4-Month Northern Europe Road Trip (France, Scandinavia & Back to Romania)

Last summer, I spent four months road-tripping across Northern Europe, starting and ending in Romania.

What began as a one-month plan to explore northern France slowly evolved into a cross-continental journey through Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and back home again.

Europe is my home, and road trips are my passion. But before visiting every country in Europe, I would plan my trips with more scepticism, and road trip or not, I would always leave my dog at home (my mom adores to take care of him). 

But this time it was different, because I was planning a trip to explore nature sites, and I knew from the start I wasn’t that interested in visiting museums or big cities. 

I spent some months preparing for the trip, going through every scenario possible and already figuring out solutions. 

I did the whole trip with my partner and my 12-year-old bichon, which shaped everything from hotels to ferries to daily driving rhythm. If you’re planning a similar trip with your dog, here’s how to do this Europe road trip with a dog.

Overview of the Full Route

Initially, I planned to spend about 1 month in the main destinations of northern France (mostly Normandy and Brittany). 

But then, I talked to my partner and decided to extend the trip, and that’s how we ended up doing a 4-month road trip in Europe with longer stays in France, Germany, Denmark, Norway, and then we drove back to Romania.

I started and ended this road trip in Romania, but made so many stops in central and western Europe, that I believe this European road trip itinerary can be adjusted to serve you if you start from any part of Eastern Europe or Central Europe. 

Or maybe you are starting from one of the stops, which is even better for you (because I have all the logistics figured out for you). 

The total duration of my trip was about 4 months (June to September).

Road trips take time and flexibility.
If you only have a few days, a 1-week Europe itinerary with trains might be a better option.

Map itinerary

Here are all the countries I drove through: 

• Romania → Hungary → Austria → Germany → France → The Netherlands → Belgium → Germany → Denmark → Norway → Sweden → Denmark → Germany → Czechia → Slovakia → Hungary → Romania
• ​​Main bases: Northern France (Normandy + Brittany) → Wilhelmshaven → Denmark (Jutland) → Lofoten (Svolvær) → back to Romania.

I made a map of all the places I’ve been to during this 4-month trip, including day trips. Obviously, I can’t pin all the places I visited during the trip. 

But I listed some of the most important to give you an idea of the entire itinerary, because this was a massive Europe trip.

And these are the countries in which I stayed at least one night:

• Romania
• Austria (one night in Vienna)
• Germany (1 night in Regensburg, 2 nights in Cologne, 1 week in Wilhelmshaven, one night in a village on the way back)
• France (stayed over 1.5 months exploring Hauts-de-France, Normandy, Brittany)
• Denmark (2 weeks house sit)
• Norway (5-day road trip to Lofoten and 1 month in Svolvær, Lofoten)
• Sweden (road trip from north to south)
• Czechia (1 night in Prague)

I mention all the countries, because you need to check the route before you start driving and make sure your car insurance allows you to legally drive in all these countries. 

Also, in Europe, some countries still require a vignette (they can all be purchased online). 

Other countries have specific road tolls instead, which you either pay on the spot (there is no escape from paying for roads here) or via an app. 

If you need more info about the logistics of planning a trip in Europe, read my dedicated Europe road trip planner. 

Why I extended the trip

This entire trip had a length of about 17.000 KM in total. 

I initially wanted to spend just 1 month exploring northern France, but then I realised that Europe was under an intense headwind and decided against driving back to Romania to over 40 °C temperatures. 

Of course, my first idea was to drive to Norway (again). 

After visiting Norway twice before and doing this epic drive to the North Cape, I wanted to go back and explore Lofoten properly. And that’s what I did.

I spent 1 month in Lofoten, and we (my partner and I and our dog) had the best time, and I would go back anytime. 

Phase 1: Romania to France (7-Day City Drive)

Time allocation: 7 days

I booked hotels in advance. Ideally, walkable locations with parking garages, so we could explore on foot.

Most hotels have underground garages (paid extra), but that made it really easy for us. 

Vienna

I chose to stay at The Weekend Hotel.

I chose this hotel because it has a reasonable price, you can walk on foot to the city centre, and it has a parking garage. 

I think the hotel was strategic because it allowed us to walk to the centre, to explore the city on foot and not rely on public transport. 

If you only have 1–2 days in Vienna during a road trip, these are the main areas worth prioritising.

Spots to visit in Vienna:

• St. Stephen’s Cathedral – The Gothic heart of the city, located in the historic centre.
• Schönbrunn Palace – Former imperial summer residence with vast gardens perfect for long walks.
• Hofburg Palace – The historic seat of the Habsburg dynasty.
• Ringstrasse – The grand boulevard circling the inner city, ideal for wandering and architecture lovers.
• Prater – Large green park area with walking paths and open space.

Regensburg 

I chose to stay at Rosi Boutique Hotel (Regensburg, Bavaria), which is very conveniently located in the centre of the city and has a garage really close by, to which they also offer a discounted rate. I recommend parking first and then going to the hotel. 

Spots to visit in Regensburg:

• Old Town of Regensburg – A UNESCO-listed medieval centre filled with narrow streets, pastel houses, and historic squares.
• Stone Bridge – A 12th-century bridge crossing the Danube, offering great views of the city skyline.
• Regensburg Cathedral – A striking Gothic cathedral dominating the city centre.
• Danube River Promenade – Ideal for a relaxed evening walk along the water.

​​If you’re road-tripping through southern Germany, Regensburg works perfectly as a scenic overnight stop without the intensity of a major city like Munich.

Cologne

In Cologne, I chose to stay at Aparthotel Adagio Köln City. The studios have a functional kitchen.

They have underground parking from where you can take the elevator directly to the lobby. And there’s a supermarket around the corner with ready-to-eat food. 

I stayed for 2 nights in Cologne, because we wanted to explore the city and rest a bit after driving for 4 days and changing hotels every night. 

The next day, we booked a KD cruise on the Rhein. You have to book in advance, as they sell out fast during the summer. 

Unfortunately, it was mostly rainy while visiting Cologne, but we managed to walk around the entire centre of the city, and we had fun. 

Spots to visit in Cologne:

• Cologne Cathedral – The city’s iconic Gothic landmark and one of the most impressive cathedrals in Europe. It’s impossible to miss.
• Hohenzollern Bridge – Famous for its love locks and panoramic views of the cathedral across the Rhine.
• Cologne Old Town – Colourful houses, beer halls, and lively squares near the river.
• Rhine River Promenade – A relaxed walking area along the river, especially nice in the evening.

Lille 

Lille was a nice stop. Initially, I wanted to stop for 1 night somewhere in Belgium (Ghent ot Brugges), but the prices were too high, and I decided to spend 2 nights in Lille. 

I chose to stay at B&B HOTEL Lille Lillenium Eurasanté. There is underground parking at the next-door shopping centre, and the hotel offers discounted 24-hour tickets (pay at the hotel reception). 

That gave us plenty of time to explore Lille, and also drive for one afternoon to Dunkirk. 

That’s when I got my first speeding ticket in France, when I was driving towards Dunkirk. But that was still a nice afternoon trip from Lille.

I still think those speed traps are set up to make money, not to actually help drivers slow down. I wrote all about it in my guide about how to drive in France. I recommend that you read it if you’re planning a trip to France. 

The hotel is in a quiet area, a bit further away from the city centre, but close enough to a metro stop. 

Spots to visit in Lille:

• Vieux-Lille – The historic old town filled with cobbled streets, colourful façades, boutiques, and cafés.
• Grand Place – The central square (Place du Général-de-Gaulle), surrounded by elegant buildings and always buzzing.
• Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille – One of the largest fine arts museums in France outside Paris.
• Citadel of Lille – A 17th-century fortress surrounded by green space, perfect for walking.

Phase 2: Normandy & Brittany Slow Travel

Time allocation: 6–7 weeks

After doing this great Road trip across Europe, we have finally reached the intended destination for this summer. 

And that is the Northern French coastline. 

When I planned the trip, I wasn’t extremely set on just one spot. All I knew was that I wanted a location close to the beach and to have plenty of places to visit as a day trip or half a day trip from that location. 

Because I booked my hotels so late, I couldn’t find something for a long time, so we ended up changing accommodations a few times. 

In the end, that was a great thing, because we ended up discovering a large part of Normandy and northern Brittany. 

In Northern France, we ended up staying in:

• Mers-les-Bains
• Saint Malo
• Flamanville
• Guincamp (to explore the northern Brittany departments: Finistère, Côtes-d’Armor and Ille-et-Vilaine)
• And then back to Normandy, and stayed in Bricquebec-en-Cotentin)

But I was so pleasantly surprised to discover Mers-les-Bains, one of the preferred coastal resorts for the Parisian high life of the 19th century. 

I stayed in one of those 19th-century Art Nouveau and Belle Époque buildings that make up the entire promenade of the gorgeous resort. I assure you the interior met normal standards, and we were welcomed with our pet at no extra fee. 

We enjoyed the green park around (right in the centre), and the proximity to the beach (we could see the beach from the balcony). 

During the summer, parking is paid on the street in Mers-les-Bains and other similar resorts that get many tourists during the summer. 

There was some stress with parking, but you can use the EasyPark app to pay for the parking (useful in many places in Europe), or you can park a few kilometres away for free if you’re staying for longer.

I had no idea before we got there that I picked the hottest summer holiday spot for Parisians. 

On each side of the resort are gorgeous cliffs that rise dramatically from the beach, which have panoramic hiking trails. 

There are many campsites around (as campers are a favourite means of transport in this part of the world). The closest campsite is in Le Treport, on the cliff. (location here). 

We did a lot of exploring around, went on the cliffs around to do the hikes, used the car to do road trips and discover nearby cities, including Le Treport, Eu, Rouen, Amiens, and there are many other towns and castles around to be discovered. 

Overall, we enjoyed this coastal lifestyle a lot; our dog enjoyed it too, and we found that many locals and tourists around here own a dog. 

I loved this part of my trip. Northern France is a perfect destination for anyone who enjoys slow travel and wants to explore nature while escaping summer heatwaves in Europe. 

Phase 3: Germany & Denmark Transition North

Time allocation: 1 week

Wilhelmshaven

Germany was mostly a break from visiting, and our week in Wilhelmshaven was mostly used for work and other logistical things. 

I chose to stay here in Wilhelmshaven.

Spots to visit in Wilhelmshaven:

• Südstrand – The main waterfront promenade, ideal for walking along the North Sea.
• Kaiser Wilhelm Bridge – A historic swing bridge and one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks.
• German Naval Museum – A museum focused on Germany’s naval history.
• Wadden Sea National Park – The surrounding UNESCO-protected tidal flats area, unique to the North Sea coast.

Hamburg

The next stop was in Hamburg, where we stayed at IntercityHotel Hamburg Dammtor, which has an underground parking directly connected to the lobby. 

The area is nice, walkable, close to the centre and public transport, and there’s a huge park across the street. 

Again, Hamburg is a dog-friendly city, although it is crowded. But that is the case with all big cities. 

Spots to visit in Hamburg:

• Speicherstadt – The historic warehouse district, with red-brick buildings and canals. It’s one of the most photogenic parts of the city.
• Elbphilharmonie – Hamburg’s striking modern concert hall overlooking the harbour. Even just walking around the exterior is impressive.
• Port of Hamburg – One of Europe’s largest ports, giving the city its maritime character.
  Binnenalster – The inner Alster lake, perfect for a relaxed walk in the city centre.

Denmark

After Germany, the next stop was in Denmark for 2 weeks, which was mostly to work. 

It was a rainy summer in Denmark, and we avoided unnecessary trips. We visited Aarhus as a day trip, and it started raining in the afternoon, so we had to cut our visit short. 

Another day trip we did was to Billund’s LEGO attractions park. I am not a die-hard LEGO fan, but I do enjoy it and had it when I was a child. 

The park was huge, but also very crowded during the summer. Parking lots are huge and full. 

I believe that LEGOLAND Billund is a great place to visit as a family, as it is really built for families with smaller children, and it has plenty of rides suitable for them. 

However, I also saw some adults visiting without children (as was our case). 

The rides for adults are few, and the queues were at least 1 hour long for each. We only tried 3 attractions because that’s all we had time for during our 5-hour stay at Legoland in Billund. 

I think it’s a nice visit if you truly love Lego, but coming during high season can become frustrating if you want to try the rides. 

Ferry from Denmark to Norway

From Denmark, I crossed over to Norway with ColorLine ferry company. 

The ride from Hirtshals (DK) to Larvik (NO) takes about 4 hours, and there are 2 ferries per day, each direction. I recommend booking in advance, as prices increase closer to the travel date. 

There are other companies offering this trip, but I chose ColorLine primarily because of the route convenience and price. 

The crossing was smooth overall, but if you’re sensitive to motion, keep seasickness tablets handy.

We arrived at around 3 AM at a pre-booked Airbnb in Larvik.

I was able to find multiple accommodation options that allowed dogs, so I ended up picking one place, considering the location (to be close to the port). 

A lot of travellers take this route during the summer, so pre-booking a hotel is a must. 

Phase 4: Norway Road Trip + 1 Month in Lofoten

For the next 5 days, we had really long driving days and chose to stop each day at another campsite that was on our way.

I had visited Norway before this trip twice, doing extensive road trips, including this road trip from the south to the North Cape in Norway. So on this trip, the main priority was to reach Lofoten as quickly as possible. 

The entire trip from Larvik to Svolvær in Lofoten was 1,550 KM. I didn’t take the scenic fjord trip, because I had already visited that part of Norway. I took the shortest option (through Norway). 

Norway is basically one long north–south drive; it’s straightforward navigation, just long distances.

Norway has a big culture centred around nature, and during summer you’ll find many campsites, for tents, campervans and with bungalows for rent. 

The thing is that most campsites have limited bungalows and they are sold out months in advance, so even for doing a road trip in Norway and choosing a campsite with bungalows for the night to sleep, you need to book it in advance. 

A lot of people are on similar road trips, and many stay just for a night in campsites. 

Also, Norway has fewer accommodation options than other places, so pre-booking is necessary, especially in the high season (July and August). 

Campsites on the drive north

This took a lot of careful planning, and I made this route and paid for all campsites about 1 month in advance. 

I believe that I was still lucky, because most places only had 1 option left at that point. 

This is the entire list of campsites we stopped by in Norway on our way to Lofoten:

• Gullvåg Camping Nyberg (cute spot with some outdoor activities for children)
• Langnes Camping, Grong (limited bungalows, book early, complete kitchen inside the bungalow)
• Saltdal Turistsenter (limited bungalows, book early, right next to the main road, older design, ok for 1 night)
• Tommerneset Camping (superb nature spot, would come just for that)

Remember that these kinds of campsites with bungalows only provide bed linens and towels for an extra fee. So to keep the costs low, bring your own sheets and towels and everything else you need (1 person gets sheets, the beds are bunk beds).

If you can drive 7-9 hours per day, book consecutive days at each of these campsites, in this order,and you will reach Lofoten in 5 days. 

I’ve written a detailed guide about wild camping rules in Norway, hiking in Lofoten, and weather considerations.

Ferry to Lofoten

I used Torghatten company to cross from Skutvik to Svolvær (summer route only up to September). 

Always check the Torghatten website (or any other ferry company website in Norway) before travelling to see the routes and know which are paid and which need to be booked online. 

In other places, especially around the southern fjords, these ferries run all the time, as they connect European roads. You’ll see this a lot if you drive around the southern part, where all the most popular Norwegian hikes are. 

I wrote a specialised guide on how to reach all those famous hikes in Norway and how to plan them as a road trip. 

Some ferries are free, and others are paid, but you don’t have to stress about that either (except for the very popular routes where you need an online ticket, like Bodo). 

Usually, if it’s a paid ferry, a staff member will come up to you and ask you to pay, so have your card ready. 

All ferries function on a first-come, first-served basis, so sometimes, for popular routes, people come early to park in the corresponding lane to ensure they get a spot on the next ferry. 

This 2-hour Skutvik to Svolvær ferry was very relaxed, as we sat comfortably on the main deck chairs and observed the rain outside. 

Ferries in Norway are generally much more relaxed than in other places, as they serve locals almost like buses. 

Lofoten

Lofoten was the highlight of the entire trip; dramatic landscapes, surprisingly drivable roads, and enough hikes to keep you busy for weeks.

I spent an entire month in Lofoten, where I had the best time. 

I did lots of hiking, driving in Lofoten, had the best weather for most part of my stay and also saw the northern lights (aurora), drove to Andenes to go on a whale watching tour. 

Because during this month in Lofoten, I focused a lot on hiking, I’ve written a full breakdown of the best hikes in Lofoten, including difficulty, parking, and dog-friendly options.

I did a lot, and that was all because the weather allowed it. 

Lofoten ended up being one of the highlights of this entire trip, and I later wrote a complete Lofoten travel guide based on that experience.

Phase 5: Sweden & Stockholm

It was already mid-September when I had to drive back from Lofoten. 

Sweden became an efficient corridor south. Yes, it’s less dramatic than Norway, but far more budget-friendly and predictable for long driving days.

Unfortunately, the main (and only) road connecting south to north in Norway was the victim of a landslide, just outside of Trondheim. That’s why I decided to drive back to central Europe via Sweden. And also because it is cheaper. 

I made a few stops on the way to Stockholm, given the distance. I only stopped to sleep; I didn’t visit anything else.

Here are the stops I made in Sweden:

• Gällivare, I stayed at Piilijärvi Camping
• Holmsund, I stayed at Bedtime
• Stockholm, I stayed at Motel L Hammarby Sjöstad
• Malmö, Sweden, I stayed at Havshotellet

I chose to stay for 2 nights in Stockholm, to explore a bit and relax. 

I stayed in Stockholm for a month before and then around Stockholm for another month during my past summer trips, so this time I just wanted to relax. I spent most of the time in Södermalm, because it gives me a better vibe of the city. 

Spots to visit in Stockholm:

• Gamla Stan – The historic Old Town, with narrow cobbled streets and colourful 17th-century buildings.
• Royal Palace – One of the largest royal palaces in Europe, located right next to Gamla Stan.
• Vasa Museum – Home to a remarkably preserved 17th-century warship, is one of Stockholm’s most famous attractions.
  Stockholm Archipelago – Thousands of islands stretching into the Baltic Sea; even a short ferry ride gives you a sense of the landscape.
• ABBA Museum 
• I wrote an article on things to do in Stockholm if you need more ideas of things to do. 

When driving south from northern Sweden or Norway, Stockholm works well as a cultural pause before continuing toward mainland Europe.

I loved the SoFo part so much, I walked into random shops, like vintage furniture and second-hand clothes shops. 

I also had a MAX burger, because you cannot miss it while in Sweden. 

Overall, I really love Stockholm, and I understand why it became a cultural metropolis for music and the arts. I think Stockholm is one of the most underrated cities that tourists usually skip in Europe. 

But up to Stockholm, and even after it, driving through Sweden is much more boring when compared to the same south-north Norwegian route. 

However, if budget is a concern and you just want to drive back to continental Europe from anywhere in the Arctic Circle, this is the best option. 

The stop in Malmö was also just to sleep, before crossing the famous Øresund Bridge between Sweden and Denmark. I also visited Malmö before, and here is my guide for the best things to do in Malmö. 

Tip: If you pay for the bridge online (instead of paying on the spot), you get a small discount. 

Back to Central Europe (Driving Back to Romania)

After crossing back to Denmark, I continue my drive back to Romania through the fastest way. 

I took the ferry from Sweden to Germany (Rødby to Puttgarden using Scandlines ferry). 

Ferry: Rødby–Puttgarden vs Gedser–Rostock

The alternative is the Gedser to Rostock (longer trip, more expensive). Prices for these ferries are dynamic, and buying them a week or more in advance will give you the best price. 

You can buy it on the spot, at check-in, but it will be much more expensive. 

Because I didn’t know exactly how long it would take me to drive from Malmö to Rødby port, I bought a flexi ticket (which allows you to board any ferry on that day), which is slightly more expensive than the basic ticket. 

However, I did well because I missed the ferry I was aiming to take by only a couple of minutes. Luckily, there is a ferry from Rødby to Germany every 30 minutes or so. 

We also visited Lübeck in the afternoon, which has a lovely old town and great food options.

Later on, we stopped at Hotel Waldhalle, which was a wonderful random discovery. It was night already, and I was tired and couldn’t drive anymore. 

The next part of the trip was without any thrills. 

The next stop was in Prague, where we stayed with some friends. 

And after that, we drive straight for 14 hours to Bucharest, stopping only occasionally for refills and toilet breaks. 

That was quite a trip. 

These long stretches make me most miserable, but I love driving, and I wouldn’t do it otherwise. 

The thing is that I made this drive so many times (Bucharest – Prague) that I don’t feel like stopping anymore for another overnight hotel. 

I think it makes me tired to check in and unpack again when I know that home is within reach. 

Of course, I wouldn’t recommend it if you are not used to driving such long hours or if you plan on exploring other cities on this route (Brno, Bratislava, Vienna, Budapest, Arad, Timisoara, Sibiu). 

How to use this road trip guide

If you have a month-long holiday in the summer, I recommend booking 1 or 2 places as your bases in Normandy and Brittany, and from there to go explore the coastlines. 

Some prefer moving around more, but I think it gets you tired really fast to change accommodations every 2 to 3 days for an entire month. I’ve done it before, and I don’t recommend it. 

Then 2 other underrated parts of the holiday are northern Germany and the Jutland (Jylland) peninsula of Denmark. I believe this is a gorgeous place to explore if you love places that are less crowded during summer, wild sand dune beaches, cooler summer temperatures and road trip-friendly places. 

And the last trip to be considered separately is the Norway road trip. And then the Lofoten road trip. 

Norway is huge, and one trip to Norway will not be enough to see all of it. 

If you’re travelling there for the first time, you should first explore the southern fjords, where you can do the most popular Norwegian hikes. 

Then you can plan a Lofoten trip (so you drive directly to the north of Norway). If you want, you can then drive all the way up to the North Cape. I skipped it this time because I think once was enough (for now). 

Norway isn’t the place for you if you don’t like long drives. 

However, you might want to compromise if you are a nature lover. There is no other way to explore Norway than by driving to certain places and then hiking. Luckily, Norway has great road infrastructure. 

Who This Route Is For

This entire 4-month trip is a true travel extravaganza, and I know most people have a job with an office where they must go on a daily basis. 

I think this is a great summer road trip in Europe if you’re a digital nomad and you love to drive. 

But if you do want to make a similar trip, then I recommend breaking it up into pieces. 

For instance, the northern French coastline is a marvellous trip, regardless of where you drive from. You can spend 1 week there or the entire summer. It’s truly up to you. 

My only advice is to try to enjoy it and not rush through the entire place. 

If you like it, it’s better to plan another future trip to discover more of this part of France, than to rush everything to fit your 1 or 2 week summer holiday. 

Who Should NOT Do This Trip

• People who dislike long drives
  
• People limited to 10 days
  
• People who want fast-paced city hopping
  
• People uncomfortable with pre-booking logistics

If you are a road trip fanatic such as myself, then yes, say YOLO, get the car ready, beg your partner, pack the dog (or cat) and do this road trip in Europe. 

I laid the groundwork for you, gave you all my stops and hotels; you just need to go.