Did you know that there is a road, the European Route E75, that connects the south of Greece with Lapland in northern Finland?
Imagine taking a car journey from the sun-drenched beaches of Greece to the snow-capped wilderness and magic of Lapland. This may seem like a dream, but it is achievable due to the European Route E75, a 4,380-kilometer (2,722 miles) route connecting some of Europe’s most diverse landscapes and civilizations.
European Route E75: From sunny Crete to snowy Lapland
The E75 begins its journey in the scenic village of Sitia on the eastern coast of Crete, Greece’s largest island. Crete, known for its magnificent beaches, ancient ruins, and great cuisine, is a favorite destination for visitors from all over Europe and the world.
From here, the route continues through the Greek mainland, passing through famous towns such as Athens and Thessaloniki. Obviously, you will need to hop on a ferry boat, one of the many that connects Crete’s port cities with Piraeus and other ports of mainland Greece.
As the E75 leaves Central Macedonia in northern Greece and reaches the republic of North Macedonia, Serbia, and Hungary, tourists see an interesting blend of Balkan and Central European landscapes, while exiting and entering the EU twice.
The road travels through vibrant cities such as Skopje, Belgrade, and Budapest, each with its own distinct and fascinating history, architecture, and culinary traditions
Continuing north, the E75 passes through three more EU member states: Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Poland, following the path of the magnificent Danube River for a significant part of the journey.
Travelers of this fascinating route can discover lovely medieval towns, walk the Carpathian Mountains, or visit world-class museums and galleries in cities such as Bratislava, Prague, and Warsaw.
Crossing the Baltic Sea
After leaving Poland, the E75 continues on to Finland, where the environment changes considerably. To proceed to Finland, you will need to hop on the second ferry route of this road, the one that connects Gdansk with Helsinki.
Alternatively, you can exit the European Route E75 and travel by car to the Baltics. You can go from Piotrków Trybunalski in Poland to Tallinn in Estonia via the European route E67 and then take the ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki, re-entering the European Route E75.
As you approach the Arctic Circle traveling north in Finland, the road takes you through deep forests, pristine lakes, and rocky wilderness. Along the route, visitors can see reindeer, visit Santa’s Village in Rovaniemi, and even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights during Finland’s long winter nights.
The E75 route actually ends in Vardø, Norway, a rural village on the Barents Sea right above the Finnish Lapland. This is the northernmost point on the European road network, making it a great adventure destination for anyone looking to explore the natural beauty of the Arctic.
Traveling the entire length of the E75 is an amazing adventure that few people dare to take on. Nonetheless, exploring even a small part of this incredible roadway could be extremely memorable and certainly a lifetime experience.
