The most beautiful Destinations in Europe for a Motorcycle Road Trip

In the travel imagination, the concept of a motorcycle road trip is often associated with the United States, with mythical routes such as Route 66, the great parks of the West, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley, and so on.

 But when you think about it, our old continent of Europe has nothing to envy its cousin on the other side of the Atlantic.

 Thanks to its diversity of climate, landscapes, cultures and historical heritage, Europe abounds with itineraries to delight motorcycle travel enthusiasts, whether they love winding roads, mountains, wild coastlines, picturesque villages or history, or all of the above. 

Here are a dozen must-see destinations in Europe, from north to south and east to west, for an unforgettable experience.

Route des Grandes Alpes, France

The Écrins massif in the Alps 🇫🇷

The Route des Grandes Alpes is an emblematic route for motorcyclists. It links Thonon-les-Bains on Lake Geneva to Menton on the Côte d'Azur, crossing 17 Alpine passes, some of them among the highest in Europe. The diversity of the scenery makes this an exceptional route. The quality of the roads is remarkable, with many technical bends and breathtaking panoramas. On the downside, the roads are crowded in summer.

Amalfi Coast, Italy

The village of Atrani, on the Amalfi Coast 🇮🇹

For lovers of Italy, the famous Amalfi Coast is a must. This route, famous for its cliffs plunging into an azure sea, links Salerno to Sorrento, passing through picturesque villages such as Positano and Amalfi. The road offers breathtaking views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The driving is sometimes technical, but every bend brings its own visual reward. In summer, this route can also be very crowded.

TransfAgArASan, Romania

The Transfagarasan and Lake Balea in the Fagaras 🇷🇴

Sometimes considered one of the most beautiful roads in the world, the Transfăgărășan road crosses the Carpathian Mountains in Romania. Originally a military road, it winds its way through the mountains on over 150 kilometers of tight curves. An adventure for sensation-hungry bikers. Open for only a few months a year, it can be quite busy in high season.

Wild atlantic way, ireland

Road from Beara to West Cork 🇮🇪

The Wild Atlantic Way follows the entire west coast of Ireland for over 2,500 km, offering breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. The route passes through iconic places like the Cliffs of Moher, the mountains of Connemara, picturesque villages like Dingle, wild peninsulas like Beara, the Aran Islands and more. With its many twists and turns and small, steep roads, this is a trip for bikers in search of natural beauty, who are curious about Irish culture and don't mind a sometimes capricious climate.

Romantic Road, Germany

Neuschwanstein Castle 🇩🇪

A picturesque 400 km route across Bavaria from Würzburg to Füssen, this route is renowned for its Gothic castles, picturesque villages and lush green landscapes. Neuschwanstein Castle, which inspired Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty, is a must-see. The route is ideal for bikers wishing to combine history and nature while enjoying the bucolic roads of the Bavarian Alps.

Peloponnese, Greece

Voidokilia beach, Pylos 🇬🇷

This motorcycle road trip in the Peloponnese will take you past iconic sites such as the ruins of Mycenae or Olympia, the theater of Epidaurus, the fortified town of Monemvasia, and many others. The Peloponnese is distinguished by its authenticity and rich history: here, Greek myths come to life and every stop is an immersion in a fascinating past. The roads wind between mountains and sea, offering contrasting landscapes and magnificent panoramas. The favorable climate and low road traffic levels are an undeniable advantage for bikers.

NORTH COAST 500, SCOTLAND

Highland landscape 🇬🇧

For lovers of wild landscapes, the North Coast 500 is an iconic route. 830 km long, it circumnavigates the north of Scotland, skirting rugged coastlines, secluded beaches and peaceful lochs. It's an itinerary where the weather can be capricious, but the adventure is well worth it. The route is dotted with castles and fishing villages, and bikers will enjoy the winding roads and dramatic scenery. This itinerary can be combined with a visit to the Isle of Skye, perhaps one of the prettiest in Scotland.

Pueblos blancos, Spain

Ronda in Andalusia 🇪🇸

Andalusia's Pueblos Blancos, or white villages, wind their way between the hills and mountains between the Las Nieves and Grazalema ranges, offering magnificent views and a unique ambience. From Ronda to Arcos de la Frontera, this tour takes in picturesque villages with whitewashed houses and winding roads ideal for motorcycle tours. Andalusia, with its sunny climate and rich culture, is a jewel for bikers looking for a change of scenery. Torrid climate in summer.

Dolomite massif and Stelvio Pass, Italy

Village of Santa Maddalena in Val di Funes 🇮🇹

Located in north-eastern Italy, this route is renowned for its impressive rocky peaks and winding roads. The Sella, Pordoi and Gardena passes are among the most popular with motorcyclists, with roads that wind between mountains and offer spectacular views.

Not far away, between Switzerland and Italy, the Col du Stelvio is a must for thrill-seekers, with its 48 serial switchbacks requiring a certain level of mastery. In addition to the technical challenge, the panoramic view of the surrounding mountains is breathtaking.

At Hellenic Rides, we offer a tour of Greece via the Stelvio and Dolomites.

Pyrenees, France and Spain

Col du Tourmalet 🇫🇷

From the Atlantic coast to the Mediterranean, two worlds apart are linked by the same massif that separates France from Spain. The road crosses high passes and deep valleys. The climate is milder than in the Alps, and the route offers astonishing diversity as you move away from the ocean towards the Mediterranean, or vice versa. The Spanish side, often sunnier, offers a real change of scenery, with its characterful villages and distinctive atmosphere. This road trip combines similarities and contrasts.

Fjords, Norway

Village of Reine, Lofoten Islands 🇳🇴

The Fjord Route winds its way between sheer cliffs and blue fjords, with spectacular views around every bend. If you don't have the time or inclination to drive all the way up the coast to the North Cape, you'll be better off on the southern part, in particular the road between Bergen and Geiranger in the heart of the Jostedalsbreen nature park. Bikers will appreciate the well-maintained roads and the many vantage points from which to admire Norway's wild beauty. In summer, the long days allow you to make the most of this Nordic getaway. Rain gear and mosquito repellent are essential in summer.

Meteora, Greece

Varlaam Monastery, Meteora 🇬🇷

Meteora is an iconic site on the Greek mainland, renowned for its monasteries perched atop spectacular rock formations. The winding road leads through the impressive mountain scenery of the Tzoumerka Park. It's a mystical route that invites contemplation and offers breathtaking panoramas. Bikers will appreciate this unique region, which is much less frequented than others in Greece. Hellenic Rides offers two trips to discover the meteors: a 9-day road trip " Escape to Northern Greece " and a longer 16-day road trip " Tour of Integral Greece ".

For a motorcycle road trip in Europe, Greece is the place to be

This selection of the finest destinations for a motorcycle road trip in Europe is by no means exhaustive. Other countries have undeniable attractions, such as Portugal, Croatia and Montenegro(Adriatic Route with Hellenic Rides), Switzerland and Iceland, or the great Mediterranean islands of Corsica, Sicily and Crete(Discover Crete with Hellenic Rides).

But these twelve destinations are our favorites, and are sure to satisfy your desire for adventure, freedom and thrills.

Among these destinations, Greece stands out. It may not be the first country you think of for a motorcycle road trip, but it offers incredible roads, breathtaking scenery and a unique atmosphere. In Greece, every route tells a story, every stop is a journey back in time, and every landscape is bathed in Mediterranean light.

If you're wondering, here's why Greece lends itself wonderfully to motorcycle road trips!

Don't hesitate to talk to us about your projects, we'll be happy to advise you.