5 best motorcycling destinations in Europe
Where To Ride
Planning a motorcycle trip in Europe? We hope you’re going to have an amazing trip. Europe has some of the best motorcycling routes in the world. Whether you prefer tarmac routes and mountain twisties or off-road adventure trails, there are amazing places to explore on two wheels. So much so, in fact, that it can be hard to choose where to go.
Here’s our top 5 motorcycling destinations in Europe for 2023 :
Atlantic Ocean Road, NorwayOne of the most spectacular motorcycling routes in Europe, the Atlantic Ocean Road is a bucket list destination for road riders looking for stunning scenery. If you own a touring, sport touring, or street motorcycle and love long rides, Norway is the place to be: in addition to the iconic Atlantic Ocean Road, there’s plenty to explore up North including the famous Trollstigen Pass and the picture-perfect Geiranger Fjord or the Lofoten islands. If you’re up for an Arctic adventure, set Nord Kapp as your goal: it’s the northernmost point of Europe you can reach on a motorcycle, and the roads to Nordkapp are truly out of this world.
When to go: Norway isn’t exactly a warm country, so aim to ride here in July-August for the best weather. Even during the summer months, it’s best to layer up – above the Arctic Circle, the temperatures remain low even in August. We recommend adding a warm jacket and a good base layer to your gear kit if Norway is on your list of places to ride
One of the most spectacular motorcycling routes in Europe, the Atlantic Ocean Road is a bucket list destination for road riders looking for stunning scenery. If you own a touring, sport touring, or street motorcycle and love long rides, Norway is the place to be: in addition to the iconic Atlantic Ocean Road, there’s plenty to explore up North including the famous Trollstigen Pass and the picture-perfect Geiranger Fjord or the Lofoten islands. If you’re up for an Arctic adventure, set Nord Kapp as your goal: it’s the northernmost point of Europe you can reach on a motorcycle, and the roads to Nordkapp are truly out of this world.
When to go: Norway isn’t exactly a warm country, so aim to ride here in July-August for the best weather. Even during the summer months, it’s best to layer up – above the Arctic Circle, the temperatures remain low even in August. We recommend adding a warm jacket and a good base layer to your gear kit if Norway is on your list of places to ride
Stelvio Pass, ItalyHands-down the most iconic motorcycling destination in Europe, the Stelvio Pass is an absolute must. A stunning mountain road zigzagging upward in adrenaline-inducing hairpins, Stelvio is nothing short of a motorcycle riders’ Mecca. Combine this with the Swiss Alps or the Italian Dolomites for a longer journey or do it as a standalone trip: Stelvio is worth the ride. You’ll see plenty of other motorcyclists on the pass, and there’s a biker restaurant and café on the top – perfect for those bucket-list photos and a chat with other riders!
When to go: Stelvio Pass is a summer destination, so aim to ride here in July-August. It gets a little busy during the high season, but meeting other riders on the pass is part of the fun! It’s a place to see and be seen, so kit yourself out with some bike jeans and a shirt to stay safe – and stay cool.
Hands-down the most iconic motorcycling destination in Europe, the Stelvio Pass is an absolute must. A stunning mountain road zigzagging upward in adrenaline-inducing hairpins, Stelvio is nothing short of a motorcycle riders’ Mecca. Combine this with the Swiss Alps or the Italian Dolomites for a longer journey or do it as a standalone trip: Stelvio is worth the ride. You’ll see plenty of other motorcyclists on the pass, and there’s a biker restaurant and café on the top – perfect for those bucket-list photos and a chat with other riders!
When to go: Stelvio Pass is a summer destination, so aim to ride here in July-August. It gets a little busy during the high season, but meeting other riders on the pass is part of the fun! It’s a place to see and be seen, so kit yourself out with some bike jeans and a shirt to stay safe – and stay cool.
Andalusia, SpainA year- round motorcycling destination that has it all: desert, mountains, and coast, Andalusia is a fantastic place to ride both on and off the road. For road riders, the route to Ronda is a must – more bends per mile that you can ever ask for, a vibrant local motorcycling community, and biker-friendly café stops are what make this road truly stand out. For off-road riders, the Tabernas (also known as Gorafe) Desert is heaven – similar to the desert scenery of Utah and Arizona, the Tabernas Desert boasts countless trails, dry riverbeds, and wide-open gravel roads ideal for dirt and adventure riders.
When to go: whenever you feel like it! During the winter months, the weather in Andalusia is a little cooler, so warm layers will help. From April to September, it’s hot and sunny, so gear up light and explore.
A year- round motorcycling destination that has it all: desert, mountains, and coast, Andalusia is a fantastic place to ride both on and off the road. For road riders, the route to Ronda is a must – more bends per mile that you can ever ask for, a vibrant local motorcycling community, and biker-friendly café stops are what make this road truly stand out. For off-road riders, the Tabernas (also known as Gorafe) Desert is heaven – similar to the desert scenery of Utah and Arizona, the Tabernas Desert boasts countless trails, dry riverbeds, and wide-open gravel roads ideal for dirt and adventure riders.
When to go: whenever you feel like it! During the winter months, the weather in Andalusia is a little cooler, so warm layers will help. From April to September, it’s hot and sunny, so gear up light and explore.
Transfagarasan, RomaniaTransylvania is one of Europe’s most magical places to ride: wild and rugged yet offering incredible twisties and scenic views, especially on the Transfagarasan – Romania’s most beloved mountain road. It’s like Transfagarasan was built with motorcyclists in mind: mile after mile, you’ll be leaning into racetrack-like curves and sweeping bends, all while enjoying the stunning views of the Carpathian Mountains.
When to go: Transfagarasan is open from May till September, but the best time to ride here is June through to August. If you want to avoid the busier times, start your ride earlier in the morning and enjoy those bends to the fullest! Even though summertime is warm in Transylvania, the higher altitude on the top of Transfagarasan means cooler temperatures, so don’t forget to layer up.
Transylvania is one of Europe’s most magical places to ride: wild and rugged yet offering incredible twisties and scenic views, especially on the Transfagarasan – Romania’s most beloved mountain road. It’s like Transfagarasan was built with motorcyclists in mind: mile after mile, you’ll be leaning into racetrack-like curves and sweeping bends, all while enjoying the stunning views of the Carpathian Mountains.
When to go: Transfagarasan is open from May till September, but the best time to ride here is June through to August. If you want to avoid the busier times, start your ride earlier in the morning and enjoy those bends to the fullest! Even though summertime is warm in Transylvania, the higher altitude on the top of Transfagarasan means cooler temperatures, so don’t forget to layer up.
Adriatic Coast Road, CroatiaWhen it comes to the best motorcycling destinations in Europe, Croatia’s Adriatic Coast has few rivals. The Adriatic Coast Road hugs the shoreline in endless sweeping curves, tight corners, and adrenaline-inducing bends revealing breath-taking views of the Adriatic Sea and the dramatic coastline of cliffs and mountains plunging into the water. If you have the time, add the Island of Krk to your itinerary for fjord-like views and mountain twisties, and if you feel like adding some gravel roads, head inland toward the Dinaric Alps and the Velebit Mountain Range.
When to go: the Adriatic Coast Road high season is May through to the end of August, but if you want to avoid the tourist crowds, plan your ride in September when the weather is still mild and pleasant, and the tourist traffic has subsided. If you’re not sure about riding gear for Croatia, go with motorcycle jeans and a jacket for the best protection and comfort in sunny weather.
When it comes to the best motorcycling destinations in Europe, Croatia’s Adriatic Coast has few rivals. The Adriatic Coast Road hugs the shoreline in endless sweeping curves, tight corners, and adrenaline-inducing bends revealing breath-taking views of the Adriatic Sea and the dramatic coastline of cliffs and mountains plunging into the water. If you have the time, add the Island of Krk to your itinerary for fjord-like views and mountain twisties, and if you feel like adding some gravel roads, head inland toward the Dinaric Alps and the Velebit Mountain Range.
When to go: the Adriatic Coast Road high season is May through to the end of August, but if you want to avoid the tourist crowds, plan your ride in September when the weather is still mild and pleasant, and the tourist traffic has subsided. If you’re not sure about riding gear for Croatia, go with motorcycle jeans and a jacket for the best protection and comfort in sunny weather.