Europe is home to some of the most breathtaking driving roads on the planet. From hairpin bends carved into Alpine peaks to coastal routes hugging the Mediterranean, the continent offers an extraordinary variety of landscapes that are best experienced from behind the wheel. Whether you're a driving enthusiast chasing perfect tarmac or a family looking for unforgettable scenery, these ten roads deliver experiences you simply cannot get any other way.
1. Stelvio Pass, Italy
The Stelvio Pass (Passo dello Stelvio) in the Italian Alps is widely considered the greatest driving road in Europe. At 2,757 metres above sea level, it is the highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps and the second-highest in the entire Alpine range. The road features 48 hairpin bends on the northern side alone, climbing from Prad am Stilfserjoch through a series of tight switchbacks that seem to defy engineering logic.
The classic approach starts from Bormio on the southern side, ascending 1,533 metres over 21.5 kilometres. The northern descent into the Vinschgau valley is where the real drama unfolds, with each numbered hairpin offering increasingly dramatic views of snow-capped peaks and deep green valleys below.
Pro tip: Visit between late June and mid-September when the pass is reliably open. Early mornings (before 8 AM) offer the emptiest roads and the best light for photography. The road is closed from November through May due to heavy snowfall.
While you're in the region, consider extending your trip south towards Rome for a complete Italian road trip experience.
2. Transfagarasan Highway, Romania
Built in the 1970s as a military strategic route by order of Nicolae Ceausescu, the Transfagarasan (DN7C) cuts directly through the Fagaras Mountains in central Romania. The road climbs to 2,042 metres at the Balea Lake tunnel, making it the highest road in Romania. Jeremy Clarkson famously called it "the best road in the world" on Top Gear, and it's easy to see why.
The 90-kilometre route from Curtea de Arges in the south to Cartisoara in the north features long sweeping curves, dramatic elevation changes, and views over the Vidraru Dam and reservoir. The northern descent is particularly spectacular, with the road twisting through dense forest before opening up to reveal the vast Transylvanian plateau.
Key stops along the way
- Vidraru Dam - A 166-metre-high arch dam with a striking Prometheus statue at its base
- Balea Lake - A glacial lake at the summit, accessible via cable car when the road is closed
- Balea Waterfall - A cascading waterfall visible from the road on the northern descent
- Poienari Fortress - The real castle of Vlad the Impaler, requiring a 1,480-step climb
Start your Romanian adventure from Bucharest, which is roughly three hours south of the highway's starting point. Plan this trip to map out the perfect route.
3. Atlantic Road, Norway
The Atlanterhavsveien (Atlantic Road) is a short but jaw-dropping 8.3-kilometre stretch of County Road 64 in More og Romsdal county, Norway. Opened in 1989, it connects the island of Averoy to the mainland through a series of eight bridges that hop between small islands and skerries, often with nothing but open ocean on either side.
The most photographed structure is the Storseisundet Bridge, which appears to launch cars into the void thanks to its dramatic curve and optical illusion when viewed from the right angle. In stormy weather, massive waves crash over the road itself, creating scenes that look like something from an adventure film.
Pro tip: Drive the Atlantic Road during autumn storms (October-November) for the most dramatic wave action, but exercise extreme caution. In summer, the midnight sun makes for extraordinary late-evening drives with golden light reflecting off the ocean.
The Atlantic Road sits along the Norwegian Scenic Routes network and makes a perfect addition to a road trip from Bergen up the western coast. Plan this trip to combine it with the famous fjord routes.
4. Route Napoleon, France
Route Napoleon (RN85) follows the path that Napoleon Bonaparte took on his return from exile on Elba in March 1815. The 325-kilometre route runs from Golfe-Juan on the Cote d'Azur to Grenoble in the French Alps, climbing through lavender-scented Provencal countryside before ascending into genuine Alpine terrain.
The road passes through the stunning Gorges du Verdon region, often called the "Grand Canyon of Europe," where turquoise waters flow through limestone cliffs up to 700 metres deep. North of Castellane, the route climbs through the Col Bayard (1,248 metres) with wide, sweeping curves that are pure driving pleasure.
Best sections for driving
- Grasse to Castellane - Perfume capital to mountain town, with the Gorges du Verdon nearby
- Castellane to Gap - The most mountainous section with the Col Bayard climb
- Gap to Grenoble - Rolling Alpine foothills with views of the Ecrins National Park
5. Amalfi Coast Road (SS163), Italy
The Strada Statale 163 Amalfitana runs for 50 kilometres along the southern side of the Sorrentine Peninsula in Campania. Carved into sheer cliff faces hundreds of metres above the Tyrrhenian Sea, it connects Vietri sul Mare to Positano through a succession of tunnels, hairpin bends, and breathtaking viewpoints.
Every turn reveals a new postcard scene: pastel-coloured villages clinging to cliff faces, terraced lemon groves, hidden coves with turquoise water, and ancient watchtowers perched on rocky promontories. The town of Ravello, perched 365 metres above the sea on a side road, offers some of the most spectacular coastal views in all of Italy.
Pro tip: Drive the Amalfi Coast from east to west (Vietri to Positano) so you're on the outside lane closest to the cliff edge and the views. Traffic is intense from June to August; May and September offer warm weather with far fewer coaches on the road.
The Amalfi Coast is easily reached from Rome, roughly 270 kilometres to the north. Plan this trip to combine the Eternal City with this legendary coastal drive.
6. Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Austria
The Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse is a 48-kilometre toll road through the Hohe Tauern National Park in Austria. Built between 1930 and 1935, it climbs to 2,504 metres at the Edelweisspitze viewpoint, offering panoramic views of over 30 peaks above 3,000 metres, including the Grossglockner itself at 3,798 metres, Austria's highest mountain.
The road features 36 hairpin bends across its full length and two distinct summit areas. The Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Hohe viewpoint at the end of a side road provides a direct view of the Pasterze Glacier, the longest glacier in the Eastern Alps, though it has retreated dramatically in recent decades.
Practical details
- Toll: Approximately 39 euros for a car (2024 prices), valid for the full day
- Season: Typically open from early May to early November
- Duration: Allow 2-3 hours for the drive with photo stops
- Fuel: No petrol stations on the road itself; fill up in Bruck or Heiligenblut
7. Trollstigen, Norway
Trollstigen (The Troll's Ladder) is an impossibly steep mountain road in Rauma municipality, Norway. The road features 11 hairpin bends with a gradient of up to 10%, climbing 850 metres through a landscape of waterfalls, sheer mountain walls, and deep valleys. The Stigfossen waterfall plunges 320 metres right beside the road, spraying mist across your windscreen as you climb.
At the summit, a cantilevered viewing platform designed by Reiulf Ramstad Architects juts out over the valley, offering a vertigo-inducing view straight down at the hairpins you've just conquered. The road is part of the Norwegian Scenic Routes programme and connects beautifully with the Geiranger-Trollstigen route, considered one of the finest driving routes in Scandinavia.
8. Furka Pass, Switzerland
The Furka Pass connects the cantons of Valais and Uri at an elevation of 2,429 metres. Film fans will recognise it instantly as the location of the car chase in the James Bond film Goldfinger (1964), where Sean Connery's Aston Martin DB5 navigated the tight bends above the Rhone Glacier.
The road is a masterpiece of mountain engineering with smooth tarmac, well-sighted corners, and dramatic views of the glacier below, though it has shrunk considerably since the Bond days. The nearby Hotel Belvedere, once a famous stopping point, now sits abandoned but remains a poignant landmark.
Pro tip: Combine the Furka Pass with the nearby Grimsel, Susten, and Gotthard passes for a full-day "Four Passes" loop that covers roughly 180 kilometres of the finest Alpine driving anywhere in Europe.
9. Ring of Kerry, Ireland
The Ring of Kerry (Iveragh Peninsula) is a 179-kilometre circular route in County Kerry, southwest Ireland. While not a mountain pass or a high-speed driving road, it offers some of the most varied and emotionally stirring scenery in Western Europe: rugged Atlantic coastline, emerald-green farmland, ancient stone forts, and views out to the Skellig Islands, where Star Wars: The Force Awakens filmed its climactic scene.
Highlights not to miss
- Ladies View - Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting reportedly gasped at this viewpoint over the Killarney Lakes
- Skellig Ring - A detour off the main route to Portmagee, with views of Skellig Michael
- Moll's Gap - A high mountain pass with views in every direction
- Derrynane Beach - A hidden sandy beach accessible from the road
- Staigue Fort - A 2,500-year-old stone ring fort in remarkable condition
10. SA-Calobra Road, Mallorca, Spain
The MA-2141, known as the Sa Calobra road, descends 682 metres over just 9.4 kilometres from the Coll dels Reis to the tiny harbour of Sa Calobra on Mallorca's northwest coast. The road features a famous 270-degree loop where it actually passes under itself, nicknamed "The Knot" (Es Nus de Sa Corbata, or "The Tie Knot").
Originally built in 1932, the road was engineered by Italian Antonio Parietti, who also designed the road to Cap de Formentor. The descent offers spectacular views of the Serra de Tramuntana mountains and the Mediterranean, with the turquoise cove at the bottom serving as the perfect reward. The return climb is a favourite challenge for professional cyclists training on the island.
Planning Your European Road Trip
Driving these roads requires some forethought. Here are essential tips for making the most of your European driving adventure:
- Check seasonal closures. Mountain passes in the Alps, Norway, and Romania are typically closed from November to May or June. Always verify opening dates before planning.
- Rent the right car. A smaller car is genuinely better on narrow mountain roads. Anything wider than a mid-size estate will make the Amalfi Coast stressful rather than enjoyable.
- Carry a vignette or toll device. Austria, Switzerland, and several other countries require motorway vignettes. Some roads like the Grossglockner have separate tolls.
- Start early. Tourist traffic builds from mid-morning on popular roads. An early start means emptier roads, better light, and more enjoyable driving.
- Allow extra time. These roads are meant to be savoured, not rushed. Budget twice the time your sat-nav estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of year to drive Europe's mountain passes?
The ideal window is mid-June through September. Most Alpine passes open by late May or early June, but snow can linger on the highest roads until mid-June. July and August offer the most reliable conditions but also the heaviest traffic. September combines warm weather, lighter traffic, and autumn colours beginning to appear at higher elevations. The Transfagarasan in Romania typically opens later, around late June, and closes in late October.
Do I need an international driving permit for European road trips?
If you hold a driving licence from an EU or EEA country, you can drive in any other EU/EEA country without an additional permit. Drivers from the UK (post-Brexit), USA, Canada, Australia, and most other countries should carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside their national licence. IDPs are inexpensive and easy to obtain from your national motoring organisation. Some rental companies require them regardless of your nationality, so check in advance.
Are these roads suitable for campervans or larger vehicles?
Some are, but many are not. The Grossglockner, Route Napoleon, and Ring of Kerry are all fine for campervans and motorhomes. However, the Stelvio Pass, Trollstigen, and Sa Calobra have extremely tight hairpin bends that are very difficult or impossible for larger vehicles. The Amalfi Coast officially restricts vehicles over a certain length during peak season. Always check road restrictions before setting out in a larger vehicle, and consider parking at the base and taking a smaller vehicle or bus for the tightest mountain passes.
