Europe’s Must Travel Motorhome & Campervan Routes

World-famous destinations, incredible scenery and rich histories have made European countries popular destinations for international travellers for years. And no matter how you travel to and around the continent, you’re sure to have a memorable experience.

That being said, there’s truly no better way to immerse yourself in the culture than to hit the road and go on one of Europe’s best drives, exploring every hidden treasure along the way.

There’s no need to worry if you haven’t mastered fuel-efficient motorhome driving or perfected your go-to mobile campervan meals. Just like on the UK’s best routes, you’ll have plenty of facilities along the way – whether you’re after a petrol station, restaurant or something else.

Best of all? The countries are well connected, making it easy for you to pass from one to the other in just a few hours. But before you get going, you’ll need to decide exactly where you’ll be going. To help, we’ve put together this guide to Europe’s must-travel motorhome and campervan routes.

Portuguese coast – Bilbao to Faro

Portugal tends to take a back seat when it comes to beloved British holiday destinations. But there’s no good reason for this. You can have your fill of seafood and sunshine all along its Atlantic coast, making it a great location for some seaside camping.

Since there are no ferries that go directly to Portugal, you’ll need to go via Spain. Brittany Ferries operate the only ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao, with two trips taking place per week in the summer months.

After enjoying Bilbao’s golden beaches and delicious pintxos – a local variety of tapas – it’s time for you to drive southwest to Porto, where your tour of the Portuguese coast will begin. After this, you’ll pass through Leiria, Lisbon and Lagos before completing the route in Faro.

After all that travelling, you’ll deserve a rest. Why not take a break from driving and stay a while at Faro campervan park? Here you’ll enjoy free Wi-Fi and water, as well as quick and easy access to the beach and town nearby.

The Netherlands to Belgium

The Netherlands and Belgium contain vibrant cosmopolitan cities, storied histories and luscious countryside. Yet, despite these similarities, you’ll enjoy the fascinating differences in their respective cultures if you choose this route.

To start, you can either take the ferry from Hull to Rotterdam or the from Harwich to Hook of Holland – though, of course, the latter option is much quicker. Both destinations are close to The Hague, and this is where you’ll be setting off from.

You can either drive south and cross into Antwerp or first go north to Amsterdam before looping back. If you’ve never been to the Dutch capital, you’ll want to make the extended trip. Packed with museums, green spaces and picturesque canals, it isn’t a city to miss. Plus there are plenty of campsites near Amsterdam for you to park in for the duration of your visit.

From Antwerp, you’ll continue south to Brussels and then north-west through Ghent and miles of gorgeous Belgian country until you arrive in Bruges. After long days of exploring cobbled streets and medieval buildings, you’ll have a choice of campsites to stay at – including Klein Strand in Jabekke or Campsite Bonanza 1 in Blankenberge – both a short drive from the capital of West Flanders.

France to Spain

Maybe you want to take the scenic route to Spain. Or perhaps the idea of missing out on hundreds of miles of French countryside just doesn’t sit right with you. Either way, travelling through France to Spain could be the perfect European route for you. Starting at the English Channel and continuing to the Bay of Biscay, you’re sure to make the memories of a lifetime along the way.

First, you’ll take one of the ferries from Dover to Calais. From here, drive south and then southwest to Rouen, before veering south to the quaint commune of Nonancourt. From Nonancourt, continue driving south until you reach Poitiers, a city famous for its captivating Romanesque architecture and art.

Next, you should drive to Bordeaux – the fruity, dry wine’s namesake – before continuing to Bayonne, a delightful Basque city near the coast. It’s just a short drive southwest to the border from here and then west to Bilbao.

At this point, you’ll have driven across France and made it into Spain – so, you’d be excused if you took the ferry from Bilbao to Portsmouth after staying at one of the campsites nearby. But if you’re hungry for more, you’ll have the entire Iberian Peninsula at your disposal.

Protect your motorhome or campervan during your European adventures

Fitting quality devices will not only make your motorhome more secure, but it could also help lower your insurance premium. As such, it doesn’t matter if you’re planning an overnight stay, a short break or an extended motorhome holiday, securing your motorhome will give you that piece of mind you need whilst enjoying your travels.

European countries are among the world’s safest destinations to explore in your motorhome. That being said, accidents and mishaps can happen no matter where you are. Because of this, it’s important that you safeguard your motorhome before you leave the UK. With that done, you can truly relax on your trip, satisfied that you’re properly covered.

We provide motorhome and campervan protection packages that cover vehicles of all shapes and sizes in most European countries. To find out more about how we can help you, give us a call on 0208 984 0666 or email us at info@comfort-insurance.co.uk.