Top 8 'Forgotten-Empire' Road Trips to visit in Europe for Tracing Ancient Roman Roads - Goh Ling Yong
There’s a certain magic to the phrase, "All roads lead to Rome." It’s more than just a saying; it’s a testament to one of history’s greatest engineering feats. The Roman Empire, at its zenith, was connected by over 400,000 kilometers of roads, with more than 80,000 kilometers of them being stone-paved superhighways of their time. These weren't just paths; they were the arteries of an empire, carrying legions, trade, ideas, and culture from the misty shores of Britain to the sun-scorched deserts of Syria.
Today, while motorways and high-speed trains have replaced them as our primary routes, the ghosts of these ancient roads linger. They hide in plain sight as modern highways, whisper through quiet country lanes, and lie exposed as magnificent stone-paved tracks in archaeological parks. For the modern traveler, tracing these routes is the ultimate road trip—a journey not just across a map, but through time itself. Here at the Goh Ling Yong blog, we believe travel should be about connecting with the stories of a place, and what better story is there than that of a forgotten empire?
So, fill up the tank, grab your best playlist, and prepare to follow in the footsteps of centurions and merchants. We’ve curated the top 8 'forgotten-empire' road trips that let you trace the path of ancient Roman roads across Europe, blending breathtaking scenery with a profound sense of history.
1. The Queen of Roads: Via Appia Antica, Italy
The Via Appia, or the Appian Way, is the superstar of Roman roads. Commissioned in 312 BC, it was the first and most important of the great Roman highways, connecting Rome to the southern port of Brindisi. To drive or walk its path is to travel along the very spine of Roman history. It witnessed the march of legions, the rattling of supply carts, and was famously lined with the crucified followers of Spartacus after his slave revolt was crushed.
Your journey begins just outside the Aurelian Walls of Rome, where the Via Appia Antica is now a regional park. The first stretch is an atmospheric marvel, lined with towering cypress trees, crumbling ancient tombs, catacombs, and sections of the original, chariot-grooved paving stones. Driving this part is restricted on Sundays, making it a perfect day to rent a bike and explore at a slower pace. As you head south, the ancient road often merges with the modern SS7 highway. The route takes you through the Alban Hills, past ancient towns like Terracina with its Temple of Jupiter Anxur, and across the Pontine Marshes, a testament to Roman drainage engineering.
- Pro-Tip: Don't miss the Parco degli Acquedotti near Rome, where colossal Roman aqueducts crisscross the landscape. Further south, make a detour to the incredible Roman amphitheater at Capua (modern Santa Maria Capua Vetere), where Spartacus first launched his rebellion. This road trip is less about speed and more about frequent stops to soak in the unparalleled history.
2. Across the Alps and into Gaul: Via Domitia, France
Before Caesar’s famous conquest, the Romans established a foothold in what is now the south of France. To connect their new territories to Italy and Spain, they built the Via Domitia in 118 BC. This road trip is a journey through the heart of Provence, a region where the Roman legacy is as potent as the scent of lavender in the air. The route is a feast for the senses, weaving through vineyards, olive groves, and some of France's most beautiful towns.
Start your adventure in Briançon, the highest city in France, near the Italian border. From there, the route descends through the stunning Durance Valley. Key stops include Gap, Sisteron with its imposing citadel, and Apt, in the heart of the Luberon. The real Roman highlights, however, are further south. You’ll be captivated by Nîmes, often called the "French Rome," with its astonishingly well-preserved amphitheater and the Maison Carrée temple. A short drive away is the Pont du Gard, a three-tiered aqueduct that is one of the most spectacular Roman structures still standing anywhere in the world.
- Pro-Tip: The Via Domitia is marked in the centers of many towns like Narbonne and Nîmes with special bronze medallions embedded in the pavement. Look down as you walk! Combine your historical tour with culinary exploration—the route is littered with fantastic markets and wineries.
3. The Backbone of Britannia: Dere Street & Stanegate, UK
Roman Britain was a wild, northern frontier. To control it, the Romans built a network of dead-straight roads that sliced through the landscape with military precision. A road trip tracing these routes takes you from the heart of Roman England to its most famous, and formidable, border: Hadrian’s Wall. This journey is a dramatic ride through rolling green hills, rugged moorland, and layers of British history.
Begin in the Roman city of Eboracum, now modern-day York, and explore its Roman roots before heading north along the A1, which roughly follows the path of Dere Street. This was the main supply route for the northern garrisons. Your destination is the area around Hadrian’s Wall. Here, you can drive along the B6318, also known as the Military Road, which runs parallel to the wall and was built using its stones in the 18th century. But the real prize is tracing the Stanegate, the original frontier road that pre-dates the wall. It connects the key forts of Corbridge and Vindolanda.
- Pro-Tip: Vindolanda is an absolute must-see. The ongoing excavations have unearthed incredible artifacts, including the famous Vindolanda tablets—thin wooden postcards that offer an intimate glimpse into the daily lives of Roman soldiers. Wear sturdy walking shoes, as the best way to experience Hadrian’s Wall is to park the car and walk a section of it, imagining the sentries who stood watch over the empire's edge.
4. The Sun-Kissed Imperial Highway: Via Augusta, Spain
The longest Roman road in Hispania, the Via Augusta, stretched over 1,500 kilometers from the Pyrenees down the Mediterranean coast to Cádiz. It was the main axis of the Iberian Peninsula, connecting its most important cities and ports. Today, a road trip along its path is a journey through Spain's rich tapestry of history, from Roman ruins to Moorish palaces and vibrant modern cities, all under the brilliant Spanish sun.
You can pick up the route near Girona, after crossing the French border. Your first major Roman stop should be Tarragona, the former capital of Roman Hispania. Its seaside amphitheater, forum, and circus ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage site and utterly breathtaking. As you drive south, the modern AP-7 motorway often follows the ancient route. Stop in Sagunto to see its Roman theater and climb the hill to its ancient fortress. Further down, you’ll reach Mérida, the capital of Lusitania province and perhaps Spain's most impressive Roman site, with a stunningly preserved theater, bridge, and aqueducts.
- Pro-Tip: While much of the Via Augusta is under modern roads, look for the surviving Roman milestones and archways, like the Arc de Berà near Tarragona. This route is perfect for a longer trip, allowing you to blend days exploring Roman ruins with days relaxing on the beautiful beaches of the Costa Daurada and Costa Blanca.
5. Along the Rhine Frontier: The Limes Germanicus, Germany
The Roman frontier in Germany wasn't a single wall but a deep, fortified zone known as the Limes Germanicus. It followed the great rivers of the Rhine and the Danube. A road trip here is a journey through dense forests, fairytale castles, and charming wine-making villages, all shadowed by the memory of the constant tension between the Roman Empire and the Germanic tribes across the river.
A great place to start is near Koblenz, where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet. From there, follow the Rhine south. The route is dotted with towns that began as Roman forts, such as Boppard, Mainz (Mogontiacum), and Worms. In Mainz, the Museum of Ancient Seafaring has full-scale reconstructions of Roman patrol ships found in the river mud. As you continue, you can visit reconstructed watchtowers and sections of the palisade in places like the Saalburg Roman Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The route ends near Regensburg on the Danube, a city founded by Marcus Aurelius.
- Pro-Tip: This road trip is perfect for lovers of wine. The Romans first brought viticulture to the steep slopes of the Rhine and Moselle valleys. Many of the riverside towns have fantastic wineries where you can sample Rieslings whose heritage stretches back two millennia. I, Goh Ling Yong, find this blend of ancient history and local culture to be the essence of meaningful travel.
6. The Great East-West Connector: Via Egnatia, The Balkans
For the truly adventurous history buff, the Via Egnatia is the ultimate prize. This road was a massive undertaking, built in the 2nd century BC to connect Rome’s Adriatic ports with Byzantium (later Constantinople). It was the first Roman road built east of Italy and served as a vital military and commercial artery for centuries. Tracing its path takes you through a part of Europe that is less traveled but incredibly rich in history and spectacular mountain scenery.
Begin your journey in Durrës, Albania, the ancient port of Dyrrachium. From there, the road cuts east across the rugged mountains of Albania and North Macedonia. You’ll pass Lake Ohrid, one of Europe's oldest and deepest lakes, and the city of Bitola (ancient Heraclea Lyncestis), which has beautiful Roman mosaics. The route then enters Greece, heading towards Thessaloniki (Thessalonica), a major Roman city. From there, it continues across northern Greece to the Turkish border. You can still find well-preserved sections of the original stone road in many places, often signposted for hikers.
- Pro-Tip: This trip requires more planning than others. You’ll be crossing multiple borders, so check visa requirements and car rental agreements. The infrastructure is more variable, but the rewards—from the hospitality to the raw, untouched historical sites—are immense. This is a true 'forgotten-empire' adventure.
7. The Western Edge: Roman Roads of Lusitania, Portugal
While often overshadowed by its Spanish neighbor, Portugal was the Roman province of Lusitania and possesses a treasure trove of Roman history. A road trip here is more about connecting the dots between major Roman settlements than following a single named road. It’s a journey through cork forests, rolling plains, and historic cities where the Roman past feels just below the surface.
A perfect starting point is Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage city in the Alentejo region. Its centerpiece is the stunningly preserved Roman Temple, often called the Temple of Diana. From Évora, drive north to the sprawling ruins of Conímbriga, near Coimbra. This is one of the largest Roman settlements excavated in Portugal, famous for its intricate and colorful floor mosaics depicting mythological scenes. Don’t forget to visit the Roman Cryptoporticus in Lisbon, a network of underground galleries beneath the city streets that you can visit on select days.
- Pro-Tip: Combine history with gastronomy. The Alentejo region is the heartland of Portuguese cuisine. After a morning exploring the Roman ruins in Évora, enjoy a long lunch of black pork and local red wine. This slower pace of travel allows the deep history of the region to truly sink in.
8. Gateway to the East: Following the Legions in Anatolia, Turkey
Anatolia was one of the wealthiest and most important regions of the Roman Empire, and its network of roads was second to none. A road trip here is an epic adventure through a landscape littered with the ruins of some of antiquity's greatest cities. The scale of the Roman presence in modern-day Turkey is simply staggering.
Base yourself near Izmir (ancient Smyrna) and start with the crown jewel: Ephesus. Walking down the Marble Street to the Library of Celsus is an experience that transports you directly back to the 1st century AD. From Ephesus, you can follow ancient routes inland towards Pamukkale (ancient Hierapolis), where you can explore the Greco-Roman city and bathe in the famous thermal travertine pools, just as the Romans did. Another fantastic route is along the Lycian coast, connecting Roman sites like Patara, with its restored lighthouse, and Myra, with its rock-cut tombs and Roman theater.
- Pro-Tip: Renting a car in Turkey is straightforward and gives you the freedom to explore remote sites that tour buses miss. Be prepared for hot weather in the summer. Always carry plenty of water, and start your explorations early in the morning to avoid the midday heat.
Your Own Journey Through Time
These roads are more than just asphalt and stone; they are the enduring legacy of an empire that shaped the Western world. To travel them is to understand how landscapes were conquered, cultures were connected, and history was written. Each route offers a unique window into the Roman world, from the heart of the empire to its most distant and wild frontiers.
So, which road is calling your name? Are you ready to sip wine along the Rhine, trace the path of Spartacus on the Appian Way, or stand watch on Hadrian’s Wall?
Leave a comment below and tell us which of these ancient Roman road trips you're adding to your travel bucket list! And if you found this guide inspiring, please share it with a fellow history-loving traveler.
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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