by analysing Google search and social media trends.
France’s Northwest Coast Tops European Road Trip Charts
Taking the top spot is the captivating Northwest Coast of France. This route, spanning between 310 and 435 miles, guides drivers through regions like Brittany, the Loire Valley, and Normandy. Travellers can expect to encounter breathtaking vistas including dramatic white cliffs, significant historical landmarks, and exquisite French cuisine. Its accessibility, a mere one-hour ferry crossing from Dover to Calais, further enhances its appeal.
This French coastal journey has witnessed an extraordinary 83,100% surge in Google searches in the past year, averaging approximately 14,800 monthly searches, highlighting its burgeoning popularity as a prime European road trip destination.
Italy’s Amalfi Coast: A Perennial Favourite
Securing the second position is the globally renowned Amalfi Coast in Italy. This route is celebrated among road trip enthusiasts for its awe-inspiring panoramic views along winding roads that hug the Mediterranean coastline.
Commencing in Salerno, this 31-mile drive traces the shoreline, navigating through picturesque towns such as Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello. Optional detours to Pompeii or the island of Capri, easily accessible by ferry, enrich this experience. The Amalfi Coast road trip garners a substantial 135,000 Google searches each month, affirming its enduring attraction.
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Villages of Dr么me: A French Medieval Marvel
Another French treasure, the Villages de Dr么me, completes the top three, experiencing a 2,200% increase in Google search interest. This 155-mile route through the Dr么me region owes its heightened popularity to its remarkable medieval architecture. Many hilltop villages in Dr么me Proven莽ale, fortified and dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries (Middle Ages), make it an ideal choice for history aficionados.
Notable highlights include Grignan, boasting a Renaissance castle, and Montbrun-les-Bains, frequently cited among France’s most beautiful villages, offering a glimpse into France鈥檚 rich heritage.
Romania’s Transalpina Pass: Heights and Highland Vistas
The Transalpina Pass in Romania, recognised as one of the highest roads in the region, is celebrated for its stunning mountain panoramas. Reaching altitudes of 2,145 metres above sea level, this Romanian road trip presents an exhilarating drive for seasoned motorists. It has also recorded a significant 2,200% rise in Google searches over the last year.
Switzerland’s Susten Pass: Alpine Engineering at its Finest
Concluding the top five is the Susten Pass in Switzerland, offering drivers a spectacular route featuring 26 bridges and tunnels carved into the Swiss Alps. The Stein Glacier along this pass is a particularly favoured attraction for visitors. This mountain pass, connecting Innertkirchen and Wassen, has witnessed a 2,200% increase in Google search demand.
Further European Road Trip Gems
The list also encompasses the 373-mile Grand Tour of Luxembourg, a clearly marked circular route showcasing a vibrant capital, five distinct regions with varied terrains, extensive history, and culinary delights. For a more rural Swiss experience, the Furka Pass, a 19-mile mountain pass in the Swiss Alps connecting Gletsch and Realp, is another notable mention.
Norway鈥檚 scenic 5.2-mile Atlantic Ocean Road, renowned for its dramatic coastal scenery and open ocean exposure, links islands and mainland via bridges and causeways. Belgium’s Semois Valley, along with Romania’s remarkable 56-mile Transfagarasan Highway, also feature on the list. The Transfagarasan Highway, traversing the Fagaras Mountains in Transylvania at 2,000 metres altitude, is often hailed as one of the world’s most beautiful roads. It crosses the southern Carpathians and runs adjacent to B芒lea Lake, B芒lea waterfall, and Vidraru Lake, offering unforgettable views.
Methodology
To compile the rankings, a list of top hidden gem road trip locations across Europe was gathered from diverse online sources. Data for each location, including TikTok searches, Instagram hashtags, Instagram searches, Google searches, and Google trend increase from KeywordTool.io, was collected and indexed. An average score was then calculated to rank each location. Data is current as of February 2025.
Europe’s Most Popular Road Trips – Ranked
- The Northwest coast, France: 90/100
- Amalfi Coast, Italy: 88/100
- Village de Dr么me, France: 78/100
- Transalpina Pass, Romania: 74/100
- Susten Pass, Switzerland: 68/100
- Grand Tour of Luxembourg: 67/100
- Furka Pass, Switzerland: 64/100
- Atlantic Ocean Road, Norway: 60/100
- The Semois Valley, Belgium: 60/100
- The Transfagarasan, Romania: 60/100