TUI Cars European Road Trip Contest 2025: The Ultimate Showdown of Europe’s Top Destinations

Ready, set, go! In the TUI Cars European Road Trip Contest, Europe’s most exciting road trip destinations go head-to-head for the crown. Inspired by the Eurovision Song Contest, we’ve ranked each destination based on how popular it is among travellers, using Google search data to assign points from each country. 

Just like in Eurovision, each destination receives points depending on how often people in other countries search for road trips there. The result? A unique, cross-country contest to find out which destination will become the TUI Cars European Road Trip Champion!

Curious to see which country has taken the top spot and which destinations should be at the top of your list for your next trip? Join us to find out who wins the 12 points!

Looking for your next unforgettable road trip adventure? The TUI Cars European Road Trip Contest reveals which countries are the real road trip favourites - and which other European countries gave them the most points. 

In our final ranking, you'll see which countries secured spots on the winner's podium and absolutely can’t be missed. Spoiler alert: It's a very close race!

Our top 10 destinations gave their all in the competition, fighting hard for their spots. Here are the five most popular European road trip destinations and what makes them so special:

1. Portugal (198 points): Portugal takes the trophy, dazzling with stunning beaches, lush nature, and charming cities!
2. Scotland (196 points): Just two points behind Portugal, Scotland claims second place. The dramatic beauty of the Highlands and its mystical atmosphere make Scotland a true road trip gem.
3. Italy (193 points): A mix of impressive landscapes, historic cities, and unforgettable coastland roads propels Italy to third place.
4. Norway (185 points): Norway secures 4th place, impressing with its spectacular fjords and picturesque natural landscapes, turning every road trip into an adventure.
5. Ireland (157 points): Ireland takes 5th place with its blend of green beauty, historic castles, and unmatched hospitality – the perfect place for a relaxed road trip.

The rest of the top ten is just as impressive:

• Iceland gets 6th place with 113 points for its unique natural landscapes. 
• France ranks 7th with 104 points with classic charm and variety.
• Croatia takes 8th place with 82 points, thanks to its stunning Adriatic coastline and historic towns. 
• Slovenia (67 points) secures 9th place and is a true hidden gem for nature lovers (think Triglav National Park).
• Wales completes the Top 10 with 59 points, impressing with its rugged coastlines and impressive national parks like Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons.

The winners may have been crowned, but who are the true all-rounders - the destinations that scored points from nearly every country? We’ve taken a closer look at which countries were most frequently searched in connection with road trips. Meet the true crowd favourites – “Everybody’s Darlings”.

First place is shared by four countries: Ireland, Norway, Portugal, and Scotland, each earning points from all of the countries in the contest (except their own) and thus gaining 23 points. This means that travellers across Europe are making searches for these four destinations. 

Interestingly, Ireland, despite earning votes from everyone, only finished fifth overall. Meanwhile, Italy, which didn’t rank as consistently, still made it to third place.

Other surprises? Switzerland and Sweden also ranked among the ten most searched-for destinations, although they finished 11th and 12th overall.

It’s one thing to score points, but which countries earned the highest number of 12-point scores?

Portugal stole the show again, earning the maximum 12 points an incredible 11 times – a performance worthy of the trophy!

Scotland followed with 7 lots of 12 points, and Slovenia came in with 4 lots of 12 points – a surprising twist considering its 9th place overall. In this category, Slovenia even outranks Italy, Norway, and Ireland.

The United Kingdom’s performance shows that road trip variety is its strong suit. Two of its four nations – Scotland (2nd) and Wales (10th) – secured places in the top 10. England (15th) and Northern Ireland (18th) also made it into the top 20.

From the wild beauty of the Scottish Highlands, to the dramatic Welsh coastline, to the history-rich landscapes of England and Northern Ireland, the UK offers four distinct adventures in one country – the ultimate road trip combo!