Europe’s 12 Best Motorcycle Routes Back to News List

Europe offers a world of choice for motorcyclists and is one of the most rewarding continents to ride, regardless of whether you’re a wily veteran or a freshly minted rookie. A new country is often just a stone’s throw away, ancient architecture and old world charms dot the horizon, and you can get almost anywhere by road (with the occasional ferry thrown in for good measure).

Having organised hundreds of tours across this wonderful continent, we decided we were well-qualified to offer you our perspective. Here’s 12 of the best routes, road itineraries, starting points and destinations we’ve discovered – just click through from each image to find a tour route we’ve included it on. See you on the road!

No. 1 – Portugal: Stunning back roads of the Portuguese Algarve

Begins: Lisbon / Ends: Andalucía

The Algarve reveals its quieter side on narrow lanes through the Serra de Monchique, climbing into remote villages before rolling back down to the coast at Tavira. Roman bridges, castle ruins, and cobblestone streets speak to the town’s long history, contrasting with the stillness of the countryside. Portugal at its most authentic, away from the busy resorts and into landscapes where tradition remains strong.

See full route and Portugal motorcycle itinerary here.

No. 2 – Spain: the laneways of the Spanish Andalusia

Begins: Andalucía / Ends: Arcos de la Frontera

Crossing into Spain, the ride winds into Andalucía, where narrow mountain laneways lead us to a 15th-century hacienda near Arcos de la Frontera. These roads, tucked between hills and valleys, give a genuine glimpse of rural Spain beyond the tourist routes. Riding through Andalusia isn’t just about reaching the destination—it’s about experiencing the character of these timeless roads along the way.

See full route and Spain motorcycle itinerary here.

No. 3 – Morocco: The Kasbahs of Morocco

Begins: Merzouga / Ends: Marrakesh

Morocco’s “Route of 1,000 Kasbahs” is a journey through centuries of history, where fortified mud-brick strongholds rise from palm-filled valleys and desert landscapes. On our Spain, Portugal and Morocco tour, we ride this legendary route to explore ancient kasbahs and oases beyond the tourist surface. The adventure continues with a visit to Aït Ben Haddou (pictured), one of Morocco’s most iconic and beautifully preserved kasbahs, before climbing into the High Atlas Mountains via the breathtaking Tizi n’Tichka pass.

See full route and Morocco motorcycle itinerary here.

No. 4 – Italy: Leaning tower of Pisa

Begins: Venice / Ends: Pisa

The Tuscan ride brings us to one of Italy’s most enduring icons—the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Rising from the Piazza dei Miracoli, its elegant marble and improbable tilt have captivated travellers for centuries. There’s a quiet grandeur in standing before it, knowing the world has marvelled at the same view for 850 years. Whether admired from the square or from its spiralling heights, Pisa is a reminder that even imperfections can become timeless beauty.

See full route and Spain motorcycle itinerary here.

No. 5 – French Corsica: mountains & coastline of Corsica

Begins: Bastia / Ends: Bastia

Corsica reveals itself in contrasts: mountains that plunge into the sea, red rock glowing in the Calanques de Piana, and Cap Corse’s rugged headlands stretching into the Mediterranean. Roads cling to cliffs and twist through scenery that feels untamed and timeless, offering riders an ever-changing canvas. It is these moments, when island and ocean collide in such dramatic fashion, that define the journey through Corsica.

See full route and Corsica motorcycle itinerary here.

No. 6 – Montenegro: Serpentine Road

Begins: Lovcen National Park / Ends: Perast

Montenegro’s serpentine road climbs from the shores of Kotor Bay into the heights of Lovćen National Park. Carved into the mountainside in a sweeping series of switchbacks, it reveals views that grow more dramatic with every turn—medieval towns far below, the glittering Adriatic stretching to the horizon, and limestone peaks towering above. It is one of Europe’s great roads, a journey where landscape and history come together in breathtaking fashion.

See full route and Montenegro motorcycle itinerary here.

No. 7 – Croatia: Dubrovnik walled city

Begins: Perast / Ends: Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik rises above the Adriatic, its great stone walls enclosing a city of narrow streets, towers, and terracotta rooftops. Walking the “Wall Walk” reveals sweeping views, while the cable car and Fort Lovrijenac provide new perspectives over this medieval jewel. The city exudes elegance and endurance, carrying centuries of history in every stone. To step into Dubrovnik is to step into the past, and it stands as one of the unforgettable highlights of the Mediterranean.

See full route and Croatia motorcycle itinerary here.

No. 8 – Bosnia and Herzegovina: Stari Most

Begins: Mostar / Ends: Mostar

In the heart of Mostar, Stari Most arches gracefully across the Neretva River, its stone span a symbol of resilience and renewal. From the bridge, the turquoise waters shimmer below, framed by the old town’s lively bazaar and minarets rising in the distance. It’s more than a crossing—it’s a meeting place of cultures and histories, a reminder of the city’s enduring spirit and the journeys that have converged here for centuries.

See full route plus Bosnia and Herzegovina motorcycle itinerary here.

No. 9 – Slovenia: Lake Bled

Begins: Porec / Ends: Lake Bled

Lake Bled, with its church-topped island and medieval castle perched high above, feels almost dreamlike—an image of alpine serenity that has enchanted travellers for centuries. From here, the ride continues along the Solčava Panoramic Route, where winding roads reveal sweeping vistas of peaks, valleys, and meadows. Together, they capture the essence of this journey: landscapes of quiet grandeur, timeless beauty, and roads that lead to unforgettable places.

See full route and Slovenia motorcycle itinerary here.

No. 10 – Denmark: Elvis Museum

Begins: Hirtshals / Ends: Randers

Northern Denmark holds an unexpected surprise: Memphis Mansion, a replica of Elvis Presley’s Graceland. Inside lies one of the world’s largest collections of Elvis memorabilia, from iconic costumes to rare records. It is a playful, colourful stop that adds a different note to the journey—an interlude of Americana before the dramatic fjords and mountains of Scandinavia take over.

See full route and Denmark motorcycle itinerary here.

No. 11 – Norway: Crossing Arctic Circle to the Lofoton Islands

Begins: Bodo / Ends: Svolvær

Crossing the Arctic Circle is a moment that stays with you—a quiet threshold where the landscapes take on a raw, untamed beauty. From here, the road leads north into the Lofoten Islands, a place of jagged peaks, sheltered bays, and fishing villages painted bright against the sea. It is Norway at its most dramatic, where every horizon feels vast and elemental, and the journey itself becomes part of the legend of the north.

See full route and Norway motorcycle itinerary here.

No. 12 – Germany: Scenic ride from Flensburg to Hamburg

The Warehouse District (Speicherstadt) in Hamburg, Germany, at dusk. View of Wandrahmsfleet. The largest warehouse district in the world is located in the port of Hamburg within the HafenCity quarter.

Begins: Flensburg / Ends: Hamburg

The ride from Flensburg to Hamburg is one of the most scenic stretches in all of Europe. Rolling through northern Germany, the road flows past wide fields, quiet villages, and waterways that shimmer beneath big skies. It’s a landscape defined by open space and timeless charm, where every kilometre carries a sense of ease and anticipation. Arriving in Hamburg, the journey shifts from pastoral calm to the energy of a great port city, a perfect balance of contrast.

See full route and Germany motorcycle itinerary here.

And there you have it, our 12 top choices for Europe. Did we know we also organise tours around the rest of the globe? Check them out in our brochure below:

Download the latest Compass Expeditions brochure and get ready to experience a world of wonder! Click here to download