Best Car Rental Destinations in Europe for summer 2022
If you’re looking to travel Europe this summer, renting a car is one of the best ways to explore. Renting a car gives you the freedom and flexibility to go where you want at your own pace and it’s also often cheaper than taking public transportation or paying for taxis.
This summer we’ve put together our list of the top 10 most popular car rental destinations in Europe – chosen by users – along with some tips on what they recommend seeing and doing there:
Amsterdam, Netherlands (Trip Advisor) with its quaint canals, amazing museums and architecture, narrow houses, bustling markets and picturesque parks, Amsterdam is known for its artistic heritage. Famous paintings by Rembrandt are among the must-sees here.
Amsterdam is also one of the best destinations in Europe to go cycling with over 800 km of dedicated cycle paths making it safe and easy to explore on two wheels. If you don’t have your own bike there are many places to rent them so getting around this way is another great option.
Most popular points of interest:
Anne Frank House –
Of course, top on most people’s list when visiting Amsterdam has to be Anne Frank’s house where she hid with her family from Nazi persecution during World War II until being betrayed and sent to concentration camps in 1944. This small, but moving museum is the most-visited one in Amsterdam and worth a visit if you can.
Rijksmuseum –
This world-famous museum is the best place to see renowned Dutch masters including Rembrandt, Vermeer and van Gogh’s works. The building itself which was build as an Orangery in the 19th century is beautiful inside too. With wonderful marble floors and skylights bringing natural light into the galleries. It reopened after an extensive restoration project last year following 10 years of closure.
Rembrandtplein –
There are many places to explore in Amsterdam, but few are as lively as this square at night when thousands of people head here for bars, clubs and restaurants or just to hang out, relax and watch street performers. There’s also a great statue of Rembrandt here (the square is named after him) which you can often find buskers posing for photos with like this one – well worth a visit if you want to get up close and personal with some local street artists too!
France (Trip Advisor) From the French Riviera in the south to Normandy and Brittany in the north and Paris situated somewhere in between, France has something for everyone making it one of our top destinations this year. Whether you’re looking to relax by the seaside or discover its rich cultural heritage, there are so many reasons why France is a perfect destination for your summer break. The country’s long coastlines also make it a top destination to rent a car and explore – particularly if you’re looking to enjoy the outdoors and spend time on the beach.
Best places to visit:
Île-de-France –
This is actually a region within France rather than a single city or town, but this list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Paris which is probably the most visited place in Europe for tourists every year. The French capital is home to world-famous attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame as well as many other wonderful museums such as the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay. Of course there are also great areas like Montmartre, Le Marais and Le Quartier Latin to explore too.
Côte d’Azur –
This beautiful stretch of the Mediterranean on France’s south coast is world-famous for its clear blue waters, sandy beaches and luxurious yachts (the small port of Saint Tropez one of the most well-known). It’s also a great destination to rent a car and get around by motor home or campervan with some popular spots like Cannes, Nice and Monaco all easily accessible from here by public transport or car. Just be aware that some roads can get crowd in summer!
Brittany –
France’s westernmost region stretching from Mont St Michel down to Mont-Saint-Michel Bay is an area. Full of rugged cliffs, picturesque towns and un spoilt beaches – perfect for those who love the outdoors and want to explore nature. It’s also where you’ll find France’s most popular cider too. So if that’s your tipple of choice then it would certainly be worth a visit!
Conclusion:
France is an ideal destination for anyone who wants to discover some of Europe’s best-known cities. Or explore magnificent scenery, but it’s also one where you can slow down and relax too. Whether you visit the Alps in the winter to go skiing or head here in summer. There are many reasons why France should be your number one choice this year!