Salty air, endless blue, and the thrill of the open road
There’s something timeless about a road that hugs the ocean. It’s not just about the view (though, let’s be honest, it’s amazing). It’s about the feeling: windows down, sea breeze in your hair, music up and nothing but waves to your left and wild cliffs to your right.
Whether you’re after winding cliffside routes, palm-fringed shores, or sleepy seaside villages, these are the most unforgettable coastal road trips around the world. And each one designed to make you fall in love with the road (and the sea) all over again.
1. Pacific Coast Highway, USA
Route: San Francisco → Big Sur → Santa Barbara → Los Angeles
Best time to go: April to October
California’s Highway 1 is the ultimate ocean view road trip. With sweeping cliffs, crashing waves and charming coastal towns, it delivers nonstop drama. Big Sur is the crown jewel, where redwoods meet the Pacific. Add in Monterey, Carmel and Santa Barbara and you’ve got a golden-state classic.
🧡 Don’t miss: Watching sunset at Bixby Creek Bridge with cliffs glowing orange
2. Great Ocean Road, Australia
Route: Torquay → Apollo Bay → Twelve Apostles → Warrnambool
Best time to go: October to April
This iconic stretch along Australia’s southern coast is where the rainforest meets rugged coastline. The road curves through surf towns, eucalyptus forests and coastal cliffs, offering nonstop Instagram moments. Keep an eye out for wild koalas and kangaroos along the way!
🧡 Don’t miss: The limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles rising from the sea
3. Atlantic Ocean Road, Norway
Route: Kristiansund → Averøy → Vevang
Best time to go: May to September
This short but spectacular coastal road trip is a feat of engineering. The Atlantic Ocean Road leaps across tiny islands via twisting bridges, with the sea crashing beneath you. It’s dramatic, otherworldly and a must-drive for those who love stormy, cinematic vibes.
🧡 Don’t miss: Driving the Storseisundet Bridge, famous for its wild curve and panoramic views
4. Garden Route, South Africa
Route: Mossel Bay → Knysna → Plettenberg Bay → Tsitsikamma
Best time to go: November to April
The Garden Route blends coast and culture in perfect harmony. Drive past whale-watching hotspots, indigenous forests, lagoons, and dramatic cliffs. The roads are smooth, the people warm and the scenery is jaw-dropping. It’s one of Africa’s most accessible and rewarding road trips.
🧡 Don’t miss: Crossing the Storms River Bridge in Tsitsikamma National Park
5. Amalfi Coast, Italy
Route: Sorrento → Positano → Amalfi → Ravello
Best time to go: May to October
Winding along sheer cliffs above turquoise waters, the Amalfi Coast is the epitome of la dolce vita. With lemon groves, pastel towns, and panoramic views at every bend, it’s no wonder this is one of Europe’s most loved drives and though it’s best tackled in the shoulder season when crowds thin out.
🧡 Don’t miss: Parking above Positano for that postcard-perfect shot
6. Ruta del Mar, Chile
Route: Constitución → Pichilemu → Valparaíso
Best time to go: November to March
For those seeking offbeat coastal road trip destinations, Chile’s Ruta del Mar delivers. Think empty beaches, charming fishing villages and Pacific sunsets without the crowds. This is a journey of solitude, seafood and endless salt spray.
🧡 Don’t miss: Sunset surf sessions in Pichilemu, Chile’s laid-back surf capital
7. Ring Road (Southern Coast), Iceland
Route: Reykjavik → Vik → Hof → Jökulsárlón
Best time to go: May to September
Iceland’s southern coastline is wild, haunting, and pure magic. From black sand beaches to ice-capped volcanoes, waterfalls to glaciers, the landscape changes dramatically every hour. The Ring Road is easy to follow and packed with natural wonders.
🧡 Don’t miss: Diamond Beach, where glacier chunks sparkle on black sand
8. Dalmatian Coast, Croatia
Route: Zadar → Split → Makarska → Dubrovnik
Best time to go: May to October
Croatia’s coastal drive is Mediterranean bliss. The road clings to cliffs above the Adriatic, passing through UNESCO cities, olive groves and crystalline coves. It’s sunny, relaxed and filled with ancient charm. It’s just perfect for slow travel and beach hopping.
🧡 Don’t miss: A sunset swim near Makarska followed by a seafood dinner by the harborTips for the Ultimate Coastal Road Trip
Whether you’re hugging cliffs or cruising palm-lined shores, keep these essentials in mind:
- 🕶️ Sunglasses + SPF: The sea reflects sunlight like crazy
- 🎵 Curate your ultimate coastal playlist
- 📍Plan scenic detours for some of the best beaches are just off the main route
- 🏖️ Pack a beach blanket & swimsuit, you never know when the ocean will call
- 📷 Early mornings = better light & fewer crowds
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like the call of the coast. These coastal road trips offer more than just pretty views, they offer freedom, joy and that delicious mix of wind, water and wanderlust. Whether you’re cliff-hopping in Amalfi or chasing waves in Australia, the journey is just as magical as the destination.
So go ahead and roll down the windows, follow the sea breeze and let the tides chart your course.
The ocean is waiting…
