Top Five Roads to Drive in Europe

Where are the best roads to drive in Europe?

For some, there is nothing quite like enjoying spectacular views and scenery from the comfort of their own car. At Gatwick Car and Van Hire, we have compiled a list of what we believe to be the most spectacular of ‘Top Five Roads to Drive in Europe’, for budding road trippers and scenery pundits alike.

• The Amalfi Coast (Italy)

Infamous for wedging drivers tightly between its steep rocky walls and oncoming tour buses, the pass is not for the faint hearted. But with some of the most spectacular views Italy and, we believe, the rest of Europe has to offer, the cautious driving style you need to adopt on the SS 163 Amalfitana is a minute price to pay. With clear blue sea and skies as far as the eye can see, this road takes atmospheric to a whole new level, and itself alone is worth going to Italy for.

• The Atlantic Ocean Road (Norway)

This spectacular road is set atop the sea in the midwest part of the Norwegian coastline, offering 5.1 miles of pure, unadulterated bliss for your inner adrenaline junkie. Though seemingly barbaric from certain angles, the sheer rush of the teetering-on-the-edge feeling drivers will experience coupled with the far-reaching views all around is worth every dip, curving bridge and rising splash of the waves.

• Moyenne Corniche (Monaco)

Spanning from Nice to Menton on the Italian border, this stretch of road is arguably one of the most romantic in the world, with visitors including the likes of Princess Grace of Monaco herself. Named colloquially as the ‘corniche’ (coastal road), and at 31 km in length, this is a modern road joined onto the side of the cliffs, with exceptional views of the Riviera’s calm blue sea, terracotta buildings and greenery.

• Furka Pass, Central Swiss Alps (Switzerland)

Famous for its use in the James Bond film Goldfinger, this particular route is an exceptionally high mountain pass in the Swiss Alps, with an elevation of 2,429 metres (7,969 ft). The route offers stunning views of snow-topped mountains, between which its very own tunnel – the Furka Tunnel – winds in and out. Since it’s in one of the snowiest parts of Switzerland, the pass is closed in winter due to the sheer magnitude of the snow and ice making it just too dangerous to drive on, but during the warmer months this route really should not be missed.

• Transfagarasan Highway (Romania)

Rising to an exceptional height of 2,134 metres and made up of a series of hairpin turns, the speed limit of this particular road is set at a strict 25mph. The route’s origins as a military pass created in the 1970s lend themselves to its history-steeped reputation. With more viaducts and tunnels than any other route in Romania, this road is well-deserved of its recent naming by the programme Top Gear as the best road in the world.

At Gatwick Car Hire and Rental, we put the fun back into driving, keeping you safe and functional in our selection of high quality motors so you can enjoy every trip you make. Contact us today for more information or to hire one of our reliable vehicles for your next trip.