The 5 Best Motorhome Trips in Europe
JuliaUpdated at: 21/01/2026
Reading time: 5 minutes
Touring Europe in a motorhome 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 motorhome, these are the trips people return to again and again.
1. Scotland - Edinburgh to the Highlands
Route: Edinburgh - Cairngorms - Inverness - West coast loop (10 to 14 days)
Best time to go: May to September
We recommend starting in Edinburgh and giving yourself a day or two to explore there before you head out. It's a good place to stock up on supplies and decide where to head.
The most popular route you have probably heard of is the famous NC500 (NC meaning, North Coast). It is a fantastic route with great views and wonderful beaches. The issue is that it’s become too popular, and at certain times of the year, you have to queue to get through sections because the roads are small. We recommend you head west through Torridon and Applecross. The mountains here are impressive, and there will be fewer other campervans on the road.
Park beside a loch or try to find a quiet bay for the night. Scotland caters well to campervans and motorhomes, and that's why it's on our list of touring Europe in motorhome.
2. Portugal - Lisbon to The Algarve
Route: Lisbon - Alentejo coast - Algarve loop - return to Lisbon (10–14 days)
Best time to go: March to June or September to November
Lisbon is the best place to start a campervan trip in Portugal, as it’s the easiest place to fly into. After picking up your campervan, we suggest driving along the Alentejo coast through to the Algarve. If we could offer one piece of advice, it would be not to rush, as along the coast are quaint fishing towns and amazing Atlantic beaches that stretch for miles that you won’t want to miss.
Once you arrive in the Algarve, the scenery changes, and everything becomes busier. We recommend watching the surfers at Sagres or heading inland, where there are whitewashed villages and fewer crowds.
The climate in Portugal is good all year round, and you won’t need to use the heating in your campervan. They also have one of the best campsite networks in Europe. Touring Portugal in a motorhome gives you a balance of culture in the north and coast in the south, all within an easy loop from Lisbon.
3. Ireland - Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way
Route: Dublin - Galway - Clare - Kerry - Dingle - return to Dublin (10–14 days)
Best time to go: May to September
Most motorhome adventures in Ireland start in Dublin, which is a great city, but we recommend heading to the west coast. Once you reach Galway, you will get to experience the real Ireland with the Atlantic coast setting the mood. Make sure you try a pint of Guinness (yes, it does taste better here) and enjoy some live music.
Travel along the Cliffs of Moher, into Kerry, and along the winding roads of Dingle. Driving around here feels different. You slow down for sheep and stop to check out the sea views, taking some pictures for Instagram.
There are plenty of campsites suitable for campervans and motorhomes, some of which will be off the beaten track and lovely and quiet.
4. Spain: Northern Route around Bilbao
Route: Bilbao to Asturias loop (10–14 days)
Best time to go: June to September
Spain is so much more than the crowded beaches of the South. The north feels like a different country altogether, and driving around it in a motorhome allows you to explore the Basque and Asturian regions at your own pace.
Bilbao is the best place to start, and it's likely where you will fly into. Get some food at the market before driving on to small fishing towns that aren’t in many guidebooks.
The Picos de Europa have steep climbs and wide views. Down on the coast, you’ll find surf beaches and working harbours where you can relax in the evening. There are plenty of small campsites in both areas. Camp at the bottom of a mountain trail, or near an estuary where the noise of the ocean sends you to sleep. The drives are not long, but travelling in a motorhome means you can stop wherever takes your fancy.
5. Austria: Alpine Lakes and Passes
Route: Salzburg loop (8–12 days)
Best time to go: May to September
Salzburg makes a great starting point for touring Europe in a motorhome. Have a wander around the old town before you head out towards the open road. Within an hour of leaving the city, Austria feels completely different, and the Salzkammergut takes over with its lakes tucked between hills and neat villages at the water’s edge.
Hallstatt is worth arriving early for, as you get to see the village reflected in the still water (perfect for Instagram). Carry on through Wolfgangsee and Gosausee. It’s a steep route with tight corners, but the Alps make a striking backdrop.
Some of the best campsites are beside rivers or next to chairlifts that carry you higher into the mountains. Each day with a campervan in Austria is a new adventure.. Rent a bike. Chill by the lake. The choice is yours.
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.
