Taking a winter road trip in Europe might seem daunting to some, but having ventured on numerous driving holidays during this season, I’ve grown to embrace the unique charm of Europe in winter.
In this guide, I share my top itinerary recommendations to streamline your planning.
+ Show Summary and Jump to an Itinerary
- My winter driving experience.
- Germany: Cologne to Berlin
- France: French Riviera
- Italy: Tuscany
- Portugal: From Lisbon
- Spain: Catalonia
- Driving Tips
Winter Road Trips in Europe
I’ll never forget one road trip, driving through Germany and Belgium in one of the worst snow storms in history.
Driving from Cologne across the border to Bruges in northern Belgium wasn’t even a long trip. It should have only taken three hours or so, but it ended up taking more than eight.
The snow must have been unexpected as the motorway wasn’t cleared, and traffic was at a crawl.
The scariest moment for me was almost running out of petrol thanks to a couple of petrol stations being closed for some reason.
I was so relieved when I finally spotted a station that was open. But the off-ramp was covered in snow, and I couldn’t see the lane markers.
I was worried I was going to drive into a ditch and never get out! Suffice it to say, it all worked out in the end, as it often does.
5 Driving Itineraries
It makes sense to take a winter road trip in a warmer region of Europe. But that’s not always going to be practical.
Embracing the cold, with days spent exploring and evenings in a cosy hotel, can be equally enjoyable – a practice I’ve embraced.
I hope these itineraries will inspire you to get on the road this winter.
Don’t forget that the Christmas markets are on in November and December. If that’s of interest, you might like one of these Christmas road trip itineraries.
Germany: Cologne to Berlin
If you’re not fussed by the cold weather and are actually looking forward to some snow, this road trip in northern Germany could be for you.
I’ve visited most of these cities in winter, and they really do look beautiful when covered in snow, in particular, Dusseldorf and Hamburg.
Experiencing snow on the beach in Rostock was also an incredible experience I’ve never come across since.
Despite my winter driving ordeal during that snowstorm experience, Germany is one of the best countries to keep the roads clear and safe for driving in winter.
Germany Itinerary:
- Cologne – 5 typical things to do in Cologne.
- Dusseldorf – Shopping and beer.
- Bremen – Unusual things to do in Bremen.
- Hamburg – Hamburg in the snow.
- Rostock – Berlin to the Baltic Sea.
- Berlin – Spend as long as you can here.
Posts to help you plan your trip:
France: French Riviera
If a warmer seaside road trip is more to your liking, the south of France has a lot to offer, even though it’s typically a spring and summer destination for most visitors.
Smaller towns and villages on this itinerary might be partially closed or at least very quiet in the off-season.
But if you stick to staying overnight in the larger cities, you’ll still have plenty of things to do and great restaurants to try.
Besides, a road trip along the coast is more for the views than anything else, and the views along the Riviera are incredible all year round.
Even though you’re likely to get rain during this time of the year, there’s also a good chance you’ll have sunny days in the south of France in winter.
French Riviera Itinerary:
- Nice – Cultural centre of the Riviera.
- Eze – Hilltop views over the coast.
- Monaco – Worth visiting once.
- Cannes – Sandy beaches.
- Antibes – Where to stay by the beach.
- Marseille – Big city with access to nature.
A detailed guide to help you plan your trip:
Italy: Tuscany
Tuscany is Italy’s most famous region. It’s known for its small hilltop towns filled with character and great food.
The highlights are driving through the countryside, stopping in a little agriturismo for long lunches, followed by exploring the towns and aperitivo in the evenings.
I visited this region in both spring and winter. Sure, in many ways, it’s better in spring, but Italy has its benefits in winter, primarily fewer crowds.
Driving is also significantly less stressful in winter without so many tour buses to navigate.
That’s the benefit of touring Tuscany in winter; you’ll have places to yourself, the streets and piazza will be quiet and driving and parking are relatively stress-free.
Tuscany & Lazio Itinerary:
- Bagnoregio – Incredibly unusual landscape and town.
- Pienza – Views over the valley.
- Siena – The heart of Tuscany.
- San Gimignano – Stunning hilltop town.
- Florence – Iconic sights and art.
A detailed guide to help you plan your trip:
Portugal: From Lisbon
The temptation might be to head to southern Portugal for a winter road trip. It would be warmer after all.
But it’s not warm enough to swim so I think it’s better to head to Lisbon and further north to explore some of the country’s cultural centres and less visited cities.
If you decide to include Lisbon in your itinerary, I’d recommend at least four days, preferably longer if you can. It’s easily one of the most interesting cities in Europe.
After Lisbon, you could drive north to Porto, another fascinating city known for its colourful tiles and namesake drink.
Even further north, you have smaller cities filled with history, like Guimaraes and Braga.
Northern Portugal Itinerary:
- Lisbon – The best piri piri chicken.
- Porto – Porto food tour.
- Braga – Visit Bom Jesus do Monte.
- Guimaraes – Beautiful medieval city.
Posts to help you plan your trip:
Spain: Catalonia
Thinking about warmer winter destinations reminds me of my first-ever road trip through Spain.
I had driven from Paris down to southwest France and across the border at San Sebastian.
The first mistake was not spending time in San Sebastian.
It’s a city known for its food culture and food is one of the great reasons for travelling. But we were short on time and wanted to get to Barcelona.
We stopped in Pamplona, a city I didn’t particularly appreciate, where we had our car broken into while in a guarded car park.
Luckily we interrupted the thieves, and they disappeared without taking anything.
Not wanting to spend more time there than necessary, we drove early the next morning to Zaragoza, a city most notable for its incredible basilica, Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar.
I wasn’t completely convinced about Spain until a few days into my stay in Barcelona.
Then, on a later trip, I fell in love with Barcelona due to its museums, green spaces and delicious food, and I now suggest everyone visit.
Catalonia Itinerary:
- Barcelona – Food, museums, shopping, everything.
- Montserrat – Monastery in the mountains.
- Girona – Medieval Catalonia.
- Besalu – Day trip to Besalu.
- Cadaques – Home of Salvador Dalí.
Continue reading for additional European road trip ideas and itineraries.
For more winter travel ideas, read my post on winter city breaks or my guide to winter sun holidays if you’d prefer a warmer winter holiday.
Driving Tips
- Make sure your vehicle is equipped for winter driving conditions. This may include having winter tyres, a spare tyre, and a winter emergency kit with items such as a blanket, flashlight, and warm clothing. The rental company should provide this.
- Plan your route carefully and check the weather forecast before setting out. Avoid driving in adverse weather conditions, and be prepared for unexpected delays.
- Keep your fuel tank at least half full at all times to avoid running out of petrol in cold weather.
- Drive at a safe speed and leave plenty of space between you and other vehicles. Road conditions can be slippery in winter, so it’s important to allow extra time to brake and react to changing conditions.
- Stay alert and stay rested. Avoid driving while tired; take regular breaks to stretch your legs and rest your eyes.
- Be aware that some countries require a vignette for road tolls. Ask before you set off.
Responsible Travel
- Choose eco-friendly transportation options, such as taking a hybrid or electric vehicle on your road trip or travelling by train instead.
- Plan your route to minimise your carbon footprint and consider staying at eco-friendly hotels that use renewable electricity.
- It can be tempting to order many different foods when in a new destination. It’s understandable to want to try the local specialties. But be mindful of the impact of food waste.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research.