It is in these rides that a great combination of adventure and tranquility works out in a spectacular scene. Something of an inherently magical nature happens as you cruise along with the ocean beside you, cliffs towering overhead, and the horizon stretching endlessly ahead.
Of course! And here’s how you can make the most from your scenic coastal drive:
Tips to Plan and Enjoy Scenic Coastal Drives
Research the Route Before You Go
Do some research about the coastal drive that you are going to take before you set off driving. Find out all the most scenic view points, stops you must not miss, and local attractions. It would help you make your tour as comprehensive as possible and not miss any of the so-called ‘hidden pearls’.
Check the Weather Conditions
Weather may impact your cruise down the coast, in which the roads become foggy, rain, or get high winds. It is always a good idea to check the forecast in advance so that you know your drive will be both smooth and safe. If it doesn’t look so great, then try to reschedule your drive until the weather is clear enough that you will be able to enjoy the view.
Leave Early to Beat the Crowds
These are the popular routes along the coast, and the crowd can be very intensive, especially during the peak season of travel. Early morning driving would keep off the traffic and make it altogether much more pleasant. Besides, the early morning light enhances the beauty of the scenery.
Pack Essentials for the Journey
Bring with you snacks, water, and a first-aid kit, and whatever else one might need on the road. It is also highly advisable that one bring along a hard-map version or one downloaded onto a device should one fall out of cell service in really out-of-the-way places.
Take Your Time and Enjoy the Ride
One of the great pleasures in taking a coastal drive is how amenable it is to making it a slow drive: not hurrying, but rather taking your time and enjoying the ride. So go ahead, don’t hurry the drive, but make plenty of stops for views, photo ops, and other attractions. The variety of places dotting the road is well worth setting aside at least one day just to get a taste for each.
These tips will help you make the most of the experience so that the drive along the coast is both enjoyable and memorable.
This is because the drives allow you to get a view of the place, and with an added advantage of stopping at any place one feels like, take in the beauty slowly. This article looks at five of the most beautiful coastal drives in the world for their unique charm and unforgettable vistas.
The Pacific Coast Highway, California
Probably one of the most popular roads that hug the coastlines is the Pacific Coast Highway, more famously known as Highway 1. Winding upwards of over 600 miles along California’s coastline, it offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, access to quaint seaside towns, pristine beaches, and towering cliffs.
As you wind along PCH, iconic spots like Big Sur, where rugged cliffs meet the crashing waves far below, are also passed. The drive through Big Sur has been said to be the most scenic section of the highway for its dramatic vistas and unmatched natural beauty.
Other attractions are the Bixby Creek Bridge, one of the most photographed bridges in the world, which drops you at an unimaginably breathtaking view of the coastline.
Personal Experience: A Serene Moment at Big Sur
Big Sur: A drive down this stretch on a sun-kissed afternoon saw me experiencing some of my most serene moments ever. The road clung to the cliffs while the sea offered breathtaking views that went on and on.
I pulled into a small pull-out and shut off the motor, and for the space of a minute, time just seemed to freeze. The sound of waves crashing against rocks below, the fresh ocean breeze, and sunbeam rays golden on the water created a feeling of peace and connectedness with nature that I shall never forget.
Great Ocean Road, Australia
For any seafront drive enthusiast, a visit to Great Ocean Road in Australia should be a must-see. This 151-mile stretch against the southeastern coast of Victoria is outstanding, standing tall as both a testament to nature and human engineering. The road was constructed from 1919 to 1932 by returned soldiers and extends in memory of soldiers who were killed in action during World War I. The road is considered to be the largest war memorial in the world.
The Great Ocean Road has to offer great sights of the Southern Ocean, along with some of Australia’s most iconic landmarks. The Twelve Apostles are the route’s most iconic sight-a set of limestone stacks that majestically rise out of the ocean.
It would take you through some of those quaint seaside towns, such as Lorne and Apollo Bay, if you wished to stop for a coffee or a meal. Besides, this road passes through lush rainforests where there is enough wildlife spotting, including koalas, kangaroos, and all manner of native birds.
It’s the journey, not the destination. Every bend and turn reveals a new view of breathtaking coastline-a drive that really will be etched in your mind long after you’ve gone home.
Amalfi Coast, Italy
The Amalfi Coast is a stretch of coastline on the southern edge of the Sorrentine Peninsula of Italy in the Campania region. The whole area from here was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage sites, featuring dramatic cliffs, terraced vineyards, and pastel-colored villages that seem to tumble into the sea.
The drive along the Amalfi Coast-what an experience. It’s narrow and serpentine, steep drops right to the sea on one side and high walls of cliffs on the other. Rather disquieting but well worth the views.
The drive twists and turns, taking you through picture postcard towns. Positano fills you with steep streets lined with differently coloured houses, literally smothered with bougainvillea, while Ravello boasts of great villas and gardens of breathtaking beauty.
Each of these coastal towns has its own magic, often with numerous stops, sights, and visits to be made. Whether sipping a gelato on a quaint piazza, visiting an ancient church, or merely gazing from an elevated terrace, this is truly a feast for the senses.
Chapman’s Peak Drive, South Africa
Chapman’s Peak Drive is often referred to as one of the most spectacular marine drives anywhere in the world, hugging the cliffs of Chapman’s Peak on the western side of the Cape Peninsula.
It’s a pretty short drive, just over 5 miles, but full of beauty. You will wind along-the road curling in and around-great views of the ocean: waves crashing against the rocks below, mountains majestically arising behind you. There are several viewpoints that allow one to stop to take in the view or get that perfect photo.
This is particularly stunning at sunset, when the setting sun reflects a golden hue on the landscape. If you are a nature lover or photographer, or someone who enjoys a fine view Chapman’s Peak Drive is something you should try to cover when visiting South Africa.
The Atlantic Road, Norway
One of the more unusual and dramatic drives, the drive along Norway’s Atlantic Road is a pretty combination of natural beauty and remarkable engineering. This 5.2-mile stretch connects a series of small islands and islets with a network of bridges to create a route seemingly dancing across the ocean.
The Atlantic Road is where some of the most dramatic views in Norway are found, with the sea on one side and the coastline on the other. The highly long curves and steep inclines of the road also make it highly famous; this route indeed is a darling of drivers.
Most dramatic of these is the dramatically curved Storseisundet Bridge, which gives the optical illusion of a “roller coaster” road.
This drive is an immediate favorite with photographers because of the mix of sea, sky, and rugged terrain. In fact, this forms the perfect canvas on which one can capture the true beauty of Norway. Be it summer when the landscape is at its green and lush best or winter when the trees are laden with snow to create a different appeal-this is a drive which will leave the most lasting impression in your memory.
How Our Team Came Up with These Ideas
Mixing a passion for travel with a love of the open road, here are our picks for the best scenic coastal drives.
Everyone in our team has his or her way of traveling, and such variety lets us bring different kinds of input to the table. From solo road trips to family vacations, we have traveled literally countless routes around the world, always in search of that perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and natural beauty.
We spent hours over various stories, researching destinations, and debating which drives stood out as best of the best. The result of our combined experiences and urge to let fellow travel enthusiasts in on just a little bit of magic in these coastal drives is herein.
These are panoramic drives along coasts anywhere in the world, offering an unparalleled experience in their beauty. Be it a serene retreat by the sea, an adventure through rugged terrain, or even a drive down history and culture, these drives promise something to all. So pack your bags, hit the road, and let the journey begin-these are coastal drives just begging to be explored.
The best part of these drives is not the visible landscapes but the journey they offer. Every turn unfolds a new wonder, unique to that particular journey.
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