These countries were named best destinations for road trips in Europe

Road trips are one of the best ways to get to know a country.

If you’re hitting the road by car, however, great panorama, excellent food and friendly locals aren’t always enough to make it a great experience.

To help drivers find the best destination, Swiss motorway toll seller E-Vignette has ranked the top destinations based on a combination of factors: Road quality, mean speed score, fuel price, road security, as well as the density of national parks, UNESCO sites, attractions and petrol stations. They sent the results to Euronews.

Which countries offer the ultimate mix?

1) Spain

Despite not topping any of these categories – Spain emerges as the overall best road trip destination for 2025.

Yes, the country’s landscape diversity – from the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts to the towering Pyrenees and Picos de Europa ranges and its vast plains – is incredible, but there’s more to it.

The Iberian nation placed first also because of its good road network, efficient routes and competitive fuel prices, as well as its vibrant cities – Barcelona, Madrid, Sevilla, you name them – filled with lively urban spaces, entertainment venues and architectural landmarks.

2) Croatia

Croatia – another Mediterranean nation – has been on the rise as a tourism destination for years. Its Adriatic Highway stretches 650 kilometres – from the popular Istrian peninsula to the majestic medial city of Dubrovnik – offering stunning views of Adriatic Sea islands, picturesque coastal towns and pebbled – albeit sometimes overcrowded – beaches.

For those searching for more secludedness, the Plitvice National Park offers pristine waters and 16 interconnected lakes that plunge into spectacular waterfalls, creating a winter wonderland in the cold season and a pure nature sanctuary in summer.

3) Austria

Speaking about winter wonderlands, the Grossglockner High Alpine Road – Austria’s most beautiful panoramic road – will lead you through 48 kilometres of stunning Alpine views overlooking 3,000-metre-high peaks, with the highest driveable spot reachable at 2,571 metres.

Austria’s high density of hotels and petrol stations will also comfortably allow you to drive to the Baroque marvels of Vienna, Graz and Salzburg, the ‘Rome of the North’ and one of Europe’s opera capitals.

4) Portugal

Portugal’s roads have Europe’s best mean speed score, so the driving experience is definitely one of the most enjoyable.

The World Economic Forum also ranked the country’s road infrastructure second best in the world in its 2014-15 Global Competitiveness Report, so why not take a road trip down south to the beautiful coastal region of the Algarve?

Rent a compact car to navigate narrow village streets and venture into the discovery of hidden beaches and scenic oceanic viewpoints of places like Lagos and Albufeira, as well as the Vicentina Coast, with its natural park and a 263-km hiking trail taking you through a rural route with centuries of history.

5) Czech Republic

Travellers seeking fairy-tale vibes will always feel at home in the Czech Republic, whether they’re walking Prague’s old town’s cobbled streets, along medieval town Český Krumlov’s river or exploring the romantic chateaux and gardens of Lednice-Valtice.

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If you’re on a road trip, however, you don’t want to miss the Bohemian Switzerland National Park (yes, Bohemian Switzerland).

Once a hideout of medieval robber barons, it’s today an 80-km2 protected area filled with mystical pine forests, imposing rock towers, dramatic snowy cliffs and low plateaus.

The Czech Republic is followed in the chart by France, 6th, Germany, Cyprus, Greece, and Sweden, 10th.

Which tourism titans are out of the top spots?

Italy, the country with the most UNESCO World Heritage sites, its 25 national parks and nearly 8,000 kilometres of coast, is notably out of the top 10.

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Low road quality and safety scores, as well as fuel prices, undermined its road trip appeal.

Perhaps even more surprisingly, and despite its rich wildlife and breathtaking volcanic and northern lights scenes, Iceland ranked last, due to a lower density of hotels and petrol stations and potential road hazards. The maximum speed allowed is 90 km/h.

E-Vignette researchers emphasized that the highest points in the chart were assigned to factors that directly impact the driving experience.

If travelling to beautiful Iceland, remember to submit your plan on safetravel.is to ensure that all information is shared with relevant rescue authorities.

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