The 5 Most Spectacular Coastal Drives on Earth

Each of these five breathtaking coastal road trips deserves a place on your travel bucket list. Choose at least one for a future journey and experience the scenery for yourself.

Choosing the order was surprisingly difficult. Everyone agreed on the number-one destination, but the remaining positions were not decided unanimously. The best way to judge them is to visit these places yourself and decide which one deserves the top spot.

1) Amalfi Coast, Italy

The Amalfi Coast is among the most thrilling coastal drives, particularly because of its narrow roads, dramatic turns, and famously unpredictable Italian traffic.

For travelers who would rather not drive, buses provide another option, although the ride can be an adventure of its own. The buses swing sharply around tight bends, and passengers may find themselves gripping their seats and hoping the vehicle stays safely on the road above the sea.

So what makes this coastal route stand out above the others?

The Amalfi Coast may be less rugged and wild than the other drives on this list, but its combination of spectacular cliffs, olive and lemon groves, intensely blue water, and medieval villages appearing around almost every corner makes it exceptionally difficult to beat. The scenery changes constantly as the road winds along the coast, creating one unforgettable view after another.

2) Cape Town to Cape Point via Chapman's Peak Drive, South Africa

This route can be thought of as a wilder counterpart to the Amalfi Coast. The opening section passes through the affluent neighborhoods of Clifton and Camp's Bay, creating scenery that has some similarities to the Italian coast. The major difference is the age of the architecture, with some buildings here being around 200 years old compared with structures that are roughly 900 years old along the Amalfi Coast.

The beaches, however, are arguably more impressive. Clifton is considered one of the world's top beaches, while Camp's Bay Beach is equally striking. The Twelve Apostles rise dramatically behind the shoreline like enormous guardians, while palm trees line the promenade and the bright white beach stretches along the water.

The most famous portion of the journey is Chapman's Peak Drive. Along this spectacular section, the Atlantic Ocean pounds against enormous cliffs that drop almost vertically toward the water. Baboons move among the rocks above the road, and whales can frequently be spotted offshore.

Driving this section can be an extraordinary experience, especially when rounding a bend and suddenly seeing Noordhoek Beach far below. Racehorses train along the enormous stretch of white sand, appearing from above as tiny dark figures against the vast shoreline.

The final section toward Cape Point passes through a nature reserve where zebras, ostriches, and antelope wander freely, while seals rest along the beaches. At the end of the road, the landscape gives the impression of reaching the very edge of Africa.

Looking south toward Antarctica while watching the powerful waters of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet creates a genuine feeling of being at the end of the world. Nearby Boulders Beach, where penguins can be seen resting in the warm sunshine, adds even more to that impression.

A good way to experience the route is to begin in Sea Point in Cape Town and follow the coastline from there.

3) Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland

Almost everything about traveling through Ireland has a sense of enjoyment and adventure. The Irish are known for maintaining a cheerful outlook, and even frequent rain rarely seems to prevent people from getting outside and enjoying life.

That same attitude is useful when traveling along the Wild Atlantic Way. Rather than worrying about the weather, accept whatever conditions arrive and enjoy the scenery. Whether the sky is clear or, as is often the case, wet and cloudy, the landscape remains impressive. The vivid green countryside, slate-colored Atlantic waters, and expansive coastal views are all part of the experience.

The Wild Atlantic Way is the longest route featured here. Completing the entire journey involves more than 1,500 miles of driving. Rather than attempting the entire route, it can be more practical to concentrate on shorter sections.

The approximately 100-mile Ring of Kerry is one option, while the less heavily visited Beara Peninsula offers another excellent section of Ireland's western coastline.

4) Great Ocean Road, Australia

It is interesting that two of the coastal drives on this list feature rock formations known as the Twelve Apostles. The other example appears along the Cape Town route.

The Twelve Apostles are the best-known attraction along Australia's Great Ocean Road, even though there are no longer twelve of these formations. Only eight remain today because the others have gradually been eroded and eventually collapsed into the sea.

The surviving limestone stacks are still spectacular, rising dramatically from the ocean like enormous sentinels. Early morning provides particularly beautiful light for viewing them, so arriving very early is worthwhile. If an early start is not possible, sunset is another excellent time to see the formations.

The Twelve Apostles are only one part of the Great Ocean Road experience. The approximately 150-mile route passes through a remarkable variety of landscapes, including beaches, volcanic plains, forests, and waterfalls.

The road has unfortunately faced several problems with landslides in recent years, resulting in lengthy closures at different times. Although the route is currently open, travelers should check current conditions before setting out.

5) Big Sur, California, USA

Big Sur represents one of the remaining untamed stretches of California's coastline. The area combines fresh ocean air, enormous coastal views, rugged scenery, and secluded coves into an unforgettable road-trip experience.

Traveling north from Los Angeles along Highway 1 takes you through roughly 250 miles of changing scenery before arriving in a landscape that feels completely different from the city.

Big Sur becomes particularly magical when coastal fog rolls inland from the Pacific, as it frequently does. The mist can temporarily hide the dramatic scenery before the landscape suddenly emerges again under bright sunlight. This constant transformation makes the journey especially memorable.

Offshore whales and sea lions along the beaches provide another connection with the Cape Town route, and the two destinations share some similarities in their dramatic coastal landscapes. Both offer spectacular ocean views and abundant wildlife along the journey.