The 5 Best RV Trips in Europe
JuliaUpdated at: 09/02/2026
Reading time: 6 minutes
Touring Europe in a RV gives you a kind of freedom you don’t often find on holiday. You’ve got your own base with you, so you don’t have to check in or check out. The road decides what’s outside your window. We’ve seen thousands of bookings come through the CamperDays website, and the same routes keep coming up. That tells us that people love these routes. They combine easy driving with proper highlights, giving you the freedom to slow down or push on if you fancy it. They’re real routes with excellent stopovers, the kind that suit both first-time motorhome travellers and those who’ve already caught the bug. If you’ve been thinking about touring Europe in a RV, these are the trips people return to again and again.
Routes at a glance
| Route | Recommended duration | Best time to visit |
| Scotland: Edinburgh to the Highlands | 10–14 days | May to September |
| Portugal: Lisbon to the Algarve | 10–14 days | March to June or September to November |
| Ireland: Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way | 10–14 days | May to September |
| Northern Spain: Bilbao and the Atlantic Coast | 10–14 days | June to September |
| Austria: Alpine lakes and mountain roads | 8–12 days | May to September |
1. Scotland: Edinburgh to the Highlands
Route: Edinburgh – Cairngorms – Inverness – Torridon – Applecross – Edinburgh (10–14 days)
Best time to visit: May to September
Scotland is made for a camper road trip. Quiet roads, open landscapes and well-equipped campsites make it easy to explore at your own pace. Start your journey in Edinburgh, where you can spend a day exploring the city's historic streets before stocking up on supplies and heading north.
Many travellers head straight for the famous North Coast 500, but if you're looking for a quieter experience, consider taking the western route through Torridon and Applecross instead. Here you'll find winding mountain roads, peaceful lochs and coastal views, often without the summer crowds.
Scotland's flexible camping network makes it easy to slow down and enjoy the journey. Spend the night beside a loch, wake up to misty mountain views and take your time discovering one of Europe's more rewarding road trip routes.
2. Portugal: Lisbon to The Algarve
Route: Lisbon – Alentejo Coast – Algarve – Lisbon (10–14 days)
Best time to go: March to June or September to November
Portugal combines good beaches, historic towns and one of Europe's most reliable climates, making it a strong choice for a camper holiday. Begin your journey in Lisbon before following the Alentejo Coast, where long sandy beaches, steep cliffs and traditional fishing villages invite you to slow down.
Further south, the Algarve offers a different atmosphere. While the coastline becomes busier, you'll still find quieter spots away from the main resorts. Watch surfers at Sagres, explore whitewashed villages inland or simply enjoy fresh seafood overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
Portugal is also an easy country to explore by camper. Distances are manageable, campsites are plentiful and the weather stays mild in spring and autumn — when prices are lower and the roads are quieter, too.
3. Ireland: Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way
Route: Dublin – Galway – Cliffs of Moher – Kerry – Dingle – Dublin (10–14 days)
Best time to visit: May to September
Ireland is all about slowing down and enjoying the journey. After collecting your camper in Dublin, head west towards Galway, where colourful streets, traditional pubs and live music set the tone for the rest of your trip.
From there, follow sections of the Wild Atlantic Way, one of the world's longest coastal driving routes. Discover the Cliffs of Moher, explore the rugged coastline of County Kerry and take your time driving around the Dingle Peninsula. Expect winding roads, sea views and plenty of opportunities to stop whenever the scenery catches your eye.
Ireland has a good network of campsites, making it easy to travel at your own pace. Whether you're parking beside the coast or surrounded by rolling green hills, every overnight stop feels like part of the adventure.
4. Northern Spain: Bilbao and the Atlantic Coast
Route: Bilbao – Cantabria – Picos de Europa – Asturias – Bilbao (10–14 days)
Best time to visit: June to September
Northern Spain offers a different side of the country. Instead of busy beaches and high summer temperatures, you'll find green mountains, steep cliffs and quiet seaside towns. Travelling by camper allows you to experience this quieter region at your own pace.
Start your journey in Bilbao, known for its architecture, food and lively atmosphere, before heading west along the Atlantic coast. Visit traditional fishing villages, enjoy fresh seafood overlooking the harbour and explore Picos de Europa National Park, where mountain roads lead to good viewpoints and walking trails.
Driving distances are relatively short, leaving plenty of time to enjoy each destination. Spend the night at a campsite near the coast, wake up to the sound of the ocean and continue your journey whenever you're ready.
5. Austria: Alpine Lakes and mpuntain roads
Route: Salzburg – Salzkammergut – Hallstatt – Wolfgangsee – Gosausee – Salzburg (8–12 days)
Best time to visit: May to September
If you're looking for big mountain scenery, Austria is hard to beat. Begin your road trip in Salzburg, then head into the Salzkammergut region, where clear lakes, alpine villages and mountain roads keep the scenery changing at every turn.
One of the highlights is Hallstatt, one of Austria's most-photographed villages. Arriving early lets you enjoy the peaceful atmosphere before it gets busier later in the day. Continue through Wolfgangsee and Gosausee, where walking trails, viewpoints and lakeside campsites make it easy to slow down and enjoy the surroundings.
Austria is well suited to travellers who enjoy combining nature with outdoor activities. Go hiking, rent a bike, relax beside a lake or simply enjoy the mountain scenery from the comfort of your camper.
Which route is right for you?
Every route offers a different experience, so the best choice depends on the type of holiday you're looking for.
Choose Scotland for big landscapes and quiet mountain roads.
Choose Portugal for sunshine, good beaches and relaxed coastal towns.
Choose Ireland for rugged coastlines, traditional villages and scenic driving routes.
Choose Northern Spain for great food, green mountains and a quieter side of Spain.
Choose Austria for alpine scenery, clear lakes and mountain views that stay with you.
Whichever route you choose, travelling by camper gives you the freedom to explore Europe at your own pace and create a road trip that's entirely your own.
Ready to start your European road trip?
From Scotland's rugged Highlands to the lakes of Austria, these routes show just how varied a European camper holiday can be. Whether you're planning your first road trip or your next adventure, travelling by camper lets you discover places that are difficult to experience any other way.
At CamperDays, you can compare campers from trusted rental companies across Europe and find the right vehicle for your route, travel style and budget.
Do you have any feedback on the article, questions about booking a motorhome, or are you looking for tips? Then feel free to write to us here. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
