5 of Europe’s Most Magical Road Trips

For us Aussies travelling through Europe, the entirely bite-size distances between one incredible city to the next make road trips an obvious choice.

The ability to drive between neighbouring countries in a matter of hours never ceases to impress out antipodean minds.

Europe is, of course, also beautiful viewed from a train window and plane travel is fine if you’re on a lean schedule. But there’s something altogether magical about taking your own, sweet time to meander through Europe’s veritable buffet of idyllic towns, magnificent cities, and dramatic landscapes. Here’s a short compilation of the greatest self-drive road trips the continent has to offer. Drive safe.

Norwegian Scenic Route, Norway

Best for: Motorsport enthusiasts
Distance: 106 kilometres
Good to know: The road is closed during the winter

This drive from Geiranger to Trollstigen is sheer drama. Not just because of the vertigo-inducing scenery and the UNESCO-listed Geirangefjord, but Road 63 through Trollstigen is a pulse-accelerating ribbon with no less than 11 hairpin turns.

Direct from a high-end car commercial, this spectacular drive isn’t for the timid. But what it takes in bravery it rewards with stunning vistas unlike anywhere else on Earth. Road 63 is an impressive effort in engineering: it is cut through the mountain and built across stonewalls and its highest point is a lofty 858 metres above sea-level.

Along the way, there are plenty of places to pause and exclaim at the sheer audacity of such an undertaking. But there are also milder activities along the way, such as hiking and bold architecture to admire. While the drive isn’t long, it’s worth taking your time to really appreciate this west Norwegian landscape. Stay at the Juvet Landscape Hotel, where the small, glass-fronted standalone rooms are designed to blend with nature.

Get lost on the mountain route of Trollstigen

Amalfi Coast, Italy

Best for: Those seeking la vita bella
Distance: 50 kilometres
Good to know: It’s best to go in the shoulder season when the roads are less crowded.

Let’s be upfront here: this may be one of Italy’s most dream-worthy landscapes, but the cliff-caressing Amalfi Coast drive is not relaxing. That’s not to say it isn’t worth attempting, but if you’ve never been exposed to the near-lunacy of Italian drivers, you might prefer to book a bus tour.

A quick look on TripAdvisor will reveal horror stories from the Amalfi Drive, but it’s definitely achievable for confident drivers who understand the country’s motoring culture. It’s also a thrilling experience if you’re after the freedom of your own schedule.

It’s not a long drive, but the winding, sheer road passes through some of Italy’s truly magical towns, such as Sorrento, Positano and Salerno, making it worthy of a five-day itinerary. You’ll need at least a day in each, plus one for the affluent isle of Capri in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Expect the flirtatious towns to grip you with their eternal halcyon days vibes and carefree casualness. Once you park it, go on foot to explore the wonderful crannies and coves of this enchanting curl of coast.

The scenic village of Atrani on the Amalfi Coast

Route 1, Iceland

Best for: Lovers of big, open spaces
Distance: 1880 kilometres
Good to know: If you’re hunting the aurora borealis, plan your trip between September and April.

Iceland’s Route 1 or Ring Road, as its name helpfully suggests, is a loop around the entire, pristine island. Known for its landscapes of otherworldly beauty and remote, frontier-like towns, this country is bestowed with a high quota of magic.

Getting around Route 1, which you can pick up and leave at Reykjavik, is a good way to thoroughly explore Iceland. But make sure you leave ample time – about six to 10 days should do it. Sticking close to the coast, where most of the country’s population is dispersed, this drive provides easy access to many significant sites, such as the spellbinding Jökulsárlón glacial lake with its floating monoliths and the volcanic Lake Mývatn.

You’ll also come across national parks, lovely villages, enigmatic black-sand beaches, and dramatic waterfalls, such as the life-punctuating Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. It’s a good idea to plot your must-see destinations along the road before you set off, else you may find yourself missing your return flight due to an inability to disengage from Iceland’s frosted beauty.

Iceland’s Route 1 is a loop around the entire, pristine island

Route Napoleon, France

Best for: History buffs and relaxed roaming
Distance: 325 kilometres
Good to know: Follow the signs with the brown eagle to stay en route.

This tourist road is a section of Route National 85, and remarkably, follows the passage taken by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1815 as he escaped from exile in Elba, Italy, to Grenoble in south-eastern France.

Ultimately for Napoleon, his journey and attempted coup ended at Waterloo, but yours will end with vistas of the Southern Alps in Grenoble. Begin, however, in more coastal climes of Golfe-Juan on the Cote d’Azur, before winding your way through this surprisingly under-the-radar route marked by incredible nature. Before you set off, spend some time in the historic walled city of Antibes, where the super yachts bobbing in the modern port contrast perfectly with the Old Town’s charm.

Carry on to Grasse, where perfume is said to have been invented, then to the delightfully clichéd embodiment of a French town, Castellane. A side-step from the route will land you at gob-smacking Verdon Gorge. Keep following Napoleon’s path and unearth river-side Sisteron, and France’s highest town, Gap. On completion, perhaps a toast to the sheer boldness of the emperor is fitting.

Grasse is the embodiment of a classic French town

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The Golden Ring, Russia

Best for: The big adventure
Distance: 678 kilometres
Good to know: Traffic out of Moscow can be challenging, so avoid exiting the city during peak times.

This Soviet-era tourist route is popular with Russians and visitors alike and gives a fairly comprehensive sample of this enormous country. The area marketed as The Golden Ring sits east of Moscow and encompasses a rich tapestry of cities and bucolic countryside dotted with fairytale cottages and intricate churches all thickly spread with folklore and riveting history.

Stops on the way are too numerous to list, but highlights certainly include the river port of Kostroma, the medieval capital of Vladimir, the beautifully preserved town of Suzdal (don’t miss the experience of a traditional steam bath), and ancient Rostov the Great with its remarkable Kremlin. So enthralling is this journey, you’re likely to embark on the complete works of Tolstoy upon your return.

Russia’s beautifully preserved town of Suzdal

Still hungry for more European driving magic? See our story on Germany’s romantic road.

Driving is a more sustainable way to travel Europe. For more on ethical and sustainable travel and wildlife experiences visit our Conscious Traveller section.

Temperatures are soaring this summer, breaking records across Europe and the UK.

Euro summer is a feeling like no other. But when a heatwave hits? The dream trip quickly turns into a sweaty mess. Extreme heat is sweeping Europe and the UK this week, with record-high temperatures impacting travel plans across the continent.

And while Australian summers are typically hotter in absolute temperature, many European cities aren’t equipped for high temperatures, resulting in unbearable weather.

Why is it so hot in Europe?

Signs of a hot summer loomed in May, when the mercury hit unprecedented spring highs. Now, extreme high temperature warning alerts have been issued in countries such as Spain, Italy, France, England, the Netherlands and Germany.

France saw its hottest day on record on Wednesday, with an average temperature of 30°C across the day and night. This surpasses the average temperature for June, which is 15°C to 25°C. Dozens of people have died, including 40 from drowning.

In Spain, 212 deaths have been linked to the heatwave.

The UK recorded its hottest June day ever on Wednesday with temperatures soaring to 36.1°C. In an article published by the Met Office – the UK’s national meteorological service – Professor Stephen Belcher CBE, Met Office Chief Scientist, shared his concerns about June’s heat. “To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering. Events like this bring home the implications of climate change, with very high temperatures and humidity bringing significant health implications from heat stress, as well as impacts to a range of sectors such as transport, energy and water supply,” he said.

Heatwaves are becoming increasingly common in Europe and the UK, neither of which is prepared for such extremes. The World Meteorological Organization reported that in 2025, at least 95% of Europe experienced above-average annual temperatures and that the continent was heating up twice as fast as the global average.

How travel is impacted

A pharmacy sign displaying 40 degrees Celcius — A pharmacy broadcasting local weather data. (Credit: Getty/Dragoncello)

During a heatwave, power grids, water systems and transport networks can be affected, resulting in disrupted itineraries for travellers. In France, power outages have left thousands without electricity and early closures have been implemented for two of Paris’s biggest attractions, the Eiffel Tower (early afternoon rather than late at night) and the Louvre (two hours early). Eurostar cancelled its London to Paris and Paris to London services from the 22nd to the 25th, and major UK rail companies have been advising travellers to avoid using trains where possible, or to travel during early hours.

If a heatwave is predicted, being flexible with your itinerary and having fully refundable/changeable tickets is key, as extreme heat can force the cancellation of outdoor activities, impact rail and flight services and change the opening hours of sites and eateries.

Why does summer in Europe often feel hotter than summer in Australia?

people swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris — People swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris to cool off. (Credit: Rachael Thompson)

With some of the highest UV levels in the world, Australians are no strangers to the heat, adapting well to intense weather. But our infrastructure is largely equipped to withstand soaring temperatures with climate-responsive passive design, refrigerated air conditioning or evaporative coolers, as well as swimming spots aplenty.

Buildings in Northern and Western Europe and the UK, however, are constructed to retain heat and handle frosty winters. The lack of universal air conditioning means it generally feels hotter even though the temperature on your app might not look it. During a heatwave, it can feel like you’re in a sauna as cities act like heat traps.

How to stay cool and prepare for another heatwave

Relief is expected across Europe and the UK later this week, but more heatwaves are still possible in the coming months. Summer heat typically peaks in July and August.

Public transport often doesn’t have air conditioning, and buses in particular can be swelteringly hot. If you’re heading outside or your accommodation has no air conditioning, it’s worth buying a spray bottle and a handheld fan from a pharmacy or tourist stand. Check ahead of time if restaurants and cafes have air conditioning and make a booking in advance. The highest temperatures typically hit between 3pm and 6pm, so aim to head outdoors outside of these hours.

Rising temperatures invite travellers to enter a more intentional era of seeing the world. Now more than ever is the time to embrace lower-impact “coolcations” and off-season getaways.