Your guide to the best road trip holidays in Europe
Discovering a country on your own wheels is hands down the best way to explore its more remote and often most memorable spots at your own pace and schedule. And Europe is blessed with a incredible array of epic destinations for a cross-country road trip – including ones that are kinder on the budget.
Having travelled much of the continent, I’ve found most of my favourite road trip adventures to be in eastern and central Europe – often way exceeding expectations, far cheaper and considerably less busy in the peak travel months.
So here here are some of my 9 absolute favourite hidden gem road trip destinations that I hope will inspire your next European holiday on the road.
Bosnia
Best For: Beautiful Scenery, a West-meets-East Culture & Waterfalls
There’s no country remotely like Bosnia. A land at the crossroads of civilisations, shaped by dramatic history and blessed with stunning nature – from emerald green rivers and majestic waterfalls to the Dinaric Alps. The melting pot of European and Ottoman influences shines through in every aspect of Bosnian culture, architecture and cuisine.
A country only recently recovered from a brutal civil war of the 1990’s, Bosnia has possibly the most interesting cultural mix – with the Muslim Bosniaks living in a fragile harmony with the orthodox Serbs and the Catholic Croats.
While Bosnia is best known for its marquee tourist hotspot Mostar and its symbolic bridge, the country is packed with picturesque towns, cities and ancient landmarks. Equally, it’s rich with dramatic verdant mountainscapes, emerald river gorges and gorgeous waterfalls. And even a tiny slither of sea! The charming capital, Sarajevo, is one of Europe’s most underrated cities and the Ottoman vibes of its Old Town will leave you questioning if you’re still in Europe. In the hills above Sarajevo you can even walk the length of an abandoned Olympic Bobsleigh track.
While they have an easy relationship with each other, Bosnians are very hospitable towards tourists. And let’s not forget it’s one of the cheapest countries in all of Europe for food, transport and accommodation.
The country is modest in size, which makes it ideal for a 1-week road trip covering many of the country’s most interesting and unique highlights.
In every possible way, Bosnia is a true hidden gem that has it all. Whether you’re into history, nature, active holidays or engorging on local delicacies. There’s even a little bit of sea! Before Bosnia eventually follows in Croatia’s journey into becoming a popular tourist destination, there’s no better time to discover this country than now.
Getting there
You can fly into the capital Sarajevo, or indeed cross into Bosnia from the Croatian coast – any of Dubrovnik, Split or Zadar will take you just a couple hours’ drive to Mostar.
More Info
Check out my guide to The Perfect Bosnia Road Trip Itinerary to plan your Balkan adventure.
Transylvania (Romania)
Best for: Historic sites, old towns, mountains and hearty food
Horse-drawn carts, hearty cuisine, Dracula vibes, Medieval fortresses, German old towns, stunning green mountains and even a subterranean theme park.
Despite a wealth of memorable sights, Transylvania somehow hasn’t grown into a major tourist destination which makes Romania’s central region one of Europe’s last hidden gems. But it’s only a matter of time until the tour bus hordes start pouring in so get down there soon.
The homeland of Vlad Dracul, Transylvania is rich in history, also shaped by German and Hungarian influences. There are beautiful old towns in cities like Brasov, Sibiu and Sighisoara, as well as quaint villages scattered across the region – including some with fortified churches. Castles and palaces are abound, too – including the famed Bran Castle – allegedly Dracula’s home – and the stunning palace-like Peles Castle.
One of the most picturesque drives cuts through the majestic Fagaras Mountains – the twisty Transfagaras road. Nature lovers should spend a few days in the area exploring the local peaks and mountain lakes.
Getting there
For a trip focused on Transylvania, the most convenient airports are Sibiu, Brasov and Cluj Napoca. However Bucharest offers the most flights and isn’t that far of a drive.
More Info
Read my 1-Week Transylvania Itinerary for more details on what to expect in Transylvania and where to visit.
Bulgaria
Best for: An all-rounder trip of beaches, mountains, historic sites and interesting cities.
A road trip across Bulgaria makes for a perfect mix of seaside, cities and nature.
Steeped in rich and complicated history, Bulgaria has been home to Thracians, Greeks, Romans and Ottomans who all left their legacy, not to mention the more recent period of communist rule. It’s home to varied nature, from stunning mountain ranges jewelled with glacial lakes to the sandy beaches of the Black Sea coast. The cities and towns, too, are worth their weight like the beautiful Plovdiv or the cute seaside town of Sozopol.
Bulgarians are friendly, the cuisine is one of Europe’s most interesting (along the lines of Turkish or Greek) and there is an impressive number of wine varieties to sample. And importantly, it’s one of Europe’s most affordable destinations, so you can really enjoy the country without stretching the wallet.
Bulgaria is also the right size for a road trip. Large enough to offer a range of landscapes but not too big to make you have to choose just small parts of the country. You can easily cover the more western part starting with Sofia and loop your way to the sea via the mountains and Plovdiv.
Getting there
Sofia and Plovdiv Airports offer the most convenient entry points to start your Bulgaria road trip, with plenty of low-costs covering a wide network of routes to Europe. If you’d like to focus more on the Black Sea coast, you could instead fly into Varna or Burgas.
More Info
My comprehensive post on the Perfect Bulgaria Road Trip Itinerary help should be all you need to plan an epic Bulgaria holiday on 4 wheels.
Slovakia
Best for: Fairytale castles, mountains, outdoors and historic towns.
A country largely overlooked for its neighbours, Slovakia makes for a surprisingly interesting and varied road trip destination.
It’s a country of stunning cliff top castles, Alp-like mountains, beautiful old towns and rustic villages with old wooden churches. Prices are some of the lowest in Central Europe, and it’s reasonably-sized to really get a good feel for it in 7-10 days.
From the beautiful old town of Kosice to the stunning High Tatras mountain range in the north and the rolling hills & quaint villages inbetween, you’ll struggle not to a have a wholesome Slovakia experience. Oh, and the food is also surprisingly delectable and underrated, especially if you love a hearty meal.
Getting there
You can often find low-cost flights operating to Bratislava at the western end and Kosice in the east. Alternatively you can fly into Vienna, Krakow or Budapest and make your way across to Slovakia – it combines perfectly with any of its neighbours as a central European road trip.
More Info
Check out the travel guide to Slovakia’s Road Trip Itinerary to help you plan your holiday.
Albania
Best for: Beaches, outdoors and historic sites.
Rising up from its turbulent past and poor reputation, Albania is a rough diamond country generously blessed with pristine sandy beaches that rival Greece, dramatic Balkan mountainscapes, deep river canyons and fascinating history. Not to mention the very respectable cuisine, ample fresh seafood and the thousands of abandoned bunkers all over the country that alone make it stand out from the rest.
And all this at less than half the expenses of visiting its more glamorous seaside neighbours Croatia and Greece.
A road trip in Albania can be a mix of the seaside (consider the sandy Albanian Riviera in the south), and inland with its historic Ottoman towns like Berat and Gjirokastra, and mountainous terrain split by gorges and valleys.
Driving in Albania can at times be a little hairy thanks to the locals’ loose attitude to road rules. But with a little extra care, you’ll be fine.
Getting there
Fly into Tirana Airport. Or alternatively you could fly into Greece’s Corfu Island and take the ferry across to Sarande. You could even drive across from Croatia or mainland Greece as part of the wider trip, or take a slow ferry across from Italy’s Bari
More Info
My guide to the Perfect Albania Road Trio Itinerary can help you plan a road trip in the country’s southern half.
Montenegro
Best for: Stunning nature, sandy beaches and fjords.
Another Balkan hidden gem, Montenegro is a small mountainous country with lush national parks and a gorgeous Adriatic coastline – complete with sandy beaches and its very own fjords. Previously joined with Serbia and Yugoslavia before that, Montenegro is a young country having only gained independence in 2006.
The Montenegrin coast is indisputably beautiful – boasting both some of the most dramatic scenery and the sandiest beaches of the Adriatic Sea. Montenegro’s biggest coastal gem is the UNESCO-designated Kotor, situated on a picturesque fjord and boasting a walled fortress.
For the best value however, head inland. The Durmitor National Park is a stunning work of Mother Nature with its large blue lake, deep gorges, dramatic mountains and just so much outdoor potential.
Tip: As places like Kotor and Perast become increasingly popular day trip destinations from Croatia, I recommend avoiding July or August if you prefer to visit when it’s less busy.
Getting there
For the widest selection of flights, you could fly into Croatia’s Dubrovnik and cross from there into Montenegro. The country does have its own international airports in Podgorica (the capital) and Tivat on the coast, however the range of direct destinations isn’t very big at the moment. Air Serbia offers some good connection options via Belgrade.
Lithuania
Best for: Beautiful old towns, quiet sandy beaches and potato enthusiasts.
Lithuania is often seen as a fairly indistinct European country that tends to be overlooked as a travel destination. But the Baltic country has more than enough unique and interesting quirks and places that can make for a great road trip. Maybe it’s the unspoilt sandy coastline, the colourful Old Towns of Vilnius and Kaunas, the fairytale Trakai Castle or the interesting pagan heritage. Or the country’s obsession with potato dishes and basketball. Perhaps a mix of all the above.
Being relatively small and in the Geographic centre of Europe, Lithuania makes for an excellent shorter-distance road trip in the warmer months of the year. And as an added bonus, it’s still very affordable for European standards!
Also, if you always fancied the idea of cruising on a hot air balloon, Lithuania is one of the cheapest places in Europe to offer the experience. You can soar at sunrise over the Lithuanian countryside, the Trakai Castle or even one of the major cities.
A road trip across Lithuania can be as short as 4-5 days and you can still combine its unspoilt coastline with one of Vilnius or Kaunas, for a great combo of sea and land. And everything in between.
Getting there
You can fly into either the capital Vilnius or the second city Kaunas. There are plenty of low-cost flights from right across Europe. Thanks to Lithuania’s size, you can visit any part of the country within a reasonable driving distance from either of these airports.
More Info
For a detailed Lithuania road trip itinerary, check out the Hidden Gem Guide to Unmissable Lithuania Experiences
Slovenia
Best for: Outstanding & diverse nature, an interesting blend of Slavic and western cultures.
I’m mightily jealous of Slovenians. The diversity of natural beauty is ridiculous for such a small country, Slovenia has been blessed with the stunning Julian Alps extending across from the Dolomites, gorgeous lakes, its own piece of Adriatic coastline and wine valleys no less picturesque. No wonder the locals love their outdoors so much.
Slovenia is the perfect country for outdoor enthusiasts, from the hiking opportunities of Triglav National Park to the cyclists exporing the hilltop villages of the vineyard-rich Vipava Valley.
Even their capital Ljubljana is a pleasant city to enjoy for a few days.
It’s a small country, so you can get a sense of its best offerings in as little as a week. And while living standards have largely caught up with Western Europe, food and accommodation remain pretty affordable.
Getting there
You could fly directly into Ljubljana, but the flights can be on the pricey side. So a nice alternative might be a low-cost flight into Italy’s Trieste or Croatia’s Zagreb, Pula and Rijeka airports. All are roughly 2 hours drive from central Slovenia and crossing the border is simple within the EU.
More Info
For a better idea of what to expect in Slovenia, read my guide to visiting Slovenia’s Julian Alps as well as the Italian Dolomites by bike. It can easily double up as a road trip itinerary.
Georgia
Best for: Stunning and varied nature, wonderful cuisine, friendly people and fascinating history.
Some say Georgia is Europe, others say it’s Asia. The truth is: it’s both. Georgia is on the periphery of Europe and Central Asia and that’s one of the many things that makes this country so unique and interesting as a road trip destination.
The best way to describe Georgia is it’s like if Italy was condensed and spiced up with a touch of Asia, then dipped in Soviet cultural influence for a couple generations.
The relatively small country consists of mountains as stunning as the Alps, wine valleys, the Black Sea coast, a myriad of ancient hilltop castles and churches and pretty spa towns. Georgians are some of the friendliest people in the world and won’t fail to surprise you with their level of hospitality. It’s a real gastronomical gem, too – with a love for cheese, rich spices, meats, beans and nuts making it very unique and delightful.
The beautiful capital Tbilisi is a wonderful place to base for a few days, eating yourself to a food coma and relaxing in the local sulphur springs inbetween.
Getting there
There are more and more direct flights now available from Europe to the capital Tbilisi. Kutaisi, the second city, also has some connections at sometimes very affordable prices from Europe.
More Info
There is much to plan for a Georgian road trip – so check out my Georgia Travel Guide guide to help you.
I hope this affordable European road trip travel guide has inspired you to choose your next memorable holiday. If you’ve been on your own European hidden gem adventures and wouldn’t mind sharing, I’d love to hear about what country to explore by car next. Leave a comment below!
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