Top 10 Coastal Road Trips in Europe – Scenic Routes for Sea-Lovers & Adventurers
Top 10 Coastal Road Trips in Europe
There’s no better way to soak in Europe’s seaside beauty than by hitting the open road. From cliff-hugging drives along the Amalfi Coast to wild Atlantic views in Portugal and fjord-draped roads in Norway, this list highlights the best coastal road trips in Europe. Whether you're chasing sunsets, surf, or seaside villages — these routes are pure travel magic.
🔎 Explore Routes – Clickable TOC
- 🇮🇹 Amalfi Coast Drive, Italy
- 🇵🇹 Atlantic Coast Road, Portugal
- 🇬🇧 Causeway Coastal Route, Northern Ireland
- 🇫🇷 French Riviera Coastal Drive, France
- 🇭🇷 Adriatic Highway, Croatia
- 🇪🇸 Costa Brava Coastal Route, Spain
- 🇮🇪 Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland
- 🌍 Basque Coast Drive, Spain & France
- 🇳🇴 Atlantic Ocean Road, Norway
- 🇬🇷 Mani Peninsula Drive, Greece
1. Amalfi Coast Drive, Italy
Arguably the most iconic coastal drive in Europe, the Amalfi Coast Road (SS163) winds dramatically between the cliffs and the sea. This UNESCO-listed stretch in southern Italy delivers one stunning curve after another — with pastel villages like Positano, lemon groves, and sparkling bays around every bend.
- Country: Italy 🇮🇹
- Route: SS163 from Sorrento to Salerno
- Distance: ~50 km
- Top Stops: Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, Fiordo di Furore
- Best Time: May to early October (shoulder season is calmer)
- Driving Tip: Start early to avoid tour bus traffic; watch out for tight turns
💡 Insider Highlight: Take a lunch break in Ravello’s hilltop gardens for panoramic views without the crowds of Positano.
With ancient towns clinging to cliffs and turquoise waters glistening below, the Amalfi Coast is a visual feast and driving challenge in one. It’s romantic, adventurous, and endlessly photogenic — no wonder it’s on every traveler’s bucket list.
2. Atlantic Coast Road, Portugal
Portugal’s Atlantic coastline offers one of Europe’s most underrated road trips. Starting just outside Lisbon, this coastal route heads south through wild surf beaches, pine forests, dramatic cliffs, and sleepy villages — all the way to the Algarve. It’s a laid-back drive with plenty of detours for nature and food lovers.
- Country: Portugal 🇵🇹
- Route: Lisbon → Cascais → Alentejo Coast → Sagres
- Distance: ~350 km (multi-day drive recommended)
- Top Stops: Cabo da Roca, Vila Nova de Milfontes, Odeceixe, Arrifana
- Best Time: April–June or September–October
- Driving Tip: Stick to the N120 and coastal detours for scenic views and less traffic
💡 Travel Tip: Stop at Zambujeira do Mar at sunset — it's one of Portugal’s best-kept cliffside secrets.
With its boho surf towns, dramatic capes, and untouched beaches, this road trip is perfect for free-spirited travelers who want fewer crowds and more nature. You’ll find charm in simplicity — and some of the best seafood in Europe.
3. Causeway Coastal Route, Northern Ireland
The Causeway Coastal Route is a cinematic journey along Northern Ireland’s rugged northeastern coast. This world-famous drive combines ancient geology, moody cliffs, ruined castles, and even filming locations from Game of Thrones — making it one of the most magical road trips in Europe.
- Country: Northern Ireland 🇬🇧
- Route: Belfast → Carrickfergus → Giant’s Causeway → Derry
- Distance: ~210 km
- Top Stops: Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Dunluce Castle, Dark Hedges
- Best Time: Late spring to early autumn (May–September)
- Driving Tip: Leave time for short hikes and photo stops — the pace is slow but rewarding
💡 Fun Fact: The Giant’s Causeway is a UNESCO site made up of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns — formed by volcanic activity or, as locals say, by giants.
With misty coastlines, ancient myths, and wild landscapes, this route is made for travelers who love nature, legends, and windswept beauty. It’s a soul-stirring drive that belongs on every adventurer’s map.
4. French Riviera Coastal Drive, France
The French Riviera, or Côte d’Azur, offers a road trip of elegance, cliffside charm, and sun-soaked glamour. From the perfume fields of Grasse to the beach clubs of Saint-Tropez, this Mediterranean stretch delivers Riviera romance with sea views, pastel towns, and winding coastal corniches.
- Country: France 🇫🇷
- Route: Nice → Èze → Monaco → Menton or west to Saint-Tropez
- Distance: ~150–200 km (depending on detours)
- Top Stops: Èze, Monaco, Antibes, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Saint-Tropez
- Best Time: April–June and September (summer is crowded)
- Driving Tip: Take the Moyenne or Grande Corniche for cliff-hugging views
💡 Riviera Highlight: Dine at Château de la Chèvre d'Or in Èze for surreal panoramic views and gourmet French cuisine on the cliffs.
Whether you're chasing luxury in Monaco or coastal charm in hilltop villages, this road trip is perfect for travelers who want scenic beauty with a touch of indulgence. Few drives feel this cinematic — or this chic.
5. Adriatic Highway, Croatia
Croatia’s Adriatic Highway (D8) is one of Europe’s most scenic coastal drives, hugging the turquoise shores of the Dalmatian Coast. With medieval towns, offshore islands, and mountains that meet the sea, this road offers a blissful balance of culture and natural beauty.
- Country: Croatia 🇭🇷
- Route: Rijeka → Zadar → Split → Dubrovnik
- Distance: ~600 km (multi-day itinerary)
- Top Stops: Krk Island, Sibenik, Makarska Riviera, Ston, Dubrovnik
- Best Time: May–June or September for fewer crowds
- Driving Tip: Avoid inland highways — the coastal D8 is slower but vastly more scenic
💡 Scenic Secret: Stop at the Makarska Riviera for hidden beaches, seaside cafés, and epic sunsets framed by the Biokovo mountains.
With its island-speckled horizon and cliff-hugging roads, the Adriatic Highway is perfect for travelers who want Mediterranean flair without the crowds of Italy or France. Every bend reveals postcard-worthy views and historic coastal gems.
6. Costa Brava Coastal Route, Spain
The Costa Brava, stretching north of Barcelona to the French border, is a hidden gem among coastal road trips in Europe. Known for its rugged cliffs, pine-fringed coves, and medieval towns, this Catalonian coast balances raw nature with cultural richness — and it's far less crowded than Spain’s southern shores.
- Country: Spain 🇪🇸
- Route: Barcelona → Tossa de Mar → Begur → Cadaqués → Cap de Creus
- Distance: ~200 km
- Top Stops: Tossa de Mar, Calella de Palafrugell, Pals, Cadaqués
- Best Time: April–June or September (summer is warm but busier)
- Driving Tip: Take detours down to smaller coves and beaches — they’re often the best part
💡 Local Favorite: Visit the house of Salvador Dalí in Portlligat for a surreal coastal-art experience that blends seascapes with imagination.
Costa Brava offers a perfect mix of winding coastal roads, secluded beaches, seafood taverns, and hilltop history. It’s ideal for road trippers who prefer depth over glamour — and who chase the Mediterranean’s quieter corners.
7. Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland
The Wild Atlantic Way is Europe’s longest defined coastal route — stretching along Ireland’s entire western edge. It’s a road trip of untamed cliffs, ancient stone walls, crashing waves, and Gaelic-speaking villages. From the windswept Donegal highlands to the cliffs of Kerry, this journey is pure Celtic poetry.
- Country: Ireland 🇮🇪
- Route: Malin Head (north) → Mizen Head (south)
- Distance: ~2,500 km
- Top Stops: Slieve League, Cliffs of Moher, Dingle Peninsula, Ring of Kerry
- Best Time: May–September (for daylight and weather)
- Driving Tip: Be prepared for narrow roads and dramatic weather shifts — it’s all part of the experience
💡 Legendary Moment: Hike to the edge of Slieve League for one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe — higher and wilder than the Cliffs of Moher.
This isn’t just a drive — it’s a journey into Ireland’s soul. With every bend revealing ancient ruins, ocean thunder, or misty sheep trails, the Wild Atlantic Way is a road trip for dreamers and storytellers.
8. Basque Coast Drive, Spain & France
The Basque Coast Drive offers a unique blend of French elegance and Spanish grit, with dramatic Atlantic surf, green headlands, and stylish coastal towns. Stretching from Biarritz to Bilbao, this route is perfect for foodies, surfers, and slow travelers who appreciate culture as much as scenery.
- Countries: France 🇫🇷 & Spain 🇪🇸
- Route: Biarritz → Saint-Jean-de-Luz → San Sebastián → Zumaia → Bilbao
- Distance: ~250 km
- Top Stops: San Sebastián, Getaria, Gaztelugatxe, Mundaka
- Best Time: May–October (avoid midsummer crowds for a smoother drive)
- Driving Tip: Alternate between coast and inland hills — both are stunning and culturally rich
💡 Don’t Miss: Gaztelugatxe, a Game of Thrones location with a winding stone bridge and chapel perched on a sea rock.
With its surfing beaches, Michelin-starred pintxos bars, and lush coastal drives, the Basque coast is a refined and rugged escape. Every village has personality — and every meal is a celebration.
9. Atlantic Ocean Road, Norway
Norway’s Atlantic Ocean Road (Atlanterhavsveien) is one of the most dramatic and visually surreal drives in Europe. Stretching across tiny islets and wave-battered bridges, it connects the mainland to Averøy island with cinematic flair. Think sea spray, dramatic skies, and the ultimate Nordic road trip moment.
- Country: Norway 🇳🇴
- Route: Bud → Vevang (via Hustadvika coast)
- Distance: ~8 km core road (but part of a larger 36 km drive)
- Top Stops: Storseisundet Bridge, Kvernes Stave Church, Geitøya
- Best Time: June–August (safe weather, long daylight)
- Driving Tip: Drive slowly and stop at viewpoints — waves crash over bridges during storms!
💡 Must-See: The Storseisundet Bridge appears to drop off into the ocean from certain angles — a famous optical illusion!
More than just a road, this route is a living postcard of Norwegian engineering and coastal wildness. Whether you’re chasing storms or blue skies, the Atlantic Ocean Road is unlike anything else in Europe.
10. Mani Peninsula Drive, Greece
The Mani Peninsula in southern Greece is a rugged road trip through stone towers, arid hills, deep-blue coves, and timeless villages. As the wildest corner of the Peloponnese, it offers authentic Greek culture, Byzantine ruins, and empty coastal roads that trace the Aegean’s edge — all under a powerful sun.
- Country: Greece 🇬🇷
- Route: Gythio → Areopoli → Gerolimenas → Vathia → Porto Kagio
- Distance: ~120 km (loop options via Cape Tainaron)
- Top Stops: Vathia tower village, Diros Caves, Limeni Bay, Cape Matapan
- Best Time: April–June or September–October (summer heat can be intense)
- Driving Tip: Roads are narrow and winding — go slow and enjoy the silence
💡 Historical Note: Cape Tainaron is the southernmost point of mainland Europe — once considered an entrance to the underworld in Greek mythology.
The Mani Peninsula is not about flashy tourism — it's about stone, silence, sea, and spirit. It’s the perfect coastal drive for travelers chasing authenticity, mythology, and remote Mediterranean beauty.
Travel Tips Summary
From the pastel cliffs of Italy to the wave-battered bridges of Norway, these coastal road trips prove that Europe’s edges are just as thrilling as its heart. Whether you’re drawn to medieval towns, surf beaches, fjords, or sunlit coves — each route offers a different kind of freedom on four wheels.
- Short on time? Drive the Amalfi Coast or French Riviera in 1–2 days.
- Prefer solitude? Choose Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way or Greece’s Mani Peninsula.
- Crave something epic? Hit Croatia’s Adriatic Highway or Portugal’s Atlantic coast.
🗺️ Want more Europe road inspiration? Check out our article on Backpacking Europe on a Budget for tips, gear, and offbeat routes beyond the coast.
