7-Day European Road Trip Ideas: Ultimate Itineraries for 2025

Picture yourself winding through alpine passes with snow-capped mountains in your rearview mirror or cruising along Mediterranean coastal roads with the sea breeze in your hair!

A 7-day European itinerary offers the perfect balance of exploration and immersion without feeling rushed. According to recent travel statistics, road trips have surged in popularity since 2023 as travelers seek more flexible and intimate ways to experience Europe’s diverse landscapes.

Whether you’re drawn to iconic landmarks, culinary discoveries, or off-the-beaten-path adventures, these carefully curated 7-day European road trip ideas will help you craft an unforgettable European journey on four wheels.

The Classic Alps Adventure: Switzerland, Austria, and Germany

OK, so this Alpine route is hands-down my favorite European road trip! I’ve done it twice now, and those mountain views never get old. You’ll start in Zurich (grab some chocolate for the road!), then wind your way through tiny Liechtenstein before hitting Innsbruck in Austria.

The roads can be a bit nerve-wracking with those hairpin turns, especially on the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, but oh my goodness, the views are worth every fear moment!

This breathtaking route takes you through three Alpine countries, offering stunning mountain views and charming villages along approximately 600 miles of scenic roads.

• Day 1: Zurich, Switzerland – Begin your journey in cosmopolitan Zurich. Spend the day exploring the picturesque Old Town and enjoying views of Lake Zurich before picking up your rental car.
• Day 2: Zurich to Innsbruck – Drive through the stunning Swiss countryside to Liechtenstein (a perfect coffee stop!), then continue to Innsbruck, Austria, nestled in the heart of the Alps.
• Day 3: Innsbruck and Surroundings – Explore Innsbruck’s historic center and take a drive to nearby alpine villages. Don’t miss the panoramic views from the Nordkette mountain range.
• Day 4: Grossglockner High Alpine Road – Experience one of Europe’s most spectacular mountain roads with 36 challenging hairpin turns and breathtaking vistas (open May-October).
• Day 5: Salzburg, Austria – Drive to Mozart’s birthplace and enjoy this beautiful baroque city. The Sound of Music fans will recognize many filming locations!
• Day 6: Berchtesgaden and Lake Königssee – Cross into Germany to visit this picturesque Bavarian town and take a boat ride on the emerald-green Lake Königssee.
• Day 7: Munich, Germany – Complete your Alpine adventure in Bavaria’s capital, where you can celebrate with a traditional beer garden experience.

Pro Tip: This route is best from late spring to early fall when mountain passes are reliably open.

Mediterranean Magic: Southern France and Northern Italy

This coastal dream drive combines everything I love – stunning beaches, amazing food, and that laid-back Mediterranean vibe. Start in Nice (the ice cream on Promenade des Anglais is to die for) and take your time cruising through Monaco. We actually spotted a celebrity in Monte Carlo last time!

The road from Saint-Tropez to Provence gets a bit congested in summer, but trust me, those lavender fields in July are Instagram gold. Once you cross into Italy, the driving gets… interesting. Italian drivers don’t mess around! But the views along the Ligurian coast will make you forget the traffic stress.

Follow the glittering coastline from the French Riviera to Tuscany for a journey filled with glamour, culture, and incredible Mediterranean views.

• Day 1: Nice, France – Begin in the capital of the French Riviera. Stroll the famous Promenade des Anglais and explore the colorful Old Town.
• Day 2: Monaco and Saint-Tropez – Drive along the stunning coastal roads to visit the glamorous principality of Monaco, then continue to chic Saint-Tropez.
• Day 3: Provence Countryside – Head inland to experience lavender fields (in summer), hillside villages, and the artistic heritage of Provence.
• Day 4: Italian Riviera – Cross the border into Italy and drive along the spectacular Ligurian coast to Sanremo, known as the “City of Flowers.
• Day 5: Cinque Terre Area – Base yourself near the iconic five coastal villages (best visited by train from La Spezia) and enjoy their colorful beauty.
• Day 6: Tuscan Drive – Journey through the rolling hills of Tuscany, stopping at medieval villages like San Gimignano and vineyards for wine tasting.
• Day 7: Florence – End your Mediterranean adventure in Renaissance Florence, where you can return your rental car and immerse yourself in art and history.

Must Try: Regional specialties along this route include socca in Nice, bouillabaisse in Provence, and fresh seafood pasta in Cinque Terre.

Historical Heartlands: Germany’s Romantic Road

Germany’s Romantic Road is like driving through a fairytale – no joke! We started in Würzburg, and I’m still dreaming about the wine from their local vineyards. The great thing about this route is the distances between towns are super manageable, usually just an hour or so of driving each day.

This classic 220-mile route through Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg takes you through medieval towns, fairytale castles, and beautiful countryside.

• Day 1: Würzburg – Start at the northern gateway to the Romantic Road and visit the magnificent Residenz palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Day 2: Rothenburg ob der Tauber – Drive to this perfectly preserved medieval town with its intact city walls. It’s like stepping into a time machine!
• Day 3: Dinkelsbühl and Nördlingen – Explore two more medieval gems. Nördlingen is unique as it sits in a meteorite crater.
• Day 4: Augsburg – One of Germany’s oldest cities, filled with Renaissance architecture and the famous Fuggerei – the world’s oldest social housing complex.
• Day 5: Landsberg am Lech and Wieskirche – Visit the historical town of Landsberg and the rococo Wieskirche (Pilgrimage Church), another UNESCO site.
• Day 6: Füssen and Neuschwanstein – Reach the southern end of the Romantic Road and visit King Ludwig’s famous Neuschwanstein Castle, the inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle.
• Day 7: Bavarian Alps – Spend your final day exploring the stunning alpine region around Füssen, including nearby Hohenschwangau Castle and beautiful Lake Forggensee.

Photography Tip: Arrive at Neuschwanstein early in the morning or visit in the evening for fewer crowds and better lighting.

Northern Wonders: Scandinavian Circle

Fair warning – a Scandinavian road trip ain’t cheap! But man, those landscapes are something else. Starting in Copenhagen is perfect because it eases you into the Scandinavian vibe. The Oresund Bridge crossing to Sweden is super cool – it actually goes underwater for part of it!

We hit some serious rain driving through Sweden, but even in bad weather, those red cottages against the green forests look amazing. Pack good rain gear! The West Coast fishing villages are adorable, and the seafood is crazy fresh.

Experience the natural beauty and cultural highlights of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway on this northern European adventure.

• Day 1: Copenhagen, Denmark – Begin in Denmark’s charming capital. Visit the Nyhavn harbor, the Little Mermaid statue, and pick up your rental car for the journey ahead.
• Day 2: Malmö and Swedish Countryside – Cross the impressive Øresund Bridge to Sweden and explore Malmö before driving through the scenic Swedish countryside.
• Day 3: Gothenburg and the West Coast – Visit Sweden’s second city and drive along the beautiful Bohuslän coast with its rocky islands and fishing villages.
• Day 4: Oslo, Norway – Cross into Norway and discover Oslo’s unique blend of urban culture, museums, and outdoor spaces.
• Day 5: Norwegian Fjords – Drive to the region of stunning fjords like Sognefjord or Hardangerfjord for breathtaking natural scenery.
• Day 6: Bergen – Explore this charming coastal city with its colorful Bryggen Wharf, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Day 7: Return Journey – Take a scenic route back toward Denmark, potentially including a ferry crossing to make the most of your final day.

Budget Note: Scandinavia is expensive, but you can save money by shopping at local supermarkets and using free public beaches and hiking trails.

Eastern European Gems: Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary

This route is like the hidden gem of European road trips! Way fewer tourists and your money goes so much further. We spent half what we did in Western Europe and had twice the fun. Prague is gorgeous, but get out of there and see the Czech countryside – those little towns will steal your heart.

Discover the cultural richness and value of Central Eastern Europe on this less-traveled but equally rewarding route.

• Day 1: Prague, Czech Republic – Start in the “City of a Hundred Spires” and explore its well-preserved historical center.
• Day 2: Czech Countryside – Drive through charming towns like Český Krumlov or Telč, both UNESCO sites with fairytale-like atmospheres.
• Day 3: Bratislava, Slovakia – Reach Slovakia’s capital on the Danube River and explore its compact Old Town and castle.
• Day 4: High Tatras – Drive north to experience Slovakia’s stunning mountain range, offering beautiful alpine scenery and hiking opportunities.
• Day 5: Northern Hungary – Cross into Hungary and explore the Tokaj wine region and charming towns like Eger with its fortress.
• Day 6: Lake Balaton – Visit Central Europe’s largest lake, known for its beautiful shoreline villages and vineyards.
• Day 7: Budapest – End your journey in Hungary’s magnificent capital, straddling the Danube with its iconic Parliament building and thermal baths.

Value Tip: Eastern Europe offers excellent value with lower prices for accommodations, food, and activities compared to Western Europe.

Iberian Adventure: Northern Spain and Portugal

Green Spain is NOTHING like the Spain you’re probably picturing. The northern coast is lush, sometimes misty, and reminds me more of Ireland than what you’d expect from Spain. Starting in Barcelona gives you that big city fix before heading into more rural areas.

Experience the less-visited northern regions of the Iberian Peninsula, known for green landscapes, fantastic cuisine, and rich cultural heritage.

• Day 1: Barcelona, Spain – Begin in vibrant Barcelona and enjoy its unique architecture before heading west along Spain’s northern coast.
• Day 2: Basque Country – Drive to San Sebastián, famous for its beautiful beaches and world-class pintxos (Basque tapas).
• Day 3: Cantabria and Asturias – Continue along the stunning Green Coast, stopping at fishing villages like Santillana del Mar and the Picos de Europa mountains.
• Day 4: Galicia – Explore Spain’s northwestern region with its Celtic heritage, seafood cuisine, and the famous Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage site.
• Day 5: Northern Portugal – Cross into Portugal and discover Porto, famous for its port wine cellars and beautiful riverfront.
• Day 6: Douro Valley – Take a day trip to the stunning Douro Valley wine region with its terraced vineyards.
• Day 7: Return to Porto – Spend your final day exploring more of Porto or taking a short drive to nearby coastal towns like Aveiro, known as “Portugal’s Venice.”

Foodie Highlight: This route offers some of Europe’s best cuisine – try pintxos in San Sebastián, fabada asturiana in Asturias, pulpo a la gallega (octopus) in Galicia, and port wine in Porto.

Planning Your Perfect European Road Trip

Look, planning a European road trip can be a bit overwhelming, but I’ve learned some tricks over the years. First off, those international driving permits? Actually important. We got stopped in Italy once and had to pay a fine because we forgot ours. Not fun!

Rental cars in Europe usually have manual transmissions, so if you need automatic ones, book WAY ahead and expect to pay more. And please, please, please get the full insurance coverage. Those tiny medieval streets weren’t built for today’s cars, and I may have scraped a few walls… ahem.

Make your journey smooth and stress-free with these essential planning tips:

• Rental Cars:
  • Book well in advance for better rates
  • Consider picking up and dropping off in the same country to avoid one-way fees
  • Ensure your rental includes international coverage for multi-country trips
  • Check if you need an International Driving Permit (required in some countries)
  • We use DiscoverCars to choose the best car rental deals and compare the prices
• Navigation and Technology:
  • Download offline maps on Google Maps or use a dedicated GPS
  • Consider apps like Via Michelin for scenic routes and toll information
  • Download a translation app for easier communication
  • Keep a paper map as a backup – they never run out of battery!
• Border Crossings and Documents:
  • Keep your passport, driver’s license, rental agreement, and insurance papers accessible
  • Research if you need special vignettes (highway tax stickers) for countries like Switzerland and Austria
  • Check the emission zone requirements for major cities
  • Verify COVID-related documentation requirements, which may still apply in some regions
• Packing Essentials:
  • Pack layers for varying climates
  • Include a basic first-aid kit
  • Bring an adapter for European outlets
  • Don’t forget sunglasses and sunscreen, especially for Mediterranean routes
  • Consider a cooler bag for picnic supplies

• Sustainability Tips:
  • Consider renting a hybrid or electric vehicle (check charging infrastructure)
  • Bring reusable water bottles and shopping bags
  • Support local businesses and stay in locally-owned accommodations
  • Respect nature and leave no trace at scenic spots
  • Consider carbon offsetting your trip

Conclusion

Your perfect 7-day European road trip awaits, offering the freedom to explore at your own pace while experiencing the continent’s incredible diversity of landscapes, cultures, and cuisines!

Whether you’re drawn to the sun-drenched Mediterranean coast, the fairytale villages of Germany’s Romantic Road, or the majestic fjords of Scandinavia, these carefully crafted itineraries provide the framework for an unforgettable adventure.

Remember that some of the most magical moments will happen when you venture off-route to discover that hidden village or family-run trattoria that wasn’t in any guidebook.

So grab your maps, pack your sense of adventure, and hit the open road – Europe’s treasures are waiting to be discovered one kilometer at a time. Ready to start planning your 2025 European road trip journey?!