You can easily extend your road trip to a week and include a few days in each of the two National Parks.
If you do, note the entrance fee for National Parks, but happily, there’s no entrance fee for the Blue Ridge Parkway, this gem of a National Scenic Byway!
The first day of this Blue Ridge Parkway drive takes you from Shenandoah National Park to Buena Vista, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway.
You’ll enter the Blue Ridge Parkway through the North Entrance and spend about 2 hours driving and exploring it.
This is a short day in terms of stops on the Blue Ridge Parkway, so use that extra time to explore more of Shenandoah National Park first or enjoy a late start to your day.
Stay at Buena Vista Motel for a retro motel experience that doesn’t break the bank. It’s good for one night and just a short detour of 5 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway!
Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park is a beautiful park with lots of opportunities for hiking, as well as smaller and multi day hikes.
Before entering the Blue Ridge Parkway, you can spend up to 6 hours driving the Skyline Drive, hiking, enjoying the waterfalls and outlooks as a first encounter with the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Overlooks
Stop at all or at least a lot of the overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway, as they offer grand views on the mountains and valleys below.
See for yourself why they’re called the Blue Ridge Mountains in this gorgeous portion of the Appalachian Mountains!
Old Logging Railroad
Stop at this old railroad which leads into the woods: it’s hauntingly beautiful and a great spot for photos.
It’s a reconstruction of part of the railroad, which was originally built in 1919-1920. There were lots of these railroads in the mountains to carry the logs to the mill, which you can now visit today.
Day 2: Buena Vista to Fancy Gap
Yesterday was a short drive, but today is a long day of driving, with more mesmerizing views all day long!
The day from start to finish takes about 11 hours of sightseeing, hiking, and driving.
Start your day with breakfast at Hardee’s in Buena Vista to get you fueled up for the day!
Certainly, you should make a quick stop at Roanoke Valley overlook, Pine Spur overlook and Devils Backbone overlook, all for the great views. For lunch, have a picnic at one of the many overlooks.
End your day at Fancy Gap with a stay at Fancy Gap Cabins and Campground.
It’s a lovely place to stay with a kind owner, and it’s directly on the Parkway, with a beautiful view of the mountains with fireflies, wild rabbits, and deer to entertain yourself with spotting.
Natural Bridge
Natural Bridgeis about 15 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Spend about 3 hours here, admiring the Natural Bridge. The bridge is high and you can walk underneath it.
After the Natural Bridge, the paved path goes on and leads through rebuilt homes and tents from the Indigenous inhabitants of the area.
Learn about how the Monacan people originally lived in this land today and its cultural importance to the tribe today.
Enjoy the butterflies and the creek you walk along on the path. At the end, you can gawk at the view at the Bridge Entrance & Gift Shop.
Roanoke River Trail
Stop at the Thunder Ridge Pedestrian Overlook at the Blue Ridge Parkway. From here, two short hikes are possible.
The overlook is 1,000 feet away from the parking area: it’s a loop trail that takes about 10 minutes. The overlook has a gorgeous, wide view.
You can also opt to do the 20-minute Roanoke River Trail, a hike along rocky cliffs above a river gorge.
Take in the beautiful nature and enjoy the man-made waterfall.
Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center
Stop at the Visitor Center, which is located just two miles from the parkway.
Here, you’ll find all sorts of information about how the mountains come into being, the beautiful nature and what there all is to do along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The information is provided by the NPS, which manages the parkway. Take about 20 to 30 minutes for this stop.
Rail Fences and Mabry Mill
At Groundhog Hill Picnic Area, there’s a barn that you can climb to have a 360-degree view on the surrounding area.
Next to that, the NPS has built several different rail fences here.
These are the rail fences that you can find along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Spend about 5 to 10 minutes here.
Other great attractions along this stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway road trip are Mabry Mill and Virginia’s Explore Park.
Day 3: Fancy Gap to Canton
This day takes about 12 hours, depending on whether you end your day at Canton or a little further along in Asheville.
On this day, you cross the border from Virginia to North Carolina.
Along the way, Cumberland Knob, High Piney Spur Overlook, Rough Ridge Overlook, and Grandview Overlook are worth a short stop for the views.
Have a picnic at the Blowing Rock for lunch, and for dinner, enjoy something to eat at Mt. Mitchell State Park Restaurant. The restaurant offers comfort food with a stunning view.
End the day by watching the sunset at one of the overlooks along the parkway.
For the night, stay at the Pisgah Inn, directly on the parkway and often fully booked.
If there’s no vacancy, drive further and overnight at Best Western Asheville Tunnel Road.
This place has great views of the surrounding mountains and a swimming pool in case you want to go for a morning swim the next day!
There are also a ton of cozy cabins in Asheville that make a great place to lay your head at night.
Northwest Trading Post
This is a nice stop for local goodies and souvenirs, with different vendors each year.
Stroll around the store, stock up on sweets and bread, grab some picnic supplies, and buy some local souvenirs for your loved ones back home.
The Blowing Rock
This is a rock with a story, which you can learn all about at the center next to the rock.
It’s about 3 miles away from the Blue Ridge Parkway and well worth the detour.
Spend about an hour at this legendary cliff with an amazing view, have a picnic lunch, and spend some time climbing on rocks.
The rock is known for its strong wind gusts (hence the name!), so be careful!
Grandfather Mountain
Set aside about 2 hours for your visit to Grandfather Mountain. It’s a 3.3-mile detour from the Parkway, and worth every minute of the stop!
The mountain is part State Park, part natural attraction, and fully worth the stop.
Go hiking here on the trails (especially the Cragway Trail), do a bit of rock climbing, or learn about the natural history and animals at the nature museum in the park.
Most of all, don’t miss the Mile High Swinging Bridge with its 360-degree views on the Blue Ridge Mountains!
The views on Grandfather Mountain are referenced to as the best views of the region and the Mile High Swinging Bridge is a real highlight of any Blue Ridge Parkway itinerary.
Mount Mitchell State Park
Mt. Mitchell is the highest peak east of the Mississippi, with an elevation of 6,648 feet.
It’s about 5 miles to the top by car, and here you can enjoy some fabulous views from the observation deck.
The state park is an International Biosphere Reserve, so the biodiversity here is incredible!
Learn the mountain’s cultural and natural history at the museum and go on a short hike near the summit.
Set aside 1 to 3 hours for the state park depending on whether you go for a hike and/or have dinner here at the restaurant as I suggested.
Other options to explore for this part of the Blue Ridge Parkway are:
Linville Falls Trail
Moses H. Cone Memorial Park
Southern Highland Craft Guild
Dutch Creek Trails
Julian Price Memorial Park
Linn Cove Viaduct
The Orchard at Altapass
Day 4: Canton to Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The last day of your Blue Ridge itinerary takes about 3 to 4 hours driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Stop at some more scenic overlooks for your last views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and spend the afternoon hiking at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, celebrating your arrival!
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
This is the most visited National Park of the country, with over 10 million visitors a year, double the number of visitors to the next most popular park, the Grand Canyon, and triple the number of visitors to Yellowstone!
The park is located both in the states of North Carolina and Tennessee. So adding a third state to your list can be done easily here if you’re counting your US states!
If you extend your road trip a bit, you can pay a visit to the Great Smoky Mountains in the Tennessee portion of the park.
Inside the park, there are 800 miles of hiking trails and a scenic highway through the park.
Other Options
Instead of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you can also explore Chimney Rock State Park with the Chimney Rock, or go to Sliding Rock on a beautiful day and have a swim.
Another option is to do the Craggy Pinnacle Hike at Craggy Gardens, or you could visit The Biltmore or the North Carolina Arboretum while in Asheville — the latter of which is a good place to visit in Asheville with kids!
Other options are Gorges State Park for the Rainbow Falls, climb Looking Glass Rock and be rewarded with incredible views, or go to the Folk Art Center.
If you want to continue into Georgia, there’s even more of the region to explore, from the best Blue Ridge GA restaurants to gorgeous hikes.
Conclusion
The Blue Ridge Parkway road trip can easily be divided into more days, if 12 hour days are too long for your liking, or if you want to include more of the attractions along the way.
However long you spend driving the Blue Ridge Parkway, it’s well worth your time no matter what!
Author Bio
Cosette is a seasoned traveler who has traveled to various countries with her husband and son. She blogs about road trips, family travel, and cultural experiences on her blog KarsTravels. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
If you’re looking for the best way to experience summer on the East Coast, it’s got to be driving the beautiful coast of Maine.
With over 4,000 islands and the most coastline of any state in the United States, road tripping the coast of Maine is a bucket list item if there ever was one!
Taking a Maine coast road trip encompasses everything that is quintessentially New England in summer, from its seafood shacks to its charming coastal towns to its sandy beaches on the pristine Atlantic coast.
This road trip itinerary includes plenty of scenic Maine coastal drives, small towns worthy of day trips, and yes — plenty of beach time!
This post was first published on August 30, 2021 shortly after my Maine road trip. It was updated August 8, 2023 to reflect updated accommodation suggestions and some additional tips for visiting Maine in 2023. If you have any feedback or suggested updates, please leave a comment below!
What to Know Before Planning a Maine Road Trip
Summer is Maine’s high season, and you will seriously need to book ahead — especially for accommodations at the beginning (Ogunquit/Kennebunkport) and end (Acadia National Park) of this Maine itinerary.
The rental car madness continues into 2022, so know that car rentals can be sparse and expensive at Maine airports. You’ll get a better price on your car rental if you fly into Boston and drive up to Maine — and flights will likely be cheaper, too!
When I visited in 2021, the labor shortage was very noticeable in many Maine small towns, with several restaurants closed or having limited hours, despite it being the high season. This may continue into 2022, so be flexible when it comes to planning restaurants — always have a backup idea!
Acadia National Park requires reservations to access Cadillac Summit Road, which you can get here for $6 on recreation.gov, in addition to any national park fees (Tip: if you visit several national parks a year, you can buy the America the Beautiful Annual Pass to waive those fees — it’s only $80 for an entire vehicle for a year!)
Maine summers can be extremely humid. Prepare accordingly. You may want to swap out some hikes with some beach time, etc. depending on the forecast!
The next section of the post details information about planning your coastal Maine road trip itinerary, including getting to Maine, renting a car, and where to stay along the way. If you’ve got that covered, skip ahead to the itinerary here
How This Maine Itinerary Works
This road trip begins in Southern Maine and ends in Northern Maine. It assumes you are within driving distance of Maine and are bringing your own car.
When I did this Maine road trip, I flew to Boston, Massachusetts from San Francisco. My friend came down to meet me in Boston, where we spent two days, and then we drove up to Maine from Boston.
If you do this Maine road trip from Boston, I suggest renting a car in advance from Boston Logan International Airport. They have the best rates and their location is convenient for the city.
Booking a rental car? I always search using Discover Cars, which sifts through 500+ rental agencies to compare prices for your rental. Find the best prices for car rentals here!
From Boston to the first stop on this coastal Maine is only an hour and a half drive, so it’s easy enough to start your trip there.
From the end of this itinerary, you could return your rental car in Bangor (the nearest airport to the final stop, Acadia National Park) or you could drive back to Boston if that’s better on your budget.
One-way rentals are often really pricy, so while this definitely adds time and mileage to your trip, it may be worth it for the cost savings.
The drive directly from Acadia National Park to Boston is about 5 hours with normal traffic, though it may be worse on weekends or holidays.
You can also fly into Portland, ME or Bangor, ME and rent a car in Maine if you want to do less driving and don’t mind paying a little extra for a flight.
Where to Stay in Maine
This itinerary is crafted to be customizable to your personal travel style. Depending on how you prefer to road trip, you can adjust it.
I personally hate moving hotels every night, so I crafted this Maine itinerary with this in might, so that wouldn’t be strictly necessary.
However, if you do the itinerary this way, you may have to do a little more driving in between each stop and that may also involve a small amount of backtracking.
Alternately, you could move hotels each night to keep moving without backtracking quite so much.
(No matter what, to some extent some backtracking is unavoidable due to the unconnected peninsulas and islands you’ll visit, particularly in Midcoast Maine.)
Here are two ways you could do it:
Night
Option 1 (Fewer Stops)
Option 2 (More Stops)
1
Ogunquit or Kennebunkport
Ogunquit
2
Ogunquit or Kennebunkport
Kennebunkport
3
Portland
Portland
4
Portland
Portland
5
Brunswick or Bath
Brunswick or Bath
6
Brunswick or Bath
Brunswick or Bath
7
Camden
Rockland
8
Camden
Camden
9
Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor
10
Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor
Recommended Accommodations in Maine
Since there are so many places you could possibly stay along this Maine road trip itinerary, I’ll make each assessment rather brief — you can click through to see more photos and details of each hotel.
Note: I didn’t get a chance to stay at any of these hotels personally, since I was staying with a friend based in Brunswick, which we used as a base for our Maine road trip!
Ogunquit: Colonial Inn (a historic hotel in the heart of town, a 5-minute walk from the beach) or Meadowmere Resort (a large hotel and resort a 10-minute walk from the beach with pool, hammam, and sauna amenities)
Kennebunkport: AWOL Kennebunkport(a modern, private boutique getaway with lush garden surroundings and stunning interior design) or King’s Port Inn (a charming historic inn located in downtown near Dock Square, a 20-minute walk from beaches)
Portland: Hyatt Place – Old Port (a modern, luxurious stay in the heart of the best neighborhood in Portland, the Old Port) or Aloft Portland (a funky boutique hotel a short walk from the Old Port and the Portland Museum of Art)
Brunswick: The Brunswick Hotel (a charming historic hotel in downtown Brunswick along Noble Street with an on-site restaurant) or OneSixtyFive, The Inn on Park Row (a beautifully restored inn in a historic property with a private garden for guests)
Bath: Pryor House B&B (a lovely, homey B&B with fantastic hosts, with great hospitality and attention to detail) orBenjamin F. Packard House B&B (another wonderful B&B with excellent hosts, delicious breakfasts, and a peaceful garden to relax in)
Rockland: Rockland Harbor Hotel (a harbor-front hotel a short walk from the Farnsworth Museum and other downtown amenities) or 250 Main (a modern 3-star hotel with gorgeous decor and beautiful city and sea views)
Camden: Lord Camden Inn(a stunning harborside hotel in downtown Camden, with a fitness center and other amenities) or The Belmont Inn(a luxurious inn with beautiful architecture, decor, and a garden, as well as a tasty daily breakfast)
Bar Harbor: Chiltern Inn (a romantic and elegant inn, perfect for a bit of luxury after national park exploration) or The Inn on Mount Desert (a more down-to-earth inn with amenities like a fire pit and pool table)
Your 10 Day Coastal Maine Road Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Ogunquit
Southern Maine is home to some of the few sand beaches along the Maine coast, which tends to trend rockier as it goes further north.
York, Ogunquit, and Kennebunkport are the three most popular beach getaways in Southern Maine – and in this itinerary, we’ll cover the latter two.
These three beach destinations tend to be quite busy with day and weekend trippers from New York, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, since it’s a relatively short distance from other points in New England.
A general rule of thumb: the further south you are in Maine, the busier it’ll be – with the exception of Acadia National Park, of course.
I didn’t get a chance to visit York on this trip, but I did get to see both Ogunquit and Kennebunkport.
I have to say that I preferred Kennebunkport, but my time in Ogunquit wasn’t ideal as the remnants of a tropical storm were blowing through (which is why I’m using primarily stock & other people’s photography in this section — my photos are really dark and gloomy!)
Drive to Ogunquit.
The first destination on our whistle-stop tour of the Maine coastline is the charming seaside hamlet of Ogunquit.
Frankly, my experience with Ogunquit was subpar, simply for the fact that the remnants of Tropical Storm Fred made there be a total downpour during my stay in the town. It rained to the point of flooding: hardly what you want on a beach getaway!
However, I did get to eat a meal in Ogunquit and browse some of the shops and restaurants, so here is what I recommend you do when in Ogunquit.
Walk the Marginal Way.
Photo Credit: Dumphasizer via Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
First things first: parking in Ogunquit can be a bit of a nightmare. The parking gets worth the further out towards Perkins Cove you drive.
As you drive towards the pier area, there is a very small municipal lot where you can park for $4 per hour… and that’s assuming you can find a spot! We had no such luck, and it wasn’t even a weekend.
More likely, you’ll have to pay $25 for a day pass for private parking. Alternately, you can park in a municipal lot up the road, also at $4 per hour, but then there is a lot of walking. We parked here at Obed’s Lot.
The Marginal Way stretches from the area near Obed’s Lot to Perkins Cove. I suggest parking at Obed’s Lot because it has a lot more space and the walk along Marginal Way along the coast is spectacular!
Admire all the beautiful buildings of Ogunquit on this peaceful coastal walk that passes Little Beach and Israels Head on a one-mile coastal walkway. It takes about 20 minutes to reach Perkins Cove.
Explore the Perkins Cove and Harbor area.
Once you arrive in Perkins Cove — either via Marginal Way or driving directly to Perkins Cove and parking — it’s time to explore the charms of Ogunquit, particularly the harbor area around Perkins Cove. Here are a few shops worth stopping in.
Whistling Oyster for whimsical and beautiful jewelry inspired by the sea
Perkins Cove Pottery Shop has gorgeous ceramic pieces for the home — it’s hard not to leave without something
Blue Whale Trading Company for beautifully curated pieces from local New England artists
Have the first of many seafood meals.
Photo Credit: Jasperdo via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
When it comes time for lunch, hit up The Lobster Shack – it has the best reviews of any restaurant in Ogunquit and good prices to boot given what’s on offer.
I didn’t heed my own advice as the Lobster Shack was totally full when we visited and we had to make alternate plans!
It was pouring rain and we couldn’t find parking downtown, so we hopped back in the car and headed to Rose CoveRestaurant. I ordered the fried haddock tacos and they were just OK. Honestly, I wouldn’t go back.
This manually operated drawbridge is one of the biggest draws to Perkins Cove — just look how cute it is!
Take a stroll over the bridge to complete your walk of Perkins Cove and see it from the other side for perspective (and photo opps!).
Spend the day on Ogunquit Beach.
Time for your first of a handful of sandy beaches in Maine! The main (ha) reason why people come to Ogunquit is for its enormous stretch of sandy shoreline… an anomaly in the mostly rocky coastline of Maine.
The powdery sand and gentle waves mean that Ogunquit Beach is a great place for families who are looking for some calm water to wade in and soft sand to luxuriate on.
If you want more seafood, head back to Perkins Cove for one of the other delicious restaurants. Other recommended places in the area include Footbridge Lobster and The Trap.
If you want something different, the Front Porch has a wide variety of sandwiches and entrées for a break from seafood.
Day 2: Kennebunkport
Spend the day on Gooch’s Beach.
I hope you didn’t have too much beach time yesterday… because it’s time for what is, in my opinion, one of the best beaches in Maine!
Gooch’s Beach in Kennebunkport is simply stunning.
Lots of sandy coastline means that you can walk nearly a mile on the sand, the cool Atlantic water lapping at your ankles.
Note that the beach is on the narrow side and that during high tide, there can be very little room on the sand for towels!
There is more room on the north side of the beach, as this is where the beach is wider.
Another caveat: parking here is rather pricy, at $25 for a day pass for street parking using one of the meters or the Passport app.
We found it worth it, but if you are staying in a hotel in the area, you may be able to walk instead.
Parking here at Gooch’s will also allow you free parking access to Middle Beach and Mother’s Beach, as it is all one zone.
So you can beach hop to all three Kennebunkport beaches… but frankly, Gooch’s is the best by a decent margin!
Have lunch at the Clam Shack.
Once you’ve soaked up a lot of salt air and need a break from roasting yourself in the sun, head back into downtown Kennebunkport for a delicious seafood meal at The Clam Shack.
Skip their lobster rolls: they’re trifling (who the hell puts a lobster roll on a hamburger bun?! Team hot dog bun for life).
The offending lobster roll.
But their fried clams are what they’re known for, and that’s absolutely what you should order.
Their fries and coleslaw aren’t half-bad, either!
Walk around the wharf and harbor.
Once you’ve had a filling meal, digest a little with a walk around the cute downtown area of Kennebunkport.
This area is pretty lively in the summer as well as winter, when you’ll find the festivities for Christmas Prelude, the celebration of Christmas in Kennebunkport Maine.
Since you’re already at the Clam Shack, start with a little wander around the wharf and marina area, where the Kennebunk River heads out to sea.
There are lots of beautiful buildings along this harbor area and the sailboats in the marina are beautiful when they bob in the waves.
Shop around the cute downtown of Kennebunkport.
There are also a lot of shops and galleries you could explore. A few places we enjoyed were:
Dock Square Coffee House for an iced coffee pick-me-up after lots of time in the sun
The Candyman for homemade fudge, salt water taffy, truffles, and all sorts of other sweet goodness!
Fine Print Booksellers for a small but thoughtful selection of books that are perfect for beach reading
Drive to Point Walker.
Kennebunkport is famous for its Bush Compound summer home – you’ll see all sorts of Bush family regalia all over the town.
They take it pretty seriously – even the Clam Shack is shilling Barbara Bush’s book!
If you’re curious to cast an eye on where the Bushes spend their summers, drive to Point Walker, about 10 minutes from downtown Kennebunkport.
It’s absolutely stunning and you’ll be able to spot the Bush compound from here.
Have dinner at one of Kennebunkport’s finest.
Once you’ve had your fill of sightseeing, sand, and sun, it’s time to start thinking dinner. Luckily, Kennebunkport is a really thriving and bustling seaside town, and there are a lot of options.
So far, I’ve had you overdosing on seafood, so I’ll be sure to include a non-seafood option for dinner.
(And don’t worry – the next two days bring us to Portland, for a respite on seafood, before diving back into the seafood mania as we head up the coast!).
Alisson’s Restaurant: while I may be biased to the name, this gets the best consistent reviews in town and it’s located conveniently right in Dock Square. They’re famous for their lobster poutine, which is just as decadent as it sounds! They also have lobster pizza and lobster mac ‘n cheese. It’s as Maine as it gets!
Chez Rosa for casual, French-inspired seafood like moules frites as well as non-seafood options like beef bourgignon and French onion soup.
Old Vines Wine Bar for expertly curated wines and small plates so you can sample your way through a delicious dinner.
Day 3: Portland
Have breakfast at Becky’s Diner.
Photo Credit: Jimmy Emerson, DVM via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
One of Portland’s main institutions is Becky’s Diner, and you can’t go wrong following the crowds to eat one of th best, heartiest breakfasts in Portland!
Lines can be long, so arrive early and expect to wait. Don’t miss their wild blueberry pancakes!
Wander around the Old Port.
Becky’s Diner is a short walk from the Old Port neighborhood, so it’s time for a short walking tour of this charming part of town!
There are a lot of cool sights in this area; let me list a few favorites.
First, walk to the fisherman’s wharf area with lots of lobster traps and quintessential New England fisherman vibes.
If you walk from J’s Oysters via the back alleyway to Harbor Fish Market (also a great stop!), you’ll see this view that seems right out of a painting!
Another favorite area in the Old Port is the one stretch of street that remains cobblestoned with beautiful buildings surrounding it (pictured above at the start of this section).
You can find the cobblestoned street pictured above at the intersection of Fore Street and Silver Street but there are some other cobblestone streets around on the side streets in the area.
Getting hungry for a mid-morning snack? Grab Maine-style potato donuts (odd — and frankly not a favorite — but unique to Maine) at The Holy Donut.
Take a harbor cruise.
There are a few short cruises you can take that depart from the Old Port that explore beautiful Casco Bay.
While there are many islands you can access from Portland, on this coastal Maine itinerary we unfortunately don’t have time for that – even with 10 days in Maine!
Next up on this itinerary is a brewery tour at 3 PM – but you don’t want to sample Portland’s best brews on an empty stomach!
Let’s grab a bite to eat in the Old Port area first so that you can remain conscious for the rest of this Maine itinerary!
There are a number of great restaurants in the Old Port area. Here are our top recommendations for you to choose from:
Duckfat for delicious French fries fried in — you guessed it! — duck fat. Double up on the indulgence by having it as poutine, Canadian-style with cheese curds and gravy.
Eventide Oyster Co. for tasty fresh oysters from all up and down New England as well as delicious lobster rolls
The Thirsty Pig for tasty homemade sausages paired with excellent local beers
Go on a brewery tour.
Maine is burgeoning as a craft beer destination, and Portland is at the very heart of it! There are a number of breweries in Portland proper, as well as many breweries elsewhere in Maine that have pubs and offerings in Portland.
You could do a self-guided tour of a few of Portland’s breweries, but frankly, it’s a lot more fun to do a brewery crawl!
This brewery tour starts at 3 PM and will take you to several of the best breweries in Portland on a guided walking tour.
You’ll get to sample several beers at each stop and see a great representative sampling of the Portland, Maine brewing scene.
After all those beers, it’s time to sober up with a walk through one of Portland’s most scenic and beautiful communities: Munjoy Hill.
Yes, it is a hill, and it is a bit steep, but it’s really worth the walk as this is one of the coolest neighborhoods in Portland.
Once you reach the crest of Munjoy Hill, there is a cool observatory tower called the Portland Observatory.
It’s a historic maritime signal tower that was built in 1807, and it’s the only remaining tower of this type made of wood known in the United States!
Bonus: there’s also a museum inside, and you can ascend the observatory tower for fantastic views over all of Portland! It costs $10 and includes a tour.
Note: If you do the brewery tour, you will arrive here too late to do the tour as the tower closes at 4:30 PM, but you can see the exterior and maybe head back here on another day if you want to ascend the top and do the museum tour
Head down to the water’s edge.
Once you arrive down at the water, you’ll find the Cleeve-Tucker Memorial marking the end of Portland’s East End neighborhood.
Along the water’s edge, you’ll find a lot of cool food trucks here!
There’s also East End Beach (rather a small beach, but it is possible to go for a dip here) and Fort Allen Park, which offer incredible views over Casco Bay.
Have a delicious dinner in Portland.
As you can see, Portland is all about eating your way through the city!
I’ve already recommended a lot of places above, so you can choose from one of the other sections.
If you want other suggestions, I’d pick: Sichuan Kitchen for delightfully authentic “ma la” spicy Chinese food from the Sichuan province, Boda for Thai street-style eats, or Central Provisions for trendy cocktails and small plates.
Day 4: Portland
Spend the morning on Washington Ave.
Like its West Coast sister city of the same name, Portland, ME is becoming a hipster-topia.
Nowhere else is that more obvious than on Washington Avenue in South Portland!
Start the day with a delicious breakfast at Portland Pottery Café, a hybrid pottery shop and café.
Their biscuits and gravy is obscenely large and obscenely delicious!
They also have a selection of great sandwiches if you’re not feeling particularly breakfast-y.
The Figgy Piggy is also delicious: fig jam, prosciutto, what could go wrong?
Alternately, you could get a bagel at Forage, which looked really vibrant and popular with locals.
After breakfast, wander down Washington Avenue and explore some of the cool small businesses that have popped up here. Here are a few favorites.
Maine & Loire: a wine shop with a great selection of wines, though at a high price (I wish there were more mid-budget options)
The Cheese Shop of Portland: exactly what it sounds like — a delicious local cheese shop with a great selection
Maine Mead Works for mead (a fermented drink made of honey water!) and Oxbow for beers, particularly their sours
Drive to Portland Head Light House.
Located in Fort Williams Park, the Portland Head Lighthouse is an absolute can’t-miss on any Maine itinerary.
Of all the lighthouses in Maine I saw, this one was my favorite!
The lighthouse is exquisite and there is a coastal trail where you can see a few different viewpoints of the lighthouse with different compositions, which is great for photographers.
There is also a cliff trail that goes on the other side of it, and there is an area where you can walk down to the beach if you want to swim in the water with lighthouse views behind you!
There are also a handful of food trucks in the area: I saw one gelato shop and two lobster shack style restaurants selling seafood sandwiches and fried seafood.
However, I have you getting lunch at the next destination, so only grab something to eat if you’re super hungry or planning to skip the next destination on this list.
Parking is $2 per hour with a minimum of 2 hours (so effectively $4 – honestly, you won’t really want to spend more than two hours here, and even that is pushing it).
Have lunch at Two Lights in Cape Elizabeth.
Two Lights is the name of both a lighthouse and a state park in the Cape Elizabeth area south of Portland.
Two Lights is so named because there are two lighthouses that look almost like twins about 300 meters from each other.
You can see them at the same time, but they are not as close together as I expected.
If you want something to eat, I recommend heading towards The Lobster Shack at Two Lights.
Near the seafood shack, there is a small coastal path where you can walk out to get a better view of the lighthouses as well as a small cove where you could swim if you’ve brought your bathing suit.
Visit the Arts District and Portland Art Museum.
After exploring the Southern Portland area, it’s time to head back to downtown Portland: particularly the Arts District which is centered around the Portland Museum of Art.
This is one of my favorite areas in all of Portland. It’s artsy and funky, it’s full of great local small businesses, and there’s a lot of old-fashioned architecture given new life by the upstart businesses occupying there.
Here are a few of my favorite places in the Arts District area:
Speckled Ax for wood-roasted coffee — it’s quite unique, I haven’t had anything like it!
Yes Books for a wonderful selection of secondhand books
Flea For All for a great flea market on Fridays and Saturdays
After strolling around the Arts District area, you may or may not want to go to the Portland Museum of Art, depending on time, budget, and your interest in art.
The next activity on this list is also a museum, so you may want to opt for one over the other.
Portland Art Museum costs $18 and contains art ranging from 18th century works through to contemporary art.
Do a tour of Victoria Mansion.
The next place is a short walk away from the Portland Museum of Art but it feels a world away!
While the Portland Museum of Art is rather contemporary, the Victoria Mansion is elegant and old-fashioned, almost untouched over the last 200 years.
You can take a tour of the mansion – the final tour finishes at 3:50 PM (summer hours), or you can just check it out from outside if you are on a budget or are not interested in seeing the interior museum.
Tours are required and tickets cost $16. Booking in advance is recommended, particularly on weekends and rainy days.
Explore the neighborhood.
The area around Victoria Mansion is perhaps even more beautiful than the mansion itself!
This is where I found virtually all of my favorite buildings in Portland.
Don’t miss the rainbow-colored row of townhouses (formerly carriage houses, I believe) which are just kitty-corner from Victoria Mansion.
It looks almost like Rue Cremieux in Paris, minus the crowds!
Eat in downtown or head back to Washington Ave for drinks and dinner.
After a full day exploring downtown Portland, you have two areas where you could get a delicious dinner.
If you don’t want to leave the downtown area you’re currently in, here are the places I suggest: Bao Bao Dumpling House (a few blocks away from Victoria Mansion) or Sichuan Kitchen.
Alternately, you can head back to Washington Avenue for some more exploration of this charming part of town! There are a lot of great restaurants that are open for dinner here, many of which are Portland favorites.
Duckfat for poutine if you didn’t already have it at the other branch in Old Port.
Cong Tu Bot for delicious Vietnamese food like bun cha (pork patties served with herbs and dipping sauce)
Terlingua for Mexican food
Day 5: Mid-Coast Maine (Freeport, Brunswick, Harpswell & Islands)
Stop at the outlets in Freeport.
If you want to do a little morning shopping, head to the town of Freeport which is known for its outlets and massive L.L. Bean.
Take a photo with the giant Bean Boot — it’s cheesy, yes, but it’s a Maine must!
There are a number of good outlets, and I snagged a 40% off blazer at J. Crew, some of my favorite Smartwool socks from L.L. Bean… and tore myself away from the Loft outlet, because my credit card was weeping.
Take a stroll in Brunswick.
Brunswick is a delightful small city in Maine with a vibrant Maine Street (hopefully you enjoy the pun as much as I do) and great shopping and activities.
It’s home to Bowdoin College and as a result, there are a lot of businesses that cater to its large student population, and the town has a younger feel than other places in Maine.
There is a surprising amount to do in Brunswick!
Take a walk by the Sea Dog Brewing Company on the Frank J Wood bridge (stop and admire the falls on the other side) to the Topsham side of town, and then take the pedestrian swinging bridge over the river back to Brunswick.
On your way back, walk past Fort Andross (and pop into the flea market there), or go shopping on Maine Street.
Grab something to eat in Brunswick before you go: I suggest Sweet Angel for Thai!
It’s not on Maine Street, but it’s worth the detour.
Take a hike on Orr’s Island.
After you’ve grabbed something to eat in Brunswick, it’s time to burn off that lunch with a hike!
Devil’s Back in Orr’s Island sounds intense, but it’s a relatively easy hike that is incredibly beautiful.
It’s just 2.5-miles round trip with 200 feet of elevation gain, so rest easy that it’s not too strenuous!
Kayak around Bailey Island and stop at Cook’s for lunch.
If you haven’t exhausted yourself with all that hiking and eating, it’s time for one of my favorite things to do in Maine in summer: sea kayaking!
Luckily, you can rent kayaks easily at the rental company stand outside of Salt Cod Café, technically on Orr’s Island but located right next to the cool bridge to Bailey Island.
You could grab a bite to eat at Salt Cod Café, but I recommend saving your appetite for a delicious lobster feast at Cook’s after you kayaking!
Check out the Giant Steps and Land’s End for a great view.
Once you’ve returned your kayak and had a delicious lunch, it’s time to explore a bit more of Bailey Island.
Luckily the island is very small, so it’s pretty easy to see the best of Bailey Island in a quick visit.
First, head to the Giant Steps. This is a short trail where you can see some cool rock formations: a set of volcanic rocks that look like a staircase that perhaps could have been used by a giant!
After, drive to the end of Bailey Island at Land’s End.
Here, there is a small gift store, a memorial to drowned and lost fisherman, and stunning views of other islands further out in Casco Bay.
Finally, on your way back, be sure to stop at Mackerel Cove. This is one of the main harbors in Bailey Island and has an incredible view!
Grab ice cream at Pammy’s.
I know this coastal Maine itinerary is full of food… but that’s the kind of traveler I am (and I hope you are too!)
It may seem crazy to say ‘dessert first’ but I think the vibe of Pammy’s is even more fun during the day.
When we went there was some live music and it was really pleasant to sit in the pink-painted Adirondack chairs and admire Pammy’s vision for her ice cream shop.
I got the coffee heath bar sundae and it was DELICIOUS.
Have dinner at Dolphin Marina & Restaurant.
Finally, it’s time for dinner at one of my favorite restaurants in Maine: Dolphin Marina & Restaurant.
This is a spectacular place for sunset views because it’s out on one of Maine’s “fingers” and therefore is one of those rare East Coast spots that has a spectacular sunset view.
The food is also excellent. I had a jerk salmon sandwich with chili slaw and jammy roasted tomatoes – it was divine.
We also split the crab cakes, which I could have eaten a half dozen of…. easily.
I suggest getting to Dolphin Marina & Restaurant about 1.5-2 hours before sunset. It’s really busy and it takes a while to get your table.
Luckily, there is a great bar area and you can grab a drink while you wait and there are plenty of places to walk and sit with a drink while you wait.
Aim to finish up your meal just before sunset so you can take a walk on the grounds and admire views like those above!
Day 6: Mid-Coast Maine (Bath, Wiscasset, Damariscotta, Georgetown)
Head to the charming town of Bath.
Of all the towns in Maine to choose from, Bath is up there as one of the most charming.
Take a walk down Main Street, stop in some bookstores or shops, and peruse to your heart’s content.
If you’re thinking breakfast, I suggest just getting a small pastry from Cafe Creme or Mae’s Cafe & Bakery, because Maine’s largest lobster roll is waiting for you at our next stop!
Wander through Wiscasset.
Route 1 runs through it, and you could blink and miss it — but the charming town of Wiscasset is definitely worth the stop!
Wiscasset is one of those towns that is like a living museum.
There are a lot of information placards throughout the city that showcase all the different architectural styles and buildings and their historical importance.
Another cool place to visit in Wiscasset is the Butter Mold Company. It’s a very unique place where they still make butter molds from scratch.
Bonus: everything there smells like cinnamon and apple pie. The owner is also extremely nice and great to chat with.
Grab one of Maine’s most famous lobster rolls.
Wiscasset is best-known for its famous lobster shack, Red’s Eats. Frankly, there is always a huge line, and the price is not cheap.
The market price for a lobster roll was $35 when I went, compared to other places where it was $20-30!)…
… but their lobster rolls are massive, about double the size of other ones.
I made a mistake and didn’t wait in line at Red’s (I’m a bit contrarian about lines) and went to Sprague’s instead and got a crab roll.
It was disappointing. Do as I say, not as I do, unless you also like disappointment.
Shop in Damariscotta.
There are a bunch of great boutiques and art galleries in Damariscotta.
In fact, of all the places I shopped at in Maine (which was a devastatingly highly number), my favorite stores were in tiny little Damariscotta, and I evenwrote a whole post on this charming small town!
There’s a great brand-new store called Wildings that I highly recommend. It’s hard not to leave with half the store!
If you’re a millennial who loves plants, pots, jewelry, and quirky accessories, you’ll be hard-pressed not to leave without a maxed-out card.
Other things to do in Damariscotta include checking out the excellent bookstore and grabbing a cup of coffee at the adjoining café, walking around the pretty wharf, or visiting the oyster midden.
Wait, oyster midden? An oyster midden is a small ‘mountain’ of oyster shells left behind by the Native Americans who lived in this region for centuries. You can find one unperturbed midden at this park!
Have dinner at Five Islands.
From Wiscasset to Five Islands Lobster Co. in the peaceful town of Georgetown, Maine is quite a trek… but it is worth it.
It’s one of the most beautiful restaurants in Maine, hands down!
They serve delicious fried fish sandwiches and lobster rolls (get yours with cilantro mayo!), perfect onion rings, and exquisite steamed lobster dinners.
The setting, though, almost edges out the food as the main draw. It’s one of the most beautiful harbors in all of Maine, with boats bobbing amidst a close cluster of, well, five islands.
One caveat: mosquitos LOVE this place, more than anywhere else I went in Maine.
And according to the people I went with, it’s always that way. Bring lots of mosquito repellent and suck it up!
Day 7: Rockland
Visit the Olson House in Cushing.
If you’re a fan of Andrew Wyeth, I strongly recommend making a detour to Cushing to visit the Olson House.
When we visited, a majestic black and white horse was just grazing in front of the house, and he came right up to us for pets and scratches!
This is where he painted his most seminal work, Christina’s World, as well as innumerable other paintings over his nearly 20 years living on the grounds.
The grounds and the house are currently closed for renovations, but you can still see the house from the field from afar, and you can visit his gravestone.
Cushing is a brief 15-minute detour off of Highway 1 on the way ro Rockland, so it’s not a huge sacrifice for a big art history lover.
However, if you don’t have much interest in Wyeth or pastoral landscapes, you can safely skip this part of the itinerary.
Have breakfast at a Rockland Cafe.
Upon arriving in Rockland, it’s time to grab a bite to eat at one of the many cafés in this charming town.
There are a number of places serving breakfast pastries; I suggest Atlantic Baking Co.
Visit the Farnsworth Art Museum.
Rockland is considered the Art Capital of Maine and with good reason: the Farnsworth Museum is one of the best art museums in the country!
The Farnsworth Museum has a rich collection of works by Andrew Wyeth — one of the most famous painters in America — as well as gifts from the Wyeth family, recently bequeathed by Andrew Wyeth’s late widow and muse Betsy Wyeth, who passed away in 2020.
There is also a large collection of contemporary art by Mainers and other New England artists.
Stroll and shop down Main Street.
Rockland is an arty little town and that extends beyond just the Farnsworth!
There are a number of excellent galleries and boutiques that are worth window shopping — or entering, if your wallet dares!
Grab a beer at Rock Harbor Pub & Brewery.
Once you’ve had your fill of Rockland, grab a drink and maybe a bite to eat at the Rock Harbor Pub & Brewery.
Don’t have too late a night — we’re going to wake up bright and early for a morning hike tomorrow!
Day 8: Camden
Take a hike in Camden Hills State Park.
Camden is best known for its beautiful state park, Camden Hills State Park, just a few miles north of the city of Camden but feeling like a world away!
Camden Hills State Park has a lot of wonderful hiking trails available. You could hike up the trail to Mt. Battie (it’s about 3.1 miles with 800 feet of elevation gain).
You can also drive up to the summit if you’re unable to hike… no shame or judgment here: these beautiful views are for everyone!
At the top of Mount Battie, you’ll be treated to incredible views over Camden Harbor and the islands off the coast of the mainland dotting Penobscot Bay. It’s spectacular and you’ll absolutely want to spend some time up here, relaxing, meditating, taking pictures, perhaps eating a picnic lunch if you hiked.
From Mount Battie, you can even spot Cadillac Mountain on Mount Desert Island off in the distance on a clear day!
For a much more intense hike, Mount Megunticook is an option. It’s a moderate hike, 3.8 miles roundtrip with about 1,000 feet of elevation gain (and then of course, just as much elevation in descent).
Unfortunately, during my visit to Maine I was having a chronic pain flare-up and wasn’t able to hike, but my friend has hiked Megunticook several times and insists it’s one of the most beautiful hikes in Maine.
Grab a bite to eat.
After your Camden Hills exploration, you’ll probably be hungry.
We wanted to eat at Merriner’s, which is excellent and came highly recommended by my friend, but we arrived too late (lunch ends at 2 PM!).
Instead, we had a Cuban sandwich next door at Camden Café and it was delicious – and the views of the harbor are impossible to beat.
Stroll and shop in downtown Camden.
Camden is one of the most charming small towns in coastal Maine and there is so much to do and see in Camden that I’ve written in a blog post here!
You should definitely spend some time walking around the Harbor area and the Harbor Park, shopping at some of the shops on Main Street and Bay View Avenue, and admiring Megunticook Falls in the harbor.
Take an afternoon swim at Laite Memorial Beach.
If you’re feeling hot and sticky after all that hiking and walking and eating, it’s time to refresh yourself in the small but lovely beach just beside the harbor at Laite Memorial Beach.
It’s not the largest beach nor the most beautiful, but I loved going for a cool refreshing dip on the sandy/pebbly beach and bobbing in the water with sailboats off in the distance. It was magical.
Go sailing on the bay.
Finish your magical day in Camden in the most magical way…
… on the sea on a boat cruise to explore the Bay and even get to see the beautiful Curtis Lighthouse on an island off the shore.
You may also get to see wildlife like seals, cormorants, porpoises, and more – and perhaps even some lobstermen pulling in their traps!
Day 9: Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park
Drive to Mount Desert Island and visit Sand Beach.
Let’s leave Camden bright and early to make our way to our final stop on this coastal Maine itinerary: Mount Desert Island, home to Acadia National Park.
Once you arrive at Mount Desert Island and check into your Bar Harbor hotel, it’s time to hit the ground running… or relaxing!
Since this itinerary has been pretty fast-paced, I think a little relaxation by the ocean is in order.
Although most of Mount Desert Island’s coastline is composed of rocky cliff faces (like much of Maine), there is one sandy ocean beach hidden inside Acadia National Park for all to enjoy!
Sand Beach is about a 20-minute drive from the Bar Harbor town center and is one of the first attractions along the Park Loop Road. The parking area tends to fill up quickly, so be prepared to scout for a parking spot.
The beach is staffed with park lifeguards to make swimming in the chilly water safe for all the brave souls that choose to do so.
Though lately, Maine’s water has been warmer than ever before… a bittersweet side effect of the sad reality of global warming.
Sand Beach is the perfect spot to set up for a sunny afternoon with a picnic, beach chairs, and plenty of sunblock — that New England summer sun is no joke!
Hit one of the hiking trails.
If you’re not interested in swimming, there’s still plenty to do in this area, such as searching through tide pools and walking the shoreline to search for shells.
There are a couple of fun trails that take off from this area too. One of the nearby trailheads is for the Great Head Loop Trail, which starts on the east side of Sand Beach.
The shorter loop option is 1.6 miles around and offers spectacular panoramic views of the area, including a scenic overlook of Sand Beach.
If you want to add a more challenging hike to your Acadia itinerary on the first day, the trailhead for the Beehive Trail, a tough but rewarding 1.6-mile loop, is located right near Sand Beach.
It uses iron rungs to climb up the more difficult part of the trail. Be extremely careful here as some hikers have died. Do not descend the same way you ascended.
If you begin the hike, be prepared to finish it so that you do not endanger people who are coming up the iron rungs. This is not one for those with a fear of heights!
Stroll around Bar Harbor.
After soaking up the sun and relaxing the afternoon away, it’s time to head into town and enjoy all the cool things to do in Bar Harbor!
Bar Harbor is a charming New England coastal community with quirky boutique shops and amazing seafood restaurants.
Before dinner, take a walk along the Shore Path, which begins at the Town Pier. This short path offers beautiful views of the boats anchored in the harbor for the evening.
Have dinner at The Terrace Grille
Dine right on the water at this gorgeous restaurant!
The outdoor seating is decorated with beautiful yellow umbrellas and offers five-star views of Frenchman Bay and the Porcupine Islands. Not only are the views great, but the food is too!
Keep it classic with a boiled Maine lobster or indulge and order the Maine Lobster Bake.
The portion size is no joke, and definitely not for one: it comes with all the goods including New England clam chowder, steamed mussels and clams, over one pound of Maine Lobster, seasonal sides, and homemade blueberry pie!
Grab a cone at Mount Desert Island Ice Cream
Hope you saved room for dessert. Is any evening by the ocean complete without an ice cream cone? You already know the answer to that question!
The ice cream from Mount Desert Island Ice Cream is unlike any you’ve had before. Maybe it’s the premium flavors mixed with the ocean air, or maybe it’s the care that goes into every homemade batch. Yum!
Day 10: Acadia National Park
Drive the Park Loop Road
Roll the windows down and let in that warm sea breeze as you head out to tour Acadia’s Park Loop Road.
The 27-mile road loops around Acadia National Park, and it is one of the best scenic drives in Maine, taking you from the ocean to the mountains and everywhere in between.
Set aside at least half a day to make the drive. There are lots of places to stop along the way, but here are some of the best sights.
Stop at Sieur des Monts.
Sieur de Monts is the heart of Acadia National Park and one of the first attractions you’ll see when driving the scenic Park Loop Road.
This area is home to many sights, including the Sieur de Monts Spring, Acadia Nature Center, Wild Gardens of Acadia, Abbe Museum, and historic memorial paths.
See Thunder Hole with your own eyes (and ears!)
Thunder Hole is named after the booming sound like thunder that the ocean waves make as they slam against the rocky shore.
The force of the wave pushes air and settled water to the surface, creating a loud “thunderclap” made of water.
The small rocky inlet at Thunder Hole may not be as wild at low tide, so don’t be disappointed if you see it and it doesn’t live up to its name.
Check a tide chart and wait for some choppy water to come in with the high tide, and you’re sure to hear what all the hype is about.
Marvel at the views at Otter Point.
Less than a mile past Thunder Hole, there will be a parking area for Otter Point.
This rocky shoreline is named after Acadia National Park’s spunky river otters. The most impressive feature at this stop is Otter Cliff, which stands an impressive 110 ft high!
This is a great spot to hang out in the sun and watch the ocean waves crash over the rocks.
Lunch at Jordan Pond House Restaurant
After a morning of sightseeing, it’s time for a well-earned lunch break.
Famous for their mouth-watering popovers, the Jordan Pond House Restaurant is every foodie’s dream come true.
Take a hike around Jordan Pond Loop Trail.
After all that eating I’ve had you doing on this trip, It’s time to get a little hike in. Wouldn’t you agree?
The beautiful 3.5-mile loop trail around Jordan Pond is the perfect place.
This scenic hike will take you along the shore of the pond, on a flat but rocky trail. Sturdy shoes are recommended for this trail.
Head home to end your time in Vacationland.
Whether you make the long drive back home or to Boston, or the shorter drive to Bangor to drop off your rental car and catch a flight, it’s time to say “see you soon” to Maine.
Make your plans to come back to Maine in other seasons. You’ve seen the glory of the summery coast. Plan to see the riotous fall colors or experience the desolate but sublime winter beauty.
Know that it’s not goodbye, but rather see you later: your first trip to Maine is just the beginning of a lifelong love!
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
The Finger Lakes region in New York is made up of 11 lakes and 14 counties — with so many areas to choose from, you’ll need to tackle a Finger Lakes road trip carefully!
The area is a popular destination for travelers who love wineries, breweries, scenic hikes, and gushing waterfalls.
The small cities and towns surrounding the lakes are full of history while at the same time, on top of the trends with innovative restaurants, wine and food festivals, and revitalized downtowns.
Visitors could spend weeks exploring the Finger Lakes and still only scratch the surface!
One way to get started is to focus on exploring one or two lakes at a time.
Here is a 3 day Finger Lakes road trip itinerary that highlights the best of Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake, which are located in the eastern part of the Finger Lakes region.
Ithaca, NY, located at the southern end of Cayuga Lake, is the perfect city to kick-off to a Finger Lakes road trip.
Here you can sample some of the finest restaurants in the region on Aurora Street’s Restaurant Row!
Alternately, you can grab a cold one at a local brewery, and pop into the Visitor Center on Ithaca Commons to ask about local events.
If you arrive the night before you begin your road trip, stay at Argos Inn.
This lovely restored mansion furnished with French antique furniture and decorated with eclectic artwork is a great place to start your Finger Lakes road trip.
After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, set out for an easy to moderate hike on Cascadilla Gorge Trail.
It’s three-quarters of a mile in length and runs through a deeply cut gorge, connecting downtown Ithaca to Cornell University.
You’ll also pass several waterfalls as you make the 400-foot ascent via stone pathways and staircases.
If you need a mid-morning snack after your hike, try Ithaca Bakery for fresh coffee, bagels, and baked goods.
See Taughannock Falls
From Ithaca, head north along the western shore of Cayuga Lake.
Before stopping at your first winery, make a quick stop at Taughannock Falls State Park to see a waterfall that’s actually three stories taller than Niagara Falls!
This is an easy detour, so no excuses!
The state park is just off the main road and it’s possible to drive up to a viewing platform, where there is a visitor center and a parking lot.
Visit the Cayuga Lake wineries
It’s time, finally, to sample some wines along the scenic Cayuga Lake Wine Trail.
There are several wineries to choose from, plus a handful of hard cider houses and breweries.
Here are a few recommendations to help whittle down your itinerary, located from south to north.
Americana Vineyards is popular not only for its wine tasting room but also for their Sunday live music and on-site café.
Bacchus Brewing is also located on the grounds for the beer lovers in the group.
The Finger Lakes are gaining steam as a premier hard cider-making region. If that appeals to you, swing by Finger Lakes Cider House.
The tasting room is located inside a spacious renovated barn, with views that look out onto acres of beautiful farmland.
You can also pick strawberries, peaches, and apples when they’re in season.
Heading further north, Lucas Vineyard is the oldest winery on the 40-year-old Cayuga Lake Wine Trail.
Ruth Lucas, the general manager and founder, has the distinction of being one of the first women in the region to own a winery.
Next, Sheldrake Point Winery is popular for their expansive lake views, as well as their dry Rose and ice wines.
Heading north, Knapp Winery’s Vineyard Restaurant is a good place to stop for lunch.
You have a couple of choices once you’re ready to wind down your day.
If you’re really into the Cayuga Lake vibe and don’t mind backtracking a little, stay at the elegant Inn at Taughannock, just steps from the waterfall.
Alternatively, to position yourself nearer to tomorrow’s destination, head to Seneca Falls and stay at The Gould, a funky art deco hotel.
Both establishments have excellent restaurants, making it easy to have dinner in after a long day road tripping!
The Visitor Center is a good place to start. Explore the exhibits that tell the stories of the fight for women’s suffrage, watch an informational film, and talk to the Rangers about guided tours, maps, and special events.
Next door is Wesleyan Chapel, where the first U.S. women’s rights convention was held in 1848.
It’s also possible, depending on the season, to tour the homes of women that were vital to the movement, including Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s home.
Other sites related to the women’s movement in Seneca Falls include the National Women’s Hall of Fame, and Ludovico Sculpture trail.
The latter takes visitors on an easy nature walk along the canal and features sculptures of prominent women.
At this point, you have a couple of options for lunch.
Grab a bite at a restaurant on Fall Street in Seneca Falls, or stock up on snacks, fruit, fresh baked goods, and made-to-order sandwiches at the very well-stocked Sauder’s Store.
The latter is a good option if you want to get started on the wine trail!
Follow the Seneca Lake Wine Trail
The rest of the day is dedicated to the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, following the eastern shore.
As with Cayuga Lake, you’ll have to be selective due to the large number of wineries to choose from.
From north to south, here are some of the most popular wineries on Seneca Lake.
The tasting room at Ventosa Vineyards is housed in a building that’s modeled after a Tuscan villa and offers panoramic vineyard and lake views.
At Three Brothers Wineries and Estates, you can choose your adventure.
Sip wine in one of their tasting rooms, cool off with a wine slushie, or sample craft beers at War Horse Brewing Company, the onsite brewery whose décor is entirely made up of World War II memorabilia.
This is definitely the party winery, where you’re most likely to see tour buses crowding the parking lot.
Driving south, Wagner Vineyards is one of the oldest wineries in the Finger Lakes and has dozens of award-winning wines available.
Next, if you picked up a to-go lunch back at Sauder’s Store, and if the weather cooperates, consider claiming a picnic table at Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars.
Finally, Hazlitt 1852 Cellars is a scenic, laid back winery with live music on select nights.
You can also catch a stunning sunset from their property.
If you’d prefer watching the sun go down with a craft beer in hand, Two Goats Brewing is just a couple miles to the south.
In between Hazlitt and Two Goats, Hector Handmade is perfect for souvenir shopping.
The store is owned by two local artists. All of their items are made by local Finger Lakes artists.
End the day in Watkins Glen
For accommodations, Idlwilde Inn is a charming bed-and-breakfast inside a 19th-century Victorian mansion.
Another morning hike is on tap at Watkins Glen State Park, which has one of the most beautiful landscapes in New York state.
The hike is rated moderate in difficulty, mainly due to the steep stone stairways.
For all of your stair-climbing, you’ll be rewarded by the 19 waterfalls you’ll see along the hike.
Be aware that it does get very crowded so it’s a good idea to get there early.
The Gorge Trail is 1.5 miles long one-way, but you’ll get a sense of its dramatic beauty even if you only hike a short way and turn around.
Follow the Seneca Lake Wine Trail
Now it’s time to tour the wineries along the western shore of Seneca Lake, where there also happens to be some great breweries worth checking out, in case you’re tiring of wine!
Begin at Seneca Lake Brewing Company, an English style pub that’s also a cask ale brewery.
Next, Glenora Wine Cellars was the first winery on Seneca Lake and their restaurant Veraisons is popular for its fresh seasonal menu items.
If you’re interested in farm breweries, Climbing Bines Craft Ale Company is located on a beautiful estate where they grow their own hops.
Anthony Road Wine Company is a friendly, family-run winery that makes popular dry and semi-sweet Rieslings.
Back in 2020, they celebrated the 30th year that they’ve been in the wine-making business!
Finally, Fox Run Vineyards strives for sustainability by using solar panels for energy, committing to locally sourced ingredients, and nourishing the soil with regenerative farming techniques.
When you’re ready for lunch, go to FLX Wienery to sample some local comfort food with an emphasis on wieners and sausages.
For a slightly more upscale eatery, Ports Café is a popular bistro that pairs local wines with seasonal menu items.
End the day in Geneva
For accommodations, CiCi’s Chalet in Geneva is a lovely bed-and-breakfast with friendly owners.
When you’re ready for dinner, you can wander downtown and find a restaurant without any trouble. Geneva has become a go-to spot for farm-to-table restaurants with excellent food.
If you’ve got the time and inclination on your final day, there a few more points of interest before heading out of town.
Red Jacket Farm Store carries local food specialties as well as T-shirts, jewelry, and more, all handcrafted by local makers.
Belhurst Castle is a 19th century estate with a checkered past that includes once serving as a speakeasy. They also have a winery on site, as well as lodging and dining.
If you have an extra day, consider spending it in Corning, a small city south of Watkins Glen — one of the best places for a getaway in the Finger Lakes.
The downtown area is loaded with good restaurants, bakeries, breweries, and shops, and the nearby Corning Museum of Glass is well worth spending at least a half a day.
When to Road Trip the Finger Lakes
Although there is a stark beauty to the Finger Lakes in the winter, late spring through mid-autumn is the best time to fully experience the region.
Many attractions listed here are closed during the winter, and most wineries and breweries have reduced winter hours.
About the Author
Michele traveled the world for years before growing roots in New York City. Now she explores the Empire State, region by region and shares her experiences on her blog, From Inwood Out. You can find her on Instagram at @frominwoodout.
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Picture this: warm sandy beaches, striking natural beauty, and gorgeous coastlines as far as the eye can see.
If this sounds like a dream come true, then read on, and learn about one of Europe’s most perfect summer vacation destinations, the Algarve.
The Algarve is the southernmost region of Portugal and the country’s most popular summer destination.
The region draws thousands of visitors each summer, especially from Northern European countries, and for good reason! I’d want to escape those frigid winters too.
The Algarve is blessed with beautiful weather almost year-round, with hot summers and pleasant winters.
Dramatic coastline, wonderful sandy beaches, unique rock formations, and charming seaside towns make the Algarve a must-see European destination.
I visited the Algarve twice while living in Lisbon, and was absolutely delighted to explore its beautiful towns and stunning beaches.
On these trips, I also explored the lovely Alentejo region between Lisbon and the Algarve, which is just full of hidden gems well worth a quick detour on your way to the Algarve’s sunny shores.
What better way to explore this lesser-known region of Portugal than a road trip?
This Lisbon to Algarve itinerary will guide you through the highlights between Portugal’s capital and the popular Algarve.
Things to Know Before Doing a Road Trip from Lisbon to the Algarve
Before diving into this itinerary for a road trip from Lisbon to the Algarve, let’s cover some of the basics.
Driving from Lisbon to the Algarve
Let’s start with some good news: the scenic drive from Lisbon to the Algarve couldn’t be easier.
The roads are in good condition, and you can find your way around with the help of Google Maps or any other navigation app.
As an international traveler, you’ll want to ensure you meet the document requirements to drive in Portugal.
US citizens don’t need an international driving permit for Portugal, but citizens of other countries may need this.
In any case, nearby countries like Spain require the IDP of all foreign drivers, so it might be worth looking into it if you’re looking for adventures beyond Portugal.
The biggest thing to keep in mind when driving in Portugal is the toll roads.
For the most part, it’s fairly easy to pay tolls as you go. Most toll booths will take cards too, but always carry some cash, just in case!
If you’re looking for an easy way to avoid any toll road issues, go ahead and get a Via Verde transponder in your rental car.
This system allows you to pass through toll booths without paying anything at the booth. All tolls are automatically collected from your credit or debit card.
When looking for a rental car, I always use Discover Cars to search for the best deal for multiple reasons.
I also always search from the airport as my pick-up destination, because the prices are usually the best here… inside the city center, it can be a lot pricier.
It’s also best to plan to return to your original pick-up point via car to avoid hefty one-way fees!
Tip: Make sure you book your car rental with full coverage insurance for peace of mind — it starts at only $7 per day, cheaper than you’d get at a rental agency!
This search engine not only looks at the typical rental car agencies (which can be $$$), it also looks at local, small Portuguese rental agencies that may offer better deals. Their pricing is straightforward (no bait-and-switches) and they offer free cancellation if you need it.
As you can probably imagine, with its gorgeous beaches and beautiful landscapes, summer is the most popular time for visiting the Algarve.
From June to September, the whole region can get quite crowded with international visitors, so if you’re looking for a less hectic experience, be sure to plan your trip outside these months.
With that said, the shoulder seasons are the best options for a road trip from Lisbon to the Algarve, especially mid-March to May, or October.
You’ll find nice weather to enjoy the beaches of the Algarve, all while avoiding traffic along the way and crowded attractions at your destinations.
You could even do this road trip in winter, but I’ll be honest, it’s not the best time to really appreciate the Algarve. While the weather’s usually pleasant for walking around, you won’t be able to enjoy the beaches, which are the region’s highlights.
How Long Does it Take to Road Trip Lisbon to the Algarve?
How far is Algarve from Lisbon? The short answer is it depends!
If you take the trip in a straight shot, driving from Lisbon to the Algarve can be a fairly short journey.
Without stops, you can complete the Lisbon to Faro drive in a little under three hours.
If your goal is the western Algarve, you can get to Lisbon to Faro by car in just around three hours as well.
However, that speed would come at a high cost, as you would be missing many gorgeous places along the way.
For just a couple examples, you’d be missing the Setúbal Peninsula, the city of Évora, and the spectacular coastline of the Alentejo region.
If you can’t pass up a good detour or three, taking two days can be the perfect amount of time to drive from Lisbon to the Algarve, with an overnight stop in Évora and some time to explore Alentejo.
Many people tend to drive straight to Lagos, Albufeira, or Faro, skipping the westernmost part of the Algarve… which is one of my favorite parts of the region!
However, this Lisbon to Algarve itinerary includes a third day to see a path less taken, and some of the amazing sights this Algarve route has to offer.
If time’s not an issue and you’re still hungry for more adventures, you could even take longer than three days to road trip Lisbon to the Algarve.
The Alentejo region is home to some of the wildest and most spectacular beaches, so you could plan a few extra stops along the way and really enjoy some luxurious time on their sunny sands!
This itinerary includes the stops you should not miss between Lisbon and the Algarve.
Depending on the season and weather, you may want to skip some beaches, but be sure to stop by Évora, Sines, and Sagres.
Day 1: Lisbon to Évora
Drive from Lisbon to Costa da Caparica
Start your Lisbon to Faro road trip off on the right note with a quick drive from Lisbon across the river to Costa da Caparica.
The cozy little coastal town boasts a long beach with a lovely promenade. In summer, Costa da Caparica is a popular beach destination.
If you’re traveling during the off-season, it’s still a lovely place to go for a walk along the ocean and have a coffee while admiring the view.
The long sandy beach continues south for roughly 30 kilometers until the estuary of Albufeira Lake.
Have breakfast, spend some time strolling along the beach to stretch your legs, then get ready to drive south to your next destination.
Drive to Cabo Espichel.
From Costa da Caparica, drive to Cabo Espichel, a stunning headlands area overlooking the Atlantic Ocean with a historical lighthouse and beautiful church.
The observation point at Cabo Espichel offers spectacular views of the dramatic coastline and the gorgeous Praia dos Lagosteiros.
Spend some time walking around the lighthouse and visiting the Santuario de Nossa Senhora do Cabo Espichel.
The area is a bit isolated, but the views are breathtaking. Just be sure to bring an extra layer, as it can get very windy!
Explore Sesimbra.
From Cabo Espichel, it’s only a short drive to the small and charming seaside town of Sesimbra.
A truly unique destination, the town lies within the Arrábida Natural Park, a protected coastal park occupying the south of the Setúbal Peninsula.
The natural park is known for its lush vegetation and gorgeous secluded beaches, such as Praia do Ribeiro do Cavalo, Praia de Galapinhos, and Praia da Figueirinha.
The beaches are popular among locals but not extremely crowded due to the complicated access of its out-of-the-way beaches.
However, if you’re up to the challenge, you can take in the beautiful expanse of nature without all the crowds!
While you’re in Sesimbra, be sure to spend a couple of hours exploring the small town, checking out the views from the Forte de Santiago de Sesimbra, and visiting the hilltop Sesimbra Castle.
Access to the historical monuments is free, but bring some cash if you want to stop at the castle’s café.
If you decide to stay for lunch in Sesimbra, you absolutely have to try the Portuguese specialties at Casa Mateus.
If you don’t eat fish or meat, Aloha Café serves tasty vegetarian dishes and has a lovely terrace overlooking the sea.
Stop by Setúbal
From Sesimbra, make your way along the coast to Setúbal.
Along the way, as if the views from the road weren’t enough, you can stop by the picturesque little bay of Portinho da Arrábida.
If you didn’t eat back in Sesimbra, or just want to have a bite in a quaint place with gorgeous sea views, stop by O Farol.
Keep on driving for roughly half an hour until you reach Setúbal. The city is quite big, but you can explore the historical center in around an hour.
First, stop by Forte de São Filipe, a 16th-century castle overlooking the city, and check out the beautiful chapel covered in the traditional Portuguese azulejos.
The entry is free, and the lovely on-site café is perfect for a coffee with a view.
In Setúbal, stroll through the port, check out the colorful dolphin sculptures, and visit Our Lady of Grace Cathedral.
If you have extra time, check out Praça do Bocage with its lovely Church São Julião.
Drive from Setubal to Évora
From Setubal to Évora, driving takes roughly an hour.
You’ll likely get to Évora in the afternoon, giving you a bit of time to explore the city before dinner.
Évora is best known for its well-preserved ancient Roman temple, also known as the Temple of Diana.
The beautiful temple is within Évora’s historical center, which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.
The Roman Temple of Évora is in a square near the cathedral, and there’s no fee to enter so you may as well check it out!
The temple dates to the 1st century CE and was built in what used to be the city’s main public square.
Over the course of the Middle Ages, the temple was incorporated into the structure of a castle, but in the late 19th century, the medieval structures were demolished and the temple restored to its former beauty.
After admiring the temple, explore Évora’s stunning historical center.
You will likely arrive too late to enter any of the monuments, but you can walk around and visit everything the following morning.
Discover the lovely Praça do Giraldo with its iconic fountain and the Santo Antão Church and go for a stroll in the charming park Jardim Público de Évora.
Grab a delicious Alentejan dinner in Évora.
After that, go ahead and check into your accommodation for the night and head out for dinner.
Lucky for you, Évora is a great place to try Alentejo’s cuisine!
Check out TascaTosca & Wine Restaurant or the lovely outdoor terrace at Páteo.
Migas de porco preto (black Iberian pork) and favada real de caça (bean stew with meat) are among the most traditional dishes, and they’re both delicious.
For the vegetarian traveler, Açorda à Alentejana is a great option.
After a good night’s sleep, it’s time to spend the morning of your second day visiting Évora’s key landmarks.
The first place to visit is the Cathedral of Évora, a stunning cathedral that took centuries to finish.
Construction started in 1280 but wouldn’t be finished until 1746! As a result, you’ll find an eclectic blend of architectural influences that reflect its many centuries of renovations and additions.
For just €4.50, you get full access to the cathedral, the museum, the cloisters, and the rooftop, which offers sweeping city views — not a bad deal at all!
Next, head to the Church of St. Francis, better known for housing the Chapel of the Bones.
Truly a macabre sight to behold, the interior of the small chapel is covered with human bones belonging to five thousand skeletons!
These skeletons were exhumed by the Franciscan monks during the medieval times to free up the land taken up by cemeteries.
After that grim bit of local history, you can visit the beautiful Gothic church and the monastery on the same site.
All these sites are included in a mere 6€ entry fee which also includes access to the terrace and the museum.
Although the bone chapel is the main attraction, don’t miss the other areas of the church!
Drive from Évora to Sines
After visiting Évora’s key landmarks, it’s time to keep driving south toward the Algarve.
Your first stop along the way is Sines, a city on the coast of Alentejo, around 1.5 hours from Évora.
The city is home to long sandy beaches and a charming historical center, as well as several attractions worth stopping by and giving yourself a break on this drive from Lisbon to Algarve.
You can visit the castle of Sines for free and admire the lovely sea view from its terraces.
Within the castle, you can also check out the collection of the Sines Museum.
Sines is better known as the birthplace of Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama, whose statue stands looking out to the sea next to the Castle of Sines.
The main beach by the city center is also dedicated to Vasco da Gama. Go for a stroll, or lie out in the sun for an hour or two if the weather is nice.
Spend any extra time exploring the historical center of Sines and stop for lunch.
For a delicious meal, you’ve got a couple great options – you can have an authentic meal at the family-run little restaurant Adega de Sines or try the vegetarian dishes at Veg&tal.
If you have extra time after lunch, drive to the lighthouse, Farol de Sines, and check out the coastal view.
Stop in Azenha do Mar and Bordeira.
From Sines, start driving south toward Sagres.
You’ll drive through the beautiful Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina, a spectacular natural park that’s home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal.
You’ll have no shortage of options for places to stop along the way and enjoy beautiful coastal walks.
Stop by Azenha do Mar to admire the dramatic coastline and rock formations, and stroll along the lovely coastal path to check out more gorgeous views.
Just south of Azenha do Mar, you can also stop by the stunning Praia de Odeceixe, a sliver of sand at the mouth of the Ribeira de Seixe river. This is also a popular spot to watch surfers!
Stop for a drink at Bar da Praia or head down to the beach for a walk or a swim.
Further south, you can also stop by Bordeira and admire the coastal view from the observation deck Pontal da Carrapateira.
A beautiful walkway along the cliffs will allow you to check out breathtaking views of the coast and the nearby Praia da Bordeira.
The spot is also great to take in an unforgettable sunset!
From Bordeira, you’ll only need to drive for about 20 minutes to Sagres, your stop for the night.
The entire drive from Sines to Sagres takes around two hours without stops, so plan accordingly if you want to stop and enjoy any of the coastal walks.
Have dinner and spend the night in Sagres
Sagres is at the far southeastern point of continental Europe.
The coast is marked by two important points, Cape St. Vincent to the east and Sagres Point to the south.
Spend any time you have left in the evening exploring the small town of Sagres and have dinner at one of the many great restaurants in town.
The local specialties are fish and seafood dishes, so be sure to try them at A Sereia or Adega dos Arcos.
Now get some rest, because we have a busy final day of our Lisbon to Algarve road trip tomorrow!
Suggested Sagres Accommodations:
Boutique Hotel | Memmo Baleeira for a stunning design hotel overlooking the Costa Vicentina. Pool with ocean & sunset views, a fire pit, & delicious in-house dining options! ➤ Check availability and rates here
Begin the last day of your road trip by exploring the two viewpoints in Sagres, Cape St. Vincent and Sagres Point.
At Cape St. Vincent, check out the lighthouse and the Fort of Santo António de Belixe.
At Sagres Point, walk to the Cape Sagres viewpoint, check out the lighthouse, and visit the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Graça.
If you want to visit the Sagres Fortress, it has a €3.50 entry fee for adults. Close to the fortress, check out the massive Compass Rose.
In the nearby maze-like structure, A Voz do Mar (The Voice of the Sea), you can listen to the crashing sound of the waves roaring in through an opening in the cliff!
Drive from Sagres to Lagos.
Driving east from Sagres, you’ll explore the famous coast of the Algarve, with its beautiful coastal towns, impressive rock formations, and enchanting beaches.
The first town you’ll reach is Lagos. This is a popular end point for some Algarve routes, like a Lisbon to Lagos road trip, though we’ll end this particular road trip in Faro, further east.
The charming city of Lagos is best known for its stunning scenic spot, Ponta da Piedade.
Its name, literally ‘piety point’, will make sense when you see how a view this beautiful would inspire even the most secular among us to murmur in wonder!
Head over to Miradouro da Ponta da Piedade to admire the impressive cliffs and rock formations emerging from the crystalline waters.
The spot is also popular for boat tours through the grottoes, caves, and rock formations around Ponta da Piedade.
Close to Ponta da Piedade, you’ll find two of the most popular beaches in Lagos, Praia do Camilo and Praia de Dona Ana.
Both beaches are impressive to see from above and just as beautiful to sunbathe and swim, but be warned!
They tend to be extremely crowded during peak summer months.
Even if you decide not to brave the crowd, or just don’t feel like descending hundreds of steps to the beach, it’s still worth checking them out from above.
After exploring the coast and admiring the spectacular views, head to Old Town Lagos and get delightfully lost in its small alleys and charming squares.
While you’re there, be sure to visit Igreja de Santa Maria de Lagos and walk around the seaside Castle of Lagos.
Don’t linger too long though — get ready to move onto our next (and almost final) stop on this Lisbon to Algarve drive, where we’ll have a delicious lunch.
Stop for lunch in Portimão.
From Lagos, drive half an hour to the nearby town of Portimão to have lunch and check out a few more gorgeous beaches.
If you’re feeling hungry when you get into town, head to the lively area right behind Praia da Rocha for lunch.
You can’t go wrong with tapas at Tapas ò Destapas or try the seafood dishes at Branquinho.
Praia da Rocha is by far the main attraction in Portimão!
The huge sandy beach features spectacular rock formations at the far eastern end, where it meets Praia dos Três Castelos.
As much as it can be tempting to spend all your time in the sand and the surf, be sure to check out the gorgeous scenic spot Miradouro dos Três Castelos for a picture-perfect view of the beach from above.
In the historic center of Portimão, check out the lively town market selling everything from fruits and vegetables to fresh fish and pastries.
Lastly, before getting back on the road, visit the 15th-century Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição with its Baroque gilded altar.
For your next stop along the beautiful coast of the Algarve, check out the small town of Carvoeiro and its spectacular rocky coastline.
Stroll along the to reach Algar Seco, where you can discover hidden caves and spectacular viewpoints over the sea.
Carvoeiro has a small but charming historic center and a beautiful sandy beach enclosed within the cliffs.
The nearby Miradouro da Senhora da Encarnação offers lovely coastal views of the beach and the white houses on top of the cliffs.
Stop by Albufeira.
Albufeira is your last stop before reaching Faro, the capital of the Algarve, which you can use as your home base for your stay in the region.
Albufeira is only half an hour from Carvoeiro and roughly 40 minutes from Faro. The town is a former fishing village turned popular vacation destination.
If you’re interested in a coastal base, you can also stay in Albufeira for all your explorations.
The town boasts gorgeous beaches within walking distance and lively nightlife, but it can be extremely crowded during summer.
However, if you’re able to handle the crowds, it is conveniently located roughly halfway along the Algarve coast, so it’s ideal as a base.
To start off your time in the city, wander around Albufeira Old Town with its beautiful architecture and narrow alleyways.
After, check out the viewing platform at Elevador do Peneco, and stroll along the sandy beaches.
Praia do Túnel is connected to the old town by a tunnel, while Praia dos Pescadores extends to the west until Miradouro do Pau da Bandeira, a scenic viewpoint overlooking Albufeira and its beaches.
You can stay for dinner in Albufeira or continue driving to Faro, depending on where you’re staying for the rest of your vacation in the Algarve.
In Albufeira, you’ll find a diverse offering of restaurants, with many international options.
Both Prazeres and Três Coroas are wonderful restaurants offering a delicious mix of Portuguese and international dishes.
Drive to Faro
Time to wrap up this Lisbon to the Algarve road trip by heading to our last destination!
Luckily, Faro is just a short drive west of Albufeira and is the main city in Algarve.
Unlike most nearby towns of the Algarve, Faro is a bit inland, separated from the sea by the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa.
The city is known for the 19th-century gateway Arco da Vila, along with beautiful churches, and cool museums.
While you’re there, visit the cathedral of Santa Maria and check out the exhibitions at the Municipal Museum of Faro.
If you enjoyed the prior bone church, you can also take a peek at the small bone chapel and ornate altar inside Igreja do Carmo.
Faro Marina and the nearby Jardim Manuel Bivar are lovely spots to go for a walk while enjoying the gorgeous weather that the region is famous for.
For delicious Portuguese dishes, try Tasca do Ricky and Tascaria Chafariz. Faro also has many international dining options.
Suggested Faro Accommodations:
Hotel | Hotel Faro & Beach Club has stunning amenities like a rooftop bar, fitness center, outdoor pool, & in-house hammam-style steam room & sauna. It’s central to town & has a free shuttle to its private beach club 5 miles away in Praia de Faro. ➤ Check availability and rates here
Luxury Guesthouse | Opus One enjoys beautiful rooms (some with multiple floors!), air conditioning, lush furnishings with individualized design, an outdoor pool/hot tub, & a sauna. ➤ Check availability and rates here
Other Must-See Places in the Algarve
The coast of the Algarve west of Faro is the most popular and where most of the vacation attractions are.
Aside from the places you may have already seen along the way, be sure to check out the beautiful Benagil Cave, and the spectacular beach Praia dos Três Irmãos.
Other can’t-miss spots include the small town Armação de Pêra with the nearby beaches, and Praia da Falésia, a long sandy beach backed by tall, red cliffs.
East of Faro, visit the charming town of Olhão and the city and beaches of Tavira. This last stretch of coastline before the Spanish border is a succession of long sandy beaches and small towns.
This area is great if you want to escape the crowds of the more popular places in the west.
Roxana is a Romanian-born freelance travel writer who has lived in Italy for over 15 years. She has a Master’s in Journalism and a Bachelor’s in Film Studies, and she studied at Università degli Studi di Roma Tre. Besides her native Romania, Roxana has lived in Rome, Lisbon, and Berlin, and she has traveled through much of Europe in search of hidden gems, history, and culture.
Anybody who loves the outdoors needs to visit the incredible state of Utah!
Utah has so many options including phenomenal national parks (five of them!), hot springs, ski resorts, and more!
Pack your bags and your camera because this 7-day Utah itinerary has all of Utah’s unique destinations laid out in the perfect order.
I’ve ensured you hit all the top attractions and snag some of those drool-worthy Instagram pictures you see plaguing your feed, as well as suggesting a few off-the-beaten-path gems, while road tripping the Mighty 5 in Utah!
PLANNING FOR UTAH AT A GLANCE:When to Go: With mellow summers and stunning snow-covered winters, Utah is beautiful all year round but since you'll be spending a tremendous amount of time in the outdoors, I suggest going in the months of April-May and September-October. But if I had to pick just one month to go, I'd choose October — the crowds are fewer, the weather is appealing, and fall foliage is in full swing.
Where to Stay: For this itinerary, you'll have sleepovers in Salt Lake City, Moab, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Springdale or Zion.
For the first overnight stay in Salt Lake City, I recommend staying at Kimpton Hotel Monaco for a luxurious stay in downtown SLC.
Moab has several accommodations but for something exclusive, I suggest staying at either Moab Red Stone Inn orMoab Springs Ranch. And if you prefer glamping, Under Canvas Moab is unmatched when it comes to comfort and style.
And for a sleepover near Bryce Canyon National Park,Stone Canyon Inn or Bryce Canyon Log Cabins in nearby Tropic is what I recommend or you can even opt for camping within the park itself at any of its 2 campgrounds.
And as for your last days on your Utah road trip in Springdale, you can either choose to camp inside Zion but if you can't find a campsite or just don't want to, then you can stay at either Cable Mountain Lodgeor Springhill Suites in Springdale. Both of these places offer incredible Zion views.
How to Get Around: You're definitely going to need a car while road tripping Utah. If you don't know where to rent one from, you can compare car rentals and prices from here. Alternately, you can rent an RV or campervan via RVShare and save on accommodations.
Best Activities: Want to fully enjoy your Utah road trip without the hustles of planning? Booking some activities will help you with that. You can book a horseback excursion on a canyon trail ride, an ATV tour, a Bryce Canyon National Park guided Tour, or a Moab Sound and Light Show tour.
3 Things Not to Forget to Pack: A sturdy pair of hiking boots will serve you well -- I love my Ahnu boots. A dual purpose phone mount and chargerwill come in very handy and you'll be happy to have a roadside emergency kit should your car break down while road tripping.
Utah is incredible any time of the year. With tepid summers and gorgeous snow-covered winters, there is never a season that doesn’t reveal jaw-dropping landscapes.
But since you’ll be cruising the highways and spending enormous amounts of time in the outdoors if you’re doing a Mighty 5 road trip, I suggest the months of April-May and September-October.
Late September and early October is a great time if you want to see some fall foliage in places like Zion!). If I had to pick the best month to visit Utah, I’d pick October — fewer crowds, better weather, and gorgeous foliage!
Going in the shoulder season will allow some crowds to dissipate at the popular sites and puts you ahead of snow closures. These months are considered the off season for crowds, and the weather has never failed me during these months.
Tips for Planning Your Utah National Parks Road Trip Itinerary
Prep for the parks. This Utah road trip means you will need to pay for entrance to at least 4 separate national parks, 5 if you also visit the interior of Capitol Reef and don’t just pass through. Each park can easily charge a $30 admission fee, so if you’re planning to enter more than two parks, an America the Beautiful pass will save you money! Buy it online at REI.
Time it wisely. Spring and fall, in my opinion, are the best times to visit Utah! Skip summer unless you’re willing to handle the heat (and school vacation crowds), and winter unless you’re a confident winter driver as many parts of Utah experience snow.
Cell service is spotty. Don’t always count on having cell phone service while driving in Utah! There are many long stretches of highway with very little service. Be prepared by having your maps downloaded offline.
Places on the map are not always as direct or close as they look. There are many routes that, at first glance, appear to be doable… but when you plug it into your maps app, you find they’re rather far apart! I’ve omitted a few notable places from this itinerary for that reason, such as Monument Valley, which is hard to squeeze into a 7-day Utah itinerary.
Utah Road Trip FAQs
How many days do you need to visit the Utah National Parks?
There are five incredible national parks in Utah (hence their collective nickname, the Mighty 5!). One week in Utah is enough time to catch a glimpse of each of the five national parks, but to see them in full, you could easily spend a month in Utah’s national parks and not see it all!
What are the best national parks to visit in Utah?
All of them, but this itinerary focuses the most time on Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Zion National Park, with briefer part-day trips to Canyonlands National Park and Capitol Reef National Park.
How do I plan a road trip to Utah?
The first step is to determine your itinerary: where are you flying or driving into, and how many days do you have from there?
Below, I’ll offer a few different routing ideas for driving around Utah, but generally, this itinerary assumes you’ll fly into Salt Lake City and then have seven days to explore Utah by car.
If you have longer, you can absolutely spend more time at each site, but 7 days is the bare minimum to complete a Mighty 5 road trip!
The Mighty 5: Your Perfect 7 Day Utah Road Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City International Airport is a hub for flights and car rentals as well as the perfect starting and ending point for exploring Utah.
I suggest booking your arrival and departure tickets from here, as it creates the perfect loop for your 7 day Utah road trip.
Another option would be to fly into Las Vegas, in which case, your route itinerary would look like the following: Las Vegas – Zion – Bryce Canyon – Capitol Reef – Moab – back to Vegas or SLC.
You could also add on a few days at the Grand Canyon and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument as well Page, AZ easily with this kind of itinerary.
If that sounds more like the itinerary you want to follow, check out my Southwest road trip post, which does a roundtrip from Las Vegas to Moab and back, touching all Mighty 5, the Grand Canyon, and Page’s landmarks like Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.
However, for the purposes of this 7 day itinerary, let’s assume you’re flying into SLC, as it’s the easiest for routing purposes, plus SLC is a great airport hub!
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Salt Lake City is in the heart of Utah, nestled among the Wasatch and Oquirrh Mountain Range it is surrounded with fantastic opportunities for fun.
Check-in to the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City
This luxury hotel is such a delight for the eyes!
Swirling colorful carpet draws you into the warm space of the lobby while modern vintage furniture gives theKimpton Hotel Monaco an inviting atmosphere.
The rooms are adorned in old-world style with flashes of flair from the 1950s.
Hotel Monaco is perfectly situated in downtown SLC, making exploring the city extremely accessible.
Begin your morning by making the 3 block walk to Campos Coffee.
Snag a seat in their stylish cafe and order up a delicious cappuccino with a side of Cran-Apple Toast.
Campos coffee offers an inviting, wide-open atmosphere adorned with a steampunk theme. Enjoy a quiet morning here as the city will quickly wake up.
Wander around downtown SLC
Salt Lake City is known for its outdoor squares and parks. Once you’ve properly caffeinated, head to one of the year-round farmer’s markets for food, fun, and Utah flair.
There are several downtown areas that offer farmers’ markets at different times a year. A couple of options include Liberty Park, Sugar House, and Downtown Farmers Markets.
Most of these markets only take place on Fridays and Saturdays but if you’re lucky enough to catch one, they’re worth the visit.
Fresh fruits and vegetables line the streets along with homemade gifts and local artists displaying their talents. It’s easy to spend a few hours wandering the streets.
While you’re on foot, consider seeking out some of Salt Lake’s most known and gorgeously constructed monuments such as the Mormon Temple, the State Capitol, and Temple Square. There’s a ton of historical sightseeing in downtown SLC, so be sure to pack your most comfortable shoes.
Hit the hiking trails
Salt Lake City is filled with tons of outdoor options as well!
One of the most fun and accessible hiking trails is The Living Room. Lying just 10 minutes from downtown, this 2.2-mile out-and-back hike leads to incredible views of Downtown and the surrounding landscape.
Sit above the horizon on “chairs” made from surrounding rock and enjoy the afternoon high above the city.
If you desire some trails that require a bit more of a time commitment consider looking into Mount Timpanogos Trail or summit Grandeur Point. Both of the trails lead to exquisite views.
If you’re visiting in the fall, the colors of the changing leaves along both trails are breathtaking!
I also have a full guide to the best hikes near Salt Lake City here in case you want to extend your trip a bit and do a day hike or two!
Grab a delicious dinner in the city
Head back to the city and clean up for dinner.
Salt Lake is filled with phenomenal restaurants that’ll please any palate. A few of my favorites are Settebello for pizza or Red Iguana for Mexican.
Settebello offers insanely delicious Neapolitan style pizza wood-fired to perfection with a fluffy, buttery crust. Their bruschetta is simple and delicious, piled high with fresh tomatoes on divinely toasted bread.
If a cuisine south of the border sounds more enticing, Red Iguana is the hot spot for you. Dubbed as Utah’s “killer Mexican food,” they have all the specialties including chimichangas and indulgent Mexican desserts that go down well with a custom-made margarita!
Day 2: Moab
Day two of this Utah road trip is all about hiking and soaking up some of Utah’s most iconic scenery in Moab!
3.5 hours south of Salt Lake via an incredibly scenic drive lies 3 parks that are so breathtakingly beautiful, it’ll take two days to explore.
Dead Horse Point State Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Arches National Park all lie within miles of each other but the landscapes of each are so totally different.
Here’s how you should spend your first day in beautiful Moab.
Start the day with a delicious breakfast
As you roll into the quaint city of Moab, consider stopping for breakfast at the Love Muffin Cafe to fuel your hiking day.
They have all the breakfast classics including breakfast burritos, quiches and scones set in a brightly colored, eclectic cafe.
I’ve also heard rave reviews of Moab Cafe. Although I’ve never personally visited, it sounds like it’s worth checking out!
Head to Dead Horse Point State Park
Dead Horse Point State Park is the perfect introduction to the beauty of Moab.
It’s a sprawling 5,000-acre park set high among the desert landscape with towering cliffs and unrivaled views of the Canyonlands in the distance.
There are several pull-outs along the drive to the parking lot that are all worth the extra stops.
But to truly experience the spectacular sights, hike the Dead Horse Rim Loop Trail. This trail is a 5-mile loop that canvasses the rim of the canyon.
The most prominent view from the trail is hands down the overlook at the point of the Colorado River — it’s stunning!
Dead Horse Point also has a trail system for mountain bikers as well. If you’ve come prepared to bike, the park Intrepid Trail is a 16-mile single-track trail on dirt roads that offers the same unrivaled views with a bit more adrenaline.
Head towards Canyonlands National Park
Rest your feet and make the short 12-minute drive over to Canyonlands National Park to the park entrance at the Island in the Sky Visitor Center.
Canyonlands is a massive park that has 3 different districts. For the sake of time, I recommend visiting the nearest and most accessible district called the Island In The Sky.
Here, you’ll find a comprehensive visitors center with rangers who are more than willing to help you plan your afternoon.
The Island In The Sky is the only paved district in Canyonlands National Park with easy access to well-marked trails; the Needles is beautiful but more remote and not quite suited for such a quick trip to Utah, and the Maze and the Rivers (consisting of the Colorado River and the Green River) are even more remote.
On your drive into the park stop at the Grand View Point Overlook. The overlook totally lives up to its name as it reveals jaw-dropping views into Monument Basin as you ascend via a scenic drive. You can also take the trail, which is an easy 1.8-mile hike.
Another iconic sight is Mesa Arch, a short and easy 0.7-mile trail that leads you to an arch that’s perched perfectly on the edge of Canyonlands Cliffs.
After a few dramatic photos of Mesa Arch, head over to Upheaval Dome, the last trek of the day. Upheaval Dome is attractive because of its odd geology and wild folklore that surrounds its creation.
An easy 2-mile wide trail takes you along the rim of the Dome and gives you a panoramic view of just how weird and wonderful the geology truly is.
Grab a drink to toast your hikes
After an entire day of hiking, you deserve a beer!
Back in the city of Moab is Moab Brewery. The perfect place to end your first day in the spectacular Utah desert. Moab Brewery is always fun, always lively, and always has plenty of beer!
The atmosphere is a fun mix of outdoorsman bar vibes. Kayaks hang from the ceiling and pool tables fill the corners.
You’ll find a massive selection of microbrewed beers including ambers, lagers, Hefeweizens and IPAs.
They’re also a full-service restaurant, so grab dinner and hang around for a bit.
Check into your Moab accommodations
There are several different options when it comes to accommodations in Moab. These include hotels, Airbnb, glamping, and camping.
If you’re wanting more of the comforts of home, there are plenty of commercial hotels located in the heart of Moab.
As for glamping, Under Canvas Moab knocks it out of the park in terms of comfort, style, and entertainment, and is frequently cited as one of the best glamping lodges in the entire United States.
Wake up early while the city of Moab is still sleeping and get a head start on Arches National Park.
Arches National Park is one of Utah’s top attractions and draws over 1.5 million visitors a year. Because of its popularity, it’s important to beat the crowds if you want to experience Arches in all its glory.
Start with a sunrise hike to Delicate Arch
The iconic Delicate Arch should be your first destination and you should plan to hike it before the sun rises.
To make this possible, check the local times of the sunrise and plan to head out about an hour and half before this.
You’ll need a headlamp or flashlight for the first part of the 1.5-mile hike to Delicate Arch, as it will still be dark outside.
If you timed it correctly, you’ll reach Delicate Arch just as the sun begins to beam on its east side.
It’s an amazing experience to see the surrounding landscape wake up and to watch Delicate Arch glow under the newly risen sun.
Wander the Devils Garden
After you’ve captured photos of Utah’s most iconic arch, continue driving on Arches Entrance Road until you reach the Devils Garden Trailhead.
This 7-mile trail can easily be broken up into something more manageable (2-3 miles) while still offering insane views of the otherworldly landscape.
Massive boulders, tunnels, and arches are the highlight of this trail, as well as its tranquility.
Devils Garden is much less crowded than the surrounding trails and offers a great opportunity to bask in the uniqueness of Utah in peace.
On the way back, be sure to stop in Fiery Furnace which has some of the best views and reddest rocks in Arches.
Snap some final photos of Arches
As you meander your way back to the entrance, take this chance to capture some stunning photos at the multiple pull-outs spread throughout the park.
Balanced Rock, the Windows, Double Arch, and Petrified Dunes Lookout are just a few spots worth a quick stop.
You also should make sure to visit the longest arch in the entire park, Landscape Arch, which is accessible via an easy 1.9-mile out-and-back trail.
The day should still be early enough to capture the stunning lighting and natural beauty of the surrounding rock formations.
Grab lunch and gas before hitting the road
Stop off in Moab for a bite to eat and gas up the car before you hit the road again to head towards your next destination.
The afternoon will be spent driving to Bryce Canyon National Park. The 4-hour drive from Arches National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park is absolutely stunning.
You’ll leave Arches and head West on highway 70. As you leave the desert landscape of Moab you’ll be transported into the mountainous scenery as you head south through Highway 24.
If you don’t want to visit Capitol Reef National Park, you can shave an hour or two off your drive time by skipping Highway 24, instead going a more direct route to Bryce via Highway 72 and Fishlake National Forest. However, for the purposes of this post, we’ll go the scenic route so you can visit Capitol Reef!
Stop quickly in Capitol Reef National Park
With only 7 days in Utah, it’s hard to tackle all of the Mighty 5 and do them proper justice.
This Utah itinerary focuses more heavily on the Southern Utah national parks, but that doesn’t mean we can’t pop into Capitol Reef on the way to Bryce from Moab!
We won’t have time to take on some of the best hikes in Capitol Reef, but we can definitely see a few of the most beautiful landmarks there that are easy to access by car.
As you near Torrey, be sure to stop off at Factory Butte, a stunning and off-the-beaten-path land formation that looks like it could be something out of Mars. It’s right off Highway 24 so you can’t miss it.
For a quick but scenic spin through the park, stick to the parts of the park near Torrey that are accessible via Highway 24, all centered around the Visitor Center.
This includes the Fruita Schoolhouse, the Petroglyphs, Hickman Natural Bridge, and the gorgeous views at Panorama Point.
If you have a national park pass, as you should, then you can also visit a few places within the park within an easy drive. That would include Fruita Barn, the Gifford Homestead, and if you have time for a hike, the Cassidy Arch Trailis a phenomenal 3.1-mile out-and-back with one of the best views in all of Capitol Reef, rated as moderate.
Arrive in Bryce Canyon National Park
As you turn south and head towards Bryce, the topography changes one final time into a mix of bright red cliffs, canyons, and hoodoos.
The first sighting of a hoodoo along a scenic drive is a great indication that Bryce Canyon is just around the corner!
The city of Bryce is a small, quiet town that lies minutes outside the National Park. Although limited on hotels and restaurants, it’s easy to find a place to have dinner and a warm place to sleep.
You can also stay in nearby Escalante, which is halfway between Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon and is home to Yonder Escalante, a great accommodation choice with cute cabins and Airstreams available for rent.
Grab dinner and hit the sheets
Hell’s Backbone Grill & Farm, Big Fish Family Restaurant and Stone Hearth Grille are a few restaurants that cater to weary travelers looking for a hearty meal.
Each resort is immaculately maintained and offers stunning views of Bryce Canyon in a private setting.
Of course, Bryce Canyon is also brimming with campgrounds. There are two campgrounds inside the park, North Campground and Sunset Campground, as well as options for backcountry camping.
Day 4: Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon is purely about the landscape!
With the largest concentration of hoodoos and brightly colored cliffs, Bryce Canyon is a geologic wonder that resembles Mars.
Hikers will adore the plethora of beauty that is easily accessible via the trails in the park!
While the classic Bryce Canyon Rim Trail would be amazing to do, at 11 miles roundtrip, it’s not doable for this itinerary, so save it for a return trip. We’ve listed a few shorter day hikes that are better suited for one day in Bryce instead.
Do a hoodoo hike
There are several different ways to enjoy one day in Bryce in an adventurous and active way!
Hike the Navajo Loop Trail or Queens Garden Loop inside the core section of the park to experience the topography from within the canyon.
Navajo Loop is a personal favorite and you’ll enjoy absolutely stunning views from everywhere on this canyon trail!
… Or hop on a horse or ATV!
If your feet are exhausted from the previous days’ hikes, no worries — there’s still plenty of ways to experience Bryce Canyon without needing to hike.
As the sun begins to set, head to Sunset Point to watch the most phenomenal sunset cover the canyon.
It’s probably the best place to catch the sunset in all of Utah, with its hoodoos, red rocks, and wide-open skies.
As the skies begin to darken, catch the glory of the stars, as Bryce is part of the world-renowned International Dark Skies club.
Of course, if you’re too tired for sunrise — or you just want to double up on the beauty of Bryce — another option is to do an early wakeup call the following morning at Sunrise Point, which offers a great vista from a viewpoint better oriented for the rising sun.
Day 5: Springdale and Zion
Wake up early and start the 2 hour drive to Springdale, Utah.
What makes the Beehive State so unique is the opportunity to experience dramatic landscape changes over the miles and the drive from Bryce to Springdale is a prime example of this.
Start at the East Entrance of Zion
Head south down highway 89. From here, you’ll hit the East Entrance of Zion National Park first.
I recommend coming in from this direction because it allows you to drive through the entire length of Zion before hitting the main headquarters of the Park.
There are no words to describe the beauty of Zion. Sky-high mountains loom over deep purple slot canyons, multi-layered rock formations weave among the cliff sides, and wild animals can be seen crossing the street.
The beauty will captivate you all the way to the visitors center where you’ll catch a park shuttle to the epic water hike of The Narrows.
Hike to the Narrows
The Narrows is by far the top trail in Zion for discovering the interior slot canyons, and it’s a must-see on the bucket lists of hikers everywhere.
Some visitors rent waders and gear from the nearby Zion Outfitters but I don’t see this step as absolutely necessary. If you’re wanting to save money, it’s perfectly acceptable to hike without being outfitted.
Waterproof hiking shoes, however, are absolutely needed, or you’ll be regretting it. Trust me.
Jump on the shuttle and head to the last stop, Temple of Sinawava. From here, make the 1-mile paved hike into The Narrows.
The beauty of this hike is you can make it as long, or as short as you desire. The entire trail will be water wading while you explore between two towering canyon walls that tend to change color as the sun orbits over.
Get in as much, or as little, hiking in as you like and head back to the visitors center to claim a campsite.
Grab a campsite or check into a hotel
The Watchman Campground is the only public campground in the park and fills up quickly.
This is a gorgeous, shaded campground sitting at the foot of the Mountains with a paved walking path along the Colorado River and within walking distance to the bustling city of Springdale.
If you can’t (or don’t want to) snag one of the limited campsites in Zion, there are plenty of wonderful hotels in Springdale.
I recommend Cable Mountain Lodgeor Springhill Suites, with their stunning floor-to-ceiling windowed lobby with incredible Zion views. Another classic is the Zion Lodge which must be booked months and months in advance.
Head to the city and grab a bite to eat at The Spotted Dog (American), Zion Pizza and Noodle (pizza), or the Whiptail Grill (Mexican).
Shop around the many unique, handcrafted stores and head back to camp to enjoy a night under the stars or to your hotel for some creature comforts in a beautiful setting.
Day 6: Zion National Park
Grab a delicious cup of coffee before hitting the trail
Wake up early and hit Deep Creek Coffee for a pre-hike meal and hand-crafted coffee. You’ll need the energy for this hike!
Today’s trail, Angels Landing, is a strenuous uphill hike to the tops of Zion so you’ll need to properly fuel your body.
If you’re feeling extra energized this morning, rent a bike from Zion Cycles and skip the shuttle!
You can bike to the trailhead of Angels Landing as well as the rest of the park. Although a big undertaking, it’s a great alternative to beating the crowds.
Angels Landing is arguably THE top hike in Zion and for a good reason. This 5-mile trail climbs up and over the canyons of Zion and gives you a birds-eye view of the true beauty of the park.
Summiting Angels Landing is an exhilarating experience! As you ascend, you’ll be assisted by chains that are hanging off the sheer cliffside offering a heart-pounding experience.
Once at the top you’re greeted by the most epic view on earth. Catch your breath and enjoy the beauty before you.
Want a different view? Head up to Observation Point. While normally this is a harder hike than Angel’s Landing, the East Rim to East Mesa approach is closed due to the danger of rockfall.
The easier route via East Mesa is still accessible though, and is only rated as moderate. It involves a 6.7-mile out-and-back trail with only 700 feet of elevation gain (the hard Observation Point trail involves well over 2,000 feet of elevation gain!).
For this trailhead, I suggest you park at the intersection of Beaver and Fir Roads if you don’t have a high-clearance vehicle.
Celebrate your summit with a drink
Descend Angels Landing and head back to town for a celebratory beer at Zion Brewery.
Located creekside to the Colorado River, Zion Brewery has the perfect patio to enjoy the afternoon while you recharge and reminisce.
Once you’ve had a beer… or three, cool off at the riverbank or tackle a shorter Zion hike around sunset for even more epic views.
Hit Zion Canyon Overlook Trail for sunset
For a great view worthy of the final full day of your Utah itinerary, head to Zion Canyon Overlook Trail for sunset.
It’s a super short trail, less than 1 mile out-and-back and rated as easy, though there is about 400 feet of elevation gain. It’s absolutely worth it!
Parking is limited so you may have to circle around for a spot. Give yourself some extra time to find parking if you’re going at sunset as it is a popular sunset spot.
Day 7: Back to Salt Lake City
The last leg of your journey will be spent making the 4.5-hour drive back to Salt Lake City.
Don’t let the longer drive intimidate you, there are plenty of stops you can make along the way to break up the drive.
A few options I recommend are visiting the ghost town of Grafton, stretching your legs at Cedar Breaks National Monument or soaking in the natural hot springs along the way.
As you head north to Salt Lake City, you’ll conveniently pass two opportunities to soak in Utah’s many natural hot springs.
Mystic Hot Springs and Meadow Hot Springs are both located off Highway 15 and welcome tourists to enjoy the soothing heated waters. It’s the perfect ending to your 7-day road trip across Utah.
I hope this 7 day Utah itinerary inspires you to get out and enjoy this beautiful and truly unique state!
What to Pack for an Utah Road Trip
I have a complete USA road trip packing list that you can go through before your trip to know everything to take but below is a rundown.
Travel guides
This Utah road trip itinerary is packed with so much useful information but Travel guides are useful resources to have for deeper insights as they dedicate more time and resources to research. So, to fully arm yourself with knowledge and tips before doing the mighty 5 Utah Road Trip, I recommend combining my personal experience with this highly-rated Fodor’s Utah travel guide.
Phone Mount & Car Charger
Though cell network is not the best while road tripping Utah, you’ll still need your phone whether it’s to check maps or take photos, so it’s essential to have a car charger. And for navigating, a phone mount is gold! It takes away the pressure of having to check your phone while driving (which you shouldn’t do btw) or even asking your front-seat passenger all the time. I honestly can’t imagine going on a road trip without this dual-purpose phone mount and charger!
Snacks
Road trips just go better with snacks and let’s not forget how quickly hanger can kick in especially if you don’t want to keep stopping just to get something to eat. Pack a few snacks — and not just the sweet ones but a mix of sweets and salty ones too.
Rehydration packets
Rehydration packets are life savers when it comes to road trips! From long hikes, fatigue, uncoordinated meal times, scorching sun, there are so many incidences that can cause dehydration.
I always carry some rehydration packets for every road trip I go on and they’ve been great at keeping me hydrated. There are quite many on the market but I recommend these ones.
Bug spray and after-bite care
Nothing takes away the fun of enjoying a scenic hike like bug bites. I know it and I’ve been there — nowadays I never leave home without this lemon eucalyptus-based mosquito repellent, it’s a natural and DEET-free solution that works well on even the most stubborn mosquitos!
Unfortunately, it is sometimes inevitable to avoid bug bites regardless of how committed you were to applying and re-applying bug spray every couple of hours. In that case, this After Bite itch eraser will instantly soothe any bug bites.
Sunscreen
Most people don’t know this but the windshield doesn’t protect you against all UV rays. While they protect against UVB rays (which cause sunburn), most do not block UVA rays, which cause aging and skin cancer and that’s why it’s important to wear sunscreen even when driving.
On top of that, you’ll need it on hikes, beach days, or every time you go under the sun. You could probably get away with a cheaper sunscreen but since my face is kind of sensitive to chemical sunscreens, I need something gentle and I found that in this sunscreen.
And unlike the myth that some skin tones and races don’t need sunscreen, I am here to tell you that you need it as sun cancer doesn’t discriminate based on skin tone. So whether you’re white, pale like me, Black, Latina, or Asian, you need sunscreen!
If you’re hiking, don’t forget about your scalp either — I often end up with a burned scalp and it’s no fun, often leading to headaches. Buy a special sunscreen for hair and scalp to avoid this!
Rain jacket
Do you hate hiking in soaked clothes? Me too! You could have the perfect Utah road trip itinerary but that won’t stop it from raining but that also doesn’t mean you should just waste your day and wait for it to end while hiding in your hotel room!
Get yourself the Marmot PreCip rain jacket (there’s a women’s version and a men’s version). I’ve used mine for years doing all sorts of activities, from biking to hiking and traveling.
And the best part about this jacket is that it keeps me dry when it rains without making me uncomfortably hot like other rain jackets due to the zippered arm-pits which provide ventilation.
External batteries
The Anker external battery pack is a travel must. While you can charge your phone while driving, you may want to charge other devices — a camera, a drone, portable speakers, an e-reader — as well.
Or if you notice your battery is running low while you’re out hiking or sightseeing, you can just start charging right away without having to return to your car. It holds several charges on a single battery pack and will last days at a time.
Read Next
I have so many posts to help you plan an epic trip through the Southwest, from general packing guides to quotes to inspire your trip to detailed itineraries just like this one for neighboring states!
Sabra is an adventure-hungry outdoor enthusiast originally from Dallas, Texas. She has been to 33 states, 3 countries, and has traveled America while living out of the back of her truck. Besides writing, Sabra can be found powerlifting, running her online personal training business, and enjoying time with friends and family.
Is there any country where the road trip is more iconic than in the United States? Think beyond just classic Route 66 with these epic road trip itineraries all over the country.
Here are 25 epic US road trip itineraries with suggested stops and sights that cover virtually every part of America, as contributed by some of my favorite travel bloggers.
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The Best US Road Trips: West Coast
San Diego to San Francisco (Pacific Coast Highway)
Driving from San Diego to San Francisco will take travelers through some of the most impressive cities and sights along the iconic Pacific Coast Highway, or Highway 1.
Begin in sunny San Diego and drive north. Make sure to follow the signs for the Pacific Coast Highway because the GPS will often reroute you to a faster but less scenic inland route.
Los Angeles is the first stop. Depending on the amount of time available, you might choose to spend a day or two exploring the City of Angels or stick to the coast and pass through quickly. As you drive along the coast, you’ll pass by Huntington Beach, Long Beach, and Santa Monica.
Travel inland to check out the Griffith Observatory for city views and don’t miss taking a stroll along the lively Santa Monica Boardwalk.
Continue north to Santa Barbara, a laid back beach town located right on the water where you’re always just a short distance from the mountains. In Santa Barbara, tour the 1700s Mission Santa Barbara or grab a bite at Finney’s Crafthouse and Kitchen.
The next leg of the trip is the most beautiful because you’ll be passing through Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Make sure to stop at the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park waterfall and cove, which you’ll see signs for directly off Highway 1. When you hit Big Sur, stop at Nepenthe, a bohemian style shop built into the cliff where you can enjoy a cup of coffee in the densely wooded surroundings.
As you continue north toward Santa Cruz, you’ll pass the Bixby Bridge and several lookout points on the coast. Sometimes, you’ll see sea lions congregated on the rocky beaches below.
In Santa Cruz, get your thrills at the Santa Cruz boardwalk and amusement park while enjoying the views out to sea. If you have extra time, head inland to the Mystery Spot in the Redwood Forest. The mystery spot is believed to have supernatural energy, so embrace your outdoor guided tour with an open mind.
Finally, continue north to the final stop on the road trip, San Francisco.
While in San Francisco, you can’t miss Fishermans Warf, Ghirardelli Square, and the Golden Gate Bridge. If you have extra time, the California Academy of Science and the Haight Ashbury neighborhood shops are well worth a visit.
While it’s possible to do this drive in just 2-3 days, you’ll be able to see more if you devote at least 5 days to your classic Pacific Coast Highway road trip. With windows rolled down and music turned up, this is one of the best ways to experience the California coast.
Death Valley & Joshua Tree, California
By Carol Guttery of Wayfaring Views
This California road trip itinerary starts and ends at two of California’s most popular parks, but don’t do it as a straight shot, because there are some pretty cool spots in between if you like getting off the beaten path.
Top tip: Never schedule this road trip for the summer. Temperatures for either park can hit 116’F and many park services aren’t even available in the summer. The best time to visit is early spring (for catching wildflowers) or late fall (for fewer crowds).
In Deah Valley, first stop at Mesquite Dunes. These cool sand dunes offer a lovely soft contrast to the rocky landscape that characterizes most of the park, and is best seen at dawn.
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Next up is Zabriskie Point. This high spot in the park overlooks Badwater Basin, which is the lowest spot in the US. The overlook is beautiful at dawn, when the morning light behind you lights up the Panamint mountains.
Don’t miss Artist Palette Drive. Death Valley was originally a mining operation and its minerals are on full display on the Artist Palette drive.
Next up, visit Rhyolite Ghost Town: This ghost town is just outside of the park on the Nevada border. But it’s worth the drive to see the remains of this mining boom town.
On your way back to Joshua Tree from Death Valley, don’t take the Google-recommended Highway 395 route through Barstow. Rather, take highway 127 through Tecopa and Baker.
First up, you’ll see The World’s Tallest Thermometer: because why not stop in Tecopa to see a gigantic thermometer? Next up ,after Baker, get on Kelbaker road through Kelso. Then hang a right to go to the Kelso Dunes. It’s a sign-posted nature preserve with hiking opportunities on the dunes.
Get back on Kelbaker road, cross over highway 40 and drive another ~10 miles toward National Trails Highway. Head west and then take the pull-out for Amboy Crater. This BLM landmark is one of the youngest volcanic fields in the US with explanatory signage, hiking, and picnic tables. Then follow Amboy road south into 29 Palms and the town of Joshua Tree.
Once you’ve reached Joshua Tree National Park, take the Key’s Ranch Tour. This mining ranch was one of the very few to survive and thrive the landscape’s harsh conditions. The tour offers a great overview of park culture and ecology. But you must get reservations in advance.
Time to hike! Next, hit the Barker Dam Loop trail. This 1.3-mile interpretive loop has nature markers and a small spur leading to Native American cave paintings.
Afterward, drive the Queen Valley Road. This dirt road is a quiet drive between Barker Dam and the Skull Rock.
Be sure to catch sunset at Keys View./ The views here are great all day but at sunset, the desert really lights up.
Lastly, be sure to save some time to find cool art in Joshua Tree! The town has always attracted outsider artists and spotting things like toilet sculptures, a kitchy knitted animal museum and a portal to a parallel universe are some of the coolest things to do in Joshua Tree town.
Eastern Sierras, California
By Kelsey Frey of Sights Better Seen
The Mammoth area is located in central California, on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Mainly known as a winter destination due to its ski resort, it’s often overlooked by out of state and international travelers.
However, there are a plethora of amazing and unique destinations along the main road, Highway 395, that are worth exploring during the other seasons! Fall is especially nice due to lower numbers of visitors and the swath of golden Aspen trees that cover the area.
If you choose to visit in winter or early spring, be aware that this area gets a lot of snow so you may need tire chains to pass through. Here are my favorite stops on an Eastern Sierras Road Trip!
Begin at Bodie. Once a bustling gold-mining area, Bodie was quickly abandoned in the early 1900s and became a ghost town. Now a State Historic Park, you can wander along the pathways and observe well-preserved buildings and furniture pieces.
After Bodie, head south to Mono Lake. This lake has such a high salt content that you can actually float in it! You can access the water from Navy Beach if you’d like to try for yourself – the summer or fall would be best for this, as there is less freshwater from rain or snow runoff. There are lots of birds in the area, too, as well as unique limestone rock formations called ‘Tufas’.
From Mono Lake, drive to the town of Mammoth Lakes and scout for natural hot springs.
The most famous is Wild Willy’s due to its heart shape. It can get a little rowdy at night, and some people swim nude. There are many other springs in the area, but get there early as they fill up quickly!
This is also a great area to stop and camp, since it’s all BLM land and free to stay. There are no toilets in the area, except for a portapotty at Wild Willy’s. Please be respectful and pack out anything you bring.
From the hot springs area, you can backtrack a little and hike to Devil’s Postpile, a unique geological rock formation, and Rainbow Falls, a gorgeous waterfall. These are pretty popular hikes, so get there early to beat the crowds. Inyo Craters is another cool hike nearby, too, that’s more off the beaten path.
From here, you can stop at Lake Sabrina or another nearby lake (there are plenty in the area!) if you fancy a boat ride. Rent a paddleboat or kayak on Lake Sabrina and enjoy the gorgeous mountain views.
If you have time, I’d highly recommend a stop in Big Pine! The Big Pine Lakes Trail is gorgeous, but certainly not an easy feat.
The hike up is pretty grueling, but the 13-mile loop is definitely doable in one day as long as you start early. You’ll see 8 beautiful lakes filled with bright blue water; Second Lake, with its backdrop of Temple Crag, is the crowd favorite.
Highway 101 along the Oregon Coast is a beautiful drive filled with stunning views around every corner, large expansive beaches, and great opportunities to view nature and wildlife. Without a doubt, it’s one of the best road trips in the USA.
I recommend starting at the north end as you’ll have better views with the water being right next to you. Having done the drive a handful of times, here are my favorite and best things to do along the Oregon Coast.
Start in Astoria, Oregon and explore this charming town used as the setting for the cult classic, The Goonies.
Before you leave the area, head into Fort Stevens State Park where you can get up close to the shipwreck of the Peter Iredale. Next, head down about 25 miles to Cannon Beach famous for its Haystack Rock, a sea stack that stretches 235 feet high. Depending on whether the tide is in or out, you get a completely different experience.
Your next stop are the sand dunes in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area located close to Florence, Oregon. You can rent your own ATVs and go exploring through the dunes, but for those wanting a little more security in the experience (and don’t want to risk getting lost or stuck among the dunes!), I’d recommend going on a tour in a giant dune buggy.
Finally, the last stop is to see the sea stacks in Bandon, Oregon at Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint. If you time your visit right and the tide is out, you may be able to walk a labyrinth etched in the sand.
While these are my favorite things along the coast, there are a ton more to see from enjoying a scoop or two of delicious ice cream at the Tillamook Cheese Factory to the sea lion caves by Florence to the Yaquina Head Lighthouse near Newport, not to mention viewpoints and cool natural attractions as well.
Give yourself enough time to thoroughly explore the coast as you’ll be surprised and happy that you did.
Southern California was made for road trips. Coming from LA, the first stop on the trip is the infamous roadside attraction; the Cabezon dinosaurs. For a small fee, you can check out their museum, see more of the dinosaur,s and even climb to the top of T-Rex.
Just a little over an hour southeast of the Cabezon dinosaurs is the Salton Sea. The Salton Sea is a large salt water lake, located in the middle of the desert. The sea has increased in salinity over time, making it difficult for fish to survive, resulting in a beach full of fish bones and an ever present fish smell.
Next stop is Leonard Knight’s life work; Salvation Mountain. You can spend probably a good hour and a half exploring Salvation Mountain before running out of things to see or dying of heat exhaustion.
Minutes away from Salvation Mountain is “the last free community in America” Slab City and its unique art display, East Jesus. After visiting Slab City and East Jesus head over to Palm Springs in the Coachella Valley.
After staying the night or spending the day in Palm Springs you can head over to the last leg of the journey, Joshua Tree National Park.
Joshua Tree can easily be a whole day excursion and if you love camping under the stars I would recommend making it at least a two-day trip.
After Joshua Tree head back to LA or continue your Southern Cali road trip adventures by heading south to San Diego or northeast to Las Vegas.
Lake Tahoe to Salt Lake City via ‘The Loneliest Road in America’
Contributed by Allison of She Dreams of Alpine
Heading from Lake Tahoe, CA to Salt Lake City, UT will take you across Nevada on a stretch of U.S. Route 50 dubbed the “Loneliest Road in America.”
While it sounds like that might make for a boring road trip, it’s truly anything but, with a variety of interesting attractions along the way, from the quirky to the spectacular.
After leaving Lake Tahoe, your first fun stop will be in Fallon, NV, just about an hour and a half into your journey. Here you can find Churchill Vineyards, one of the few vineyards in Nevada for a little wine tasting, or check out the adjacent Frey Ranch Estate Distillery if spirits are more your style. Just outside of Fallon, you can peer at the petroglyphs in the Grimes Point Archaeological Area.
Then it’s time to hit the road again for a bit as you make your way to the Sand Mountain Recreation Area. Sand Mountain was a stop on the Pony Express Route in the 1860s, and now it is home to a massive 600-ft sand dune that you can explore on foot or by ATV. Once you’ve worked up an appetite for lunch, head about 25 miles east until you reach Middlegate Station, another Pony Express stop that is now a restaurant serving giant “Monster” burgers.
After refueling, head about an hour east on the Loneliest Road until you find yourself in Austin, NV. The top attraction in this tiny town is Stokes Castle, a castle built from stone back in the silver mining days. To stretch your legs a little, trade your car for a mountain bike and ride one of the many trails around Austin.
Then buckle back up for another hour-long drive to the town of Eureka. Known as “The Friendliest Town on the Loneliest Road,” Eureka is an old mining town with plenty of history, including the Eureka Opera House. If you need a pick me up for the next leg of the trip, grab a cup of coffee at The Roost.
Another hour or so drive will land you in Ely. Just before you enter the town, stop at Garnet Hill, a former active volcano, where you can now try your hand at searching for shiny garnets, which will make a perfect sparkly souvenir from your road trip.
But the crown jewel of the Loneliest Road in America is Great Basin National Park. This hidden gem features 77,180 acres of rugged landscape, including ancient groves of bristlecone pines. The Lehman Caves, composed of limestone, are a stunning natural wonder, and you can take a guided tour of the stalactites and stalagmites.
Give your legs a workout before the final leg of your drive to Salt Lake City by heading out on one of the many spectacular hikes in Great Basin.
As you can see, the “Loneliest Road in America” isn’t that lonely if you know where to look, and it makes for a unique and fascinating road trip from Lake Tahoe to Salt Lake City.
The Best US Road Trips: Southwest & Mountain West
American Southwest
Editor’s Choice
The American Southwest is so iconic for a reason. It looks almost like another planet, and has even stood in for Mars in many a sci-fli flick.
Start your road trip in Las Vegas for the best car rental prices — you’re looking at a much more expensive road trip than if you start in Utah or Arizona. From Vegas, check out the Hoover Dam while en route to Flagstaff, your first stop.
Enjoy Sunset Crater National Monument and take the cable car to the top of the nearby mountains if it’s in season. But the real reason you’re in Flagstaff is your proximity to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, your first national park of the trip (hint: buy the annual pass, it’s much cheaper than buying separate admission each time!)
After Flagstaff, make your way to Page, where your Instagram will reach its peak. Antelope Canyon is an absolute must, and so is Horseshoe Bend.
After Page, start heading towards Kanab, where you can see the Toadstools and Coral Sand Dunes National Park. Don’t go to Zion just yet though — save that for your trip back!
After Kanab, head to Bryce Canyon National Park where you can see the iconic hoodoos that make up this famous national park. Next, make your way towards Moab where you’ll find a trifecta of photogenic parks: Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Dead Horse Point State Park.
On your way back towards Vegas, you can either head back the way you came or take the scenic route through Monument Valley.
But no matter what you do, make sure you save Zion National Park for last! The Angels Landing hike is epic and the perfect way to end your trip on a high note.
In addition to hikes and views, there are loads of cozy towns along the way. You can find anything from biker resorts, delicious cafes, and quirky museums just off of the parkway.
This US road trip is truly one of America’s treasures and should be enjoyed by anyone traveling through the American Southeast.
Rocky Mountains, Colorado
By Ashley from Impact Winder
If you find yourself in Colorado, please do yourself a favor and don’t spend all your time on the front range. To truly see this area, you need to take a road trip further into the Rocky Mountains of Colorado to really see this incredible mountain state.
For one of the most picturesque summer road trips, start from Denver and head north through Boulder, Lyons, and into Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) which is located on the doorstep of the mountain town of Estes Park.
While in Estes Park, stop for a meal at SEASONED which is a wonderful American bistro in the middle of town. Before or after your meal, head out for your first hike in RMNP. One of the best hikes is Mt. Ida or up to Flattop and Hallett Peak if you arrive in the summertime. If you ever come during the winter season, snowshoeing or cross country skiing can be a great way to see the area.
From Rocky Mountain National Park/Estes Park, take Hwy 34 West for a scenic drive that takes you onto the other side of Indian Peaks (note there is no road access during winter).
From here you can hop on several trailheads that bring you up into the lakes of the Indian Peak Wilderness. All hikes are well worth the trek up. The more popular hikes include Dorothy Lake, King Lake, and Devil’s Thumb Lake.
After your hike, start driving south and make your way down to I-70 where you have your pick of incredible mountain towns to stay in – including Silverthorne, Vail, or Beaver Creek. Head West towards Glenwood Springs to have a soak at the world-famous hot springs or check out the underground caverns nearby. A great hike in the area is Hanging Lake – but head there extra early as it’s incredibly popular.
From Glenwood Springs you can either head south and explore Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (if you have time) or head East back along I-70 to explore the incredible mountains and towns on either side.
Aspen, Breckenridge, or Leadville are all great options and are each individually known for their unique and beautiful hikes, historic downtowns, and adventure sports.
As you make your way back towards Denver on I-70, stop at the historic town of Idaho Springs for a brewery visit or general lunch stop. With a beautifully picturesque and historic downtown, this little mountain town is a great place to walk around and stretch your legs after your drive.
If you are up for it, just up the road is Black Hawk Casino Resort – if gambling is more your thing. After these last two stops, head back on I-70 towards Denver and the end of your Rocky Mountain road trip.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
By Cath Jordan of Passports and Adventures
One of the best road trips to take in the US is one in which you explore the amazing Yellowstone National Park.
The world’s first National Park, this area of astounding beauty, mostly located in Wyoming, is a must-visit place in the US, particularly for a road trip. While there are tour buses offering visits to the park, you should have your own car to ensure you can explore the park at your own leisure.
One of the best places to stay for visiting Yellowstone National Park is West Yellowstone, the town at the west gate of the park. There are numerous hotels located in this lovely town to suit all budgets. While there is accommodation in the park, these get booked up a year in advance, so West Yellowstone may prove easier.
It is a short 30-minute drive to the Madison Junction within the park from where you will start your exploring. Ideally you will need to spend 3 days in Yellowstone to fully appreciate the park, If you have longer, even better. While you could see the park in less time, this doesn’t leave you with much free time to get out and explore on foot. Top tip: do not underestimate the size of the park and the driving distances between places.
On day one, spend most of your time around the geyser basins in the south of the park. First stop should be Grand Prismatic Spring. Get there early to get parking and to avoid the crowds. Then you can double back to explore the Lower Geyser Basin before heading to the most famous of them all, Old Faithful Geyser.
Once finished there, you could drive eastwards to the West Thumb Geyser Basin and then head back north to the Norris Geyser Basin. This will probably take you a day and cover most of the must-see geysers in Yellowstone.
On day two, drive the lower section of the Grand Loop Road from Madison, to Canyon and past Yellowstone Lake, before returning to Madison. Starting your day early, stop at Gibbon Falls, before making your way to Canyon.
Get into the park early to get parking at the main Falls of Yellowstone so you can walk down to the viewing point for the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River. This gets very busy later in the day. From there, also check out the Upper Falls before driving along the Yellowstone River and the Hayden Valley. Be prepared to stop to view herds of bison along here. There is also a great area to stop at the Mud Volcano to view other geothermal features of the park.
From there, continue south along the edge of Yellowstone Lake, the largest in the park, stopping at the historic Yellowstone Lake Hotel. You can enjoy a walk along the shore or take one of the free tours of the hotel to discover more about the hotel and the history of the park. From there, you can enjoy a leisurely drive back to Madison, crossing the Continental Divide until you reach Madison. If you want to stop at Old Faithful again, do so. This will complete the lower section of the Grand Loop Road.
Day three will see you exploring the upper section of the Grand Loop Road. If you didn’t get to see the waterfalls of the Yellowstone River, arrive early at Canyon and see these before venturing north along the road. From Canyon you should head north towards Roosevelt to allow you to drive the Dunraven Pass, a road that heads up along the mountainside and will allow you to enjoy spectacular views across parts of Yellowstone. If you enjoy hiking, some of the best hikes in Yellowstone are in this area. Just make sure you are equipped and prepared to follow the bear safety rules of the park.
Continuing north, you will pass by Tower Waterfall before arriving at Tower Junction for Roosevelt Lodge. If you book the Old West Dinner Cookout (highly recommended), it is from here that you will join your dinner excursion. From there you can drive north into the Lamar Valley where you are likely to view bison and wolves if you are there early in the morning.
From Roosevelt, continue west to the Mammoth Hot Springs area where you should take time to visit the Albright Visitor Centre. North of here is the Boiling River, one of the safe areas to do river swimming in the park. Completing your tour of Yellowstone will see you drive south from Mammoth towards Norris and then out of the park along the Madison River where, if you are there late in the evening, you can enjoy amazing sunsets to the west. 3 days is just enough time to enjoy all that Yellowstone has to offer and ensure you visit the must-see places in the park.
Glacier National Park, Montana
By Zach and Julie of Ruhls of the Road
Glacier National Park is without a doubt one of the best and most beautiful National Parks in the world. This park also plays host to one of the most beautiful stretches of road in the world: the Going to the Sun Road.
The Going to the Sun Road is a 50 mile stretch of road that goes from Apgar, Montana to St Mary, Montana, right through the heart of the park. Along the route are an endless number of beautiful sights and lookouts, including Lake McDonald, the largest lake in the park.
Lake McDonald is a jaw-dropping lake. Each morning, as the sun rises over this national wonderland, the stillness of the lake reflects the mountains perfectly, making for an epic view each morning.
Along the lake are a few hikes, the best of which is Avalanche Lake. The Avalanche Lake hike is 4.5 miles with an elevation gain of 750 feet, and takes you along an icy blue glacial river up to the lake, nestled amidst the mountains of Glacier. Avalanche Lake, like Lake McDonald, is often perfectly still and thus perfectly reflective. This place is a perfect spot for a picnic, photos, or just for quiet reflection as you enjoy the view.
Red Rock Point and Crystal Point are great overlooks where the beauty of Glacier spreads before you in an incredible panorama. Keep your eyes peeled and you may be able to spot some of Glacier’s famous wildlife: herds of elk and deer, mountain goats, bears, and moose are all roaming the park in various areas.
At the apex of the Going to the Sun Road is the Logan Pass Visitor Center, where you can make a stop an learn about the history of the park, as well as see a few incredible viewpoints. One of the best hikes in the park, the hike to Hidden Lake, is also located here at Logan Pass.
Along the backside of the Going to the Sun Road, stop at any of the multiple glacier viewpoints from the roadway. The final lake along the road is St Mary Lake, a lake that is nearly as big, and just as beautiful, as Lake McDonald. Enjoy relaxing at this lake, have a picnic, and enjoy the stunning view before you.
As a bonus, head to the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park for more epic hikes and lakes, and to see that amazing wildlife that makes Glacier so special. Enjoy your road trip!
The Best US Road Trips: Midwest
Wisconsin
One of the best USA road trips you can take is Northern Wisconsin. Why? Because this remote area of the US is still not very discovered and not crowded by tourists.
On top of that, there are plenty of things to do in Northern Wisconsin and plenty of natural wonders are awaiting you. Thus, get in your RV or car and explore this gorgeous part of the US. Especially if you are an outdoor lover, Northern Wisconsin will be your heaven!
Drive to some of the prettiest lakes in Wisconsin, hike in the Big Bay State Park, kayak along with the Apostle Islands and rent a romantic log cabin: these are only a few of the things that should be part of any road trip in Northern Wisconsin.
Don’t forget to stop in Bayfield, the gateway to the Apostle Islands and one of the cutest, historic town in Northern Wisconsin.
If you are more of a city person, a stop in La Crosse is an absolute must. Here you can visit the town’s best breweries and enjoy hearty Wisconsin food.
Other mandatory stops would be Tomahawk, Pattinson State Park, the Devil’s Lake near Baraboo and the scenic Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.
The most quintessential American road trip, a trip down US Route 66 harkens back to the earliest days of American road trips. In fact, many of the famous sites on the route are places that once served train travel but had to rapidly shift to serving those traveling by car instead.
The traditional starting point is in Chicago and the official endpoint is the Santa Monica pier, but you can make the road trip in either direction. You can also choose just to do a portion of the trip depending on how long you have to explore.
There are tons of great neon signs, drive-in theaters, throwback motels, and other kitsch along the route. There are also great preserved original gas stations, dozens of museums, two different historic Ferris wheels, and countless roadside diners. In fact, no two people who set out will have the exact same experiences since the are an infinite number of combinations of the best things to see on Route 66.
For your trip, I suggest starting out in Chicago at the official Route 66 “Begin” sign. If you have a few days to spend in Chicago before your trip, take in the Chicago Institute of Art as well as the Navy Pier before you leave on your trip.
Another important site to visit is one of the first thing you’ll see when crossing from Illinois into Missouri, The St. Louis Arch is a monument to western travel and movement. While we may be contextualizing how we think about America’s push westward, it’s hard to deny that the Arch symbolizes an important chapter of American history.
A fun roadside stop that embodies the fun kitsch factor of Route 66 is the Catoosa Blue Whale in northeast Oklahoma. This art project has been recently restored by the town and is free to visit.
While there are several important UNESCO World Heritage Sites and UN National Parks along the route, but the biggest and most popular to stop at is the Grand Canyon. While it isn’t directly on Route 66, you can easily visit as a day trip from Flagstaff, Arizona.
Finally, your trip ends at the Santa Monica Pier. Snap a selfie with the official Route 66 “End” sign before spending a day at the beach relaxing in the sand. You’ve earned it!
After moving to Texas from New Hampshire, where I could cross a state border in a one hour drive, it was hard for me to accept that in the Lone Star State you can drive for eight hours and still find yourself in Texas.
But living here made me realize how diverse one state can be. From the hip and cool bars of Austin to the Europeablun-like River Walk of San Antonio to the gorgeous nature of state parks – you can cover it all without ever leaving Texas!
Start your US road trip from Austin and explore the hip and weird side of the state. Visit the colorful Hope Outdoor Gallery that provides space for local artists to express themselves right in the city center.
Visit the Cathedral of Junk which is exactly what the name states: a several stories tall structure fully made of clutter. Try on cowboy boots at Allens on South Congress Avenue and listen to live music on any day of the week on Sixth Street.
Next stop is in San Antonio! It might be located only one and a half hour’s drive from Austin, but you’ll feel an unmistakable change of vibe. Historic buildings in the city center and the miles-long River Walk with cute little shops and restaurants on both sides instantly give you the feeling of strolling the streets of European capitals.
Feel the history come alive at the Alamo, 18th-century Spanish mission that marks the battle for Texan independence from Mexico. And if you feel especially courageous, try to eat the 3-pound cinnamon bun at Lulu’s that was featured in Man vs. Food!
Next, we are headed to West Texas and one of its main attractions for art-aficionados and fashionistas – a little town called Marfa.
With a population of only 2,000 people, the town attracts attention not only of travelers from around the world, but even celebrities like Beyoncé and Matthew McConaughey. Discover modern art in Chinati Foundation, take a picture in front of the famous Prada shop located in the middle of the desert and try the amazingly delicious Marfa burritos.
An hour away from Marfa is an even smaller town, Terlingua, with a population of 1,000. Why go to such a tiny town you ask? Because although small, Terlingua has so much to offer it will blow your mind!
From exploring the Ghost Town with destroyed houses, rusty car parts, and an old cemetery to hiking a trail that leads to Indian petroglyphs to eating the world-famous chili and beyond!
A hike in Big Bend National Park
But above all that, Terlingua is only minutes away from Big Bend Ranch State Park, the largest state park in Texas, located on the Rio Grande.
Make it the final destination of the trip and spend a couple of days hiking trails, climbing mountains and taking in the gorgeous views. Or maybe go on exploring more of this wonderful state because Texas requires time and patience. And in return it will not cease to surprise you time and again!
When it comes to classic American road trips, the United States provides no shortage of options: from the deserts of the Southwest to the lighthouses of New England, no matter where you live in the USA, you’re within driving distance of a decent road trip.
Dip down to the American Southeast, though, and you’ll find my favorite road trip in the country: the route from Savannah, GA to North Carolina is packed with American history, Southern charm, and tons of delicious food.
Start in Savannah to get your fill of ghost stories, stunning town squares, and a tour or two of Savannah’s historical mansions. From there, head north into South Carolina for your first of many beach stops: Hilton Head, beach haunt of anyone in the surrounding area.
Unless you stop at Tybee Island near Savannah, this will be your first taste on this road trip of the rolling waves of the Atlantic, beaches scattered with shells that are begging to be collected, and tall sand dunes that make up the beaches in this part of the country.
Your next city break of Charleston, SC will call you forward: try taking a historical tour of the city in a horse-drawn carriage to get acquainted, and if you have time, tour the Old City Jail at night (like most such tours in the American South, ghost stories and drama abound).
Leaving Charleston and preparing to head into North Carolina gives you plenty of options: head slightly northwest to reach Asheville, North Carolina to hike in Smoky Mountains National Park and pay a visit to the Biltmore Estate (built by the Vanderbilts, it is the largest privately owned home in the United States).
For a more coastal trip, hug the coastline through the lovely beach town of Myrtle Beach, SC and up into the Outer Banks, NC. Choices of small towns are endless in the Outer Banks, but I personally love Beaufort, NC–small and picturesque, I’ve been visiting (and eating my way through) this town longer than I can remember.
During the entire route, whichever direction you choose, don’t forget to eat all the pecan pie, peach cobbler, fried chicken, and other delicious Southern food you can find–you’ll find that the American South is often a region best appreciated through your stomach.
The Best US Road Trips: East Coast
The Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia & North Carolina)
You can take it as fast or as slow as you want. My husband and I drove the parkway over a long weekend and hiked along the way.
The Parkway is stunning without any hiking required. However, some of its best beauty is seen after hiking a few miles.
Personally, I think the best hikes are in North Carolina, and if I had to choose only five to hike to they would be Linn Cove Viaduct, Crabtree Falls, Devil’s Courthouse, Skinny Dip Falls and Waterrock Knob.
The longest hike on this list is only 3 miles round trip. Linn Cove Viaduct offers a beautiful view of the Parkway curving around a bend.
Crabtree Falls is my favorite waterfall in Western North Carolina; it’s very dramatic and beautiful.
Devil’s Courthouse has one of the best views on the Parkway, and it’s a short, but steep hike to the top.
Skinny Dip Falls doesn’t have its own pullout; instead, you take the Looking Glass Rock overlook, cross the road and hike to this perfect swimming hole.
Lastly, Waterrock Knob is a short and steep hike to the top of Waterrock Mountain that gives a stunning view of not only the mountains, but the Parkway cutting through them.
Outer Banks, North Carolina
By Anjali Chawla of Travel Melodies
Outer Banks, a chain of islands off the coast of North Carolina, is one of the best road trip destinations in the US for people who love being close to nature.
The best way to explore the beauty is to drive the 138-mile long Outer Banks Scenic Highway with the coastline as your company for most of the ride.
The Highway begins at Nags Head in Outer Banks and ends in Beaufort in North Carolina with so many small coastal villages along the route – Kitty Hawk, Avon, Buxton, Hatteras, and Ocracoke.
This is the place where the Wright brothers chased their dream and created history by flying the first flight. So stop by at the Wright Brothers Memorial and get inspired.
Let your next stop be Jockey Ridge State Park, where you can witness the largest natural dunes of the East coast. Don’t forget to fly a kite in the park.
For adventure seekers, there is an option to drive your AWD vehicle on Corolla and Cape Hatteras beaches.
There are many beautiful lighthouses along the way that make for a great stop – Bodie Island Lighthouse, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, and Ocracoke lighthouse. They are even open to climbing during spring to summer.
The most special part of this drive is that not only you drive on the scenic road!
However, it includes two ferry rides – one from Hatteras Island to Ocracoke Island and the other from Ocracoke to Cedar Island. You drive the cars onto the ferry for the journey.
Ocracoke is a small historic town on Ocracoke Island and is a great place to stay and escape the chaotic city life.
The Outer Banks Scenic byway takes about 6.5 hours, including the 3.5 hours on the two ferry rides without any halts.
But it won’t be justice to the ethereal beauty of the place to just drive by. Spend at least 2-3 days to enjoy the beaches and watch the magical sunset/sunrise and get rejuvenated.
A road trip down the East Coast of the USA is a fantastic insight into the history and culture of America.
Start from New England and move South ending up in Florida for this classic USA road trip. You’ll pass through some of America’s best historical points including towns like Salem and Boston, MA, Savannah GA, Charleston SC and St Augustine FL.
I definitely recommend taking a historical trolley tour in all of these cities because the history you’ll unearth is fascinating.
You’ll also hit some top American cities on the way like New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC which are full of some of the world’s best museums.
If you want to get an overview of American history passing from North to South, this is a fantastic road trip to take.
A south Florida road trip is one of the best road trips in Florida. It will be best to fly in and out of Miami, making this a big swampy loop, since it won’t include the Keys.
Seven to ten days would be perfect for this. Two weeks would be even better and you could do a little more, too.
Once you get to Miami, head over to Biscayne National Park.
Here you can cool off in the water, do some snorkeling on a boat tour, and visit Boca Chita and Elliot Keys.
If you don’t have time to do a boat tour, there is a short mangrove walk you can do or maybe try some kayaking along the shore.
Next, head over to Everglades National Park for a couple of days.
Make sure you hike the Anhinga Trail and do all the short boardwalks in the park. If you have time, do a boat or kayak tour in the Flamingo area.
On your way over to Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades City, stop at the Shark Valley area.
Once you’re in Big Cypress, sign up for a ranger-led paddling tour or rent some kayaks for yourself. If you want to try a real swampy hike, check out the Gator Hook Trail on the scenic loop.
Spend a couple of nights in Everglades City to explore the area and hike to the Fakahatchee Hilton to see tons of gators at a cute swamp shack and do all the boardwalks (a lot of them) in the area.
Next, head over to Naples for a day or two to get a little beach time. You can visit Lovers Key State Park, Sanibel, or Marco Island for some great beaches and shelling. Finally, head back over to Miami for a few days before leaving to enjoy the city life and explore the hip Wynwood area.
US, Hawaii, & Canada Road Trips
Big Island, Hawaii
By Noel Morata of This Hawaii Life
A fantastic road trip to do in Hawaii would be on the Big Island and it definitely is big!
It can be a very long day trip but I would advise staying at a few locations along the way to break it up and really get to know some of the local areas and eat in the fun neighborhood restaurants along the way.
Typically a road trip can start from Kona or Hilo which both have airports and rental car agencies to rent from a variety of rental agencies. If you start from the Kona area you can begin by driving down the Circle Island Highway Route 11.
Pass through the mostly forested areas and coffee plantations just south of Kona with worthwhile coffee tours available at any farm you might want to pass along the way.
There are significant attractions to visit along the way including The Place of Refuge and a fantastic snorkeling spot next door called Two Step.
Along the way you’ll find lovely small towns like Kealekekua, Captain Cook, and Naalehu to stop and explore.
Rounding out the southern tip of the island includes stops at the cliffs at South Point, the green sandy beach at Papakolea, or the black sandy beach with turtles at Punalu’u.
If you continue on Hwy 11, you’ll eventually reach Volcanoes National Park and can do an overnight stay in the village or park so you can be refreshed for a nice morning to full-day visit of the park.
Enjoy an easy hike, explore a lava tube, or do a mini road trip around the park at historic viewpoints and monuments.
After your visit to the park, head back on Hwy 11 to the 2nd largest city in Hawaii at Hilo.
This town retains all its charming and historic downtown area with the bayfront farmers market, Rainbow Falls, lovely gardens and waterfront area of Liliuokalani Park and Coconut Island.
If you want to do another overnight stay, there are so many other lovely things to do around Hilo including beach tours, tropical gardens and zoos, macadamia farms, and some other unique tourist-oriented venues worth seeing.
You continue down Hwy 11 and can check out other lovely places to visit along the way like Akaka Falls, Lapahoehoe Point, and Onomea.
Then, go to Honokaa with the spectacular lookout point to Wapio and the gorgeous black sandy beach below.
A nice lunch and tour around the cowboy town of Waimea brings you around the Kohala Coast on the way back to Kona.
California to Alaska can seem like an intimidating drive but if you make the road trip part of the vacation, you won’t be disappointed in one of the most epic North American road trips!
As full time road trippers, we’ve logged over 25,000 miles in the last year and have some favorite stops along this route.
One thing to keep in mind while driving trough the Yukon is to always stop for gas.
If you have a half tank and see a gas station, always stop because the next one could be 300+ miles away.
Portland, Seattle, & Vancouver All three cities are easy stops along the way and nice places to see before heading into nature.
Vancouver has West Coast charm mixed with Canadian friendliness. It’s a very clean city with rolling hills similar to San Francisco!
Seattle has views of the water like none other and Portland has a quirkiness that has to be experienced at least once.
Takhini Hot Pools, Yukon is located 28km from Whitehorse; look for a small sign pointing for the turn off.
Once you find it, park and take a short stroll down a paved path to find some of the most beautiful hot springs in the world.
Stop for a while at the hot springs to rejuvenate and enjoy nature’s finest.
Don’t worry about getting changed in the car; there is a changing station next to the hot springs.
Keep an eye out for bison on the Alaska Highway. One of the very few places to see wild bison, this region has large herds living right next to the highway.
You’ll start to see open prairie and there will be plenty of warning signs about bison on the road.
Stop to take some photos from your car but never get out for the photo opps.
Up next is Boondock, Alaska.
In Alaska there are a ton of places to pull off and sleep for the night with panoramic views.
If you’re road tripping in the summer, expect the sun to stay high in the sky until midnight, and never really set.
But what better way to wake than with a view that cost nothing to stay at!
One of the cutest towns in Alaska, Seward is a great place to spend weeks, months or forever.
With fjords shooting from the ocean, this magical place has so much to offer. Seward has everything from fishing to cruises, restaurants to BBQ pits, and lots of places to stay.
Seward is by far one of our favorite towns in the USA!
It will only take you about six hours to drive from Boston, Massachusetts to Montreal, Canada.
Still, this short drive will provide the best of New England and US history with the French Canadian culture of Montreal.
First, spend a few days exploring the colonial history of Boston. Then you can drive up through New Hampshire or Vermont.
If you are making the drive back to Boston, be sure to take different routes each way. In New Hampshire explore and enjoy the hiking and small towns of the White Mountains, such as Lincoln.
In Vermont enjoy the upscale, arty culture of towns such as Woodstock and Quechee. Right before you reach the border, explore the town of Stanhope which exists in both countries!
While in Montreal, enjoy the food and culture, along with old churches and the waterfront area.
The best times to take this drive are summer when the weather is perfect or fall when you can enjoy New England’s famous foliage.
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
As a continent, Europe is perfectly suited for road trips!
The distances between countries are short – at least in this American’s eyes – so you can easily see several countries on one quick trip, or very thoroughly explore one country in depth.
While the rail and bus system in Europe is quite advanced, there’s really no better substitute than having your own car.
This way, you can explore as much as possible and get off the beaten path whenever you like.
I asked some travel bloggers to share their expert opinions on what some of the best road trips in Europe are, and they didn’t disappoint!
Check it out below and get inspired!
But first, we’ll cover a bit of the nitty-gritty of renting a car in Europe, since you’ll likely need to handle that before going on any of these Europe road trips!
Renting a Car in Europe
Renting a car in Europe can be a bit intimidating.
What side of the road will I drive on? (Usually the right, unless you’re in the UK, Ireland, or Malta).
Will they have automatic cars? (Yes, but you’ll want to double-check that you don’t accidentally book manual, since automatic supplies are limited.)
Who to rent with? I always pick Discover Cars to search for the best deal for multiple reasons.
For one, they search all the local agencies, not just the big names like Hertz, Avis, etc. which I often find to be overpriced and slam me with all sorts of extra fees.
For another, their full coverage insurance is one of the cheapest I’ve seen — starting at just $7/day, whereas when I book it at a rental counter, it tends to be $20/day on average.
(I always book full coverage when I travel because the peace of mind is worth the minimal extra cost)
Lastly, their cancellation policy is generous, so if my plans change at the last minute, I won’t be out of luck.
This search engine not only looks at the typical rental car agencies (which can be $$$), it also looks at local, small agencies that may offer better deals. Their pricing is straightforward (no bait-and-switches) and they offer free cancellation if you need it.
The route is named after the five ferries one must take between the mainland and various islands and peninsulas in this jagged coastal landscape.
The road trip begins in Ardrossan, a seaside town with a busy ferry port around 35 miles southwest of Glasgow.
Set sail to the Isle of Arran and on to the Kintyre peninsula. From there make your way to the Cowal Peninsula, the Isle of Bute and back to the Ayrshire coast on the mainland.
The first stop on the Five Ferries Route is the Isle of Arran. It is also known as Scotland in miniature and boasts a little bit of everything Scotland has to offer.
Stunning mountains and white sandy beaches, baronial and ruined castles, locally made produce from beer to cheese, an independent whisky distillery, and even some fascinating standing stones.
Spend at least one full day on Arran before heading on to the ferry.
Next up is the Kintyre peninsula. The ferry from Lochranza on Arran arrives in Cloanaig near the top of the peninsula.
If you are pressed for time, you can simply take in the nearby sites (Skipness Castle and Tarbert Castle) before heading on to Portvadie on the next ferry.
Alternately, you can spend a couple of days in the area to explore everything the long finger-shaped peninsula has to offer.
From the beautiful lighthouse at the Mull of Kintyre to the whisky distilleries in Campbeltown, stunning beaches and bay along both coasts or a day trip to the Isle of Gigha, there is a lot to see here.
The next part of the Five Ferries Route takes in a remote part of Scotland called Argyll’s Secret Coast.
While it’s not really a secret, this area on the Cowal peninsula is so far off the beaten path, few people venture here.
Your efforts will be rewarded with stunning natural beauty, breathtaking scenery and welcoming and vibrant villages.
From Colintrave (on the second finger of the Cowal Peninsula), catch the short ferry across to Rhubodach on the Isle of Bute.
Bute is a true hidden gem among Scottish islands – super easy to get to from Glasgow, lots of things to do, yet a complete underdog in comparison to the likes of Skye, Mull or Islay.
Visit Mount Stuart and spend a few hours on the beaches of Ettrick Bay or Scalpsie Bay.
Hike from Kilchattan Bay to the remote Glencallum lighthouse and visit the sites around Rothesay.
I’d say that 1-2 full days on the island is enough to see the highlights.
Finally, make your way back to the mainland. From Wemyss Bay, head on to Glasgow or continue down the Ayrshire coast back to Ardrossan.
Stop for ice cream and Scottish Viking history in Largs and visit the colorful Kelburn Castle.
Route: Inverness – Sheildaig and Gairloch – Ullapool – Durness – Dunnet Head and John o’ Groats – Orkney Islands or back to Inverness
Historic castles, white beaches, turquoise water, local food, live music, Highland coos, fresh air, hills, whisky distilleries – what’s not appealing about Scotland’s North Coast 500?
The UK’s answer to Route 66 starts in Inverness and goes around the Scottish Highlands over just over 500 miles in a loop route.
There’s no right or wrong way to drive around the route but the roads are mostly single track so you need to be careful when you meet other cars.
Use the passing places to pull in so locals and fellow road trippers can enjoy the space too.
Starting in Inverness head west over Scotland’s most terrifying road, the Bealach Na Ba. Crawl around the corners and pray that no one is coming the other way!
Your first food stop is Applecross. Enjoy lunch at the pub and enjoy the views by sitting in the outside area if the weather is on your side.
Next, head through the small villages of Sheildaig and Gairloch stopping at the secret beaches, Mellon Udrigle Beach and Gruinard Bay.
This section of the trip includes a drive through the majestic Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve.
You will most likely want to spend the night in either of the two villages mentioned above, which one really depends on availability.
The next section takes you to the spirited town of Ullapool. There’s always live music at one of the three hotspots, The Ceilidh Place, The Arch Inn or the Argyll Hotel.
It is worth spending an evening here and setting off a little later the following day. Scotland has a zero-tolerance drink driving policy.
Heading north to Durness, make a pitstop and take a short walk to the ruins of Ardvreck Castle at Loch Assynt. Enjoy the crazy landscape of the B869 to Achmelvich Beach.
At Durness visit Smoo Cave and pay the £5 to ride the boat inside in the cave.
Next head up to Dunnet Head and John o’ Groats, the most northern tip of mainland Scotland!
From here you can catch a ferry to Orkney or start your route down the east coast of the Highlands stopping at the castles and distilleries along the way.
The designated driver gets to choose the lunch spots!
Spend some time dolphin spotting at the Black Isle before ending your trip back in Inverness.
Scotland is an ethereal place where you can expect to find emerald green hills, bright blue waters, trendy cities, and never-ending countrysides.
With the country being fairly small in size, it is possible to see most of Scotland during a short Europe road trip.
As we were on a bit of a time limit ourselves, we only had 5 days to explore and we saw a lot in that short space of time.
Starting your Scottish road trip in super trendy Edinburgh, it’s best to explore the city on foot.
A visit to the Edinburgh Castle to learn some fascinating histories is a big recommendation, as is eating haggis in the local restaurants and admiring the Edinburgh skyline from the top of Holyrood Park.
Driving west from Edinburgh, you can discover Loch Lomond in the Trossachs National Park, which is really beautiful to see.
When visiting Scotland, it’s definitely a must to explore as many of its vast lakes as you can, given how much Scotland is renowned for them.
There is a pathway to take you along around the outskirts of the lake, or you can opt to see the lake from on top of it instead – in a canoe or kayak!
Glenfinnan isn’t on most travelers’ lists when visiting Scotland, but if you’re a Harry Potter fan, then this is an absolute must.
Glenfinnan Viaduct is a filming location from the second movie and is the perfect place to see the Jacobite Steam Train chug past (or better known as the Hogwarts Express)!
Loch Ness is of course a must-see in Scotland, especially if you’re interested in learning more about the legends behind the Loch Ness monster.
Given just how vast this lake is, you will likely not see the whole of it. But there are plenty of places to park up your car and explore its outskirts by foot.
Next, drive the main road of the Isle of Skye so that you can see as much of it as you can.
This also makes for a really simple circular route!
Portree is a great pit stop for various restaurants, bars, and shops, but my advice would be to head to the northernmost tip of the island.
From here, you can see some old castle ruins and fabulous views across the sea.
Route: Cardiff – Raglan – Brecon – Rhayadar – Conwy – Snowdonia National Park – Aberystwyth – Tenby – Cardiff
One of the best road trips to take in Europe has to be a tour of Wales!
Once a kingdom in its own right, this small country lies in the West of the United Kingdom.
It’s a beautiful, rugged country with rivers, lakes, mountains, coastline, and much more.
To tour Wales, it is best to start in Cardiff, the capital, in the south east. Do not spend too much time here first though — just pick up your car and start heading north.
Enjoy some of the best castles in Wales by visiting Caerphilly, Chepstow, and Raglan.
From Raglan, you should head to Brecon and enjoy the mountains of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
If you are adventurous and enjoy hikes, then take a day to scale Pen-y-Fan, the highest peak in South Wales.
It will take a couple of hours, just make sure weather conditions are favorable and bring layers, drinks and snacks.
Stay in Brecon Castle, now a hotel in the town of the same name and enjoy wandering the streets of this quaint little town.
From Brecon, continue north along the A470, stopping in Builth Wells for lunch before continuing to Rhayadar, your next stop on your tour of Wales.
This town will be your base for exploring the beautiful area of the Elan Valley.
The Elan Valley is an area of natural beauty centered around three reservoirs.
While the reservoirs are man-made, the surrounding area is beautiful with amazing scenery.
It’s worth spending a day driving around the reservoirs or hiking some of the hills.
From Rhayadar, head to the north coast and Conwy, famous for its magnificent castle, which is a must-visit.
Use Conwy as your next base for exploring the north coast of Wales, Anglesey and Bangor.
From Conwy, head south towards the Snowdonia National Park, using their Porthmadog or the very pretty Portmeirion as your base for spending a few days exploring the Snowdonia National Park.
If your fitness levels are good, you could scale Snowdon, the highest mountain peak in Wales.
If you do not fancy that, you can get the tourist train up to the peak of Snowdon.
The Snowdonia National Park is one of the most beautiful areas of Wales and is a must-visit on your road trip.
Visit the small ruined castle at Harlech, the pretty seaside town of Barmouth, before heading south towards Aberystwyth.
You could stay here if you arrive late and enjoy a walk along the seafront.
From Aberystwyth, head south along the coast towards the Pembrokeshire coastline where you must visit St David’s, Solva and Pembroke Castle in the town it shares its name with.
You could make Tenby, a colourful, picturesque town, your base for exploring the beauty of Pembrokeshire.
And when you have finished exploring West Wales, return to the capital Cardiff to explore everything this vibrant city has to offer.
If you are visiting Wales as a family, ending your road trip in the capital is a must as there are so many things to do in Cardiff with kids.
From Cardiff Castle to St Fagans, Cardiff Bay and the city centre, this is a great place to end your exploration of Wales.
To cover the length and breadth of Wales, you will need at least a week to ensure you can visit all the places mentioned here and to have some time to get out and explore.
If you have more time, even better, as you can take your time and really soak up all that Wales has to offer.
At each town mentioned there will be hotels and guesthouses to stay in and plenty of cafes, restaurants and even pubs to eat and relax in.
Route: Galway – Connemara National Park and Kylemore Abbey – Doolin (& Aran Islands) – Dingle – Galway
There is no country in the world that’s makes for a better road trip than Ireland!
The rolling fields, herds of sheep bounding their way down the road, and stunning coastline make the Emerald Isle the perfect road trip destination.
There are tons of options here for a road trip since the country is packed with scenic Irish drives.
A few popular choices include the Ring of Kerry, the Antrim Coast in Northern Ireland, and the Wild Atlantic Way which includes Slea Head Drive.
The Wild Atlantic Way is the perfect introduction to driving in Ireland and includes some of the country’s most famous roadside attractions.
Fly into Shannon Airport in Galway to pick up your rental car. You can spend the night here or immediately head north.
For your first stop, begin in Connemara National Park and Kylemore Abbey.
One of the country’s most famous Instagram spots, the picturesque abbey is one of the most famous postcard images from Ireland.
Next head south to Doolin. This is the perfect place to base yourself to see both the Cliffs of Mohr as well as a day trip out to the Aran Islands.
Make sure to spend some time driving through the Burren before you leave this part of the country.
As you make your way south, you will arrive in Dingle. This colorful town is the perfect place to relax for a night or two.
While here make sure to do the Slea Head Drive, visit the Dingle Distillery, and go on a Dingle Dolphin tour.
You can make a day of it, or you can enjoy more of Dingle’s activities and extend your time here.
As your trip reaches its end, drive back to Galway. Spend a day exploring this lively city before turning your car back in at the Shannon Airport.
By Stephanie of History Fangirl
Southern England
Rent a Car in: London
Route: London – Cotswalds – Bath – Cheddar Gorge – Stonehenge – Seven Sisters – London
When going to England, do not limit yourself to simply doing a London itinerary!
Around London, you will find historic towns, picturesque villages, and beautiful landscapes. Here is our plan for your successful road trip of southern England.
First up, head to the Cotswalds. The nearly 80-km range of limestone hills, among which the sources of the Thames are hidden, attracts with idyllic landscapes.
A trip to the Cotswolds will be perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Almost everything – from dog huts, garden walls and houses to churches and castles – is made of material mined in local quarries.
The northern part of the hills is considered more picturesque than the southern one because of the higher hills.
At 300 m, at the intersection of eight roads lies Stow-on-the-Wold, one of the highest located towns of England, which dates back to prehistoric times.
Next up, spend a day in Bath. Bath is close to the only natural geothermal springs in the British Isles.
In the spa town, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, Roman baths and pump rooms have been perfectly preserved.
The place also impresses with Georgian architecture, including sandstone buildings that blend in perfectly with modern buildings.
Bath was the destination of trips already 2,000 years ago!
The beauty of the spa and the beneficial influence of waters on humans again attracted tourists in the 18th century.
Today, many visitors believe that mineral water from Bath is a remedy for various ailments.
From Bath, you can make a side trip to visit some of the lovely towns in Cornwall, or you can continue to Cheddar Gorge.
Get ready for a hike: Cheddar Gorge is the largest limestone gorge in Great Britain.
It is located near the village of Cheddar, in the southern part of the Mendip Hills, in the English county of Somerset.
The rocks that make up the gorge are full of caves, and one of them found in 1903 the oldest human skeleton in Great Britain (9,000 years old), called the Man of Cheddar.
Cheddar Gorge, along with caves and the nearby village, is a popular tourist attraction attracting about half a million tourists a year.
Next up is one of England’s greatest attractions: Stonehenge.
The Stonehenge stone complex is one of the oldest megalithic structures in Europe and one of the most recognizable structures in Great Britain.
It has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1986.
Some say that Stonehenge was used to observe the sky and stars, others that pagan ritual ceremonies were held there.
The mystery also remains how prehistoric peoples managed to transport these huge stones to the place where they are now, about 5,000 years ago.
Finally, hike the Seven Sisters in East Sussex. There you can see for yourself the amazing work of nature which certainly are white cliffs aptly named Seven Sisters.
The chalk cliffs are located between the towns of Seaford and Eastbourne in the area of Seven Sisters Country Park.
It is certainly an interesting fact that there are eight hills instead of seven as the name suggests.
There is so much to see in the southern part of England.
But to see it all you will need to spend a bit longer on the road trip around southern England!
This entire area is filled with cute villages, pretty roads and incredible views over the rolling English countryside- as long as you are lucky enough to do it on a clear day!
I’d recommend starting in Salisbury, a fabulous city with plenty to do and see, including one of the best cathedrals in the UK. There are great shops and plenty of bars and cafes to get you started.
Whilst there, you have to head out to Stonehenge and see the world-famous stone circle.
You don’t need to stop unless you have time — you can see it quite well from the road, but expect long queues as everyone slows to take photos.
If you do choose to stop, tickets can be bought on the day but there may be a wait in high summer.
From here, head to the Cotswolds. This collection of pretty villages has become famous as being picture-postcard cute and is the perfect place for Instagram shots.
I highly recommend the villages of Bourton on the Water and Castle Combe – both have been called the prettiest villages in England.
You can drive around as many villages in the Cotswolds as you have time for and there are plenty of places to stay in the area if you want to explore for a few days.
Alternatively, end your road trip in Bath. This beautiful city is built from local ‘yellow’ stone, which looks spectacular in the evening sunset.
It is a bustling city with plenty of nightlife and things to do.
I also recommend staying a night (or two) and enjoying an afternoon tea at the Pump rooms (an English tradition), as well as exploring the city on foot.
When it comes to iconic road trips in Europe it’s hard to beat the Ring Road around Iceland.
True to its name, Iceland’s Ring Road runs the circumference of the island and allows you to take in most of the country’s top sights.
Even though it is just 1,330 kilometers and you can technically drive the Ring Road in just 16 hours, most people spend 10-14 days doing it.
That’s due to the plethora of spectacular waterfalls, beautiful hikes, and inviting hot springs along the route.
You’ll almost certainly begin and end this road trip in Keflavik, due to that being home to Iceland’s largest airport. From there you’ll head east along Iceland’s Southern coast.
The first 2 stops on this road trip that you absolutely cannot miss are 2 of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls – Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss.
Seljalandsfoss is a 60-meter high waterfall that pours down in front of an overhanging cliff face that allows you to walk behind the waterfall.
Skogafoss is an equally tall waterfall but with an impressive width of 25 meters making it one of the largest waterfalls in Iceland.
You can walk right up to the base of Skogafoss if you don’t mind getting absolutely drenched by the spray from the falls.
The next stop on your trip is Diamond Beach – a black sand beach covered in tiny bits of ice that sparkle like, well, diamonds.
This beach sits in front of the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.
Giant icebergs break off of the Jökulsárlón glacier and float out to sea where they are broken up.
They’re then washed back ashore by the waves of the Atlantic Ocean, forming a lagoon with these beautiful glacier remnants!
From here, you’ll round the southeastern corner of Iceland and start heading north up the eastern coast.
The road winds its way in and out of endless fjords on this side of the island and you’ll encounter scenic views the whole day.
On the northern side of the country, you’ll want to make sure you stop at Detifoss.
While this waterfall drops just 44 meters, it is an impressive 100 meters wide. And with almost 200 cubic meters of water flowing over it every second, Detifoss is the second most powerful waterfall in all of Europe.
After all the driving and exploring you have been doing you have earned some rest, so spend a day relaxing at the Mývatn Nature Baths.
The water is the same striking turquoise color as the famous Blue Lagoon, but it’s 1/3 of the price and much less crowded.
As you round the west side of Iceland you’re in for a treat!
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is home to stunning waterfalls, stunning views, and cool hikes.
The most common stop on the peninsula is at the iconic Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall with Kirkjufell Mountain in the background.
If you still have time left in Iceland you can spend a couple of nights in the capital city of Reykjavik. Otherwise, head back to the Keflavik airport for your flight home.
Most people who arrive in Reykjavík hire a care to drive the Golden Circle, or head south. This is pleasant, but your trip could be so much better if you simply drove north, into the Icelandic Westfjords!
The Westfjords are home to some of the most jaw-dropping scenery you will witness in this already staggeringly beautiful country.
They are also quite remote – the area only sees a fraction of the tourists that otherwise flock to Iceland every year.
There were long stretches of the road where we simply did not pass any other cars at all.
There’s plenty to do in the area, beyond simply gaping at the scenery. I recommend visiting the little town of Bíldudalur, which is located far north enough to catch the Northern lights (as we did one night in early autumn).
Ísafjörður is the capital of the region and acts as an excellent base for exploring the area. There are constant festivals held in the town throughout the summer.
If you like museums, Iceland has some good’uns. In this region of the country you’ll find the Sea Monster Museum and the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery & Witchcraft in Hólmavík.
One of the displays is a replica of 17th century necropants. Google it. It’s worth going for this alone.
And it wouldn’t be an Icelandic experience without a waterfall – Dynjandi Waterfall is massive and has the advantage of not being constantly swarmed by tourists!
A road trip on the island of Senja in Norway makes for an unforgettable experience. Jagged mountain peaks plummeting to the sea, turquoise water, white sand beaches and wild nature describe Senja perfectly.
Senja is an island located in the Troms Country in Northern Norway above the Arctic Circle. It’s the second largest island in Norway with the area of 1 589.35 km2. Thanks to its northern location, in the summer the sun doesn’t set, which is called a midnight sun phenomenon. In winter, there is a polar night and an opportunity to see the Northern Lights.
Senja is best to be discovered by car. There is public transport on the island, but it’s scarce and not always easy to manage. There are a lot of places that are worth visiting and stopping by, so having the car is convenient.
The Norwegian National Tourist Route runs through Senja, passing through some of the most beautiful parts of the island. The route is 102 km long and it runs from Gryllefjord to Botnhamn, with short detours to Mefjordvær and Husøy. If you want to go on a road trip on Senja, I recommend following a National Tourist Route. And if you have more time, extend the road trip further.
I recommend starting the route from Botnhamn or Husøy, a picturesque tiny island with one of the most active fishing communities in Senja. A place worth taking a break in is Ersfjordstranda, a famous beach with fine, white sand, and green sharp mountain backdrop.
The next stop is Tungeneset, a wooden walkway overlooking the Oksen mountain and the crashing waves of the North Sea. Another viewpoint worth driving to is Bergsbotn. This 44-meter long viewing platform lets you admire the waters of the Bergsfjord and the mountains behind.
Other places to visit during the road trip on Senja are the Hesten hike with a view to Segla mountain, the Segla hike, Ånderdalen National park, and Hamn I Senja.
ByAga of Worldering Around
Lower Scandinavia
Take a trip through southern Scandinavia to experience the maritime culture and learn Viking history in just a little over a week.
Start in Gothenberg, Sweden: the home of the Fish Church. Drive north up Sweden’s west coast stopping at the Stone Ship, a Viking burial ground.
Be sure to spend a few days in Oslo, Norway’s capital. To learn details about Viking history, spend at least half a day in the Viking Ship Museum. From there drive the winding roads across Norway to see the magnificent fjords.
Spend at least one night in Flam, Norway exploring the fjords, waterfalls, and fairy-filled forests. Continue to the coast, visiting Bergen and Stavanger, learning about Norway’s industrial and immigrant cultures.
Take an overnight ferry ride into northern Denmark, a worthwhile experience in itself. Head through the flat farmland of Denmark until you reach its capital, Copenhagen.
Spend time in this cultured, seaside city and visit its famous garden and amusement park, Tivoli Gardens. Finally, head to Hamlet’s Castle before taking the very short ferry ride back over to Sweden, and your Scandinavian road trip is complete.
By Jamie Italiane of the Daily Adventures of Me
Best Road Trips in Europe: Western Europe
Tuscany
By Matt of It’s All in Italy
If you’re visiting Italy on vacation and are planning the ultimate Italy road trip, the drive from Rome to Florence is a special one as you’ll be passing through the stunning Tuscan countryside for at least half of the trip.
Starting in Rome, here’s a fantastic driving itinerary that takes you through some of the most historic and picturesque cities and towns in the heart of Italy…
Departing from Rome, make your first stop in Bolsena, situated on a beautiful lake by the same name. The quaint village of Bolsena is a must stop for a quick stretch, a traditional Italian meal such as wild boar ragu and perhaps a walk by the lake.
The largest volcanic lake in Europe, Lake Bolsena is an essential stop on your road trip from Rome to Florence.
Next up is Montalcino – a name wine lovers will recognize! the Medieval hilltop town is famous for its unique wine, especially its Brunello di Montalcino.
Offering spectacular views over the region, dotted with vineyards, you’ll really feel like you’re absorbing the best Italy has to offer when you visit Montalcino.
Afterwards, head to Siena.
Perhaps it’s a little less known than its more popular neighbor Florence, but it’s no less interesting.
Siena is distinguishable by its medieval brick buildings and its popular town square, Piazza del Campo with its iconic 14th-century tower, Torre del Mangia.
Next up on your road trip is Monteriggioni – one of the smallest medieval fortified hilltop towns in Tuscany.
Monteriggioni is a special place to spend a few hours, either experiencing Italian village life, walking the walls for stunning vistas of the Tuscan countryside or enjoying a meal and locally produced wine.
It’s one of those places you only really get to experience when renting a car in Tuscany as it’s a little out of the way for public transit.
Finally, you’ll arrive in Florence, where you’ll feel the unique history of this special city, home of the Renaissance.
With countless statues, monuments and artworks, you’ll run out of time before you run out of things to see.
Must-sees include Michelangelo’s ‘David’ statue, Uffizi Gallery, the Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge), Palazzo Vecchio (Old Palace) and finally, the city-wide views from Piazzale Michelangelo.
Whether your road trip will be continuing after Florence, this itinerary could satisfy your travel bug for years to come. Enjoy!
Sardinia
By Claudia Tavani of Strictly Sardinia
A road trip in Sardinia is an excellent way to enjoy one of the most beautiful parts of the island, especially in the summer months, and it can be done as an easy day trip from Cagliari.
The obvious starting point is Cagliari, the capital. From there, take SS554 all the way to the end, and then follow the signs to Villasimius. You can stop at various beaches along the way, all of them different and all of them beautiful.
Your first stop should be Cala Regina. This small, rocky cove will surprise you with its transparent waters, perfect for swimming or just for relaxing. If you want to get splendid views of the beach from above, make sure to follow the narrow trail on the right hand side of the parking lot.
Next, make a stop at Mari Pintau. A favorite of locals, this is another small cove with large pebbles, but contrary to Cala Regina, the seabed is actually sandy so perfect for standing up once you get in the water. As this beach is very well protected from the wind, you will usually find very calm waters.
Hop back in the car and follow the coastal road to Villasimius. It’s windy and slow, but the views are impressive and you will often be tempted to stop for photos. Although Villasimius is home to many beaches, some of them only allow a limited number of people in – which means you’d have to get there at the break of dawn to get your own spot.
Once you pass the village of Villasimius, you can head towards the scenic Cala Pira, which contrary to the other already mentioned beaches is sandy. This small beach is surmounted by a Spanish watchtower (there are many scattered around Sardinia), which you can see from the outside – however, the best views are actually from the southern side of the beach.
Pack up and head to Cala di Monte Turnu, another small sandy cove with incredibly clear waters and well protected from the wind. It will take you about 10 minutes to drive there from Cala Pira. From Cala di Monte Turnu, it is a short drive to get to Costa Rei, one of the most popular summer destinations in Sardinia.
The beach in Costa Rei is long and sandy and perfect even for families with children. The transparent waters will invite you in for a swim. Along the beach there are several kiosks. If you want to have dinner in Costa Rei, Chaplin is a budget friendly trattoria that focuses on fish and seafood dishes – make sure to try their swordfish carbonara.
Costa Rei is a good place to stop for a couple of days if you don’t want to drive all the way back to Cagliari. There are various holiday homes for rent, but you need to book well in advance via one of the local real estate agencies. If, on the other hand, you’d rather head back to town, you can get on SS125 as the drive is much smoother and quicker from there.
Puglia, Italy
By Maria & Katerina of It’s All Trip To Me
A land of sun and endless plains filled with century-old olive trees and vineyards, the region of Puglia in Southern Italy feels as though it’s made for a road trip.
The best way to enjoy a road trip across Puglia is by following a circular route that begins and ends in either Bari or Brindisi, the two main entry points to the region, as both of these cities have a port and an international airport alike.
With countless picture-perfect towns, pristine beaches and unique sites of natural beauty, the sky’s the limit when it comes to essential stops you need to make while road tripping across Puglia.
However, there are some places that you most definitely have to add to your itinerary. These include the beautiful towns of Trani, Polignano a Mare and Monopoli that adorn the region’s Adriatic Coast, some of the most stunning towns in Itria Valley such as Alberobello, Locorotondo and Cisternino, as well as dazzling Ostuni and easy-going Otranto.
The important thing to keep in mind here is that you should take your time while roaming the authentic and breathtaking region of Puglia. This sun-kissed piece of land in Italy’s South hides at its core the essence of the laziest and most nostalgic Italian summers.
This is evident at the historic centers of its medieval towns, the jaw-dropping courtyards of the most impressive estates that have been turned into unique farm-stays as well as the plentiful beaches of turquoise waters and abandoned watchtowers.
Puglia is where you’ll get to mingle with locals more than anywhere else in Italy. It is a region that doesn’t suffer from overtourism. At least not yet. Food is delicious and always prepared with locally grown ingredients. Available activities you can try range from hiking or cycling through the stunning countryside to attending cooking classes with people whom you’ll be calling friends from then onwards.
Yet it’s on the road that Puglia will steal your hearts forever. All along its scenic routes, away from impersonal and grey highways, it’s where you’ll witness the magic of Puglia unfold right before your eyes.
Castle Circuit, Germany
By Becki from Meet Me In Departures
This circular trip starts and ends in the German city of Köln (Cologne), it covers the south-west region of Germany going down as far as Stuttgart before completing the circuit through the Rhineland’s. Ideally, you’d want approximately 4 or 5 days to complete it, although a more leisurely week is better.
This castle route is one of the best road trips in Germany, as you’ll get to see beautiful fairy-tale castles, the ancient Black Forest as well as picturesque cobbled towns.
In brief, the places on this circuit are Koln > Frankfurt > Mespellbrunn Castle > Stuttgart > Bad Wildbad > Heidelberg Palace > Koblenz > Eltz Castle > Rheinstein Castle > Cochem Castle > Bonn > Köln.
From the city of Köln head in a south-easterly direction towards Frankfurt. It’s well worth spending at least half a day exploring the Old Town and getting lost in the pretty cobbled streets.
From here, continue the journey towards the first castle on your road trip, Mespellbrunn Castle. If you’ve ever ready the fairytale Rapunzel, this is probably the sort of tower she was kept in. The tall and circular tower overlooks a pretty lake. Make sure you take the guided tour inside the castle too.
The final stop of the day is in Stuttgart. You’ll probably arrive quite late in the day, but enough time to explore the town, get a nice meal with local beer. This is also a great place to spend the night too. The next morning finish exploring the town before heading north-west towards Bad Wildbad. If you have time, spend longer here to explore some of the fabulous walking trails.
After you’ve visited the Black Forest, keep heading north-west to the university town of Heidelberg, and Heidelberg Palace. This complex gets quite busy, so you might need several hours here to see everything. The town is also quite lively, with a bustling town square. Stay overnight in the town.
The next day you’ll be heading towards the picturesque town of Koblenz with its quaint buildings. Spend a couple of hours here before driving on to Eltz Castle.
Eltz Castle is the quintessential fairytale castle, it’s perched on a rock, in a valley, with a stream running next to it, all surrounded by ancient woodlands. You’d probably want a couple of hours here. It’s also worth getting the tour inside the castle.
The next destination on this road trip is to the smaller Rheinstein Castle overlooking the Rhine River. It often gets overlooked, so it’s quieter than lots of the other castles, it does have an interesting crypt as well as the turrets and roof you can climb up to.
Continue driving towards the town of Cochem and Cochem Castle. The colourful town is situated along the riverside, with the castle overlooking the surrounding vineyards. This is also a great place to try the local wine. From here head towards the town of Bonn, as well as wandering through the town, be sure to visit the fabulous castle.
From Bonn, complete the circuit and drive back to Köln. If you’re looking for something to do in Cologne, make sure you climb the cathedral.
Provence to Nice via the Gorge du Verdon
An amazing European road trip is the 350 km (220 mile) drive from Avignon to Nice via the Luberon hilltop village region and the Gorge du Verdon, the deepest gorge in France.
Plan to take at least four days to drive this route to enable you to have enough time to properly explore each location.
Day 1 starts from the ancient Roman town of Avignon.
You start your journey by traveling east 36km / 22mi / 45 minutes to your first stop, Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, to see the amazingly clear natural spring waters, which flow out of a 230m high cliff.
Plan to spend 1-2 hours exploring the township and see the most powerful natural spring in France.
Your second stop is the hilltop town of Roussillon, a beautiful winding drive of 31km / 20 mi / 55 minutes.
Roussillon means ‘red’ in French, and the town lives up to its name by being surrounded by amazing red cliffs and is also located in the center of the biggest ochre deposits in the world. Enjoy at least 1-2 hours exploring the beautiful colors, art galleries, and fantastic natural views of the Luberon countryside.
Your next stop is the amazing Provencal Colorado, an old ochre quarry which is located 20km / 12 mi / 25 minutes drive east from Roussillon. You will enjoy the short walk through this site, where you can see amazing shades of red, orange, yellow, white and black, with streaks of blue and green. Plan to take 1-2 hours to explore the site at your leisure as it is truly amazing! Plan to stay overnight at accommodation located near Moustiers-Sainte-Marie (a 45km / 28 mi /1 hour drive further east), ready for an exciting adventure exploring the Gorge du Verdon the following day.
Day 2 starts by deciding which route to take to explore the Gorge du Verdon – you can drive on either the north or south side of the gorge – the northern route is called Route des Gorges (or the rive droit – right bank), and the southern route is called the Route de la Corniche Sublime (or the rive gauche – left bank). From the northern route you can also access the circular one way Route des Cretes loop where you can see amazing cliffs and views.
You can take either one or two days to explore the Gorge du Verdon region – for one day plan to drive the Route des Gorges and ensure you also take the circular Route des Cretes loop before driving on to either Castellane or Trigance.
If you have two days then take the Route de la Corniche Sublime, and plan to stop at the township of Les Salles sur Verdon to hire a boat or kayak to explore the river before driving the route through to Trigance. On day two you can drive along the Route des Gorges to the Route des Cretes, before returning to Trigance or Castellane.
On your final day you can drive from either Castellane (63km / 40 mi / 1:05 hrs) or Trigance (70km / 44 mi / 1:10 hrs) to Grasse, where you can enjoy several hours exploring the perfume capital of the world. The surrounding fields are covered in flowers during the peak season! Your final seaside destination is Nice, a drive of 42km / 26 mi / 40 minutes.
Far from the Côte d’Azur bling packed with beaches and flashy vibes, and closer to calm sunsets gazing across the countryside, lies Provence, in France.
Medieval villages made of stone buildings hanging on to cliffs, abbeys, lavender fields, vineyards, and that classic French grace that never gets old.
Travelers looking to relax and get a taste of the sybarite life should definitely spend between 3 to 7 days exploring one of Europe’s most charming regions.
The area’s expansive countryside, tranquil settings, and proximity between highlights make it an ideal option for road-trippers! You could easily rent a car or motorbike and do a whole loop, or head south toward the Riviera for your itinerary’s grand finale!
Avignon is where this itinerary kicks off! Avignon is a small city and a great way to ease your way into the region. Explore the XIVth century Papal Palace, the famous Avignon Bridge, and take a stroll around the city’s tree-lined boulevards.
Then head west and hit Arles, an absolute must for art and history lovers. For Roman ruins, visit the Arles Amphitheatre, and then discover the streets that inspired some of Van Gogh’s most famous paintings.
Once you’ve checked two of the region’s most important cities, get right into the soul of France’s countryside! Wander the Les Baux castle, tour the Saint-Paul Asylum -where Van Gogh spent his final year-, go wine tasting around Saint Remy, and catch a sunset in Roussillon!
For a movie-set worthy spot -literally- spend a morning enjoying Gordes panoramic views and the village’s central square. This hilltop town appears in Russell Crowe’s 2006 movie, ‘A Good Year,’ and it’s considered to be one of the most beautiful villages in France.
To crown your Provence road trip, spend a day chilling by the most famous and gorgeous spot in the whole region! The Sénanque Abbey was built in the XIIth century and now remains as a monastery, a retreat place for guests, and an expansive lavender field. You’ll truly feel like you’ve escaped reality and jumped into a painting here!
Once you’ve finished your ‘Provencal holiday,’ either circle back to Avignon, or keep driving south, toward the French Riviera.
A word of caution! Don’t be surprised if you feel like giving up everything to move there and become a poet -just blame it on the lavender, the wine, the food, and the views!
By Martina Grossi of The Global Curious
Dordogne Valley, France
The Dordone region in the southwest corner of France couldn’t be more perfect for a road trip. There are miles of quiet country roads, lined by forests and vineyards, and dotted by quaint, medieval villages where castles and fabulous gourmet fare await.
Many international visitors will arrive in Bordeaux, close to the Atlantic coast. Treat yourself to at least two days of wining and dining in the city, culminating in a visit to the interactive wine museum, La Cité du Vin.
Form Bordeaux, it’s 1.5 hours via the A89 to your first stop in the Dordogne, the town of Bergerac. Enjoy the pretty town square, the narrow streets lined with half-timbered houses and the Maison de Vins de Bergerac in a beautiful old cloister. Spend the afternoon or stay overnight in Bergerac before proceeding to Sarlat-la-Canéda (Sarlat), in the heart of the Dordogne.
These include the castle towns of Beynac-et Cazenac, La Roque-Gageac and Domme.
Sarlat, itself, is a pretty, well-preserved medieval town. It’s also known as a gourmet’s delight, specializing in truffles, foie gras and wine.
A great place to stay to soak in the old world charm of Sarlat is Les Suites Sarladaises.
From Sarlat, head north to the romantic village of Brantôme.
On the way, stop in at the Lascaux International Centre for Cave Art to see incredible, prehistoric cave paintings and have lunch at Le Dejeuner sur L’Herbe, a hidden away cafe by the river in lovely Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère.
Brantôme is known as the Venice of the Dordogne because the village is surrounded by a river.
The highlight is the town’s ancient abbey, but be sure to take some time out for romance with a stay at the Relais & Châteaux, Le Moulin de l’Abbaye.
The final stop in the Dordogne is Périgueux.
In the very unlikely case that you haven’t had enough to eat on this road trip yet, Périgueux is often called the culinary heart of France.
Try to time your visit to be there for market days on Wednesdays or Saturdays to sample the best delicacies of the region.
After you’ve had your fill in Périgueux, it’s time to head back to Bordeaux.
The entire road trip could be done in as little as 5 days, but take your time (more like 9 – 10 days).
Enjoy the slower pace of French country life and all of the delicious things it has to offer.
By Cindy Baker of Travel Bliss Now
Southern Portugal
What better way to explore Portugal’s hidden gem than by road-tripping? This road trip itinerary will take you from the vibrant Portuguese capital to the breath-taking cliffs of Algarve, stopping along the way to visit charming small towns.
Begin your Portuguese road trip in Lisbon. The colorful city packs lots of things to see and do, and you could easily spend a week here exploring its nook and crannies.
While in Lisbon, make sure to watch the sunset at one of the many Miradouro, get lost in the colorful neighborhoods, visit the oldest bookstore in the world, and go on a free walking tour.
After Lisbon, make your way to Sintra. Besides Lisbon, Sintra is probably the second most popular place to visit in Portugal.
Here you will find the famous Palacio da Pena as well as many other beautiful palaces.
The old town is a UNESCO Heritage Site, so it is not to be missed. Pick up the car rental early in the morning and make your way to Sintra. Once you finish exploring, make your way to Evora.
Next up is Evora, the capital of the Alentejo region, is a UNESCO Heritage site and one of Portugal’s most beautiful medieval towns – a hidden gem! The small town also makes a great base if you want to explore the region.
After Evora, head to Elvas. Elvas is located east of Portugal near the border with Spain.
This small town exudes Portuguese charm with its narrow streets and whimsical façade. It was once a defense point, but now, Elvas is a peaceful, picturesque town.
Next up is Monsaraz. Monsaraz is a beautiful medieval Portuguese village perched on a hilltop overlooking the Alentejo plain.
The quaint town is filled with colorful bougainvillea amid whitewashed cottages. It is a great place to spend a few hours strolling the cobblestone streets and enjoying the panoramic view.
Elvas and Monsaraz are small and close enough that you could visit both places on the same day. If you have extra time, add Marvão to your itinerary as well.
Finally, end in the Algarve in Lagos. Lagos boasts the most spectacular views in Portugal, not to mention beautiful beaches and scenic hiking trails.
The old town is a charmer too! If you enjoy nature and outdoor activities, you are going to love Lagos.
The
nearest airport in Lagos is located 30 minutes away in Faro. You can return the
car by the airport before departing.
Portugal makes it easy to explore for road-trippers. Most hotels outside Lisbon, as well as attractions, offer free or affordable parking. The roads are smooth and easy to navigate, and driving distances are relatively short.
Andalucia in southern Spain is one of the best regions for planning a road trip in Europe.
What’s special? Well, splendid monuments boasting Moorish architecture, magnificent castles, pretty beachside towns, excellent food & drinks (think tapas and sangria), beautiful roads along the coast flanked by stunning landscapes dotted with vineyards…
Do you need any more reasons? This Spain itinerary can be done in about twelve days or more if you want to.
Start at Seville, one of the most popular cities in Spain, which is a perfect place if you are flying to the town.
Spend a few days admiring the iconic Plaza de España, the bell tower La Giralda, the Royal Palace of Alcázar.
Walk amidst the pretty cobbled streets, taste the best tapas with Sangria in one of the many excellent restaurants, spend your evenings watching the enthralling Flamenco dance performances by local artists.
Leave Seville to arrive at Cordoba, one of the most famous ancient cities in Andalucia with a rich history, and the epicentre for two religious faiths.
You can cover the highlights in a day or better, spend at least two nights here.
Check out the historic Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, the second largest mosque in the world after Mecca, renowned for its grand confluence of Moorish-Renaissance architecture.
Next to it is the beautiful Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs. Take a walk admiring its grandeur.
In the evening, stop on the Roman Bridge of Córdoba for capturing panoramic views across the river.
Next, it is time to get a peek of south Spain’s beach line at the port city of Málaga, which was one of the prominent ports during the Roman empire. You can choose between hitting the beaches and enriching monuments.
Even if you are not into history, don’t miss Alcazaba, a medieval Moorish castle for its excellent location and gorgeous views of the sea.
Close to it is the remnants of a Roman Theatre, dated 1st Century BC. For more views, head to the hilltop palace Castillo Gibralfaro.
If you want to relax instead, head to Costa del Sol Occidental known for its lovely beaches, cliffs and bays spending the day soaking in the sun, enjoying the sand and Sangria.
Drive next to Granada, enjoying the beautiful landscapes surrounding the Sierra Nevada mountains, beforemoving up the coast.
Granada is a classic example of Moorish medieval architectural grandeur. It is the city of Palaces, Cathedrals and fortress – each more beautiful than the other.
Explore the fortified palace Alhambra which consists of several stately buildings and gardens, the summer palace The Palacio de Generalife, medieval Catedral de Granada & the old town.
Head next to Cartagena, the ancient Roman city and port with lovely beaches for a more relaxed time, after castles and forts. Stay close to La Manga so that you can enjoy the beaches nearby.
Visit the iconic Roman Theatre, which also has a museum. Wrap up this fabulous road trip by heading to Murcia, from where you can fly out.
ByReshma Narasing of The Solo Globetrotter
Belgium
Namur is the capital city of the Wallonia Region of Belgium and is the home to Namur Castle which Napoleon Bonaparte described as the ‘Termite Mound of Europe’.
While exploring the citadelle is free for all, the fascinating thing here is the guided tour (ticketed) of the underground tunnel system!
Apart from the Castle, there are quite a few things to do here including, visiting the Belfry which is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Belgium.
Stop next at Wepion which is known for its strawberries. There is a museum dedicated to the local strawberry cultivation techniques and of course there’s an orchard.
A visit in late spring or summer is perfect to experience strawberry cultivation, first hand!
Of course, anytime of the year, it is possible to shop for yummy strawberry preserves and other products.
The next stop would be Les Jardin d’Annevoie, which is a huge garden filled with several fountains.
While on the first look, they might look like regular fountains, but these were built in mid-18th century, without any motors, but with merely basic laws of physics of pressure and flow!
The water is all fresh all the time because it constantly flows in and out of the river Meuse.
There is a chateau in the midst of this garden, but now it is under renovation. With bodies of water and swans, it is indeed very picturesque.
The next stop is the very unique Railbikes of Molignee. Long back, Belgium was extremely well connected by railway lines.
Today some of these lines have fallen into disuse and have now been converted to rail biking activity.
It’s quite unique and we get to bike through tunnels and some areas of spectacular views. This would take between 2 to 3:30 hours.
The final stop of this journey would be Dinant, which is one of the most fascinating little towns!
First, it is the birthplace of the musical instrument Saxophone! A bridge here is filled with art installations of huge saxophones!
The Notre Dame Cathedral with the imposing castle at the back is very picturesque.
The best way to experience Dinant is by taking a cruise or by kayaking. Also, it is possible to do quite a few adventure activities here including rock climbing, ziplining, and more.
By Bhushavali of My Travelogue by Bhushavali
Netherlands
Amsterdam is a revelation for many first-timers.
When I reached Amsterdam, my expectations were not only met, but exceeded!
Moreover, I did a road trip to the fishing towns of Marken & Volendam which offered me a view of the beautiful Dutch countryside as well.
This short road trip added more flavors to my visit to the Netherlands and at the end of the day, I was in love with the country.
In order to go to the fishing towns of Marken & Volendam, you need to go through the Amsterdam – Noord region.
There are public busses going between Amsterdam city & the towns of Marken & Volendam and you can pick the specific route.
However, if you have your own car, driving down to these fishing towns will give you a memorable experience.
You can easily return to Amsterdam, but I’d recommend staying in one of the cute Airbnbs in Marken or Volendam.
Frankly, I’d recommend staying in Marken because of one beautiful hike which I have suggested below as a 5th stop.
This hike is completely untouched and will give a spectacular sunset view.
The road to Marken is a treat, because a narrow stretch of road is engulfed by water on both sides. A worthy road trip indeed.
Here are the 5 stops which you can consider on this road trip from Amsterdam to Volendam to Marken.
Start with Adam’s Lookout and This Is Holland experience. I am mentioning this as one attraction as they are adjacent to each other.
Adam’s Lookout will give you a bird’s eye view of the Amsterdam city from a swing located at top of a high rise building.
This Is Holland experience will give you a virtual tour of the Netherlands with 4D effects and flight simulation.
Next, visit the Volendam Museums. After enjoying the various views of Amsterdam, head to Volendam and enjoy the 3 museums: Volendam Museum, Palingsound Museum, and the Cheese Factory.
Next up is the city of Marken and its famous shoe factory. From Volendam, after lunch, you can leave for Marken to see the Shoe Factory.
These shoes are basically clogs – a Dutch symbol – a locally preferred footwear style from yesteryear.
You can see the shoes being made along with an interesting collection of clogs as well.
Afterward, check out the Marken Lighthouse: a lighthouse in Marken town that offers a wide view of the ocean.
Unfortunately, you cannot go to the top of the lighthouse, but can surely spend some peaceful time at the nearby benches.
Finish up with the Marker Landtong hike. This is nothing but a hiking stretch on a slightly elevated piece of land with ocean both sides.
It’s popular as a dog walking track among locals, but lesser-known in the tourist circuit. This hike goes on till you can reach the land’s end.
It offers some beautiful sunset vibes and views.
After this sunset, you can consider heading back to Amsterdam. You can also stay back in Marken as the morning can be very peaceful!
By Umang Trivedi of Travelmax
Best Road Trips in Europe: Central & Eastern Europe
Mini Balkans (Croatia, Montenegro & Bosnia)
One of the amazing European road trips to take is to the Balkans.
On this road trip, you can explore some of the popular destinations like Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia, and then visit Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro.
Start this epic road trip in Split in Croatia (if you are traveling from overseas most likely you will arrive in Zagreb and you can travel to Split from Zagreb in about 4 hours).
Explore the old town of Split, admire the Doelicitian’ Palace, Temple of Jupiter and stroll the lovely Split Riva Promenade.
Next day start for Mostar in Bosnia Herzegovina. Split to Mostar is only a 2 hour drive away. Ensure you carry your passport, and a license plate (from car rental companies) to cross the border.
In Mostar, fall in love with the Stari Most
(old bridge) in Old town, and learn about its history, and how the town is
shaping up after the 1992 Siege. In and around Mostar old town, is the Crooked
Bridge, pretty bazaars and cafes, Mostar Peace Tower and the war exhibitions.
Spending a day or two in Mostar is a good idea, and when ready head to the stunning Kravice waterfalls, also located in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Mostar to Kravice is only 45 minutes away, making it a perfect stop before arriving in Dubrovnik, back to Croatia.
At the Kravice waterfalls, go for a swim, kayaking, boast tour or just admire the stunning falls. The water is perfect for a swim in the summer months.
The border crossing in Bosnia Herzegovina (to Croatia) can get super crowded in the peak tourist months, so factor in the time as you plan your road trip stops.
Aim to reach Dubrovnik hotel by evening, so that it’s easy for sightseeing the next day.
In Dubrovnik, visiting the historic city walls are a must.
Opt for a walking tour in the old town and visit the city highlights like the Rector’s Palace, Sponza Palace, Dubrovnik Cathedral, Saint Franciscan Monastery, Placa, to name a few.
Don’t forget to pig out and eat in one of the outdoor cafes, relishing Balkan cuisine.
When in Dubrovnik hit the beaches or embark on an island tour from the old port. This will be one of the highlights of this road trip – the Adriatic will leave you speechless!
From Dubrovnik, make your way to Montenegro – this time for the Kotor Bay. Dubrovnik to Kotor is only 2 hours away.
Depending on the time you have on the road you can either explore more of Montenegro, starting in Kotor, then heading to Budva and then Stevi Stefen.
However, you are pressed for time, take a day or road trip to Kotor Bay and Perast. Kotor is a coastal town in Montenegro, and it is filled with Adriatic charm with orange rooftops and the stunning blue waters.
You can easily spend a day or two here,
wandering through the old town and square, including visiting the iconic Kotor
Cathedral. Boat tours are quite popular here.
Perast is also located near the Bay, just north of Kotor and is known for the island of Our Lady of the Rocks. These two destinations will definitely give you a taste of what Montenegro’s coastline has to offer.
By Mayuri of ToSomePlaceNew
Croatia (Zagreb to Dubrovnik)
“One of the best ways to see the highlights of Croatia is by hitting the open road and, if you want to be able to see some of the most iconic areas that this beautiful Adriatic nation has to offer, the drive from Zagreb to Dubrovnik is an excellent option.
Starting in Croatia’s dynamic capital, this road trip can take you by some of the most spectacular natural and coastal scenery in the country along with stops in some historic towns and cities.
Leaving Zagreb, make sure to stop in the incredible Plitvice Lakes National Park.
Spending at least a night near the park will ensure that you can visit early in the morning and avoid the large crowds that descend on this incredible area by the late morning.
From the inland highlight that is Plitvice Lakes, make sure to include a stop on Pag Island, which is easily reached by a bridge.
This island is known for its cheese production and, if you’re visiting in the high season, you may even have the opportunity to visit a dairy and sample some of the award winning cheese.
From there, spend a night or two in the historic city of Zadar, or head a bit further south to enjoy the lovely town of Sibenik or the beautiful Krka National Park.
On a road trip from Zagreb to Dubrovnik, you also can’t miss Croatia’s second-largest city of Split.
There are countless things to do in Split and the city is well-situated to explore a number of Dalmatian towns and even countless Croatian islands.
Make sure to spend at least a few nights in this beautiful and historic city in order to really do it justice.
When you finally make it to Dubrovnik, you will have seen so much of Croatia that you’re sure to have completely fallen for this beautiful country!
By Maggie Turansky of The World Was Here First
Crete, Greece
Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and can be visited as a year-round destination.
From the wildflowers and hikes in spring to the beaches, archaeological sites and sunshine of summer, Crete makes a wonderful destination for a road trip as there really is so much to see and do.
Start your Crete road trip in the coastal town of Agios Nikolaos that sits perched between the lake and the sea with quaint cafés and restaurants looking out over the water in every direction.
You can begin your journey with a relaxing day or two here, soaking up the laid-back way of life; wandering along the marina and visiting the small church that gives this town its name.
From here, you’ll make your way on to the port town of Sitia.
This friendly settlement has a rich history of Venetian and Turkish reign, the remains of which can be seen in the town’s architecture such as the restored Venetian Fort which now plays host open-air theatre performances.
While the town itself is more catered to the locals living there than to tourists, Sitia does serve as the gateway to the Richtis Gorge, a dramatic natural landscape that is a favorite among walkers.
Travel down to the small village of Exo Mouliana just outside of Sitia to enjoying hiking in the gorge, starting early to avoid the heat of the day and ending up at the blissful Richtis Beach for lunch!
The hike takes around 3-4 hours and follows lush landscapes, old water mills and the Richtis waterfall which is a lovely place to take a dip.
Your road trip then moves on towards Kato Zakros, a region famed for an ancient settlement from the Protopalatial Period (1900-1700 BCE).
Today, visitors can explore the archaeological site which features ancient tombs, palatial ruins and religious ceremonial grounds.
Guests can take a guided tour of the site in summer to learn about the history of the region in more depth.
The penultimate stop on your Crete road trip is the town of Ierapetra on the southern coast of the island.
This bay is known for having the highest temperatures and most amount of sunny days in Greece so it’s the perfect spot for some sunbathing and relaxation.
Thanks to the town’s locale nestled between the mountains of western and central Crete, Ierapetra sees very few cloudy days so don’t forget your swimsuit and sun screen and enjoy the beach!
While staying in Ierapetra you may also want to catch a boat out to Chrissi Island for day trip, a small stretch of white sand buried in the azure waters of the Libyan Sea.
This island boasts a stunning landscape of forest, sea, sand and sunshine and with a church, lighthouse, bar and taverna and one house being the only structures on the island, Chrissi really is a peaceful place to be!
After spending your last few days relaxing on the beach, you’ll return to the town of Agios Nikolaos to drop off your car and continue your vacation or catch your flight home.
By Chrysoula of Travel Passionate
Hungary
Even though Budapest is undoubtedly the most famous destination in Hungary, there are plenty of charming towns worth including in a road trip.
Due to the small size of this Central-European country, it is easy and quick to travel from city to city.
After landing in Budapest, reach the Southern cities of Szeged and Pecs; then, head North-West to Balaton lake to visit the towns of Tapolca and Balatonfured; end your Hungary road trip in Budapest.
Budapest, the pearl of the Danube, is not your usual European capital: it carries the signs of time and wars, it is experienced, yet young and full of life.
Discover the grand, Austro-Hungarian palaces from the mid-1800s in Pest, and explore the iconic landmarks of Mathias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion in Buda.
Head South to the city of Szeged, close to the Serbian border. After being destroyed by a flood in 1879, Szeged was rebuilt as a jewel of Art Nouveau architecture.
Make sure you visit the imposing Dom Cathedral and the eclectic New Synagogue: the intricate decorations of the former and the glass dome of the latter are masterpieces of Hungarian art and skill.
To the West is Pecs, famous for the Zsolnay ceramics factory: the colorful roof tiles and decorations you saw in Budapest are produced here. The museums at the Zsolnay Cultural Quarter showcase artifacts of incredible beauty and quality.
The city centre features beautiful eclectic and neo-Baroque buildings and two major places of worship: the unusual Pasha Mosque-turned-Church and the huge neo-Romanesque Cathedral.
Balaton Lake is the Hungarian Sea in this landlocked country. Surrounded by tourist destinations and hills covered with vineyards, there are plenty of towns to visit.
Tapolca is a hidden gem located on the northern side of Balaton Lake, 15 km away from the shore.
The heart of the tiny city centre has a fairy-tale charm: a small lake surrounded by colorful houses, a church and a water mill.
The Lake Cave also deserves a visit: rowing a boat on crystal clear waters in an underground cave is a magical experience.
Balatonfured is one of the largest towns on the shores of Balaton Lake. Stroll on the promenade with an ice cream in your hand to get a feeling of a typical Hungarian summer.
Nearby, on top of a peninsular hill stretched into the lake, is the beautiful Tihany Abbey, established in 1055. The views of Balaton Lake and the surrounding countryside are gorgeous.
The Hungarian road trip ends in Budapest. Enjoy your last gulyas soup and say goodbye to the Danube river!
This involves driving around the incredible scenic countryside, hitting beautiful lakes, spotting castles, crossing forests, discovering lovely cities and meeting the friendly locals.
The first stop of the perfect road trip itinerary in Slovenia would have to be Ljubljana, the gorgeous capital.
The city is packed with lovely sights, good museums, and beautiful parks. My top recommendation, however, is to do a food tour.
This would include a wonderful sample of all the local eats (and wine too) and is a great way to learn more about the culture of the country.
Lake Bled would be the second (and obvious) stop.
The gorgeous lake can be best seen from Bled Castle, and can be explored on a lovely boat ride.
Getting off the beaten path when driving is incredibly easy, and thus I would wholeheartedly recommend heading to Bela Krajina to follow its Wine Road.
Slovenia has a great wine tradition, and Bela Krajina is a great place to learn more about it.
Road tripping, it is possible to admire the beautiful hills covered by vineyards, and visit some of them to have a taste (remember not to drink and drive!).
Driving around Bela Krajina, don’t miss the Kolpa River, a gorgeous scenic area with some hidden gems like an abandoned mill, the ruins of various castles, thick forests and hidden archeological sites.
Finally, when visiting Slovenia on a road trip, I recommend stopping by some of its lovely small cities.
Semic, in Bela Krajina, dates back to the 13th century. Metlika, on the left bank of the Kolka River, has a beautiful castle dating back to the 15th century and a nice parish church.
Switzerland (Zurich to Geneva via Bernese Oberland)
So tiny, yet so awesome!
Switzerland is such an extremely beautiful country and I truly believe that road tripping through Switzerland should be on everybody´s bucket list!
Why? I cannot think of any other place that is packed with so much gorgeousness in such a small space.
If you are looking for picture perfect sceneries where each detour is a blessing, rather than a problem, then Switzerland is the place to get a car and start a road trip.
It is not only the scenery (great lakes in the most beautiful colors, and wonderful mountains – some of them world-famous) that is beyond stunning.
You´ll also find some great and very lovely towns and villages, and even some lively cities – well, basically you have it all.
Since Switzerland is not big, you can see a lot without having to drive thousands of kilometers to see all the beauty. Plus Switzerland is super safe and it is easy to drive.
You can’t miss Zürich, where you can visit the most expensive shopping street in the world: Bahnhofsstraße.
Lucerne is another highlight. After seeing the world-famous Chapel Bridge drive to and the hidden gem “Weggis” to swim in the clear lake with a view of the Alps.
Bernese Oberland is my absolute favorite area in Switzerland.
It is home to places like Interlaken, where you could hike up Harder Kulm to enjoy a fantastic view and you should do a boat tour on Lake Brienz.
Don’t forget to visit places like Thun, Bern, Grindelwald or the Furka Pass and plan in some extra time to stop along the way, soak in the beauty and enjoy some picnics at the many lakes.
The Italian-speaking part of Switzerland (Lugano and Lucarno) can also convince with its beauty (though driving there is a bit….let’s say Italian-style).
If you are heading to Locarno definitely put Valle Verzasca on the list and swim in the emerald green water!
Finally, you must visit Geneva.
I admit that driving the freeway from Luzern to Geneva is not a highlight, but once you have arrived in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, you’ll enjoy the scenery and experience a touch of France in Switzerland.
Switzerland is a small country with an abundance of natural beauty. The best way to explore it is on the road.
To see the best of what Switzerland offers, take the road trip from Zurich to Bachalpsee.
This road trip will take you through stunning shimmering lakes, beautiful lakeside towns, and villages, waterfalls, Alpine peaks, green meadows, creeks, and frozen lakes. Yes, all on one road trip!
Start your road trip from Zurich and drive in the direction of Lucerne. Laying by the namesake lake, Lucerne is one of the most charming cities in Switzerland.
With attractions like the medieval age Chapel bridge or the Lion monument, it has made its unique place in the tourist itineraries. Kids will love the Swiss museum of transport.
A short drive away is Interlaken, the adventure activity hub of Switzerland. From paragliding to rafting, there is a lot of adrenaline rushing activities you can choose from.
Nestled between the Lake Thun and Lake Brienzer, Interlaken justifies the tourist attention it gets. For a bird’s eye view, take a funicular to Harder Kulm.
The journey from Interlaken to Grindelwald is my favorite chunk of the trip. The journey itself is stunning and refreshing with waterfalls rolling down the alpine peaks, on every turn.
Once in Grindelwald, feel free to explore the petite village on foot. Park your car and get lost in this paradise. The traditional wooden Swiss houses and the green meadows paint a beautiful picture of Switzerland.
But don’t stop here. Take a 30 minutes gondola ride (expensive but justified) to the First mountain pass for the amazing Alpine views. Up at First, you can get a 360-degree panoramic view of the are on the Tissot walk, which is free of cost.
You can also take a short hike/walk from First to Bachalpsee, one of the most beautiful serene lakes in Switzerland. Secluded due to its location, the Bachalpsee lake makes for a perfect picnic spot on this road trip.
This road trip offers you a glimpse into all the natural wonders Switzerland offers. Be it the Alpine views or the beautiful glacial lakes, every stop on this road trip will make for an unforgettable memory.
By Nisha of Nerdy Footsteps
Romania to Austria
One of the reasons why I like Europe is that you can visit many countries in a short time, and each of these countries has its own culture, people, architecture, and especially landscapes.
For this reason, a month ago my boyfriend and I decided to go on a spontaneous road trip, where we would visit 5 countries in 7 days.
We started in Sibiu, Romania, where we rented the car for the road trip. Of course, we took advantage, and we got lost on the streets of the old center.
We admired the beautiful architecture of the pastel-colored houses, whose roof windows seem to resemble some eyes spying on you.
We also visited Paltinis, a mountain resort just 30 km away, where we had lunch on green grass at a height, with a dreamlike panorama in front of us and many sheep that were quietly grazing.
From Romania, we headed straight to the capital of Hungary, Budapest, an underestimated city from my point of view.
Budapest is superb, it has sensational neo-Renaissance architecture and many places where you can get a picture-perfect panorama of the city, such as Fisherman’s Bastion or Citadella.
One of my favorite buildings is the Palace of Parliament.
Next, we moved onto Croatia to visit the Plitvice Lakes National Parks.
This national park with its stunning waterfalls has long been on my bucket list, and I’m glad that I finally had the opportunity to visit it on a perfectly serene and warm day of May.
I almost have no words to describe how beautiful the place is. Although I always had the feeling that the colors of the lakes have been edited in the photos on the internet, I was surprised to discover that they are just as turquoise in reality.
After, we moved onto Lake Bled in Slovenia. I didn’t know much beforehand, so I was pleasantly surprised when I finally saw it. The country is full of towering mountains and forested hills.
It is a very green and very beautiful country, so I was already expecting to be conquered by Lake Bled, the famous lake situated at the foot of the Alps in the northwest of the country. And yes, I was.
Our final country was Austria. The first stop was in Zell am See, one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. We stayed on the shores of Lake Zeller See, surrounded by picturesque chalets.
Also, in Zell am See, we tried the Alpine Coaster in Kaprun, which was a sensational experience I was eager to try.
From Zell am See, we went to Hallstatt to check out a fairy tale spot where swans are spotted on the lake, and everything looks perfect as if you were looking at a postcard.
After a few hours in Hallstatt, we headed to Vienna, the capital of Austria, an elegant and romantic city, with rich culture and colorful buildings, whose Baroque and Gothic architecture will definitely conquer your heart.
Don’t miss the Hofburg Palace Complex, the Spanish Riding School, and the Albertina Museum!
Road-tripping through northern Italy’s Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna regions is an awesome way to see Northern Italy’s most beautiful cities and towns, as well as get off-the-beaten path a bit.
The region is well set-up for road trips, with many hotels just outside the cities offering free or affordable parking, and the historical cities offering affordable paid parking lots just beyond the pedestrianized areas, making it easy to park and explore.
We picked up our rental at Bologna airport, and drove south to start our trip in Tuscany.
I’d recommend budgeting at least 2 days to explore Florence’s neighborhoods and catch the panoramic sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo.
Siena deserves a day as well, with time to climb the tower in Piazza del Campo for great city views. Take a day trip from Siena, and hit up Monteriggioni and San Gimignano, two of Tuscany’s most beautiful towns.
From Siena, I recommend driving through the Chianti region to San Marino, one of the smallest and richest (per capita) countries in the world.
Perched at the top of a mountain, with castle-like towers standing watch over the Italian plains below, it’s easy to see why San Marino is an independent country that’s never been conquered!
It offers incredible, fairytale-esque views, so be sure to charge your camera battery. For a fun souvenir, hit up the tourist office for a San Marino passport stamp (€5).
The beach-side city of Rimini is the most convenient Italian city to base yourself after a trip to San Marino, but isn’t worth more than a night.
Enjoy a seaside dinner before heading northwest the next day, to the pretty, low-key university city of Bologna.
Despite the name, spaghetti bolognese is nowhere to be found on Bologna’s menus: look for tagliatelle al ragu instead, if you want to try this local classic.
Centrally located, Bologna is a great base with a car, or you can return the car and take the train to visit the lovely small city of Ferrara.
You can even visit some of Italy’s more well-known cities, like Venice (and its wine country) or Verona, as a day-trip (rather than the other way around).
This is possibly one of the most authentic, dreamy, and colorful road trips along Italy.
Heading from the Rome down south takes us to places with breathtaking scenarios, and allowed us to see a different view and perspective of the Italian lifestyle.
The fist stop on the road trip is always Naples. The city that has many faces, and gives many impressions.
Naples is the colorful south Italian city, where you can have a deep look into the culture, and it really differs from everything you’d see in Rome, or on the Amalfi Coast.
But Naples is also about the authenticity, the breathtaking monuments and panoramic views.
Seeing the Vesuvius volcano from the city, with an amazing panorama from Castel San’ Elmo, or admiring the sea from Castel dell’Ovo is really a must.
Oh, and don’t forget about Naples’s specialty, the pizza!
If you have the chance to spend at least two days in Naples, that’s really suggested to have enough time to explore it!
Down from Naples, the next stop must be Pompeii, the town that was once covered in lava, after an exploration of the Vesuvius volcano.
Pompeii can be visited at any time of the year, however you’ll always need to pay an entrance fee.
Leaving behind the coast of Naples, we’re arriving into the Sorrentine bay, with the first stop being Sorrento, the charming Italian lemon town. Sorrento is on top of the cliffs, overlooking the bay.
A colorful little town, where you can walk under lemon trees, watch a sunset from the Villa Comunale, and enjoy the vibrant nightlife in the coastal town.
Sorrento is a great place to spend the night, as there are many accommodations here, for lower budgets as well!
Right after Sorrento, driving over the other side of the peninsula on a road that’s built on the cliffside, offers an unforgettable experience.
Imagine a tiny, sinuous road, where on one side you have huge cliffs above, and on the other side, you have a view of the sea.
This road leads us to the dreamy little town of Positano.
The cliffside town is known for its beautiful colors, and beautiful landscapes, as well as its tiny beach with a great view of the cliffs, and the colorful town.
Right after Positano, the next stop should always be Amalfi.
A town just as charming as Positano, but with a beautiful town center and the famous Amalfi Cathedral, that really deserves a visit!
If you’re on a road trip and you want to add some more places to visit, driving down until Salerno, with a stop in this other famous cliffside town called Ravello will make your Amalfi Coast itinerary complete!
In order to explore the French Riviera properly, you will need at least 7-10 days, but it’s also possible to do it just during 4 days.
Nice is a wonderful starting point for this trip.
Actually, if you’re only doing this trip over 4 days (like we did), it makes sense to be based in Nice during all the 4 days.
Why? Because the distances in the French Riviera are not so long!
So, which places are totally worth seeing during your road trip in Côte’D’Azur?
Nice is a very beautiful and quite big French city with a wonderful promenade – Promenade des Anglais, where you can stroll during the evenings in France.
The sea in Nice is really blue – you won’t believe your eyes!
Cannes is another iconic destination you have to visit during your trip to the French Riviera.
It’s lavish, posh, and has amazing seafood restaurants. Maybe you’re even lucky to get to go to the Cannes Festival.
St. Tropez is a lovely French village, which happens to be home to some of the most expensive restaurants and clubs in France.
It’s a place for the billionaires to park their yachts and enjoy the nice weather in France.
For the rest of the people, it’s just a lovely place to spend a couple of hours!
St. Paul de Vence is a unique medieval French village located on top of the hill just 30 minutes away from Cannes.
There are plenty of crafts and arts you can buy and in case you’re planning to have a dinner there – you need to make a reservation in advance!
Monaco is actually a separate country, but there is no passport control or anything to enter this tiny country.
Its capital, Monte Carlo, is world famous for its casino and the shops and restaurants in Monaco are among the most expensive in the world!
Set off from Munich, but not before spending a few days to take in all that this place has to offer.
Our first stop will be the charming old town of Regensburg.
Take a few days to explore the alleys of the medieval Old Town district and the beautiful riverside areas before heading back out on the road.
A quick detour on the way to our next stop will take you to see one of the most interesting buildings in Germany.
Feel transported to ancient Greece as you witness Walhalla high on the hills overlooking the Danube.
Next we arrive in the fairytale town of Cesky Krumlov. Much photographed but still unspoiled by high tourist numbers, this tiny town will capture your heart.
While in the Czech Republic, make sure to sample some of the seemingly thousands of beers on offer.
After a short stay we find out if the hills really are alive with the sound of music. Our destination is the cultural city of Salzburg in Austria.
Be sure to take the funicular to the top of the hill and explore the castle, the views are sure to impress.
For more iconic things to do, visit the Sacher Cafe for the original Sacher Torte or take a “Sound of Music” tour.
Another detour after we depart Salzburg not only takes us along some of Europe’s most scenic roads but brings us to Berchtesgaden with some of the most amazing views in Bavaria.
Our final stop keeps us in Austria but gives us a totally different type of town.
Innsbruck is all about the mountains which you can scale using the Nordkette funicular to reach as high as 2250 meters for some stunning views.
Be sure to try some strudel and then spend the evening around the river.
Time to round off the trip and head back to Munich but not before our final detour which takes us to arguably the world’s most famous castle, Neuschwanstein.
Whether nature gives you the white background of winter or the colors of fall, this is a place that makes average photographers look good and creates lifelong memories.
Europe road trips are wonderful as they allow you so much variety over short distances.
Bavaria and beyond is one of the best parts of Europe for that experience.
The Bay of Kotor and the Adriatic Coastline are particularly well-suited to self-driving.
You have the option to start this road trip in either Podgorica, Montenegro’s capital city, or in Tivat on the southern end of the Bay of Kotor.
Both cities have international airports and plenty of car hire agencies to choose from.
End your trip in Herceg Novi on the opposite side of the Bay, close to the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
If you need to return your car in the same place you hired it, you can easily turn the route into a loop by adding a few extra hours of driving on the final day.
Set aside a minimum of 5-7 days total, more if you want to spend time lounging on the beach or hiking in the hills above the bay.
If coming from Podgorica, start your road trip by crossing the bridge over Skadar Lake.
Stop in Virpazar for a short boat trip through the marshy swamps of the largest lake on the Balkan Peninsular before continuing to the coast.
Sveti Stefan (the bizarre beach town with its privately owned, off-limits island) is a good place to base yourself for a few nights.
The first of two UNESCO-Listed old towns, Budva, is just 15 minutes’ up the road.
From Budva, cut across to reach the Bay of Kotor, the highlight of Montenegro with its beautiful Venetian towns and secluded coves.
Kotor is a must-see; set aside a full day to wander the Old Town and climb up to the fortress for a view.
Further along the bay, Perast has a shallow harbor and is a lot quieter than Kotor by contrast because it doesn’t get the same cruise ship crowds.
Stay here for a couple of days, exploring the charming streets by foot and taking a boat to Our Lady of the Rocks, an artificial island built from shipwrecks and topped with a gorgeous chapel.
For a break from the beach, you can make a detour between Kotor and Perast to visit Lovcen National Park.
This involves driving on the infamous Kotor Serpentine, a road with 25 switchbacks that offers spectacular views of the entire bay.
Your final stop, Herceg Novi, has yet another gorgeous old town and plenty of swimming beaches and hiking trails.
If you’re returning to Podgorica, stop at Ostrog Monastery, Montenegro’s most sacred pilgrimage site, along the way.
You can easily extend your itinerary by continuing to Durmitor National Park in the country’s mountainous north.
Driving in Montenegro is pretty safe and straightforward. Just be wary that it’s often very difficult to find a street park in the busier towns, especially Budva and Kotor.
Choose accommodation with secure on-site parking, and avoid driving in Montenegro during peak summer season.
By Emily of Wander-Lush
Albania
Start your Albania road trip in Tirana.
As the capital city and the only international airport in the country, Tirana is a likely spot to start a road trip through Albania.
(If you’re arriving from Greece, just do this road trip in reverse!)
Spend a few days exploring the capital city of Tirana. Skanderberg Square is the main square, located in the center of Tirana.
This large, open pedestrian area is named after the Albanian national hero Gjergj Skenderbeu and is surrounded by some of the most important buildings in the country.
South of the square lies many monuments and museums reflecting on the communist times, such as the Blloku area, Postbllok monuments, Bunker Art and House of Leaves museum.
Before leaving Tirana, head up to Mount Dajti on the Dajti Express cable car. Mount Dajti National Park at the top of the mountain is a great place to hike and has an impressive view of the city.
After a few days in Tirana, head west to the port town of Durres.
Originally the capital city, Durres is the oldest city in Albania and one of the oldest in Europe.
Known for its Roman amphitheater, it also has sandy beaches and excellent restaurants along the water.
From Durres, head south to Berat. Perched high above the town is Berat Castle, one of the last inhabited castles in Europe.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Berat is also known as the City of 1000 Windows.
Traditional white houses are built close together, rising up the steep hills and their large wooden windows seemingly overlook the town, earning Berat its’ nickname.
From Berat, head west towards the coast to the town of Vlorë. This is where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet, which makes for excellent beaches.
There are beaches in the city and also stretching down the coast for a few kilometers. Vlorë is also where Albanian Independence was declared.
Flag Square and an independence monument in the center of town pay tribute to this.
From Vlore, head further south to Gjirokastër. Like Berat, Gjirokastër is a UNESCO Heritage Site, earning the distinction for its’ well-preserved and rare Ottoman-style architecture.
It’s also the birthplace of communist leader Enver Hoxha and writer Ismail Kadare.
Head back to the coast and visit the town of Sarandë. Often called the capital of the Albanian Riviera, it’s a popular beach destination.
Boasting a perfect beach climate and surrounded by hills of olive groves, it’s a perfect place to relax and finish your road trip of Albania.
By Erin of Three is Us
Grossglockner High Alpine Road (Austria)
A road trip through one of Europe’s highest alpine road, Grossglockner High Alpine Road or Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse is hands down one of the most awesome road trips in Europe or rather the world.
How can you not feel the adrenaline rush through your veins as you climb to 3,000 feet while swishing around the 36 hairpin turns?
The Grossglockner is a 48 km stretch that starts inSalzburg and ends in Carinthia.
The best part about the road journey is it taking you through the oldest national park in Austria and one of the largest in Europe, Hohe Tauern National Park.
Meaning, you’re going to witness the mother nature up close. Snow-clad peaks, gleaming white glaciers, gushing waterfalls, lush grasslands, lakes as clear as crystal, rare and exotic flora, and fauna, and well, in short – the road trip has it all!
There are tons of amazing stops to make along the Grossglockner road trip. The road is dotted with amazing attractions like museums, themed playgrounds, expositions, and offers scenic hiking opportunities.
To tell the truth, you’d not wait for the stop to stop and admire the ethereal beauty all around.
Wild-& Erlebnispark Ferleiten, a wildlife park that’s home to about 200 animals in the Alps, should be your first stop on this iconic road trip, especially if you’re traveling with kids.
Make Haus Alpine Nature Exhibitions your second stop to know more about the alpine ecology as it was during the construction of the engineering marvel called the Grossglockner.
The most thrilling stop on this road trip itinerary will be Edelweißspitze, famously known as Biker’s Point for the right reason.
You can’t, in your right mind, drive up to this highest vantage point in a car, taking into account a narrow winding access road and the harsh winds. What’s so special about it?
It gives you a 360-degree panoramic view of the region encompassing more than 30 mountains. You can park your car and walk up to the lookout point to enjoy the view.
Fuschar Törl is a must-stop as it unfolds the first view of the mighty Grossglockner.
You may want to stop at Fuschar Lake and pay a visit to Herbert Haslinger, who tames alpine marmots at Mankei-Wirt. You can meet and have fun with the adorable marmots.
Visited by Emperor Franz Josef along with Empress Sissi in 1856, Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Höhe is a unique vantage point that offers the views of Grossglockner, Pasterze (Austria’s longest glacier).
It also has views of the black mountain, Glocknerwand, and Johannisberg mountains.
Also, many of the famous Grossglockner hikes like Gamsgrubenweg Trail and Pasterze Glacier Trail start from here.
The last leg of the road trip is Heiligenblut, a quaint village known for its church of St. Vincent.
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Music blasting on the stereo, windows rolled down and hair mussed by the wind, singing with your road tripping besties: there’s nothing better than a road trip. It’s my favorite way to travel.
I’ve done road trips all over the world: from Brazil to the Faroe Islands, the American Southwest (Nevada, Arizona, and Utah) to Azerbaijan.
Nothing beats having your own set of wheels beneath you and everything you need in your car!
When planning a road trip, it’s crucial to consider not only what you want to wear and bring to your final destination, but all the little things that will make your road trip more comfortable along the way. That includes necessities, like an annual travel insurance policy and safety gear for hitting the road, as well as frivolities like road trip games and a killer Spotify road trip playlist
After all — on a road trip, the destination is the journey!
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Here are the things that I think are absolute road trip necessities, to help you plan and pack for hitting the open road.
Below is your ultimate road trip packing list for all occasions!
Note that this is a road trip packing list that assumes you’ll be staying in hotels along the way. If you’re also camping, you’ll need to add other items like a tent, sleeping bag, etc. — check out my car camping packing list which will tell you all the things you need to bring!
These are the absolutely mission-critical items to have in terms of safety and physically being able to go on your road trip, and making sure you have the items on this list is one of my top travel tips for planning a long road trip.
They’re not that interesting, sure, but they are all the road trip essentials you need to remember, so be sure to scan this part of the road trip packing list carefully to make sure you haven’t omitted anything vitally important!
Car documents & driver’s license
This should be rather obvious, but you’ll need your driver’s license, car documentation, AAA card if you have a membership (or other similar roadside assistance program), and insurance papers ready for any road trip you take.
If you have an America the Beautiful National Parks pass, don’t forget that at home. If you don’t have one and you plan to visit 2 or more national parks during a USA road trip, I strongly suggest buying one. At just $79.99 for the year, it typically pays for itself after the third use and it covers 2,000 parklands in the U.S. National Parks system.
Make sure you double-check that you have all this information easily handy in case you need it on your trip.
If you are renting a car at your destination, make sure you get all the paperwork from the car rental office and ensure you’re sufficiently insured for the trip.
Travel insurance
If your road trip includes going to another state or country where you are not insured locally, you may need travel insurance in order to cover you in case of incident.
Double check with your health insurance plan and car insurance plan to ensure you’re within their coverage; if not, travel insurance will fill in the gaps.
Roadside emergency kit
You should already have an emergency kit in your car with things like a reflective triangle, rain poncho, emergency blanket, safety vest, safety whistle, etc. in case of an emergency.
But if you don’t, know is a good time to invest in a roadside emergency kit that also includes a first aid kit.
If you’re bringing your own car from home, you’ll want to make sure you have things like jumper cables, etc. in case you have a battery die on you on the road.
Car manual
Have your physical car manual handy or download an electronic version of it before you set out on your road trip — it’s essential in case any funky lights turn on and you’re not sure what they mean, or if you have trouble with some function.
Once on a road trip in Utah, I managed to lock the steering wheel of a rental car, and it was really counterintuitive to understanding how to unlock it. I almost got stuck out there for hours! Be sure to have access to a car manual, whether physical or electronic, before setting out on your road trip.
Spare tire & tire changing kit
Having a spare tire isn’t much good if you don’t have a jack or kit to change out the tire. Make sure your tire changing kit is complete (or buy your tire changing kit before you head out), and make sure you know how to use it!
Flashlight or headlamp
In case you get somewhere poorly lit after dark, have an emergency in the night, or just go on a sunset hike and need to light your way back, a flashlight or headlamp is key (and make sure to bring some extra batteries, too!)
I love a headlamp to keep my hands free when I’m hiking — a rechargeable one like this is a great travel must-have.
Any seasonal car gear
For the most part, this packing list is geared towards summer road trips, but if you happen to be planning a winter road trip, don’t neglect seasonal car necessities like an ice scraper, tire chains, etc.
Basic Road Trip Necessities
These are the little things that are easy to accidentally skim over and forget.
They aren’t as vitally important as the above, because they’re easy to replace on the road, but save time by packing these road trip necessities before you go!
Car cell phone charger
You will zap your cell phone battery FAST while on a road trip, so it’s essential to have a car charger.
Of course, it’s pretty hard to connect your phone and charge it and do all sorts of other necessary 21st-century things without USB cords.
Bring 1 or 2 more than you need, it’s always a good idea.
Handsfree phone holder
I recommended this 2-in-1 phone mount/charger above — if you don’t already have a phone mount, or you want one that chargers, this is clutch!
Coins & small bills
There are places in the world that still use only cash… shocking, I know.
When you are ready to hit the road, don’t get caught off guard without any cash for a park entrance fee, bathroom fee, road tolls, or little odds and ends along the way like buying tasty produce from a local roadside farm stand!
Paper map or offline map
Yes, paper maps still exist and not just as an Instagram prop… although they do make awesome Instagram props, too.
Or if you just want to use your phone, that’s OK too, but be sure to download all the offline maps using Google Maps or Maps.me
A killer road trip playlist!
OK, what good is a road trip without some awesome music? Be sure to have an epic playlist ready to go.
My friend Stephanie gathered all the best road trip songs — download some before you go in case you need some tunes when you don’t have any data or WiFi.
If you prefer podcasts, have your favorite shows downloaded and ready to go.
Road Trip Items for Hygiene & Travel Safety
In the current public health crisis, it’s important to bring plenty of sanitizing gear with you when you’re on a road trip!
There are lots of high touch-point surfaces you may not think of immediately, like a gas station nozzle, which can be high-risk on a road trip.
Here’s what I recommend you pack for a road trip in 2023 in the current hygiene context.
Alcohol wipes
It’s best to try to source alcohol wipes in a store from a brand you trust or from a verified brand seller on Amazon, such as from the Clorox store.
Use alcohol wipes on high-touch surfaces as needed and not excessively — soap and water should be your primary line of cleaning and defense.
I suggest you use these when not otherwise possible, such as when at a gas station or using a touchpad at an ATM or grocery store.
Hand sanitizer
Hand sanitizer as well is another great thing to have on hand when on the road, as sources of hand sanitizer cannot always be guaranteed and there may be times where it is difficult or less safe to go to a public restroom.
Again, it’s better to try to source hand sanitizer in a store from a trusted brand, but in the absence of that being possible, this brand available online looks to be safe, FDA-approved, and with a high-enough level of ethyl alcohol to be safe.
Spare liquid soap
Liquid or bar soap is still the gold standard for washing your hands and should be chosen over hand sanitizer whenever you have access to water.
Some gas stations, park bathrooms, etc. may not be well-attended, so bring some spare liquid soap with a locking top or a bar of soap in a Ziploc baggie just in case.
Be sure to wash your hands for 30-40 seconds, every part, in order to get the full sanitation benefits.
Face mask
When in places where distancing is not possible, you will need to wear a face mask to keep yourself and fellow humans safe.
Bring multiple cloth face masks and circulate them, allowing face masks ample time in the sun when possible (such as leaving them on your dashboard) or washing them in between uses in order to sanitize the masks.
Extra water
Not specifically hygiene-related, but worth putting in this section nonetheless.
Be sure to have a few gallons of extra water in your car for emergencies. Whether it’s replacing the water to cool down your engine or emergency drinking water if you’re stranded, it’s a cheap and simple thing to add to your road trip packing list with no downside.
Personal Comfort Road Trip Items
These are the little things when packing for a road trip that make your time much more comfortable on the road.
From snacks to sunscreen, travel towels to travel pillows, these are the little things that you probably already have at home that you should make sure not to forget on your long road trip.
Road trip snacks
There’s a funny quote about snacks for road trips… it goes like this: “It doesn’t matter how old you get, buying snacks for a road trip should always look like an unsupervised 9-year-old was given $100.”
I’m not sure who originally said it, but it’s true. Nothing ruins a road trip faster like hanger… so be sure to avoid it!
Have a good mix of snacks and not just sweet ones. I find that too many sweets on an empty stomach is a recipe for major headaches. Likewise, too many salty snacks and not enough water will also do you in!
I like having things like KIND bars, trail mix, granola bars, chips when I need something salty, RXBar protein bars, etc. for my trip.
Toilet paper / Kleenex
Don’t be caught off guard by a poorly stocked restroom! Bring your own toilet paper from home, or have a resealable pack of Kleenex with you.
Basic medicines
At a minimum, you should have motion sickness tablets, painkillers like ibuprofen/paracetamol, and something like Pepto-Bismol tablets for upset stomachs while you’re on the road.
Rehydration packets
Impromptu hikes, lack of schedule, random meal times, salty snacks, sunny days, hangovers from wine nights after driving duty is done: there are many reasons it’s easy to get dehydrated while road tripping.
I always pack some rehydration packets with me on my travels as I’m prone to getting dehydrated and getting headaches, and they’re a lifesaver. I recommend these ones.
Microfiber towel
I can’t express to you how much I love microfiber travel towels!
They pack up to nearly nothing and they’re super effective at soaking up moisture… plus they quick-dry so fast compared to standard home towels!
Whether you take a dip in a lake or river, are staying in a hotel or Airbnb that doesn’t provide enough towels, or need an impromptu picnic blanket or beach touch, a microfiber travel towel is a road trip must pack.
Some bites are inevitable no matter how diligent you are with bug spray. Keep itchiness at bay with an After Bite itch eraser, which instantly soothes any bug bites.
Sunscreen
Did you know you should always wear sunscreen while driving? The windshield doesn’t protect you against all UV rays — while they protect against UVB rays (which cause sunburn), most do not block UVA rays, which cause aging and skin cancer.
Plus, you’ll want it for hikes, days out in the sun, beach days, and that sort of thing. This is the sunscreen I use on my face daily, and I use a cheaper basic sunscreen for my skin.
No matter what your skin tone or race, Black, white, or Asian, you need to wear sunscreen daily — and on a road trip it’s no different!
If you’re hiking, don’t forget about your scalp either — I often end up with a burned scalp and it’s no fun, often leading to headaches. Buy a special sunscreen for hair and scalp to avoid this!
Lip balm with SPF
Be sure to bring a hydrating lip balm that also has SPF on your road trip! Poor hydration and lots of sun can both cause dry, chapped lips which are no fun when traveling. I like the key lime Sun Bum chapstick best.
Sunglasses
There’s nothing worse than squinting through the windshield as the sun nearly blinds you while you drive! Seasoned roadtrippers know to bring your favorite sunglasses, plus a cheap spare pair as backup.
Travel pillow
You hopefully have someone to divide the driving duties with, so while you’re on a break from manning the road, you’ll want to have a comfortable way to kick back and enjoy your time off of driving duty.
This cozy memory-foam travel pillow also comes with an eye mask if you need to catch some Zs while another driver takes over!
Travel blanket
A cozy-soft travel blanket, whether it’s just a blanket you love from home that you don’t mind taking on the road or a specialty travel blanket, will make your time on the road that much more comfortable.
Also great for impromptu picnics, sunset hikes that get surprisingly chilly, and taking a nap while you’re off duty! Here are some of the best travel blankets.
Insulated travel mug
I use and swear by Contigo travel mugs — they’re leakproof and pretty much indestructible and they’re inexpensive to boot. This one is vacuum-insulated and fits standard cupholders easily.
Reusable water bottle
Don’t waste plastic or money constantly buying new water bottles at obscene prices!
Get a reusable water bottle and either refill it from your extra-large water containers mentioned above (safer given the current situation) or fill up in sinks and fountains along the way.
This one is insulated, stainless steel, and convenient to drink from. Another good choice would be a collapsible water bottle like this one which you can take with you when hiking.
In case you need to buy groceries or other things along the way, bring some reusable tote bags to decrease your plastic footprint.
Day pack
Day packs are essential when hiking or leaving the car for a bit to do some sightseeing and needing to bring essentials like bug spray, sunglasses, water, and sunscreen with you.
This Osprey day pack is the perfect size and it’s designed by a company that specializes in ergonomic solutions for backpackers, so you know it’ll be comfortable.
Wet wipes
As opposed to alcohol-based wipes which are primarily for sanitizing things, wet wipes are nice to have on hand for a quick freshening up before proper showers or face-washing.
These biodegradable wet wipes are easy on the environment and your skin, with aloe vera and Vitamin E.
Vaseline
Vaseline is a traveler’s miracle, perfect for everything from fixing flyaways to helping super-chapped lips or hands (common when hyper-sanitizing!) to preventing chub rub, a summer affliction for the thicker-thighed ladies out there like me.
I always make sure I travel with Vaseline and while you don’t walk as much on road trips as on other forms of travel, it’s still such an easy addition to your bag that I say bring it!
Haircare
For ladies with long hair, a brush and hair ties are a must, especially on hot days. I also tend to take advantage of the fact that I’m not flying and thus don’t have to adhere to liquid restrictions when I’m road tripping by bringing my favorite shampoos from home.
Your hair care needs will vary depending on your hair length and hair texture, so bring whatever you know you need for your personal hair care, including any heat styling tools you want, because space isn’t an issue when road tripping!
Toiletries
Whatever toiletries you need from home, bring it on the road with you because the great thing about a road trip is no checking luggage! Here’s a quick list of toiletries you likely want with you.
Shampoo & conditioner
Body wash
Razor & shaving cream
Deodorant
Toothpaste & toothbrush
Face wash
Any acne or anti-aging skin treatments
Moisturizer
Body lotion-
Makeup
Comfortable clothing
When road tripping, think loose, comfy clothing that’s easily breathable which transition from car to outside easily.
For women, I suggest the following at a minimum for car/outdoor comfort. Yoga pants or leggings with a comfortable waistband, tee shirts with a sports bra, hiking boots or sneakers depending on activity, some sandals or flipflops for quicker rest stops: these are some road trip clothing essentials.
You’ll also want to bring layers like a jacket for any needed warmth, depending on the temperatures of your destination.
You may want to also bring some packing cubes (I like these from Eagle Creek) for your clothes and a laundry bag for dirty clothing to add a little organization to your trip, especially if you’re stopping in different destinations each night.
Rain jacket
I included this separately from the comfortable clothes section because I wanted to highlight and underline how important a good rain jacket is. Rain is inevitable at times, so might as well dress for it!
I love the Marmot PreCip rain jacket (there’s a women’s version and a men’s version). I used mine for years biking in all sorts of rainy NYC weather and it always kept me dry without making me too hot and uncomfortable like some other rain jackets can, due to the zippered arm-pits which provide ventilation.
This is key if you plan to do anything outdoors like hiking or other active day trips while it’s raining.
Umbrella
In addition to a rain jacket, grab an umbrella from home and toss it in the car in case of rain!
Kids Equipment & Entertainment
If you’re hitting the road with kids in tow, you’ll want to be prepared for the inevitable “are we there yet?” with plenty of road trip games and entertainment for your little ones.
You’ll also want to research what the best travel car seat is, as well as other kid necessities!
And if you’re traveling with a baby, you’ll want all the baby items from A-Z that you know you need!
Road Trip Electronics
These are the electrics odds and ends that you’ll most likely want with you on your road trip!
External batteries
The Anker external battery pack is a travel must. While you can charge your phone while driving, you may want to charge other devices — a camera, a drone, portable speakers, an e-reader — as well.
Or if you notice your battery is running low while you’re out hiking or sightseeing, you can just start charging right away without having to return to your car. It holds several charges on a single battery pack and will last days at a time.
Camera & extra batteries
For all my years of running this travel blog, I’ve relied on my Sony A6000 to take nearly-professional quality images. I don’t sell my photography, but I do love having wonderfully preserved memories, and this camera is the perfect middle-ground above a smartphone yet below the 5-figure kits that most photographers give.
Whatever camera you choose, be sure to have plenty of extra batteries and the battery charger as well — plus extra memory cards! I rely exclusively on 64GB Sandisk memory cards.
Laptop & charger
I bring my Macbook air and charger with me everywhere, but you may not need this set up if you don’t need to do any work while you travel.
Portable speaker
I love having a Bluetooth speaker with me on road trips. They’re great for when you find an isolated spot you want to chill with friends at (though of course, make sure to be a decent citizen and don’t blast your music when other people are around enjoying nature).
Kindle or inspiring audiobooks
I bring my waterproof Kindle e-reader with me everywhere, but I can’t read while people are driving or I get motion sickness badly! So I love listening to inspiring adventure books on Audible while I travel.
Portable WiFi device
If you need to work while on your road trip or want to have a WiFi device handy so kids can connect to their devices (and you can stay sane), a portable WiFi hotspot is a road trip essential.
I like this GlocalMe WiFi device which is compact and easy to set up. Note that it won’t work all the time, as there need to be cell towers around, but on the plus side, it doesn’t need to access a specific network so even if your phone does not have signal, it might!
Fun Road Trip Accessories
These aren’t strictly necessary, but these little items will make your road trip much more memorable and a whole lot more fun!
Instant camera
I love this Instax mini instant camera for printable memories on demand! It’s the modern version of a Polaroid and it’s a great way to preserve memories of your trip.
Because face it, how often do you develop digital photos?
Car cooler
There are two routes when picking a car cooler: one that’s powered by the electric unit in your car (like this one) or a standard ice cooler.
Either makes it possible to enjoy food that needs to be refrigerated on-the-go, ice-cold drinks, or keep essential things stored at fridge temperature.
Travel corkscrew or Swiss army knife
Because what good is end-of-the-driving-day wine or beer if you have trouble opening it?
If you’re road tripping with a loved one and want to have romantic picnics, with the family and want to make special memories, or you just want some darn cute pictures of you and your friends enoying a road trip picnic, a picnic basket is an excellent choice.
Want something equally enjoyable but far more practical if you’re hiking? This picnic backpack is an excellent alternative.
Lumbar support
If you get back pain a lot — holler at my over 30 crowd — lumbar support for your car will be an absolute game changer!
Is it cute? No. But neither is being hunched over for days because you didn’t take care of your back, either.
Travel notebook & pen
This page-a-day travel journal is the perfect sidekick for remembering your travels and jotting down notes from the open road.
Tasty instant coffee
If you’re a coffee geek reading this, you probably want to throw something at me for the contradiction in terms that is “tasty instant coffee.”
But don’t stop reading! Joe Coffee, a NYC-based coffee shop, has delicious instant coffees which they dehydrate in small batches so that your cup tastes like a freshly-brewed one. Buy it online on Amazon here.
Better yet, they work in either cold or hot water so you can have an iced coffee or hot coffee fuss-free (most hotels you stay at should have an electric tea kettle).
Not sure how to make coffee on the road? Read my guide to the best travel coffee products — certified by a former barista!
Folding chairs
Plan to have some days where you just relax lakeside or riverside and enjoy the scenery, or even some beach days?
Folding camping chairs are cheap, easy to pack, and amp up your road trip experience to the next level.
Mad Libs & other games
Did anyone else play Mad Libs all the time as a kid on road trips and planes? To me, this is the ultimate childhood nostalgia game — and it’s really a load of fun!
Other fun road trip games include a deck of cards, Bananagrams, etc., though a lot of these are better suited for rest stops and hotel nights than the open road.
Quick Road Trip Checklist
Want the above list in bullet form? Find all your road trip essentials and necessities below!
Road Trip Essentials:
Car documents
Driver’s license
Travel insurance
Roadside emergency kit
Car manual
Spare tire & tire changing kit
Flashlight or headlamp
Any seasonal/winter car gear (scraper, chains, etc.)
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Few other places on Earth can equal the beauty of the natural landscapes in this area!
Drive along serpentine roads in the Dolomites’ valleys, stop by picture-perfect lakes, explore charming mountain villages, and admire the fascinating, craggy mountain peaks around you.
Driving to the Dolomites will be an unforgettable experience, no matter the time of year.
However, choosing the best Dolomites itinerary can be challenging: there are so many spectacular locations that it can be hard to know which ones to choose.
This 7-day Dolomites road trip itinerary will guide you through some of the most scenic spots to help you experience a memorable road trip.
What to Know Before Planning Your Dolomites Road Trip
Unlike other road trips in Italy, a Dolomites road trip can be a bit trickier, depending on the season you choose to do it.
Furthermore, a part of the trip consists of hiking along mountain trails, so you should be well prepared for these activities.
However, this Dolomites itinerary only includes hikes that are accessible to most people: we won’t feature any particularly rugged or difficult hikes here.
Before diving into the road trip itinerary, let’s go over a few tips to ensure you have a seamless trip and are prepared for different circumstances!
The Best Season for a Dolomites Road Trip
The Dolomites are stunning in both winter and summer. However, warmer months are ideal to explore the many hiking paths.
To enjoy nice weather, plan your Dolomites road trip in June, early July, or the second half of September.
August tends to be the most popular month — many Italians are on vacation and traveling domestically, plus an influx of international European tourists — so you may find many places too crowded.
If you choose to visit the Dolomites in winter, you should expect very low temperatures and lots of snow — and potentially difficult driving conditions!
While this makes for beautiful landscapes, it also means that many hiking paths and attractions are not accessible, so you may be slightly limited in visiting certain spots.
Driving in the Dolomites
A great thing about the Dolomites is that many roads are accessible year-round, and you can drive around quite easily.
However, even though the roads are paved, you may want to pay a little extra to ensure you have winter tires on your Italy rental car if you visit between November and April.
The last thing you want is to have car troubles on a snowy mountain pass!
Another thing to note is that some portions of the roads have tolls.
While you’ll be mostly driving on small mountain roads, you’ll take the highway from time to time.
The portions are usually small, so tolls are quite cheap, but you should always have some change, just in case the tollbooth doesn’t accept cards.
Furthermore, some areas are only accessible by paying a fee, which can be significantly higher.
One such area is Tre Cime di Lavaredo, which costs a whopping 30 euro per car!
What to Wear in the Dolomites
If you plan to do any hikes, you should wear proper hiking shoes that support your ankle and have proper traction.
Although the hikes in this Dolomites itinerary are fairly easy, you’ll still be walking along mountain trails, so proper shoes are a must, even in summer.
Where to Start Your Road Trip
The best city to start your Dolomites road trip in Italy is Venice, which is served by the international airport Venice Marco Polo.
This is the closest large international airport to the Dolomites, though you may also fly to Bolzano, Verona, or Bergamo (this is a budget airline hub, so you may actually find good deals here!).
Venice is so close to the Dolomites, in fact, that you can even do a day trip from Venice to certain parts of the Dolomites… but trust us, one day won’t be enough.
Another option is to fly to Innsbruck and cross the Austrian-Italian border.
If you do so and plan on renting a car, check whether there’s an additional fee for crossing the border.
For the purposes of this post’s Dolomites itinerary, we will be starting and ending in Venice.
How Much Time Do You Need for a Dolomites Road trip?
You could easily spend between one and two weeks driving around the Dolomites, since there is so much to see and do.
However, a fast-paced but comprehensive Dolomites itinerary, allowing you to see the main sights, can take between five and seven days.
The itinerary you find here takes seven days, but you’ll find a few options to shorten it to six or five days if you wish.
This itinerary will start and end in Venice, but you can adapt it if you want to start somewhere else.
We won’t cover Venice here, but if you’re looking for ideas on what to do in the city, you can find them in this article on the best landmarks in Venice or this 3-day Venice itinerary.
Now it’s time to get into the nitty gritty of your road trip to the Dolomite Mountains!
Renting a Car for the Dolomites
If you are flying into Italy specifically to do a Dolomites road trip, you will likely be flying into either Venice’s or Bergamo’s International Airport.
In that case, it makes the most sense to rent a car in Venice or Bergamo when you arrive and start your journey from there.
If you’re starting from another point in Italy and heading there, I’d recommend picking up your rental car at the airport where you’ll get the best prices.
When searching for rental cars in Europe, I always use DiscoverCars because they compare 500+ agencies, including small local ones, to scout out the lowest price for your rental.
Day 1 of Your Dolomites Itinerary: Drive from Venice to Belluno
Start your Dolomites road trip in Venice in the morning.
If you arrive in Venice in the evening or late afternoon, it’s best to stay overnight so you can get an early start the next morning.
Depending on how long you have to travel and whether or not you’ve been to Venice before, you may opt to spend a few days in Venice before beginning your trip.
If you want to do that, add some of this Venice itinerary to your Dolomites itinerary.
From Venice, you’ll drive straight to Belluno, the gateway to the Dolomites. You could make a stop in the Veneto wine country along the way, but unless you have a designated driver, this isn’t a great idea.
The drive takes roughly one hour and a half, with an optional stop in the small town of Santa Croce… though we definitely don’t recommend you skip it.
Here, you can admire the beautiful Lago di Santa Croce, the second-largest lake in the Italian region of Veneto, the largest being Lake Garda.
Aim to get to Belluno before lunchtime, so you can find a parking spot and go for a walk in the historical center.
Check out the Minor Basilica of San Martino, Palazzo dei Rettori, and the historical Porta Rugo.
The old town is quite small, so you’ll be done exploring it in half an hour, or perhaps an hour if you are really taking it slow.
If you can already check in at your hotel, this may be a good time to do so!
The afternoon of your first day of this Dolomites itinerary is dedicated to a short hike on a portion of theAlta Via delle Dolomiti n. 1.
The trail connects Belluno to Lago di Braies, a 125 kilometers trail across the National Park of the Belluno Dolomites.
Drive to Locanda Case Bortot, where you can have lunch with a gorgeous view before your hike.
From Case Bortot, you can choose between two hikes, depending on the time you have and your physical fitness.
If you’re looking for something short and easy, do the 1.5-hour hike to Bus del Buson, a canyon excavated by the Ardo River during the ice ages.
If you’re up for a more challenging hike, you can do the 6-hour out-and-back hike to Rifugio 7° Alpini.
This hike, though more difficult, will reward you with impressive views of Monte Schiara.
If you choose to do this tougher hike, get started no later than 1 PM in summer, and be sure to bring a headlamp in case it gets dark on your return.
Back in Belluno, it’s time to reward yourself with a nice dinner at Taverna, a cozy trattoria serving heartwarming traditional food.
One of their most popular dishes is the pastin schiz e polenta con funghi.
Pastin is a traditional Belluno specialty made with minced pork and beef, while the schiz is local cheese.
This dish comes with a side of polenta and mushrooms and is absolutely delicious, and the perfect way to refuel after a hike!
Enjoy an evening stroll around Belluno and spend the night in the city to have a nice rest before your second day on the road.
Day 2 of Your Dolomites Itinerary: From Belluno to Cortina d’Ampezzo
Start driving north from Belluno toward your first stop of the morning, the small town of Pieve di Cadore.
Park your car and make your way to the panoramic terrace offering sweeping views of Lago di Cadore.
Fun fact: This unassuming town is the birthplace of one of the most renowned Italian Renaissance painters, Titian.
The house where he was born is right in the town center and is now a museum!
From Pieve di Cadore, keep driving north to reach Auronzo, another gorgeous little town on the shore of Santa Caterina Lake.
The Auronzo Footbridge and Ponte Transacqua offer some of the best lake views with the backdrop of the rugged Dolomites peaks.
After enjoying picturesque lake views in Auronzo, drive to Lake Misurina.
Stroll along the lake shore to take in the lovely views, then head for lunch at one of the restaurants around the lake.
Both Malga Misurina and Pizzeria Edelweiss offer delicious comfort dishes with beautiful lake views.
After lunch, drive to one of the most famous and charming locations in the Dolomites, Tre Cime di Lavaredo.
The parking spot is near Rifugio Auronzo, only a 20-minute drive from Lake Misurina.
From the refuge, go on a stunning hike toward the famous mountain peaks.
Hiking to the scenic spot of Forcella Lavaredo takes less than one hour.
Note that you need to pay to access the road to Tre Cime di Lavaredo!
There’s a toll booth where you’ll need to pay a fee depending on the means of transportation.
As of 2022, the car access fee is 30€ — definitely steep, but we think it’s worth it!
You should also note that the road is only open in summer and autumn, roughly between May and early November.
However, the exact opening dates can vary depending on weather conditions.
After a short hike around Tre Cime di Lavaredo, make your way back towards Lake Misurina and onward to Passo Tre Croci.
From the parking lot, you can go on another short hike to Lago Son Forca, at the foot of Monte Cristallo.
The hike out and back takes roughly one hour and a half.
Finally, get back to your car and drive to your final destination for the day, the resort town of Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Spend the rest of the afternoon resting or exploring the town.
In the evening, have dinner at Il Vizietto di Cortina or Al Camin if you feel like getting a bit out of town.
You can spend one or two nights in Cortina, depending on how much time you have for the entire trip.
If you can only spend one night, you can continue the itinerary from day four. Otherwise, check out the activities on day three, all near Cortina.
You may also try to combine your favorite activities from days two and three into one day, as they are all nearby, though you may need to cut a hike or two.
Day 3 of Your Dolomites Itinerary: Cortina d’Ampezzo and Surroundings
On your second day in Cortina d’Ampezzo, you can explore a few more natural landscapes and hikes in the surroundings.
Another must-see spot is Lake Sorapis.
The easiest way to reach the lake is to drive back to the parking spot in Passo Tre Croci and hike for about two hours on Trail 215.
The hike has a few difficult sections, so it’s not exactly a walk in the park!
However, the more exposed parts have steel cables to hold on to…. that said, for those with fears of heights may struggle here, even with the cables.
The path will take you to Rifugio Vandelli, where you can have lunch with a breathtaking view.
The turquoise Lake Sorapis surrounded by the peaks of the Sorapis mountain range is a wonderful sight.
While the hike may be a bit challenging, the view will pay off your efforts!
Another activity you can do on your second day in Cortina is the hike to Croda da Lago.
This hike allows you to admire dramatic mountain peaks reflecting in the small Lago Federa. The hike starts and ends from Ponte de Ru Curto.
You can do a circuit hike around Croda da Lago which, though easy, takes roughly six hours.
This means you may need to choose whether you do this hike or the one to Lake Sorapis.
Alternatively, simply drive through the picturesque mountain pass of Passo Giau, along the SP638.
You’ll find many beautiful spots to stop at and enjoy the view without needing to commit to a long hike.
End your day by having dinner in Cortina d’Ampezzo and resting before another day full of activities.
Day 4 of Your Dolomites Itinerary: Lago di Braies(Pragser Wildsee)
The main attraction of your fourth day on this Dolomites itinerary is the iconic Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee) — one of the most beautiful lakes in Italy.
But before getting there, you can make a few other stops!
From Cortina d’Ampezzo, drive to the charming village of San Candido, where you can take the chairlift to Rifugio Gigante Baranci and ride the fun bob downhill.
Like many attractions, the fun bob is only open between May and October.
From San Candido, make your way to Dobbiaco, where you can stop for lunch before heading to Lago di Braies.
Schlosskeller and Kugler Speckstube are both great options for lunch.
You’ll also be spending the night in the area, either at the hotel on Lago di Braies or in Dobbiaco, so you may take advantage of the lunch break to check in and even have a short rest.
If you decide to stay at Lago di Braies, head there after lunch to check in and explore the area.
The emerald water and snow-covered mountains in the background create a breathtaking natural sight that you won’t soon forget, especially if the lake is still and you get a beautiful reflection!
At Lago di Braies, you can walk all around the lake and even do an easy hike to Malga Foresta.
The return hike lasts a couple of hours and will take you through gorgeous landscapes to the restaurant Malga Foresta.
Once you’re done exploring the area surrounding Lago di Braies, you can make your way to your accommodation.
If you have some time left, you can also check out Lake Dobbiaco, just a 10-minute car ride from the town of Dobbiaco.
For dinner, if you’re looking for a fancier place to enjoy a special dinner, check out Ristorante Tilia.
For a cozier location and a heartwarming meal, head to Gasthaus Weber.
Get some sleep — the next day on this Dolomites itinerary is a jam-packed one!
Day 5 of Your Dolomites Itinerary: Val di Funes, Ortisei, and Bolzano
Start the fifth day of your road trip by heading to the picture-perfect Val di Funes.
This beautiful valley is dotted with small villages that look almost like miniatures juxtaposed against the majestic landscape dominated by tall mountain peaks.
Head to Santa Maddalena, passing through the little town of San Pietro, where you can stop to admire the landscape.
The two towns are only five minutes apart by car, so it’s definitely worth seeing both!
Santa Maddalena is better known for the gorgeous viewpoints over the valley, particularly the one over the Church of St. John (Chiesetta di San Giovanni in Ranui).
The tiny church stands alone on the edge of the forest, with the rugged mountain peaks looking even taller in the background.
The spot will provide you with the perfect Dolomites postcard picture — one of the quintessential shots of the Dolomites region!
Another must-see spot is Santa Maddalena Viewpoint, uphill from the church of Santa Maddalena. Walk around the area for a while to take in the natural beauty all around you.
After exploring Val di Funes, it’s time to head to the town of Ortisei, in Val Gardena.
Explore the colorful and picturesque center of Ortisei and walk along the Passeggiata Luis Trenker or Via del Dialogo for beautiful views.
Just outside Ortisei, visit the lovely St. Jakobs Kirche (Chiesa di San Giacomo).
The isolated church outside the hamlet of San Giacomo is the oldest one in Val Gardena. The trail all around will reward you with gorgeous views!
Before your next activity for the day, you may want to refuel with a traditional meal.
Snetonstube serves delicious local dishes such as goulash, spaetzle, and polenta with melted cheese!
Ortisei is also the departure point of the Seceda cable car.
Seceda is an iconic mountain in the Dolomites, part of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The cable car ride up will already give you those awe-inspiring views in spades, but for the best panoramic view, walk around 10 minutes to the Seceda Ridgeline Viewpoint.
Once you’ve made your way down from Seceda, it’s time to drive to Bolzano, less than one hour away.
The city is the biggest in all of the Dolomites and features a beautiful medieval center.
Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring Bolzano: a few highlights are the Gothic architecture of the Bolzano Cathedral and the 13th-century Maretsch Castle.
Some great dinner spots in Bolzano are Franziskanerstuben and Wirtshaus Vögele, both serving delicious Tyrolean dishes.
After dinner, enjoy the old town of Bolzano at night and head to your accommodation.
Day 6 of Your Dolomites Itinerary: Lago di Carezza, Trento, and Verona
Before leaving Bolzano, if you’re interested in museums, you may want to visit the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology, where you can see the body of Ötzi the Iceman!
After the visit, drive to yet another gorgeous mountain lake, Lago di Carezza (also known as Karersee).
Due to the many colors, Lago di Carezza is also known as the Rainbow Lake!
In the background, you can admire Latemarwald Forest and the peaks of Latemar Mountain.
The main road passes right by the lake, and you can conveniently park nearby.
From Lake Carezza, drive south toward Verona. The fastest road will take you back to Bolzano and then south on the highway, but it has tolls.
The toll-free road (SS612) takes roughly 40 minutes more, but it’s more scenic than the highway!
You can choose to stop for lunch and a short visit in Trento, roughly halfway between Bolzano and Verona.
If you do, check out the traditional family-run Al Vò restaurant for local Trentino dishes.
If you want to explore the historic center of Trento, stop by Piazza del Duomo, where you’ll find San Vigilio Cathedral, Palazzo Pretorio, and Fontana del Nettuno.
If you’re a fan of art museums, Buonconsiglio Castle houses an art gallery and offers panoramic city views.
Finally, drive to Verona, your last stop on this Dolomites road trip.
While Verona is not a part of the Dolomites, it’s a natural stop on your way back.
If you are looking for a shorter trip, you can also drive straight back to Venice.
If you decide to stop in Verona, there are quite a few landmarks you shouldn’t miss.
The most popular spot in the city is, of course, Juliet’s House!
The Verona Arena, the Romanesque Verona Cathedral, and the buzzing Piazza delle Erbe are other iconic landmarks.
For sweeping views of Verona, climb the stairs or take the cable car to Castel San Pietro, on a hilltop along the Adige River.
Aim to get there before sunset and stay until nightfall to enjoy the view!
Verona has many restaurant choices for a delicious dinner. Osteria Il Bertoldo and Trattoria al Pompiere are both great choices for local dishes.
Spend the last night of your road trip in Verona before driving back to Venice the following day.
Day 7 of Your Dolomites Itinerary: Drive from Verona to Venice
Your Dolomites road trip has come to an end!
You can choose between spending the morning exploring more sights in Verona and driving back to Venice before lunchtime.
If you want to discover more places in Verona, check out Castelvecchio Museum and climb Torre dei Lamberti for spectacular views.
Once you finished exploring Verona, head back to Venice.
The drive from Verona only takes around an hour and a half, but there are places to stop along the way.
Halfway to Venice, you can stop in Padua to check out the massive Prato della Valle, Padua Cathedral, and the Scrovegni Chapel with Giotto’s frescoes.
Your Dolomites trip ends in Venice, where you can return your rental car and spend a few more days exploring the city if you choose, or move on to other parts of Italy!
Roxana is a Romanian-born freelance travel writer who has lived in Italy for over 15 years. She has a Master’s in Journalism and a Bachelor’s in Film Studies, and she studied at Università degli Studi di Roma Tre. Besides her native Romania, Roxana has lived in Rome, Lisbon, and Berlin, and she has traveled through much of Europe in search of hidden gems, history, and culture.
