With the chance to explore vast stretches of Europe at your own pace, either as a solo traveller or with loved ones in tow, it’s no wonder that road trips are becoming increasingly popular. But with so many options available with endless numbers of guidebooks, it can be hard to narrow down where to journey next.
Luckily, having seen an 86% increase in searches for “European Road Trip” on TikTok in the past year, a new study by specialist insurance broker ChoiceQuote has narrowed down the options. By analysing Google search and social media data, they have revealed Europe’s most in-demand scenic road trip routes.
The Northwest Coast of France was revealed to be the most in-demand scenic road trip in Europe. A route stretching from 310 to 435 miles (depending on which part of it you choose), drivers will travel through Brittany, Loire Valley and Normandy, uncovering beautiful scenery including white-chalk cliffs, historic sites and delicious French delicacies. As a bonus, this itinerary is just a short one-hour ferry from Dover and begins the moment you hit land at Calais.
The road trip saw a staggering 83,100% increase in Google searches over the last 12 months, averaging around 14,800 monthly searches.
The Amalfi Coast is an extremely popular road trip route for travellers, so it’s no surprise that it ranked second. The Amalfi Coast is famous among road trippers for its breathtaking panoramic views through winding coastal roads along the Mediterranean Sea.
Starting in Salerno, this 31-mile route hugs the coastline, with its winding coastal road passing through towns like Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello. You can even detour to Pompeii or explore the island of Capri, just a short ferry ride away from many of the towns on the route. The popular Italian road trip received 135,000 Google searches per month.
Another French gem rounds off the top three, which has seen a 2,200% increase in Google search interest. Road tripping the 155 miles around the beautiful Villages de Drôme has gained popularity largely thanks to their impressive medieval architecture. Most hilltop settlements of Drôme Provençale are fortified and date from the Middle Ages, 11th and 12th centuries, making it the perfect choice for those history lovers.
Among its best are Grignan, home to a Renaissance castle, and Montbrun-les-Bains, often listed among the most beautiful villages in France.
The Transalpina Pass in Romania is one of the highest roads in the region and it is known for its beautiful mountain views. The road trip takes drivers 2,145 metres above sea level, making it an exciting trip for experienced drivers. Road trips here have received a 2,200% increase in Google searches over the last 12 months.
During the Susten Pass, which completes the top five, drivers will enjoy 26 bridges and tunnels hewn into the Swiss Alps. The Stein Glacier on this route is a particularly popular spot for tourists. The mountain pass – connecting Innertkirchen with Wassen – has seen an increase in demand by 2,200% on Google.
Also on the list is the 373-mile Grand Tour of Luxembourg, a well-signposted circular route with a lively capital, five distinct regions with diverse landscapes, plenty of history, and a paradise for food enthusiasts. For something more rural, divers can take on the Switzerland Furka Pass, a 19-mile mountain pass in the Swiss Alps, connecting Gletsch, Valais, with Realp.
The scenic 5.2-mile Atlantic Ocean Road in Norway connects the country’s islands and mainland through bridges and causeways. It is renowned for its dramatic coastal scenery and open ocean views. Belgium’s Semois Valley also made it into the list, as did the incredible 56-mile Transfagarasan Highway in Romania, which passes over the Fagaras mountains in Transylvania, Romania, at a height of 2,000 metres. It is often considered one of the most beautiful roads in the world, crossing the southern part of the Carpathian Mountains range and running adjacent to Bâlea Lake, Bâlea waterfall and Vidraru Lake.
To determine the UK’s most searched locations, the team collated a list of the top hidden gem road trip locations across Europe from various online sources. Data for each location was then collected, including TikTok searches, Instagram hashtags, Instagram searches, Google searches and Google trend increase on KeywordTool.io. These were then each indexed and a total average was created to rank the locations. Data is accurate as of February 2025.
The ‘most popular’ road trips in Europe – Overall Index Score
-
The Northwest coast, France: 90/100
-
Amalfi Coast, Italy: 88/100
-
Village de Drôme, 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
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
