euro trip from berlin

15 Coolest Day Trips from Berlin in 2024

Who else is guilty of making the same New Years Resolutions every year? My resolutions come down to just a few things in essence: try to like running, consume less cheese, and finally become a grown-up. The fact that none of these things seem to ever happen is somehow reassuring (#foreveryoung).

This year I did try another resolution though: travel more within Germany .

For the past three years I’ve been feasting on this European buffet of fantastic countries, going to every place I had ever imagined. I’ve hit the big ones: France, Spain, Italy, England. I’ve hit some smaller ones too: Croatia, Denmark, Czech Republic. But the number of cities I’ve been to in Germany? I could count those on one lonely hand.

Luckily for anyone coming to Berlin and perusing this list, I didn’t get too ambitious with my Germany travel and instead have a bunch of amazing day trips from Berlin – most of which are within 2-3 hours of the city where you can go to unwind and take a break from the pervasive smell of Döner kebap.

You’ll find both Berlin excursions that get you into nature, as well as cities close to Berlin you can just enjoy for a different pace. I absolutely recommend adding a few day trips to your Berlin itinerary .

Are you sold? Let’s get started.

Best Berlin day trips

The easiest way to reach all of these places is by renting a car. Driving in Germany is much more straightforward than a lot of other European countries.

If you’re able to drive in Germany, I highly recommend DiscoverCars as someone who takes a lot of road trips in Europe.

Without further ado, here are the absolute best Berlin day trips I personally recommend, based on my experience living in the city for nearly 7 years.

1. Potsdam and Sanssouci Palace (The Versailles of Germany)

• Distance: 36 kilometers (22 miles)
• Travel time: 1 hour each way
• Reach by: Tour or public transit

Potsdam is a posh town right outside of Berlin, charming and worth strolling through, however the main draw is undoubtedly the Schloss Sanssouci (Sanssouci Palace).

If you’ve been to Versailles during a trip to Paris, you might notice some similarities right away. Sanssouci has large, dedicated gardens, as well as smaller buildings along the grounds that you can go up into. The interior isn’t as vast, but the design of the palace rooms is just as elaborate and showy.

A stop in Potsdam and Sanssouci is easily the most popular Berlin day trip for first-time visitors to the city, and for a good reason. It’s beautiful, affordable, and easy to reach.

Especially if you’ve been to Versailles you’ll appreciate when I say this: comparatively few tourists visit Sanssouci. You don’t have to push your way through to see everything or fight people for a photo. Instead, it’s possible to just walk through, do some reading, and learn some history!

That said, buying tickets in advance is highly recommend during the high Summer tourism season to avoid waiting in a long line. Tips on that below.

How to reach Potsdam from Berlin

To reach Potsdam, take the S-Bahn (S7) to the Potsdam Hauptbahnhof (Postdam Main Station). Directly in front of the stations are busses that will connect you to the palace.

But as with most historical areas, it can be 10x more interesting when you have someone to explain the history to you. Personally, I’m so much more likely to actually remember things from a tour as opposed to passively reading signs inside the palace. This particular Potsdam + Sanssouci tour includes an English-speaking guide, tickets to the palace, and 1,000+ positive reviews.

2. Harz Mountains

• Distance: 239 kilometers to Wernigerode (142 miles)
• Travel time: 2.5 hours each way
• Reach by: Car

Germany’s Harz Mountains is a stunning forest region located 2.5-3 hours west of Berlin. Here you’ll find some of the best-preserved medieval towns in the entire country. But if you love nature, then waterfalls, forest hikes, traditional German food, and blissfully poor cell phone reception all await you in Harz .

But there’s something even more incredible about Harz you might not expect…

The absolute lack of foreign tourists. German travelers flock to Harz to get a taste of traditional Germany, see famous locations from Goethe’s Faust , and to fulfill the stereotype of being obsessed with hiking.

But apart from a healthy dose of Danes, Harz has completely flown under the international tourism radar. Which is a little surprising given how Instagram-worthy its towns full of Fachwerkhäuser (half-timbered houses) are.

Take, for example, a look at this sinister-looking Rathaus (town hall) in Wernigerode .

We spent an entire week in Harz and still ran out of time to do everything. In a leisurely day trip, you could definitely make it to Wernigerode to see the town hall (above), hike to the castle (first photo), and visit a traditional brewery. If you wake up early with a car, you could probably also add Goslar and Quedlinburg to your trip and visit all three major in a super packed day.

Read my dedicated Harz Mountains guide for details on the Harz National Park, the best towns to visit, where to stay in Harz, and how to extend your trip for a week or weekend.

The Harz Mountains in Germany are a gorgeous highland area famous for forests, medieval towns, and witches of yore. Find out the best things to in Harz in this detailed travel guide.

How to get to Harz from Berlin

It’s best and fastest to get to Harz by car, which will shave 45 minutes off your arrival and departure trips. Plus, trains and busses in this region leave infrequently so this gives you much more flexibility.

It is possible to reach some of the main towns in Harz like Wernigerode , Goslar , and Quedlinburg by train in roughly 3 hours.

3. Saxon Switzerland

• Distance: 230 kilometers (142 miles)
• Travel time: 3 hours each way

Saxon Switzerland is a stunning national park and hilly region near the Elbe Valley, located about 230 kilometers southeast of Berlin. It’s one of the most beautiful places in East Germany, especially overlooking the Bastion Bridge ( Basteibrücke , shown above).

From Saxon Switzerland, you can also get sweeping views of the River Elbe . The most popular things to do in Saxon Switzerland include hiking, climbing, cycling, and visiting rock formations and vantage points beloved by landscape photographers. Perfect for either a single day or a weekend escape.

If you want to experience nature in Germany and take a break from the city, this is the best day trip from Berlin I can recommend to you. Here’s how to get there from Berlin.

How to reach Saxon Switzerland from Berlin

Reaching Saxon Switzerland from Berlin takes about 3 hours of travel each way, and is best done by car. Again, my recommended car rental company for Europe roadtrips is DiscoverCars .

Since Saxon Switzerland is a popular day trip for Berlin locals (especially during school holidays and weekends) visit during the week when possible.

4. Spreewald

• Distance: 100 kilometers (62 miles)
• Travel time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Reach by: Car or train

Spreewald is a UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve located just 100 kilometers outside of Berlin in the state of Brandenburg. It features over 200 canals you can navigate by kayak, canoe, or a traditional punting boat (called Spreewaldkahn ) for a total of 276 kilometers.

Besides being able to paddle around, you’ll also get a glimpse into the traditional Sorbian village of Lehde . This region was originally settled by the Sorbs and Wends, who came here over 1,400 years ago from the Carpathian mountains. In fact, the word “Berlin” originally comes from the Slavic word for “swamp”!

Spreewald is a gorgeous day trip from Berlin in any season, but Summer and Autumn are especially beautiful. It’s also a great example of local tourism, as you’ll find very few other foreigners here.

How to reach Spreewald from Berlin

The most efficient way to reach Spreewald from Berlin is by renting a car. Again, DiscoverCars is my go-to. Otherwise, it is possible to reach Spreewald by train from Berlin by disembarking at the Lübbenau/Spreewald stop.

Read my dedicated guide to Spreewald, Germany for more details on visiting this gorgeous forest in Brandenburg, and things to do in the area.

• Distance: 55 kilometers (34 miles)
• Travel time: 1 hour by car or train

Are you into so-called “Dark Tourism”? Beelitz is a former Sanatorium, now completely dilapidated and overgrown with trees. Today, you can walk through the canopy on a treetop walk, called the Beelitz Baumkronenpfad (“Beelitz Canopy Path”).

Some say the hospital ruins are haunted, and when you take a tour through the parts of it that are still accessible, you might get an idea why. It was originally built to treat tuberculosis patients en mass , before being repurposed as a military hospital to treat Nazis during World War II and Soviet soldiers until the 1990s. You can go inside some parts of the former hospital today on a guided tour:

Most famously, some World War II-era scenes from The Pianist were shot at Beelitz. It was also featured in a Rammstein music video. If you like visiting abandoned places and learning about their history — or just think the treetop walk looks awesome — make your way to Beelitz.

How to reach Beelitz Sanatorium

The easiest way to reach Beelitz is by car, and takes just one hour of driving. There’s a lot of parking at Beelitz, as the Sanatorium and Treetop Walk has been converted into a proper attraction with tours (including in English) and food stalls. Car is how we reached Beelitz ourselves.

It’s also possible to reach Beelitz by train, as there is a train station right at Beelitz-Heilstätten . From Alexanderplatz, it takes about 1 hour to get there.

• Distance: 190 kilometers (118 miles)
• Travel time: 90 minutes by express train, 2.5 hours by car
• Best reached by: Car or train, but bus is also possible

Looking for an off-beat city trip? Leipzig is your answer. Just a 90-minute train ride from Berlin, and you’re in a place that the New York Times won’t stop calling “The New Berlin”.

As someone who used to live in Leipzig, I disagree. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a great city.

Leipzig is hip, it’s cheap, and it’s a little bit like what Berlin must’ve been like 15-20 years ago. Leipzig used to be one of the biggest cities in East Germany before the wall came down, but saw a mass exodus of people when the country was reunited. That’s why real estate prices are low, there are a lot of abandoned buildings, and the city has struggled to recover to its former glory.

That said, Leipzig has a lot to offer in a small, concentrated package, so it makes for a wonderful Berlin day trip.

What makes Leipzig unique? Leipzig, in some ways, is like a time capsule. Although the city is modernizing, demolishing, and rebuilding, the city’s architecture is distinctly East German. Combine that with the youth and university culture, Leipzig is a place where you can have a good time on little money without having to go far.

Best things to do in Leipzig

Of course I have to turn this into a blog post at some point, but here’s a quick rundown of the things I would say are essential for having a city trip in Leipzig.

• Visit the Christmas market – Leipzig has one of the most charming Christmas markets I’ve ever visited, and it happens right in the middle of the car-free city center.
• Go for a walk through Clara-Zetkin Park – If you look on a map, you might be shocked to see exactly what the relative size of this park is to the rest of the city. In the summer, people gather on the Sachsenbrücke to drink beer al fresco and create live music.
• Check if you’re in town for the Bier Börse , an annual beer festival. You’ll get to try a variety of German beers (and beers from the Czech Republic, Belgium, pretty much anywhere in Europe that’s known for beer).
• Take a walk through the city center and absorb the main sights : Augustusplatz, Leipzig Opera, Thomaskirche (where Bach is NOT buried, but they say he is). There’s a local brewery near the Thomaskirche which always has a different seasonal beer on tap.
• Spend an afternoon in trendy Plagwitz, a neighborhood west of the center. Here you’ll find the Baumwollespinnerei , a former textile factory turned into art exhibits. There’s a lovely beer garden, as well as an fabulous art store (where only university students and “unknowing tourists” can shop), great for gifts.
• Visit the Völkerschlachtdenkmal (Monument to the Battle of Nations), which is pictured above. It celebrates the fact that Napoleon was defeated at Leipzig in a big way. Fun fact: This is where the Backstreet Boys performed when they visited Leipzig.
• Go for a beer my favorite beer garden in all of Germany : Substanz in Reudnitz, the district best known for student life. The best time to go is when the beer garden is open from late Spring through early Autumn. If you can’t make it, there’s still the piano bar. The burgers are divine.

Restaurant recommendation in the city center: Imperii

How to reach Leipzig from Berlin

There’s a train between the two cities that runs every hour between main stations – you can decide between a fast train and a slow train. 1 hour 45 minutes). These trains are possible to book directly in the station, although you will save some money by booking in advance. Booking the same day means the trip costs about 50 EUR, and in advance can bring it down to half that.

Besides trains, you can take a bus between Berlin and Leipzig , which will run you between 10-20 EUR. The most comfortable option of all would be booking the express train (ICE) far enough in advance.

7. Bad Muskau

• Distance: 163 kilometers (101 miles)
• Travel time: 2 hours by car

Bad Muskau is home to the Muskau Park, officially called the Fürst-Pückler-Park Bad Muskau . It’s one Central Europe’s largest and most famous gardens. This town is right on the border to Poland if you want to easily add another country to your own personal count. The Muskau Park was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2004.

Today you can go to the Museum, walk around the gardens, go to the cafe, and have a picnic. Bad Muskau is just down the street from Kromlau Park (listed below) so if you’re going to one, it makes sense to combine them for a day trip.

How to reach Bad Muskau

Drive southeast from Berlin for about 2 hours along the A13 and then the A15. You’ll basically follow the signs to Cottbus for most of the way, and will drive right through Spreewald as you do. Trying to do this trip by train would take 12+ hours, so if you want to see this area, coming by car is virtually your only option.

8. Germany’s Devil’s Bridge in Kromlau

Kromlau is a small town on the border between Germany and Poland, and Kromlauer Park is a hidden gem, visited by a very small number of foreign tourists.

This 200-acre park is home to the Rakotzbrücke, also called Germany’s Devil’s Bridge for the legend behind it that the devil helped build it in exchange for the first living soul to cross it once completed. In Autumn, this park is absolutely breathtaking, although lacking a lot of the flowers and ponds that would otherwise be there in Spring.

What makes Kromlau unique? It’s not a city, it’s not on any major tourism website – it’s a local sanctuary that few find out about. If you want to see something in Germany that few others have, Kromlau is waiting for you!

How to reach Germany’s Devil’s Bridge from Berlin

The trip can be a half-day trip if you’re going by car, but will most likely require a full day if you’re going to take public transit. By car, you’ll start driving towards Dresden, and then towards Cottbus as soon as you see signs for it. By public transit, you’ll take the train to Cottbus and then transfer to an old steam train to make it into Kromlau.

This legendary bridge in Saxony, Germany will make you feel like you've fallen into a fairytale. It's one of those places where it's just as magical in photos as it is in real life.

• Distance: 26 kilometers (16 miles)
• Travel time: 50 minutes
• Reach by: Car or S-Bahn

Wannsee has a dark history behind it, but nonetheless is a beautiful area to visit from Berlin. Nowadays, people mostly come to Wannsee to visit the lake, which is one of the most popular sandy beaches surrounding the city. On a hot day it can get crowded, but there’s plenty of beer and beach food to keep you comfortable.

Wannsee is most famous for being the site of the Wannsee Conference, where senior Nazi officials met to plan the Final Solution to the “Jewish Question”. The location of this meeting, the Wannsee Villa, has been converted into a free exhibition where you can read real clipping from the newspapers and internal documents alike, demonstrating how the Jews were targeted and blamed for Germany’s problems. Honestly it’s unsettling to be in the same building where this happened, but seeing the original words of the people involved is eye-opening nonetheless.

What makes Wannsee unique? I’d say the fact that you can have a really balance day of learning about history, and then relaxing on the lake. Neither has to be a full-day activity, so there’s some real variety to this day trip.

Quick tips for visiting Wannsee:

• The Haus der Wannsee-Konferenz (House of the Wannsee Conference) is a free exhibit, where you’ll pass through several rooms, all overlooking the beautiful Wannsee .
• Another villa, the Liebermann Villa , hosts artist Max Libermann’s paintings of his home and garden. Unlike the Wannsee villa, it is not free to enter.
• Pfaueninsel is a nearby nature reserve, which tops numerous other lists of best day trips from Berlin. I went last Summer and it was a really nice trip to enjoy some of the nature around Berlin.

Pfaueninsel, as it's called in German, is home to a charming Prussian castle and only a short S-bahn ride outside of Berlin. Here are things to do on Pfaueninsel and how to get here!

How to reach Wannsee

You’ll take the S-Bahn S1 line, which passes through major stations throughout Berlin such as Potsdamer Platz, Brandenburger Tor, and Friedrichstraße. The S7 line is also an option, which passes through Alexanderplatz, Hackescher Markt, and Hauptbahnhof (Berlin main station).

10. Britzer Garten (in Spring)

• Distance: 12 kilometers (7.4 miles)
• Travel time: 45-60 minutes

Germans love nature, and nature loves the Germans – nowhere is it clearer than Britzer Garten, a large park featuring a lake, rose, tulip, and dahlia gardens, a functioning windmill, and a Liebesinsel (Love Island). Both dogs and bicycles are banned in this park, so it’s guaranteed to be peaceful. There’s a cafe overlooking the lake, as well as convenient spot for ice cream.

Come here if you’re looking for an early taste of Spring – when everything else is still waking up from their winter’s sleep, the cherry blossoms at Britzer Garten are already showing off how pretty they are.

You don't have to go to Japan to experience cherry blossom season. Berlin has over two kilometers of cherry blossoms waiting to be wandered through, admired, and photographed! Here are the best places in Berlin to enjoy cherry blossoms.

When we came to Britzer Garten, we packed for a picnic and ate right across from the Love Island. Everything was fine and dandy until a swan decided he wanted to share our meal! I pretty much thought he was going to fight us, but somehow we managed to defend our food.

What makes Britzer Garten unique? Like Kromlauer Park, Britzer Garten is a place enjoyed mostly by locals who are looking for some time out of the city. You’re unlikely to get stuck behind hoards of tourists trying to snap an identical photo – you can just come here to wind down in the middle of a busy tour through Germany.

How to get to Britzer Garten. You can take the U6 U-Bahn south in the direction of Alt-Mariendorf. From there, transfer to the 179 Bus towards Gerlinger Str. and disembark at Sangerhauser Weg. A short walk (6 min, 550 meter) down the same road and you’re there!

11. Müggelsee

• Distance: 21 kilometers (13 miles)
• Travel time: 50 minutes by S-bahn from Alexanderplatz
• Reach by: S-bahn

Berlin is surrounded by countless lakes, and if you come in Summer on a weekend, you’ll see the public transit full of people who are clearly heading for a day at the beach. Müggelsee is one of the most popular lakes in Berlin, given its shallow waters make it one of the warmer options. You can bring your family or set up solo. There are some snacks available at the lake (for a premium) or bring your own food and drinks.

How to get to Müggelsee. The easiest way to get to Müggelsee is to take the S-bahn (S3) to Köpenick and then ride your bicycle around the lake. Otherwise at Köpenick you can connect to a bus that will take you closer to the lake. All in all the trip takes between 50-80 minutes depending on where you’re starting in the city.

12. Wittenberg

• Distance: 112 kilometers (69 miles)
• Travel time: 90 minutes by car, 1 hour 40 minutes by train

If you learned about the Protestant Reformation in school, there’s a good chance you’re familiar with Wittenberg’s most famous resident: Martin Luther. It was in Wittenberg that he nailed the 95 theses to the door of the church, and if you come here you can see the exact door that he nailed it on.

The city isn’t huge but you can come by and explore some small shops, get an ice cream, and give yourself a small historical tour. Near the church there is also a museum about Martin Luther and the protestant reformation.

How to get to Wittenberg

You can simply book a train directly from Berlin to Wittenberg, or opt for renting a car if you prefer. You can book a train on the Deutsche Bahn English website .

• Distance: 349 kilometers (216 miles)
• Travel time: 4 hours by car, 4.5 hours by train

It’s arguably a stretch to call Prague a day trip, but if you really want to see Prague from Berlin it’s doable. You need to get up early, and you need to come back late, but it can be done! I’ve done it as a day trip from Leipzig before.

Plus, the Czech Republic is probably the easiest of all the countries near Berlin, Germany to visit.

Prague may be one of the most popular cities with tourists coming to Europe and it’s no surprise why – the architecture is beautiful, the prices are still rather low, and there is a ton of things to do in this historic city.

How to reach Prague from Berlin

In the interest of time, the best way to get here is by car. It’s also possible to take a train which will add an hour on to your travel time, or even to take a six hour bus. At six hours I would argue it’s easier (and probably costs just as much) to take a plane!

14. Hamburg

• Distance: 289 kilometers (179 miles)
• Travel time: 2 hours by express train, 4 hours by car

I’ve only been to Hamburg once in the dead of Winter and it was cold and dreadful. But in the Summer, Hamburg is known to be one of the prettiest cities to visit in Germany. It’s a port town, with nautical vibes up and down. You can take a walk along the sea, participate in its famous nightclub scene, or infamous Reeperbahn.

How to get to Hamburg. Trains run regularly from Berlin to Hamburg, so you’ll have no issue booking one with Deutsche Bahn. If you prefer you can also go by bus via Flixbus, but it will take much longer.

15. Dresden

• Distance: 193 kilometers (119 miles)
• Travel time: 2 hours 25 minutes by car or train

I have to admit – I’ve never been to Dresden! I’ve always wanted to go but never quite made the time. Which is a shame because it’s so close to Berlin and is meant to be very beautiful. You can spend a weekend here and enjoy the history of the city, which came under heavy fire during the second world war. Today you can visit the reconstructed version of Dresden’s most famous sight, the Frauenkirche (Church of our Dear Lady).

How to get to Dresden. Similarly to Hamburg, there are plenty of regular trains at your disposal as well as bus service. Dresden is close to Saxon Switzerland so if you’d like, you can combine these trips into one.

Have you ever been to these cities and towns outside of Berlin?

What’s your favorite daytrip you’ve even taken outside of a major city? For me, Kromlau is my absolute favorite out of Berlin (although Leipzig might contend if I were truly a first-time visitor). Versailles was also cool, but way too crowded! Let me know what your favorites are in the comments!

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About the author

Hi there! I'm Monica, an American expat living in Germany for over six years and using every opportunity to explore the world from my homebase in Berlin. My goal is to capture my memories in photos and posts that show how easy it is to start from scratch and travel the world by working abroad.

Follow along on Instagram , Twitter , Bloglovin , & Facebook .

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2 Weeks in Europe: 6 Itineraries

DISCLAIMER: This post might have links to travel services and products that we enjoy. We might make a commission from it at no extra cost to you.

Europe is a continent consisting of 44 countries with diverse languages, climates, and cultures . It has numerous world-famous landmarks preserved from years upon years of history.

Spending 2 weeks in Europe will cover plenty of amazing places. It’s not much, but a good start, especially if it’s your first time here.

Another great thing about Europe is that the places are close to each other, you can reach most of them via train, buses, and driving. Land borders separate the countries. However, many of them practice free movement across borders.

This continent has peninsulas, islands, and varied landforms, as well as seas, lakes, and other bodies of water. There are infinite fascinating places to see, foods to taste, and activities to try out during your 2 weeks in Europe.

NOTE : Originally, we had a section for things to know before visiting or planning your Europe trip. Since this post grew to 8,000 words, we decided to move that section to a separate post to make it easier for you to read and scan the post. Go to our How to Plan a Trip to Europe for 2 weeks to see tips on when to go, what to budget, transportation, and more.

TRAVEL SITES AND SERVICES TO BOOK YOUR NEEDS

Top places in europe (pinned map).

Click the icon on the top right to enlarge the map. Credit: map data: Google

2 WEEKS IN EUROPE ITINERARIES

I will show you six itinerary options to choose from for your 14 days in Europe. Covering multiple countries and featuring famous attractions that are historical, cultural, and outdoor activities.

Deciding where to spend your 2 weeks in Europe can be hard. Should it be in Spain or Portugal? How about both? Should you visit Rome or Paris ? When unsure, there are a few things you can do to see which places are more suitable for you.

For example, Rome would be ideal if you love historical sites such as ruins. Perhaps you like history, but in the form of art, then Paris is the one. For food lovers, don’t miss visiting France, Spain, Italy, and Greece.

Itinerary #1 South Europe: Spain and France or France and Italy

We have two sub-options in our first itinerary for your 2 weeks in Europe. This includes either Spain and France or France and Italy. Spain is well-known for its lively culture, flamenco, arts, and literature, as well as its wines, beaches, and, of course, football.

If you feel like this itinerary is a little too expensive, you can instead go to Portugal. Take a look at how to spend 2 weeks in Portuga l or even just a few days in Lisbon. Spending 14 days in Southern Europe is a good place to do your first trip to this continent.

France, on the other hand, is well-known for macarons, wine, champagne, great pastries, as well as fashion, museums, and other historical sites. You could also do many water activities in France or if you plan to come during winter, you can head to the Alps for some skiing.

Italy is loved for its opera, its art cities, unique scenery, and good food. They are also among the four fashion capitals, with luxury brands, and of course, who could forget the Vespa?

If you have never been to Italy, make sure you visit Venice, Rome, Florence, and the southwest coast, where you can visit Naples for Amalfi and Sorrento. You can also consider 2 weeks in Greece for this itinerary. Not to mention, the south is a famous region to spend honeymoon in Europe .

Spain for 7 days

Spain is one of the most popular destinations in Europe, not only for foreign visitors but also for other European nations. With its stunning beaches, yummy food, and very welcoming culture, Spain is undeniably a must-visit when you come to Europe for 2 weeks.

Most people go to Madrid, the capital of Barcelona, a coastal city. However, if you want to get away from big crowds, head to Seville, Valencia, or even Zaragoza. For young travellers who love to dance and party, Ibiza is a top spot, while Palma, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria are awesome islands to explore and spend your vacation in.

We have a specific 2 weeks in Spain itinerary , which might help you plan a trip there if you decide to spend your trip in one European country only.

Here are some of the top-rated attractions in Spain :

• Alhambra and Generalife in Granada
• Palacio Real in Madrid – get your ticket in advance
• El Escorial near Madrid
• Aqueduct of Segovia – north of Madrid
• Sagrada Familia and Gaudi Sites in Barcelona – check tour prices
• Great Mosque in Cordoba, near Seville
• Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao
• Beaches of Gran Canaria

France for 7 days

Some of the options to reach France from Spain include flying, taking a train, riding the bus, using rideshare or driving. The most recommended option is to ride a plane, but if you have plenty of time, you should consider renting a car and driving on your own. We have an article with 3 different itineraries on how to spend 2 weeks in France .

France is a country famous for many reasons. The food is great, it is rich in culture, the abundance of historical sites, and thousands of wineries to explore. France is also known for Tour de France and is a great holiday destination any time of the year. You should geat a hop-on hop-off bu s that will take you to the top attractions of Paris.

Paris is an obvious place to visit, but if you don’t like big cities or have been here before, you can consider other places. For history buffs, head to Calais, Dunkirk, and Normandy. For those who love the outdoors, check out Lyon, Marseille, Nice, and Bordeaux (aka the Basque region).

Here are some of the top attractions n France:

• The Louvre in Paris – book a guided tour
• Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres near Paris
• Eiffel Tower in Paris – get your skip-the-line ticket in advance
• Chateau de Versailles in Paris – visit with a garden access
• Mont Saint Michel
• Loire Valley Chateaux
• Côte d’Azur aka French Riviera in the South
• Provence for lavender fields
• Chamonix-Mont-Blanc for skiing in the Alps

Italy for 7 days

To reach Italy from France, you could either take the train or fly but taking the train is preferred by most tourists and locals alike because you’ll be able to reach your destination in less than five hours anyway. There are tons of routes to choose from if you want to see some interesting scenery and plan to drive instead.

2 weeks in Europe have to include Italy. It is loved for its dishes to die for, beautiful castles, amazing hiking trails, and warm culture. Just like in Spain and France, wine in Italy is world-class and their historical sites are well preserved.

Before you book anything, decide where you want to go. Rome and Venice are the top places to visit in Italy. But if you have been there, it’s time to explore Florence, Milan, Bologna, and Genoa in the north. For the south, head to Naples, Sicily, and all the way to Palermo. Check out our 4 itineraries for 2 weeks in Italy .

Some of the top tourist attractions in Italy include :

• Colosseum in Rome – get your ticket in advance to skip the very long queue
• Spanish Steps in Rome
• Trevi Fountain in Rome
• Venice Grand Canal – don’t skip the romantic gondola ride
• Gode Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice – explore with a tour guide and secure a ticket
• Leaning Tower of Pisa
• Vatican City near Rome; Basilica of St. Peter, Sistine Chapel & Vatican Museums – you can visit this in one go
• The Uffizi Gallery in Florence
• Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence
• Lake Como near Milan
• Cinque Terre
• Amalfi Coast
• Pompei and Mount Vesuvius in Naples – visit this and the entirety of Naples on a day trip from Rome

Travel cost

These three destinations are one of the most expensive places in Europe. Budget around $2,000 for a 2-week trip around Spain, France, and Italy not including the flights from your location and back. Accommodation will be the most expensive cost while food is quite affordable in these places.

Of course, if you want to travel with luxury, you can easily spend $3,000-$5,000 which will allow you to stay at 4-5 star hotels, dine at fancy restaurants, and take a private car with a driver anywhere.

For those on a tight budget, $1,500 is possible , however, you will likely stay at youth hostels and share a room with other people in dorm/bunk rooms or even look at Couchsurfing. You can also save more money by looking at ready-to-eat meals at grocery stores or cooking in the hostel is possible. Join a free walking tour where you will be expected to give a tip based on the tour guide and the tour itself.

Itinerary #2 Central Europe: Germany and Poland

For this next itinerary, we’ll be covering 2 weeks in Central Europe, which consists of the countries Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Czechia, Slovakia, and Hungary. However, in this itinerary, we’ll only be covering Germany and Poland.

Germany is well-known for its cathedrals, castles, palaces, and colourful architecture, as well as its sausages and beers. It has many historical sites relating to World War I and II. Berlin is loved for being vegan-friendly, but meat-eaters shouldn’t have a problem finding their way around restaurants either.

Conversely, Poland is famous for its food, stunning geography, folklore, history, and friendly locals. In Poland, you’ll find Europe’s most ancient forest, Medieval Castle, the infamous Auschwitz-Birkenau Camp, amazing museums, and more.

Apart from that, you can also visit theme parks in Poland, such as Engerylandia Theme Park, Rabkoland, and Aquapark Sopot.

Germany for 8 days

Germany has so many things to offer that it would take 8 days to satiate your curiosity, and even then, you would barely scratch the surface. Don’t overwhelm yourself trying to see everything in 8 days. If you want t visit Germany only, we have these 2 weeks in Germany itineraries .

Most people will go to Berlin or Munich, but there are also other cities such as Hamburg, Frankfurt, Nuremberg and Cologne to name a few. I highly recommend you rent a car to move around easier, but taking a domestic flight or the train is also easy and affordable.

If you’re going to Berlin, the best way to see all the top attractions is by buying a hop-on hop-off bus with live a tour guide .

Here’s a list of the top attractions in Germany:

• Brandenburg Gate in Berlin
• Berlin Wall
• Cruise the River Spree – book a 2.5-hour boat tour
• Museum Island in Berlin
• Sachsenhausen Memorial – visit with a tour guide
• Neuschwanstein Castle near Munich
• Linderhof Palace near Munich – book a combo tour with Neuschwanstein Castle
• Marienplatz in Munich
• Pay respects at Dachau Concentration Camp – join a tour from Munich
• Kölner Dom in Cologne
• The Black Forest, Baden-Württemberg, near Stuttgart
• Miniatur Wunderland at Port of Hamburg
• Bamberg and the Bürgerstadt near Nuremberg

Poland for 8 days

There are tons of modes of transportation from Germany to Poland, including boarding a plane, using rideshare cars, trains, buses, or driving. Flights between these two countries are frequent and affordable.

Poland has a dark history, but the country is more than that. It has stunning lakes, UNESCO sites, and rather interesting cuisine, and it is in the top 20 safest countries in the world – a great place to discover if you are travelling alone.

Poland also has the biggest castle in the world, and many believe that vodka originated in Poland. In winter, you can ski in Poland, which is more affordable than France, Switzerland, and even Italy.

Many foreigners get confused and think Krakow is the capital of Piland, but it’s actually Warsaw. Apart from these two cities, you can also visit Gdansk, Wroclaw, Katowice, and Lublin. Most of the cities are connected via buses and trains hence moving around during your 2 weeks in Europe shouldn’t be a problem.

>>TIP: Check out our 2 weeks in Poland post if you prefer to explore that country on a single trip. There are two itineraries to choose from.

Here are some of the top tourist attractions in Poland:

• Wieliczka Salt Mine near Krakow
• Auschwitz- Birkenau Camps near Krakow – book a guided tour or combine it with the Wieliczka Salt Mine tour
• Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory in Krakow
• Wawel Royal Castle in Krakow
• Warsaw Old Marketplace
• Lazienki Park in Warsaw
• Malbork Castle near Gdansk
• Morskie Oko Lake and Hot Bath Pools near Zakopane – check tour prices
• Crooked Forest near Szczecin

Travel cost:

Central Europe in general can be costly, but only if you plan to visit Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Poland and Czechia are both affordable destinations compared to their neighbouring countries. $2,000 will take you a long way if you choose one expensive place to spend a week and the other one is a more affordable country (e.g Germany and Poland or Switzerland and Czechia).

You can save even more money if you focus on Poland or Czechia only or book a trip to Switzerland just for 2-3 days instead of an entire week.

$5,000 will be a great budget for a luxury trip . This is suitable for couples who are on their honeymoon or retiree travellers. For young visitors and backpackers, you can probably get away with $1,000 to $1,500 for the 2 weeks trip .

Accommodation in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria is costly but affordable in Poland and Czechia. Rely on using public transportation in all countries, such as buses and trains, instead of renting a car or flying.

Itinerary #3 Baltics: Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia

The Baltics are one of the most affordable regions in Europe. Although it has its fair share of tourists, the streets and attractions don’t get too busy, even during the summer season. It’s an awesome place to spend your 2 weeks in Europe vacation without being surrounded by a big crowd.

Lithuania is famous for its natural scenery, including forests, lakes, flatlands, and other landscapes. There are also historical spots here to visit, and you must try their local ciders. I personally loved their local food, especially beetroot. If you’re a foody, check this Vilnius food guide for a list of must-try dishes.

Conversely, Latvia is known for its UNESCO World Heritage Sites and art nouveau architecture. It’s on the coast, hence if visiting during summer, don’t forget to dip your toes.

Last but definitely not least is Estonia, which is famous for its dense woods, thousands of uninhabited islands, and rich history. It experienced a boom in tourism recently since it implemented a digital nomad visa.

Estonia is among Europe’s most linguistic nations, is one of the countries with the cleanest air in the world, and half of the country is made up of forest, which probably explains the great air quality. We also have two itineraries specifically for 2 weeks in the Baltics only or 2 weeks in Eastern Europe itineraries .

Lithuania for 5 days

Lithuania is rich in cultural preservation, so much so that UNESCO considered their folk dance as one of the intangible cultural heritages. They also have one of the oldest languages, even older than Greek, German, and Celtic, and the oldest tree in Europe could be found here as well.

With five days in Lithuania, you can do and see a lot of things. You can cover at least two major cities; the capital city Vilnius, and the cultural art city of Kaunas. If it’s warm enough, head to the coast and visit Klaipeda.

Here is a list of the best places to see in Lithuania:

• Gediminas Castle Tower in Vilnius
• Vilnius Cathedral Square
• Hot Air Balloon Flight – over Vilnius or Trakai Castle
• Energetikos ir technikos muziejus in Vilnius
• Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights and A.Mickiewicz Memorial Museum in Vilnius
• MO Muziejus in Vilnius
• Gates of Dawn in Vilnius
• Three Crosses Monument in Vilnius – join a full-day tour from Vilnius
• Walk around Uzupis
• Trakai Castle near Vilnius
• Kaunas Castle
• Devils’ Museum in Kaunas
• Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai

Latvia for 4 days

You can go to Latvia from Lithuania by driving, riding a bus, plane, or taking the train. The most recommended option is through riding a bus as it is the cheapest and fastest. Latvia is also a great destination during summer. You can take a swim on its sandy beaches, lakes, and rivers.

You can either spend the entire 4 days in Riga, the capital city or take day trips to see Gauja National Park and Turaida Museum Reserve for example. You can also explore Riga on a segway tour .

Here are some of the top tourist attractions in Latvia :

• House of the Black Heads in Riga – get your ticket in advance
• Riga Cathedral
• Three Brothers, Latvian Museum of Architecture
• St. Peter’s Church
• The Freedom Monument in Riga
• Shop souvenirs at Riga Central Market – join a food-tasting tour
• Gauja National Park outside of Riga
• Rundale Palace and Museum ner Jelgava

Estonia for 4 days

To reach Estonia if you’re coming from Latvia, you could board a plane, ride a bus, take the train, or drive. The most recommended option would be to ride a plane as it’s the fastest, but the cheapest option would be to take the bus.

Estonia is very unique, they have islands but are inhabited – and that makes it interesting to visit. There, you can go fishing, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, and for those who love birds, birdwatching is a popular thing to do in Estonia.

Tallinn, the capital, is obviously the most popular destination. However, with 2 weeks in Europe, around the Baltics, you can also head to Parnu and Tartu – both are located in the south of Estonia. Go to Haeska, Kabili, and Matsalu for birdwatching and wildlife experiences.

Here are some of the sights to see in Estonia :

• Tallinn’s Old Town
• Lennusadam Seaplane Harbor in Tallinn
• Lahemaa National Parl – sign up to a day trip
• Patarei Prison Exhibition/Communism Prison in Tallinn
• Parnu’s Beaches
• Alpakafarm near Parnu
• Estonian National Museum in Tartu
• Tagurpidi Maja (Peapeal OÜ) / Upside Down House in Tartu
• TYPA Letterpress and Paper Art Centre in Tartu
• Kuressaare Castle in Saare
• Join a 3-hour food tour

Travelling around the Baltics is one of my favourite destinations and one I recommend if you’re on a budget. You will still experience the European culture, walk through the alleys and paves with cobbled stone, and eat delicious meals.

It’s honestly possible to travel here for around $1,000 for those on a budget . You will stay in a hostel and consume street food or grocery store meals. The tours also don’t cost that much. Accommodation is around $25 to $35 a night, but transportation is cheap.

$2,000 is the average cost where you get to have a private room and try out a few local restaurants. For a luxury trip, $3,000 will get you very comfortable.

Itinerary #4 East Europe: Hungary and Croatia or Romania and Bulgaria

East Europe is a massive region. You will have to choose 2-3 countries to cover during your visit and perhaps next time, you go to new places. Right now, we’ll only cover 4 destinations for your 12-day in Europe itinerary; Hungary and Croatia or Romania and Bulgaria.

Croatia has so much to offer, but in the last few years, being the filming location of Game of Thrones, this country attracted more tourists. Aside from that, they also have stunning waterfalls and gorgeous Adriatic Islands, among other landscapes.

Hungary on the other hand is famous for its ruin bars, paprikas, and goulash. It also has sought-after outdoor and public thermal bars and great nightlife. Outside the city, Hungary has a lot of nature preserves and can be an affordable ski destination in winter.

Bulgaria is the oldest country in Europe and has tons of hot springs. It’s undeniable how affordable Bulgaria is as a travel destination. It also sits right on the Black Sea, a popular spot during summer.

Nightlife in Bulgaria is another reason tourists come here for its affordability. Speaking of cuisine, the traditional Bulgarian food is something of a must-try.

Romania is famous for its Carpathian Mountains, Salt Mines, and Medieval Fortresses. Just like Bulgaria, it’s also located on the Black Sea. One might want to visit Romania since it’s famous for being the home of Dracula.

Hungary for 7 days

Hungary, like many other European countries, is a landlocked country. But it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy summer in Hungary. This country has over 1,000 natural springs water, hence, the popularity of its thermal baths.

Budapest is not the only city worth visiting in Hungary, you should also consider Debrecen and Szeged. While Balaton Uplands National Park is the spot to you want to go hiking, join wine tours, and be around nature.

Here are some of the top tourist attractions in this country :

• Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest
• Budapest’s Széchenyi Thermal Bath – book a full-day spa
• Buda Castle
• Buy souvenirs at Central Market Hall
• Take a boat cruise Danube River in Budapest – check cruise prices
• Matthias Church in Budapest
• Esztergom Basilica
• The Caves of Lillafured near Miskolc
• Lavender field at Tihany

Croatia for 7 days

It is relatively easy to travel to Croatia if you’re coming from Hungary as they are neighbouring countries. You could travel by bus, by train or by driving. Any option is fine, but the cheapest option would be to ride the night bus.

As mentioned before, Croatia is now popular for being the filming location for Game of Thrones, but there are other places to see in this magnificent country. Just like its neighbouring country of Italy, Croatia is also a fantastic beach destination and so much more affordable.

Zagreb is the capital of Croatia and a must-visit, then you can go to the coast. The most popular city is Split and Dubrovnik, but Zadar,  Hvar, and Pula are an equally stunning area for swimming and other water activities.

Want to spend 14 days in Croatia ? Our guide has three itineraries you can check out and see which one suits you best.

Some of the top tourist attractions in this country include :

• Dubrovnik’s Old Town Walls – join a walking tour
• Trsteno Arboretum, Trsteno near Dubrovnik
• Dubrovnik’s Lovrijenac Fort
• Visit Game of Thrones filming locations – book a tour
• Nikola Tesla Technical Museum in Zagreb
• Diocletian’s Palace in Split – enjoy a walking tour with a local guide
• Blue Cave, near Split – book the 5 island boat tour
• Krka Waterfalls, near Split – visit on a boat tour
• Plitvice Lakes National Park near Zadar
• Kornati National Park near Zadar
• Euphrasian Basilica in Porec
• Pula’s Roman Arena
• Swim at Galebove Stijene in Pula
• Explore Brijuni/Brioni National Park near Pula
• Mulini Beach in Rovinj

Romania for 7 days

A massive country in East Europe, Romania has a lot to offer. From national parks, vibrant cities, historical sites, and beach access to the Black Sea. Bucharest is known for great nightlife, but apart from that, it’s also rich in cultural and historical spots.

Other than Bucharest, you have to go to the Transylvanian region, known as the home of Dracula. If it’s warm enough, head to Constanza, while Brasov and Cluj-Napoca are the areas to go to during winter for skiing and other winter activities.

Here are some of the places you could visit once you reached Romania:

• Romanian Athenaeum in Bucharest
• Grigore Antipa National Museum of Natural History in Bucharest
• National Museum of Romanian History in Bucharest
• Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum in Bucharest
• Vaser Valley Forestry Railway
• Bran Castle aka Dracula’s Castle in Transylvania – book a tour combo with Peles and Brasov trip
• Sighisoara Historic Center
• Covered Stairway in Sighisoara
• The Clock Tower in Sighisoara
• The Black Church in Brasov
• Peles Castle near Brasov – book a 2-day tour from Bucharest to visit Brasov, Sibiu, and Sighisoara
• Bucegi Natural Park near Brasoc
• Transylvanian Alps

Bulgaria for 7 days

Just south of Romania, you can reach Bulgaria by train, bus, or driving. The quickest option would be to drive, which would take you more or less five hours, but the cheapest option is by riding a train.

Another country with the best nightlife, Bulgaria is popular with young tourists. But it doesn’t mean non-partygoers cannot enjoy Bulgaria. This country is a great place to explore the outdoors. There are many hiking trails and to ski here, you don’t have to spend too much.

Head to the capital city, Sofia, but for winter sports, you can go to Bansko, Borovets, and Pamporovo. If you are coming during the warm months, you can still go to the Black Sea by heading toward Varna.

Some of the top spots in Bulgaria are:

• National Palace of Culture in Sofia
• Sofia History Museum
• Rila Monastery – visit with combo tour to Boyana Church
• Seven Rila Lakes – check tour price from Sofia
• Tsarevets Fortress in Veliko Tarnovo
• Belogradchik Rocks
• Prohodna Cave in Karlukovo
• Krushuna Waterfalls
• The Rose Valley near Kazanluk
• The Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis in Plovdiv – join a tour of Plovdiv, Asen’s Fortress, and Bachkovo Monastery
• Pirin National Park near Plovdiv
• Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari near Shumen

East Europe is one of the most affordable regions in Europe. The accommodation alone can range between $20-$30 while food and the use of public transportation are also very affordable.

It’s easy to travel on a budget in eastern Europe, around $800 is feasible for backpackers and young travellers. If you want to be comfortable, $1,000 will be great and get you your own private room and dine at restaurants. $2,000 can easily be a luxury trip in this region for a 2-week adventure.

Itinerary #5 Nordic: Iceland, Norway, and Denmark

The next option would be the Nordic countries, which consist of Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark. However, in this itinerary, we will only cover Norway, Iceland, and Denmark.

Norway is also known as the Land of the Midnight Sun. It is famous for its fjords, lakes, and magical skies (Aurora Borealis), as well as Viking culture and folklore.

Iceland is also famous for a lot of natural wonders such as geysers, active volcanoes, and glaciers. You could also see the Northern Lights here. Iceland is relying 100% on renewable energy; hydropower, and geothermal.

Last but definitely not least is Denmark, which is well-known for its coastal towns, architecture, Royalty, and cuisine. Copenhagen is a must-visit. If you find yourself with extra time, you can hop on a train and head to Sweden.

You can also just visit Denmark, Norway, and Sweden using our 2 weeks in Scandinavia itinerary .

Iceland for 4 days

Iceland is the land of fire and ice, and you might be wondering why. They have glaciers but have volcanically heated pools at the same time, where you could swim all year round. That’s pretty fascinating.

Aside from that, it is also a literary-focused country. In fact, one out of ten Icelanders will publish a book even at least once in their lifetime.

Iceland is not a big country, but spending four days here is plenty. Most tourists love staying in Reykjavik, but you don’t have to. If you want to save money, you can stay outside the city and rent a car instead. You can easily move around in your own car, which means it doesn’t matter if your hotel is not in the city.

We have a complete guide and itinerary for 2 weeks in Iceland .

Top attractions in Iceland:

• Drive the Golden Circle
• Blue Lagoon – get your ticket in advance including Kerid Volcanic Crater
• Gullfoss Falls
• Seljalandsfoss
• Silfra – snorkel between 2 tectonic plates between North American and Europe
• Þingvellir National Park
• Jökulsárlón
• Chase the Northern Lights – join a tour to find the best spot
• Icelandic Phallological Museum
• National Museum of Iceland
• Reykjanesfólkvangur
• Whale Watching near Reykjavik – book a cruise
• Eystri-Fellsfjara / Diamond Beach

Norway for 6 days

You will need to ride a plane to reach Norway if you’re coming from Iceland. The fastest route takes more or less 6 hours. However, the journey would be worth it because there are so many sights and sceneries once you reach Norway.

This includes the world’s longest road tunnel and the world’s most remote island, among others. This is also an amazing place to ski during winter.

Many tourists usually go to Oslo and Bergen, but you can also add Stavanger, Kristiansand, and Tromso to your itinerary of 2 weeks in Europe.

If you want to see Fjords, you have to head west; from Trondheim all the way down to Stavanger. Check our 2 weeks in Norway itinerary list if you only want to see this country.

Here is a list of some of the best places to visit in Norway:

• Bygdoy Peninsula in Oslo 
• Vigeland Sculpture Park in Oslo
• Viking Ship Museum in Oslo
• Naeroyfjorden
• Akershus Fortress in Oslo
• Oslo’s Fjords – check tour prices or a cruise to Nærøyfjorden, Flåm, and Stegastein 
• Hanseviertel Bryggen in Bergen
• Sognefjord near Bergen
• Osterrjod and Mostraumen near Bergen – join a cruise
• Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen), in Stavanger
• Lofoten Islands
• Geirangerfjord
• Arctic Museum in Tromso
• Find the Northern Lights from Tromso – book a guided tour
• Atlantic Ocean Road

Denmark for 4 days

To reach Denmark from Norway, the best would be to take a plane. There is also a car ferry service, but with a limited time, it’s not ideal. Denmark has the oldest Monarchy in Europe.

Denmark is a small country but popular not only in Europe but around the world. For many years, it has been voted the happiest country in the world. It’s also known for being safe for tourists, the home birth of lego, and has the oldest monarchy in Europe and the oldest flag in the world.

Naturally, visitors will go to Copenhagen, but since the country (excluding Greenland and the Faroe Islands) is not that big, 4 days in Denmark is plenty

You can explore the entirety of Copenhagen and even have time to go to Odense, where the famous children’s book author Hans Christian Andersen was born. You can actually get to the city centre from Copenhagen airport in just 13 minutes – a great way to save time.

Here is a list of some of the best attractions in Denmark:

• The Little Mermaid (Den Lille Havfrue) – explore Copenhagen in a day
• Freetown Christiania
• The King’s Garden
• Amalienborg
• Rosenborg Castle
• Tivoli Gardens – get your ticket in advance
• Botanical Garden
• The Round Tower
• Memorial Anchor
• Copenhagen Opera House
• Walk around Strøget
• Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
• Christiansborg Palace
• Danish Architecture Centre
• Ofelia Plads
• Legoland in Billund
• Hans Christian Andersen’s Childhood Home
• H. C. Andersens House

Nordic and Scandinavia is undeniably the most expensive place to travel around Europe. Accommodation alone could run $100, and dining and consuming alcohol are costly as well. But taking the bus and train is a little bearable.

To ensure that you will enjoy your 2 weeks in Europe around this region, plan to spend about $2,000 . If you are on a budget, you can probably do it for $1,700 but no less. But for l uxury, your trip cost will really skyrocket up to $5,000 .

Itinerary #6 West Europe: The UK, Netherlands, and Belgium

The last itinerary option for your 2 weeks in Europe includes the countries the UK, Netherlands, and Belgium, also known as the west of Europe.

The UK is popular for many things, including its monarchy, culture, history, and performers. Being the home of four different countries; England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, you can easily say that it’s worth a visit. From bustling cities, amazing hiking trails, pubs to check out, and castles to explore.

There are tons of iconic places in the Netherlands despite it being a small country. The Netherlands is famous for many things . Here, you’ll be able to see windmills, cheese markets, bulb fields, and earthenware, among others. The Netherlands also have plenty of historical spots to discover including Anne Frank’s House.

The last country on our list is Belgium. They have high-quality chocolates, hence the name Belgian chocolate. This country is also well-known for waffles and beer and is the home to NATO headquarters.

The UK for 6 days

There are many things to see in the UK, and six days is definitely not going to be enough. But don’t panic. If this is your first time here, list the attractions you really want to see first. The world-famous Big Ben, London Eye, and River Thames can all be found here, and that’s just in London.

If you have been here before, perhaps, you can now explore less popular areas. Perhaps, you can focus on hiking instead of being in the city or just spend 14 days in England only, especially if it’s your first time.

It’s undeniable that the UK has the most famous monarchy in the world. London alone has a lot of attractions related to the British Monarchy and historical places. In order to make the most out of your trip, the recommended duration of stay is at least five days.

ALSO READ: 2 weeks in the UK , 2 weeks in England , and 2 weeks in Ireland and Northern Ireland itineraries.

List of some best places to see in the UK :

• Tower Bridge
• Stonehenge – book a combo tour with Windsor Castle and Bath
• Buckingham Palace
• The British Museum
• Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition – buy your ticket in advance
• Kensington Palace
• Madame Tussauds – get your skip-the-line ticket
• Shakespeare’s Globe
• St. Paul’s Cathedral
• Book a Harry Potter tour – Warner Bros. Studio
• Scotney Castle
• Bodiam Castle
• Warwick Castle
• Lake District National Park
• Dean Village
• Edinburgh Castle – book a skip-the-line tour
• Palace of Holyroodhouse
• Loch Ness, Glencoe, and the Scottish Highlands – check the tour price from Edinburgh
• Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park
• Titanic Belfast – join a guided tour
• Crumlin Road Gaol
• Giants Causeway – visit with a stop at Dark Hedges, Dunluce, and Belfast
• Free Derry Corner
• The Derry Walls

The Netherlands for 4 days

You could either ride the train or drive if you want to reach the Netherlands from the UK. Once you reach the Netherlands, you could experience the biggest ice skating tour in the world, or join a cycling tour. You can also know more about world-famous painters like Van Gogh and Rembrandt.

Four days sounds too little but you can actually do a lot while in the Netherlands. You can of course explore Amsterdam, and head to The Hague, Rotterdam, and Groningen.

Some things to see and do in The Netherlands:

• Jordaan and Amsterdam’s Canals – book the famous canal cruise
• Anne Frank House
• Rijksmuseum
• Mauritshuis
• Van Gogh Museum – enjoy with an audio guide
• The Windmills of Kinderdijk
• Hoge Veluwe National Park
• Valkenburg Castle Ruins

Belgium for 4 days

To reach Belgium, you could ride the train, ride a bus, use rideshare, or drive. The cheapest option would be to use rideshare and the most recommended option would be to ride the train. It would take you almost 3 hours to reach your destination.

The popular cities in Belgium are Brussels which is the capital, Ghent, Antwerp, and Bruges. You can take buses, trains, or rent a car to travel between cities. Don’t forget to go try different beers and waffles which are two of my favourite part of my visit.

Popular attractions in Belgium:

• Grand Palace
• Atomium – get your entry ticket in advance
• Sign up for the famous Hungry Mary’s beer and chocolate tour or join chocolate making class
• Manneken Pis
• Day trip to Bruges and Ghent – enjoy with a tour guide
• The Canals of Bruges
• Battlefield in Flanders
• Belfry of Bruges
• Basilica of the Holy Blood
• Bruges Beer Experience
• Sint-Salvatorskathedraal
• Gravensteen
• Museum Aan de Stroom
• The Rubens House

What I enjoy about travelling in western Europe is how it’s honestly a pricey place but it can be done on a budget. If you think you can stay on your feet for long hours and walking around is not a problem, you can easily cut costs by taking the bus or taxi. The accommodation will surely get you, but dining can be affordable.

The street food in all these countries is fun, globally diverse, and easy to find. For budget travellers, $1,700 is required for your 2-week trip and most likely requires you to stay in a youth hostel. $ 2,500 offers comfort and a bit of luxury where you can dine at nice restaurants. $4,000 means you can stay in hotels right downtown and near the top attractions, With this budget, you can even hire taxis during your entire trip.

SUMMARY OF 2 WEEKS IN EUROPE

There are so many countries to choose from if you plan to visit Europe. Fortunately, Europe has amazing transportation between cities and countries, making it easy to travel around even with limited time.

When planning your 14-day itinerary for Europe, don’t try to cram it too much. It’s better to travel a bit slower, see fewer places, but be able to enjoy and process everything you have seen and experienced. Europe is not going anywhere, you can always visit again and check out a new place.

I hope that you found these 2 weeks in Europe itineraries helpful in planning your own.

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11 Best first-time Europe itineraries for 1, 2, or 3 weeks

Europe is going to be very busy in the summer of 2024 as the world is back to normal and travel demand is higher than ever. One other key factor is that most European currencies are still hovering at lower levels historically compared to the US dollar, which means that Europe will feel somewhat cheap again this year. In fact, according to our World Backpacker Index , European cities like Lisbon, Madrid, and Munich are about 30% cheaper to visit than Boston, Chicago, and New York City. In other words, flying to Europe might seem expensive, but most things will be cheaper once you get there compared to the costs of visiting a large US city.

Below you’ll find 11 of the most popular and best itineraries for a first visit to Europe. Your first visit is not really the time to be different or creative, and the famous destinations tend to be popular for a reason. In other words, it’s kind of silly to visit, say, Bulgaria, if you’ve not yet been to France or Italy. I lay out the best options along with how long to stay in each place as a general guide. I also discuss Mediterranean cruises, which can actually be an amazing way to see a lot of Europe on your first visit, especially if you don’t like going back and forth to train stations and airports every 2 or 3 days.

For a bit of fun you might be interested in the cheapest 5-star hotels in Europe , which start at US$80 per night for really nice hotels. It helps show that if you choose some of the cheaper cities, you can treat yourself to some luxury that you can’t afford in most other places.

This article was last updated in March, 2024.

There are 11 starter itineraries described in detail below

• Classic London and Paris
• England and Scotland
• Paris and Italy
• Mediterranean cruise
• France, Belgium, and Netherlands
• Paris and elsewhere in France
• Switzerland
• Best of cheap eastern Europe

For each itinerary there are suggestions of other destinations that are easy to add on to the main cities.

Note: This article was most recently updated in March, 2024

Building the best itinerary for your first trip to Europe

Below there are 11 popular itineraries for one week in Europe. If you’ve only got a week then choose one of them and assume you’ll return again to conquer more of this amazing part of the world. If you’ve got more time then you can choose from some of the top add-on suggestions for each one.

Start in the most famous cities

Your first visit to Europe is no time to try to be different or edgy. I recommend that you  focus on these 5 great cities  before you start branching out into cheaper or more obscure places.

Keep your travel days to a minimum

Spend 3 (or 4) nights in almost every major city

So many first-time visitors are initially planning on spending only 1 or 2 nights in major cities that I wrote a detailed explanation of why  3 nights is ideal for almost all European cities , even if you want to see as much as possible.

3 (or 4) nights will be enough for any city on your first trip

Most first-time visitors are tempted to move too quickly, but it can also be a mistake to move too slowly. It’s really amazing how much you can see in two full sightseeing days. If you spend too long in one city you’ll end up seeing things that are way down your list, while you could be in another city seeing things at the top of your list there.

Choose cities that are easy to reach from each other

For your first trip it’s best to visit cities that are no more than a 5-hour train ride apart.

Choose cities that are connected by reasonable train rides rather than flights

To build on the point above, finding cheap flights within Europe is easy, but train travel is about a million times more enjoyable and less stressful. You’ll enjoy the train rides almost as much as the cities, so focus on places that are within 5 hours of each other by train.

Start with one of the classic itineraries below, and then add to it if you have more time

If you only have 7 days then you’ll find a list below of classic itineraries that are well-suited to a first visit to Europe. Hopefully you have more than 7 days though, and if you do you can add in one or more of the suggested add-on cities to build an itinerary that appeals most to you.

Best 1-week itineraries for the first time in Europe

Itinerary 1: classic london and paris.

• London  (3 or 4 nights)
• Paris  (3 or 4 nights)

Fly into either city and take the 2-hour Eurostar train between them

London highlights

• Big Ben and Parliament
• Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral
• Tower of London and Tower Bridge
• West End shows (Broadway equivalent) and classic pubs
• Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle

Paris is actually far more beautiful than London and the food is famously much better as well. Since Paris gets so many tourists from non-French speaking countries, it’s easy to get by on just English, and the Metro system makes it fast and easy to get around. The architecture of both cities is amazing from the Tower of London, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey to the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. These cities each pack a huge punch and they are very different from each other as well. Actually, England is arguably the best choice for your first trip to Europe .

Paris highlights

• Eiffel Tower
• Louvre Museum and Museum de Orsay
• Arc de Triomphe and other monuments
• Montmartre neighborhood and Sacré Coeur Cathedral
• Probably the world’s best affordable restaurants and wine

Best add-ons to London and Paris

• Edinburgh  (2 or 3 nights, from London)
• Amsterdam  (2 or 3 nights, from Paris)
• Bruges  and  Brussels  (2 nights, from Paris)

>>> Best one-week London and Paris itinerary in detail >>> Check London hotel deals >>> Check Paris hotel deals

Itinerary 2: England and Scotland

• York (1 night)
• Edinburgh, Scotland  (2 or 3 nights)
• Inverness, Scotland (2 or 3 nights)

York is a small Roman city with intact city walls and one of the most famous cathedrals in Europe. Edinburgh is not only the capital of Scotland, but it’s easily the second most interesting city in all of Britain. If your time is short, skip York and spend more time in Edinburgh.

If you prefer to focus on the south of England on your first trip then the best option is to go to Bath or nearby Bristol after London. Bath is another of England’s top destinations and it’s a gorgeous city that has been a spa resort for many centuries. It’s also reasonably close to Stonehenge. You can also easily get to Cornwall in England’s southwest corner from Bath, and that’s a whole different and fascinating experience (with nicer weather than up north).

If you’ve got more than a week and want to spend more time in Scotland, especially in the summer months, the place to head to is Inverness. It’s a small town that is considered the gateway to the Scottish Highlands, but it’s an interesting and charming place on its own. You can take day-trips by bus to the highlights of the Highlands including the Isle of Skye and Loch Ness. Between you and me, it’s better to minimize time in Loch Ness or skip it altogether because it’s not one of the more photogenic parts of Scotland and the monster has always been a hoax.

Travel times between the recommended places

• London to York by train: 2 hours
• York to Edinburgh by train: 2.5 hours
• London to Edinburgh by train: 4 hours
• Edinburgh to Inverness by train: 3.5 hours
• London to Bath by train: 85 minutes

Best add-ons to England and Scotland

• Paris  (3 or 4 nights from London)
• Amsterdam  (3 nights from Paris)

If you think you want to spend your whole trip in Britain you should have a look at our article on the  best itineraries in England, Scotland, and Wales .

>>> Check London hotel deals >>> Check Edinburgh hotel deals

Itinerary 3: Paris and Italy

• Paris (3 or 4 nights)
• Venice (1 night)
• Florence (2 or 3 nights)
• Rome (3 nights)

From Paris you can easily fly to Venice (or nearby Treviso) where you should try to spend about 24 hours. Venice is small enough to see in a full day, and so crowded that most people are satisfied to leave after that day. The key is to stay in the main part of the main island so you can enjoy Venice before the cruise passengers and day-trippers arrive, and also after they leave for the day. Two nights in Venice would not be wasted time, and it’s possibly the most gorgeous city in the entire world, but you can see the best of it in a bit over 24 hours.

Rome also lives up to the hype and spending a day in the Vatican City will be a highlight even for non-Catholics, but it’s also a crowded and busy city so three days is usually enough for most people. Similar to Paris, Rome is an unusually beautiful city from almost any angle when you are in the historical center. You’ll walk through a stunning piazza (town square) and then turn a corner and you’ll see gorgeous buildings or public statues that are as nice as anything in the museums. Seriously, it’s worth a visit.

Paris to Venice flight: 1 hour 35 minutes Venice to Florence by train: 1 hour 53 minutes Florence to Rome by train: 1 hour 16 minutes

You can of course instead fly from Paris to Rome and then go north to Florence and then to Venice and fly home (or back to Paris) from there, and it would be just as enjoyable.

Best add-ons to Paris and Italy

• Nice/Cannes/Monaco  (2 or 3 nights)
• Avignon (2 nights)
• Bourges (2 nights)
• Bordeaux (2 nights)
• Aix-en-Provence (2 nights)
• Reims (2 nights)
• Dijon/Burgundy (2 nights)
• Milan  (1 or 2 nights)
• Lake Como (2 nights)
• Siena (2 nights)
• Cinque Terre (1 night)
• Naples / Sorrento /Amalfi Coast/Pompeii/Capri (3 to 5 nights)
• Sicily (3 to 4 nights)

>>>Much more information in this article about the best France and Italy itineraries >>> Check Paris hotel deals >>> Check Venice hotel deals >>> Check Florence hotel deals >>> Check Rome hotel deals

Itinerary 4: Mediterranean cruise

In spite of the reputation of cruises to be floating buffets, they can actually be an excellent way to visit a great number of amazing European cities in a short time. The ship typically is in port from the early morning until mid evening, often giving you the opportunity to have dinner in the city (unlike Caribbean cruises). Better still, the cruise ports are often near the center of town, so you can just walk off the ship and do sightseeing on foot or by public transportation.

Mediterranean cruises usually start at 7 nights but can go up to 3 weeks, which can provide an amazing tour of the entire region without having to pack and repack your bags more than once. They also can provide excellent value, especially compared to the price of taking trains or flights and finding new hotels in every destination.

Most popular Mediterranean departure ports

Barcelona, Spain – It’s an easy port to reach. Ships generally go from Barcelona with stops in France and then Italy.

Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy – The port isn’t very close to Rome, but it’s easy to get back and forth. Ships go west to France and Spain as well as south around the tip of Italy and then on to Croatia, Venice, and to Greece.

Venice, Italy – The cruise ships no longer dock close to the best tourist areas, but it’s easy enough to visit Venice for a day or two before boarding a ship. Ships starting in Venice go south and then head west and to Rome and then to France, or they go south to Croatia and then head east to Greece.

Athens, Greece – The cruise port of Piraeus is just south of Athens and easy to reach. Ships from Athens usually head west towards Croatia, Italy, France, and Spain, but there are also ships that visit Greek islands and Turkey.

>>> Check for deals on Mediterranean cruises

Alternative to consider: a river cruise

Amsterdam ,  Budapest , and  Prague  are some of the most popular river cruise ports, but there are dozens of others including many smaller towns in France where few other tourists will be when you stroll off the ship. There is little or no entertainment on the river cruise ships, but passengers don’t miss it because the entire day and into the evening is spent just steps from local cultural offerings and restaurants.

>>> Check for Europe and river cruise deals

Itinerary 5: France, Belgium, and Netherlands

• Paris  (3 nights)
• Brussels  and  Bruges  (1 or 2 nights)
• Amsterdam  (2 or 3 nights)

Paris to Brussels: 1 hour 22 minutes Brussels to Bruge: 58 minutes Bruges to Amsterdam: 2 hours 45 minutes Amsterdam to Paris: 3 hours 17 minutes

Spending 4 nights in Paris and 3 nights in Amsterdam would be a great trip, but if you want to see something else you’ve got a couple options in between. My advice is to spend an afternoon looking around the Grand Place (main square) in Brussels and then hop a 58-minute train ride to Bruges for a night or two. Brussels isn’t a great tourist city, but Bruges really is so it’s a better option for most people. Whatever you choose out of this group, you can be back in Paris on another high-speed train for your flight home.

Best add-ons to France, Belgium, and Netherlands

• Luxembourg City  (1 or 2 nights)
• Cologne, Germany (1 or 2 nights)
• Interlaken, Switzerland  (2 or 3 nights)

>>> Check Paris hotel deals >>> Check Bruges hotel deals >>> Check Amsterdam hotel deals

Itinerary 6: Paris and elsewhere in France

And a choice of:

• Normandy (2 nights)

While Nice is a wonderful tourist city for a look at the French Riviera, the other larger cities of Lyon and Marseilles are probably better saved for a future trip because they are light on key sights compared to many smaller towns. Wine lovers can rent a car or take trains into Bordeaux or Burgundy. Since you can get between most of these towns by train in 2 hours or less, spending only 2 nights in each one is a reasonable option if you want to see a lot in a short time.

Normandy is an interesting choice and easy to reach in only about two hours by train from Paris. Some visitors like to see the famous WWII beaches and memorials, while others (especially in summer) like to check out one or more of the beach-resort towns. Deauville is one of the more famous of those, and it’s also famous for its horse race track and as one of the epicenters of the industry in Europe.

Best add-ons to Paris and elsewhere

• More France, of course

>>> Check Paris hotel deals >>> Check Nice hotel deals

Itinerary 7: Italy

• Rome  (3 nights)
• Florence  (2 or 3 nights)
• Venice  (1 or 2 nights)

Rome to Florence: 1 hour 16 minutes Florence to Venice: 1 hour 53 minutes

Venice is small enough that you can see the main sights in about 24 hours, and it’s so insanely crowded that many people tire of it after about a day as well. It’s better to pay more for a hotel to be on the main island and visit quickly than to save money with a hotel on the mainland where you’ll be in crowds going back and forth as well. Florence is the most relaxing of the 3, and also a great base for side trips to Pisa, Siena, and Cinque Terre, just to name a few.

Going to Italy? Here are the  best first-time Italy itineraries for 3 days to 2 weeks  (in much greater detail)

Best add-ons to Italy

>>> Check Rome hotel deals >>> Check Florence hotel deals >>> Check Venice hotel deals

Itinerary 8: Spain

• Madrid  (4 nights) (including day trip to Toledo)
• Barcelona  (3 nights)

Madrid to Barcelona: 2 hours 30 minutes

A huge part of Spain’s tourism industry is built around its southern beaches and islands such as Ibiza, Mallorca, and Tenerife (in the Canary Islands). For most people it’s best to ignore those places on your first trip because none of the beaches are special enough to spend days on them compared to the culture of the cities.

Best add-ons to Spain

• Valencia  (2 nights)
• Seville  (2 or 3 nights)
• Granada  (2 or 3 nights)
• Lisbon  (3 nights)

By popular demand, I’ve added a full article on where to go in Spain with itineraries from 7 to 10 days up to two weeks .

>>> Check Madrid hotel deals >>> Check Barcelona hotel deals >>> Check Lisbon hotel deals

Itinerary 9: Germany

• Berlin  (3 nights)
• Munich  (2 or 3 nights)
• Rothenburg ob der Tauber (1 night)
• Füssen (1 night)

Berlin to Munich: 6 hours 2 minutes Munich to Rothenburg ob der Tauber: 2 hours 56 minutes Munich to Füssen: 2 hours 4 minutes

Those two cities are the keys to a Germany visit, and after that you’ve got a wide variety of choices. I cover most of the popular choices in my article on  where to go in Germany , which covers several smaller towns that are major highlights.

Best add-ons to Germany

• Cologne (1 or 2 nights)
• Hamburg  (2 or 3 nights)
• Amsterdam  (3 nights)
• Prague  (3 nights)
• Salzburg  (2 or 3 nights)
• Vienna  (3 nights)
• Interlaken, Switzerland  (3 nights)
• Lucerne, Switzerland  (2 or 3 nights)

>>> Check Berlin hotel deals >>> Check Munich hotel deals

Itinerary 10: Switzerland

• Interlaken  (3 nights)
• Bern (1 night)
• Lucerne  (3 nights)

Zurich Airport to Interlaken: 2 hours 10 minutes Interlaken to Bern: 53 minutes Bern to Lucerne: 1 hour 50 minutes Lucerne to Zurich Airport: 1 hour 3 minutes

Interlaken is the best hub for the most dramatic Alps views and experiences. The one-hour cable car ride up to the Schilthorn observation deck is something you’ll never forget, and the only thing that might be more dramatic is the train ride up to the Jungfraujoch station, which is the highest in Europe. Lucerne is almost as beautiful with a scenic lake at its heart and also great mountaintop views nearby. If you do want to see a Swiss city then the capital of Bern is the most interesting and photogenic on a short visit. Read more about  where to go in Switzerland  for even more ideas.

Best add-ons to Switzerland

• Munich  (3 nights)
• Italy (as long as you’ve got)

>>> Check Interlaken hotel deals >>> Check Lucerne hotel deals

Itinerary 11: Eastern Europe’s best cheap cities

• Budapest  (3 nights) and/or
• Krakow  (3 nights)

Each of these cities is beautiful and historic, but English is less widely spoken so they can also be quite a bit more challenging for a first-time visitor. Another difficulty is that the trains between them are still quite slow compared to the high-speed rail in the West, so it takes most of a day from one to another, and a bus is often a better choice. I cover this best cheap Europe itinerary more fully in the linked article.

Prague to Budapest: 6 hours 41 minutes Budapest to Krakow: 9 hours 54 minutes (flying might be better)

Best add-ons to cheap Eastern Europe

• Cesky Krumlov, Czechia  (2 nights)
• Ljubljana, Slovenia  (2 or 3 nights)
• Split, Croatia  (3 nights)
• Belgrade, Serbia  (2 or 3 nights)
• Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina  (2 or 3 nights)
• Sofia, Bulgaria  (2 or 3 nights)

>>> Check Prague hotel deals >>> Check Budapest hotel deals >>> Check Krakow hotel deals

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11 Best first-time Europe itineraries for 1, 2, or 3 weeks " --> All Comments

Hi Roger, was reading your article and reply to various questions and its actually too good and kind from you. if you pls,help me out a route plan for 15days. but my catch is, i have to start from Stockholm.i like to end in rome to head back home. in between what should be my plan?thanks

I’m happy to help. Stockholm to Rome could be done in 15 days, but it would require skipping quite a few great places along the way. My recommendation would be to choose 5 or maybe 6 cities total and spend 3 days in each. If Stockholm is one of your cities you’d only have 12 days left but even if Stockholm didn’t count on the 15 days I think it’s probably best to fly from Stockholm to a city closer to Italy and then do the rest of it on shorter train rides. You could do Stockholm to Copenhagen by train, but those are pretty long train rides and honestly those two cities are pretty similar to each other.

So maybe Stockholm and then a flight to Paris and then trains to Venice, Florence and Rome? That sort of thing. Stockholm is just so remote that it would require at least 3 or 4 longer train journeys but if you flew from Stockholm to Paris (or Berlin or Prague or Budapest or wherever) the remaining train rides would be relatively short. I hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger

Firstly, I would like to thank you for the article and itineraries; they are very helpful.

My wife and I are planning a 3 to 4-month trip around the EU (Western Europe). Before I delve into the specifics of our itinerary, I am wondering if the same 3 to 5-day in each-city principle applies for cases where travellers will spend more time travelling around?

I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks Raf

Wow. That sounds amazing! Even when traveling for longer periods like that I’d recommend a minimum of 3 nights in almost any place you go. The main reason is your travel days tend to be kind of long when you factor in everything from checking out of one hotel to getting to the train station and waiting and then the journey time and then getting to your next hotel and getting situated. All of that usually takes 4 to 6 hours even when the train journey is only an hour or two, so you just don’t get much sightseeing done on those days. So if you only stay 2 nights in each city it means every other day is a travel day and that just takes up too much time.

That said, I think 3 or 4 days is enough time in most places as well. If you really want to get to know Paris, for example, you might stay a week there. But for most cities there are diminishing marginal returns starting on day 3 or 4. In other words, you’ll be able to see the 10 things that most interest you in 3 days or so, and at that point you might be ready to see the Top 10 things in the next city instead of the #11 through #20 things in the first city.

Another thing that is important with longer trips like that is to plan some down time at least every few weeks. If you try to do sightseeing 7 days per week for weeks at a time it starts to feel like a job. What I like to do is every two or three weeks find a smaller town or cheaper place where I can rent a little apartment or some place larger and more comfortable than a typical small European hotel room. And I like to stop in places without many sights otherwise it’s too tempting to keep sightseeing every day.

I’ve actually done quite a few long trips like this and I’m happy to help with any other advice if you like. -Roger

Comment*We are planning on Athens to Amsterdam from June 4, 2024 to Amsterdam June 24th.

We are thinking trains to major cities inbetween Athens and Amsterdam. We are open to anything and everything.

Priorities: Parthenon in Athens, Art Museums in Amsterdam (3-5 days in Amsterdam) Can you help us?

That is a tricky one. Both Athens and Amsterdam are great and very worthwhile, but once you go north of Athens to Thessaloniki in northern Greece, the train service is spotty and very slow all the way until you reach Budapest. Strangely enough, buses tend to be faster and much more frequent in those “eastern” countries like Bulgaria and Romania. Also, being perfectly honest, most of those in-between cities such as Sofia and Belgrade are kind of dull by European standards, although they are quite cheap.

If you really want to visit Athens I’d definitely start there and then after a few days fly to Budapest or some other city in that area that interests you and then carry on from there by train. In fact, Athens to Budapest and then trains to Prague then Berlin and then Amsterdam could be perfect. You could even add in a couple of days in Cesky Krumlov near Prague if you want to include a gorgeous smaller town among the big cities.

Those are all first-class cities and several of them are quite affordable as well. I hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger

Hi, my wife and I would like to visit Rome, Florence, Italy, Venice, Prague, Berlin and maybe Switzerland. This will be the first time travelling to Europe and I would appreciate your help in planning where to start, where to stay, how to get there and where to go. We will be coming from Trinidad and Tobago for 2 weeks. If possible, i would like a day-to-day plan.

Unfortunately I don’t have time to do a day-by-day plan for you, but I can help get you started. If you’ve got 14 nights I would keep the list to 5 total cities. If you tried to include Switzerland on this trip it would mean spending only 1 or 2 days in some cities and that means spending every other day on trains.

I think the best thing to do would be to fly into Berlin or Prague and then spend 3 days there and then take a train to the other one and spend 3 days there and then fly to Venice. Spend 1 or 2 days in Venice and then take a short train ride to Florence for 2 days or so and then a train ride down to Rome for your final 3 days and then a flight home or back to your starting city if that is cheaper. I’m happy to help if you have any other questions. -Roger

Hi, Roger. My wife and I (56 and 63) want to do our first trip to Europe from Canada and would like to start by visiting Portugal (Lisbon and Porto) and Spain (Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Granada y Sevilla with day trips to close small cities in between). What it would be your suggestion for: 1. Stay in each city for a 15/17 days trip? 2. any additions/modifications? 3. Train over flights internally? 4. If we travel with one suitcase of 50 Lbs would it work to take public transit when required? 5. Instead of this plan, would it be better to visit 1/2 famous city in different countries? Would appreciate your inputs. Than you Roger

If you’ve only got about 16 days I’d recommend choosing 5 or maybe 6 cities in total. I strongly believe that 3 nights is the best amount of time to stay in each city so you have two full sightseeing days in each one, although some smaller cities can be done a bit quicker. I go over the reasons in detail on this other article about how long to stay in each European city , but the main point is that if you stay only two nights it means literally spending every other day on trains or in airports and such and you just don’t get much sightseeing done on those travel days with all of the packing and unpacking and checking in and out of hotels.

I’d definitely include Lisbon, Madrid, and Barcelona. You could add a 2-day visit to Porto and 2 or 3 days each in Sevilla and Granada. I’d save Valencia for a future trip. It’s nice, but aside from the new buildings clustered in one area, it’s more generic than any of the others on your list.

The only train between Portugal and Madrid goes over night and I’m not a fan of those so I’d fly on that leg. But from there I’d definitely take the high-speed trains, which are fast and comfortable. Buy your tickets at least a couple months in advance for the best fares.

There will be room for a 50 lb suitcase on the flights (of course) and on the trains as well. On older trains they have you put them on racks above the seats, but on most of the more modern ones (like the high-speed trains) they also have room for larger bags at each end of the carriage. If you can lift them, there will definitely be room for them.

I think your plan sounds really good and those are all great cities. That said, for most first-time visitors to Europe I’d recommend Paris and Italy as those are really more dramatic and interesting, although also more crowded and somewhat more expensive as well. I think once you do the Iberia trip you’ll be hooked and you’ll start planning a trip to France and Italy for the coming years. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger

Hi, Roger. Thank you for your comments and recommendations and also for your prompt response. I have modified my plan as I have now 22 days. My Itinerary is Porto(3), Lisbon(3), Seville(2), Malaga(2), Madrid(3),Barcelona(3), Zaragoza(2) and Bilbao(3). What do you think? is this a good plan? Any suggestions? I am still debating between Malaga and Granada though. I included Bilbao to visit friends. The question on the luggage was more related to the comfort to pull a large back in public transit than the allowance in the planes or trains. I will appreciate your inputs. Thank you again, Roger

Those six more days will help a lot. I think your new plan looks really good. You can probably enjoy Porto in 2 days and add an extra day somewhere else, but you might also be dealing with jet-lag so 3 days might be better. Your itinerary looks efficient and logical.

I really like Granada and Malaga, but I think if I were to choose between the two I would go with Granada. Malaga is (in my opinion) an underrated city that is close to some extremely popular beach towns and it’s got a lot going for it, but if you aren’t also going to be staying by the beach I think I’d save it for another trip. Granada has got the Alhambra and Generalife Gardens and those are unlike anything else in Spain or the world for that matter. Granada is small enough to enjoy in two days and I think seeing the Alhambra will be more memorable than anything in Malaga.

Buy your train tickets as early as possible for the best times and fares, and the flight for Lisbon to Seville (or you could take a bus).

And again, your 50 lb suitcase will fit on city to city trains (although not as well on buses or trams within a city), but still (as the saying goes) no one ever went on a trip around Europe like this and swore they would pack more stuff the next time. In other words, 40 lbs is much easier than 50 lbs and getting laundry done cheaply in a country like Spain is quite easy. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger

Comment*Hi travelling first time to europe next year we are 55 years age group any suggestions for 10-12 days itenary with guided tour would be nice if any suggestion are there also april or may better time to visit there anil

Actually, all of my best suggestions for first-time visits to Europe are in the article above. If you specifically want a guided tour you’ll obviously just be choosing from the ones that are available from the companies you look it, although many of those should resemble the itineraries in my article. Planning your own trip to Europe is actually quite easy, and especially if you are going to the classic and most popular cities. I’ve got lots of articles that could help you.

I’m not sure how many guided tours you’ve done, but one thing to consider is that they always move at the speed of the slowest person in the group. If YOU are the slowest person in the group then it’s fine, but if you are 55 then you should be much faster than most other people on a guided tour. For example, if you have a coach/bus tour for a day with 5 or 6 stops, you always have to wait for the slowest people to get on an off the bus. I’ve done countless day tours this way and it can be frustrating waiting 10 extra minutes many times each day as slow people are trying their best.

I think my top two best suggestions are London and maybe another stop or two in England and then Paris and other stop or two in France, OR, Paris then another stop in France and then Venice, Florence, and Rome. It obviously depends whether England or Italy sounds more interesting. Let me know if I can be of any other help. -Roger

Planning a family trip with a adult and nearly adult children. Hoping to be able to do 18 to 20 days. Must sees are Paris, Venice, England, and Prague but would adore seeing more! What route would you suggest and should we rent a car, fly, train, river cruise? There are so many options and I’m completely overwhelmed! A suggested itinerary would be amazing!! Thank you!

That sounds like a great start to a plan. As far as “England” is concerned it’s probably best to just think of it as 3 or probably 4 nights in London. With 4 nights you’d have enough time for a good day trip to Bath/Stonehenge and Windsor or to Oxford or even York, but London is big enough to keep you busy and it’s probably best to just stay there and then take the Eurostar train to Paris for 3 or 4 nights.

Prague is a bit out of the way, but you can fly there cheaply enough if you want and then after 3 nights fly to Venice. After 2 nights in Venice I’d take a train down to Florence for 2 nights and then another train to Rome for 3 nights. That would be just about a perfect 18 to 20 day trip including Prague. I definitely wouldn’t rent a car as they tend to be counter productive when visiting a string of large cities that have bad traffic and expensive parking. Your itinerary doesn’t really work with a river cruise at all, but hopefully you can plan one in the future.

It would probably be cheapest to fly from Rome back to London for your flight home (being careful of which of London’s 5 airports you fly into because your flight home will almost certainly go out of Heathrow), but if you can get a flight home straight from Rome for a good price, that would be even better. Getting around by train in Europe is by far the best way wherever it’s close and fast enough, so I’d focus on trains in the places I mentioned. I hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger

Yes, I meant London. Thank you for picking up on that. After reading though your site and many, many of these informative comments, I think I have figured out a basic itinerary and would love your feedback and suggestions!

-Fly into London London(3 days) -Eurostar Train to Paris Paris (3 days) -Train to Switzerland – unsure which train company Switzerland (3 days) -Train to Venice?? Venice (2 days) -Train to Florence – which train company? Is there a pass? Florence (2 days) -Train to Rome Rome (2 days) -Fly to Prague Prague (3 days) -Fly home out of Prague

Very interested to hear your feedback. I know you suggest 3 nights but I am ok with missing out on some things in Rome/Florence if needed. Would love train suggestions and if passes are best. NO idea on how the trains operate in Europe.

Thank you so much for your time!

This itinerary looks amazing. My only real suggestion would be to spend only one day in Venice and three days in Rome, or at least a day and a half in Venice rather than two, but you’ll enjoy it no matter what. The thing is that Venice is about the size of a theme park like Disneyland and from 9 AM until 5 PM it feels even more crowded than Disneyland. It’s absolutely amazing, but also easy to get tired of the crowds and you’ll do your best sightseeing in the mornings before the day-trippers come and in the evenings after they’ve left. And Rome is huge with a long list of really cool sights so with only one full sightseeing day you’ll miss quite a few of them. But again, you’ll enjoy it no matter how you divide your time.

In most of Europe including between France and Switzerland and Italy, there is just one rail company per country so just book whatever comes up. From Paris to Basel, Switzerland you’ll take the France national service and then change trains to a Swiss train for your ride to Interlaken or Lucern. Then from Switzerland you’ll take (probably) a Swiss train to Spiez or Brig and then change there for an Italian train to Venice. You’ll buy it just as one ticket and it’ll include all the legs required to get from one city to your final city, and usually come with seat reservations as well (except in Switzerland).

My favorite site for checking schedules all over Europe is the Trainline . But you can also check the official rail sites of each country involved and I’d definitely check those prices before booking anything. My article on buying European train tickets in advance is still pretty much up to date and it has links to the various national train companies.

It will be cheapest if you lock in your dates and buy all of your train tickets as early as possible, which will be around 3 months out in most cases. The tickets start off really cheap and go up in price as more seats are sold on each train, so earlier is always better. There are no rail passes that would be helpful on a trip like this, but that’s mostly because the tickets will be pretty cheap already, especially the ones within Italy.

Trains in Europe are really fun and shockingly easy once you get started. All the important signs will be in English as well as a local language. For most of them you can literally walk aboard just before it leaves and you are fine as long as you have a reserved seat, but the Eurostar works more like a flight with security and such so you have to be checked in at least 30 minutes in advance. Let me know if you have any other questions.

I won’t have time to update that other older article about trains vs planes vs buses, partly because these days there is a clear choice depending on which two cities you are going between. There are places in eastern Europe where there are advantages to each mode, but for the cities you’ll be doing the train is going to be the fastest, by far the most enjoyable, and probably the cheapest as well, at least once you factor in airport transportation costs. It’s going to be a great trip! -Roger

Thank you SO much for all of your help. Your in-depth website is an amazing resource! I get so lost in it and spend hours scouring your resources and links – it has everything anyone could need! And, the fact that you are also personally answering comments and offering personalized advice is mind blowing! Thank you for all that you do to inform us!

If you could suggest on a 14-15 day iterinary covering Athens, rome Milan paris London and Finland from New Delhi / Mumbai.

If you have 14 to 15 days I’d suggest choosing about 5 cities in total to visit. So your list should work out fairly well, although it depends on how much of Finland you’d hope to see. I’m guessing you must have a specific reason for wanting to go there? Finland normally isn’t very popular and honestly there isn’t much to see. Helsinki is, in my opinion, the least interesting of the Nordic capitals, although it’s pleasant enough and the country has some nice forests. If you are visiting relatives or something, that requires different planning of course.

It might be easiest to fly from Mumbai to London and then use that as a base. You could spend a few nights there and then fly to Helsinki and back after that or Helsinki to Paris for a few days. After Paris you could fly to Milan or Rome and then take a train to the other and then fly to Athens to finish your trip.

Milan actually isn’t a popular tourist city. It’s the home of most of Italy’s big banks and fashion brands, but neither of those are accessible to most tourists. Italy has amazing fashion shopping in Rome as well as Florence. Venice is also more popular. I hope this helps and I’m happy to help more if you have questions. -Roger

Comment* Planning first trip to Europe Want to do tour of England, Scotland, Wales and then to Paris for sites and Monet Gardens. Might take train to Brussels and Bruge. Then to Switzerland and home. Any suggestions what tour group to contact. Want slower pace trip…at least 3 weeks. Thank you.

I enjoy helping people plan independent trips, and I honestly don’t know much about booking all-inclusive tours like you are after. I’d imagine you’d have to do at least a few different tours to cover all the places you have in mind. The one outfit that I am familiar with is Rick Steves, who I am a huge fan of for his Europe travel guides and I know he has a big tour organization. I’d start with them and see if they have anything that fits what you are looking for. Best of luck. -Roger

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Home » Destinations » Europe » Europe Trip Itinerary: A Tested Europe Backpacking Trip

Europe Trip Itinerary: A Tested Europe Backpacking Trip

Links in this article may earn us a little money if you book/ order stuff. More here .

Here’s a Europe Trip Itinerary To Help You Plan Your Trip!

Hey there, Waddlers – it’s Eric writing this one. Not to say that Lisa hasn’t seen lots of Europe (as a German), it’s just that I’ve travelled around the continent more!

Aside from living in the UK for a year, I’ve done 4 separate routes of varying lengths (2 weeks to 4 months) through different parts of Europe.

Eventually, I’ll write them all down as separate posts: UK and Ireland, Western/Central Europe, Winter Europe ( with Lisa on our first trip together ), and the Balkans.

As I type this, we’re literally travelling around Europe on what I consider my fourth itinerary. I’m typing this from Budapest – and it’s funny because it was almost 3 years ago that I visited for the first time on the trip this post is about!

That said, I like to consider myself a decent Europe route planner AND I’m humbled that a lot of my friends ask me for travel advice around the continent.

So, if your perfect Europe trip (whether it’s your first or fourth) includes classic cities like Paris, Berlin, Brussels, Amsterdam, Prague, Budapest, and more – this is the post for you. Let’s go!

Table of Contents

How to Plan and Book a Trip to Europe

Planning an entire trip can seem overwhelming – especially considering that trip lengths vary and travellers are always in interested in seeing different things.

I’m used to planning trips that are usually longer than 4 weeks. The current trip we’re on is indefinite – and we’ve been on the road for 10 weeks at the time of posting this.

I know there’s a need for a shorter timeline to visit Europe based on summer vacations and the time people can take off. Planning a trip to Europe for 2 weeks is pretty short but it can be done.

We’re planning on writing a second post on sample Europe itineraries that will be helpful if you’re considering a two-week trip!

Overall, whatever the Europe trip length, taking the planning process step by step makes it easier and less scary.

If you’re looking for a Europe trip planner app , then you could check out something like EightyDays.me . Personally, I plan a Europe trip using none other than a sheet of lined paper and a pencil.

Write all your trip dates on the left margin, then use a pencil to write in the cities and the days you’ll transition between them (whatever the means of transportation).

As you book the accommodations, buses, planes, etc. write them in pen. Simple – and all laid out on one sheet. But hey, I’m old school I guess. In terms of actually booking things online, here are the exact tools I use:

Booking Flights

Booking flights is easy using Google Flights ,  Momondo  or Skyscanner . Remember, if you’re looking for cheap flights – here are a few more of our tips for finding the best deals .

Booking Hostels

Use Hostelworld . I’ve used Hostelworld for booking all my hostels over the past 5 years and couldn’t live without their streamlined checkout, protected deposits, and, most importantly, honest reviews from other backpackers that know what’s going on. Begin and end your search for hostels here .

Booking Hotels

If you need a hotel (which can occasionally be cheaper than some hostels in some countries) then use Booking.com .

We use Booking.com for all of our hotel bookings because the deals are usually the best and the cancellation policies make potential trip changes less of a nightmare. Get started with hotels here .

Booking Transportation

Getting around by bus, ferry, tram, or train can be difficult to book but not with Rome2rio. It’s not always perfect – but for a lot of the major cities and routes you’ll be travelling it’ll know the options pretty well.

They’ll give you all the options and then forward you to the official booking website.  Get started on your journey with Rome2Rio .

If you’re looking for a Europe road trip planner, then Rome2rio and/or Google Maps will be able to give you the best directions. Admittedly, I haven’t driven much in Europe so I can’t be that helpful with regard to the best routes and what driving is like.

Travel Insurance

When you’re travelling – things can go wrong. It’s better to be prepared than to have to cover a very expensive medical bill out of the country and out of your own currency.

Travel insurance, or any travel medical coverage, is something which you absolutely should have – and you’ll know why when you read about what happened in Rotterdam.

Europe Trip Itinerary – Western/Central Europe

You might be wondering how I ended up on this Euro Trip. Okay, here’s the backstory:

I have a buddy named Will from back home in Toronto. One day, in late 2014 he asks me “Hey, I’m planning on going on a Europe trip next year cause you can fly through Iceland for cheap. Do you want to go?”

So, we sat down and looked at where we wanted to go and began to piece together the itinerary. 1 city became 2, 2 became 13.

Will booked all of the transportation between cities while I was in charge of booking the hostels. We ran the decision by one another before booking but, having been friends for a few years, we knew generally what the other person would be fine with.

I’d been to Europe just once or twice before – and it was this trip that opened my eyes to the world and let me know there were people like me travelling the world as well.

Even though I was already “the traveller” in my circles, the trip took me out of my comfort zone at times.

It truly was the “quintessential Europe trip”. That’s what an adventure through 13 cities in 8 countries in 5 weeks using 4 different currencies will do to you. It changes you.

Will and I remain friends to this day, and every so often we rehash that first trip together. There are a ton of memories.

Before I dive into each city and what we saw and did, it’s important to outline what isn’t included in this Europe trip itinerary.

Just in case you know there’s a place you want to see that we didn’t. Here’s what we  did not explore on this trip:

• It did not include anything overly hot and/or close to the Mediterranean – but we love Spain , Malta , Croatia , and Italy – and write about them frequently.
• We did not do anything in Scandinavia – this includes Denmark, Sweden, and Norway – but you can read up on the Nordic Countries and their capitals .
• We didn’t include the United Kingdom – but I lived in Edinburgh later on that year so we know a thing or two about travelling in the UK.

This is a fairly simple run of continental Europe done relatively cheaply (except for Iceland) because we stayed in hostels almost the entire way. The exception was in Lille, where a friend gave up his bed for three nights. Incredible hospitality!

You’ll actually see a theme emerge in this post. We knew a friend in almost every single city we visited. That made getting to know the places that much cooler with a local guide!

It’s also important to note that this trip was fast-paced .  We spent 2-4 days max in each city which gave us just enough time to sample the place before leaving again.

Over 5 weeks that can get tiring. There’s absolutely no doubt about that – and one of the top tips I can give to new travellers is to slow the pace. I recognize, however, that that might not be doable on a short trip.

For Will and I, the cities themselves had different vibes – some faster and slower than others. Some cities like Vienna, Antwerp, and Rotterdam were slow going.  Cities like Prague, Budapest, and Berlin were more “go go go” with things to see and getting rowdy.

It’s all about balance. It’s important to pace yourself for whatever trip style you want to have. Your trip is your trip and everyone travels differently. Just do you and see what you want to see – and you’ll be fine.

Ready for our first stop? Here we go!

Reykjavik, Iceland

Iceland was an easy first stop because Icelandair had just begun flying between Canada and Europe for super cheap AND you could add on an “Iceland Stopover”.

Now, it seems everyone is going to Iceland. Nevertheless, you can read more about how to see more of Europe by booking a stopover flight through Lisbon, Reykjavik, London, and more .

If you’re planning on visiting Reykjavik, know that it’s really expensive. One of the best tips that we got was to buy your alcohol at Duty-Free before you leave the airport. This will save you some money compared to buying drinks out in Reykjavik.

This came in handy when a friend from back home invited us to her and her Icelandic boyfriend’s house party. The “Canadians” drank well that night – and I remain friends with these two to this day!

In fact, we had Ari write about his thoughts on tourism in Iceland and tips you can use for travelling to Iceland for the first time !

Things We Did in Reykjavik

We did the Golden Circle Tour which is a great way to see some of the wonders surrounding Reykjavik like geysers and waterfalls.

This is the exact Golden Circle tour we did . We’ve since written a whole guide on booking the right Golden Circle Tour for you since there are a few to choose from!

We also did a free walking tour – it’s the most famous walking tour called CityWalk . You can’t miss the signs and the ads for it!

Another famous activity we did was visit the Blue Lagoon. Honestly, it’s absolutely worth the price and the experience. The entire experience – from the wristbands to the lockers – is well laid out and enjoyable.

We booked a tour that included the transfer to the Lagoon but we didn’t get a free drink unlike with this tour I found! Check here to book your Blue Lagoon tour .

Our Hostel in Reykjavik

We stayed at KEX Hostel – a place known for its live music and as a venue where locals actually go to eat and drink. KEX had a great atmosphere and good people travelling through it.

Check now if KEX is available for your trip dates ! We also wrote a whole where to stay in Reykjavik guide if that helps you!

Paris, France

Don’t get me wrong, Paris is a great city with so much to offer people looking to discover its every corner. Personally, I didn’t love Paris.

I will absolutely admit that this is partially because we had just come from pristine and quiet Iceland.

Compared to that, Paris was just a clusterf*ck of people and car horns and it really threw me off mentally. We had a friend in the city so it was great to have him around as a tour guide.

Things We Did in Paris

We visited the Catacombs which I would highly recommend. The bones of 6 million people underground is something to be experienced.

You need a ticket for it but we got a deal on some website the day of – Will booked it.

We still had to wait in the ridiculous lineup for over 40 minutes but it was worth it. If you want to skip the line – be smarter than us and book this kind of ticket for the Catacombs .

You will not regret the extra cash paid. It’s very creepy and interesting to learn about the dark past of Paris.

We visited Notre Dame and visited the Eiffel Tower – but didn’t go up. I’m always a sucker for a view so I wish we had climbed the Arc de Triomphe but we didn’t have time.

Here’s another line skip admission ticket that would have been handy at the time.

Our Hostel in Paris

As for our hostel, I really liked where we stayed. Le Village Montmartre is north and a bit outside the centre but it was a really nice place to crash for a few nights.

The patio was a nice touch to be able to get some air while in the big city. Check out the photos of Le Village Montmartre !

Lille, France

Lille is a small student city in the north of France right on the Belgian border. We only stopped through because an old friend of Will’s said to. He then gave up his bed for the whole time we stayed there. What a guy!

We also thought it might be a quieter city…. but if you know how strong Belgian beer is (and how close you are to the Belgium border but still be in France), you’ll know that we didn’t get a chance to rest staying with these boys.

Will and I did get the chance to walk about many times and take in the differences between Lille and Paris.

Hostels in Lille

You could skip Lille and not miss much – but it is kinda on the way to Belgium so it can be done. Another alternative from Paris is to hop into Belgium right away since there are places like Ghent or Bruges that people always rave about.

If you are staying in Lille, there’s one really good hostel called Gastama. You can check out the link for Hostel Gastama here .

Brussels, Belgium

Brussels. It should first be stated that we ended up in Brussels during (totally on accident but absolutely okay with it) Pride Weekend. The city was absolutely wild. Like most places, we started off with a walking tour.

You’ll find that we did a walking tour in most of the cities we visited because it is a great way to meet people in your hostel and to see the city you’ve just arrived in!

Things We Did in Brussels

Brussels was full of doing the most classic of things. Yes we saw the famous Manneken – Pis , yes we visited Delirium Cafe (the bar with over 3000 beers on tap), yes we then also went to the absinthe bar across from it, and no, we did not hallucinate from the absinthe.

It’s just a strong shot – but fun to do! Looking back, Belgian beer has a distinct history and I would have liked to learn more so here’s a well-ranked beer tour and tasting if you’re interested !

Our Hostel in Brussels

We stayed at 2GO4 Hostel and it was pretty nice. We actually ended up in a four-person room with two other Canadian girls so we called it the Canadian room.

Located very central, I’d recommend 2GO4 if you’re staying in Brussels .

Antwerp, Belgium

Antwerp is forever defined by the gloomy weather and a low-energy vibe from Will and myself after Brussels. The city is beautiful, but it’s another place you can skip if you’re short on time.

For those readers interested, Belgium has three official languages: French, Dutch, and German.

Antwerp is close to the Netherlands and as such, the language is Dutch, whereas Brussels was primarily French-speaking. The architecture is stunning, the river makes for great walks, and let’s not forget about Belgium being the home of French Fries.

That said, we know a lot of travellers that opted to go to Ghent or Bruges instead. Others headed right into the Netherlands.

The thing is that you kind of have to go through Antwerp to head to the Netherlands so you may as well stop to see it!

Coming from Brussels you can also head for Germany early but most travellers will want to hit up Amsterdam because it’s Amsterdam and what Europe Trip is complete without Amsterdam?

Our Hostel in Antwerp

We stayed at Antwerp Backpackers Hostel (abhostel) for a few nights and to this day I want to go back. Located in what felt like a residential area, the owner was very nice and welcomes new guests personally.

There was a hammock in the backyard and the place was very social as it was small and the kitchen and living room are tied together. Had a good jam session in there one night! Stay at abhostel, you won’t regret it .

Rotterdam, Netherlands

Rotterdam is nice to make a pit stop in if you have the time. I’ll be honest, the only reason we stopped in Rotterdam was that one of Will and I’s favourite artist, an Icelandic woman named Soley, was playing.

We decided to make the stop to see the show – which didn’t disappoint. Rotterdam is a smaller city and we know travellers who skipped it and replaced it with a city/town in the Netherlands like Eindhoven , Leiden, Utrecht, Maastricht or just headed for Amsterdam because they got so excited.

Things We Did in Rotterdam

Besides going to the show and eating a really good burger at a place that boasted the best burger in Europe, we didn’t do a whole lot in Rotterdam.

This was because I came down with strep throat – and I got a great fever and chills to go along with it.

Because there wasn’t a doctor’s office around I actually went to the hospital for a check-up. Yup, there I was in a Dutch hospital emergency room.

In the end, everything was fine and I was better in a few days but it was good to go and get a few tests done to make sure it wasn’t something more serious.

The bill, however, was over 400 euro which I paid upfront. Remember how I said travel insurance is super important?

Well, I got all of that money back after filing the claim when I got home. Easy peasy.

Our Hostel in Rotterdam

In any case, we stayed at King Kong Hostel which was one of the top rated hostels in Europe. It’s a larger hostel and I was sick so we didn’t get a chance to really meet a ton of travellers or use the facilities to their full potential.

That said, King Kong was a great stay and centrally located – check out King Kong Hostel in Rotterdam for your next trip .

Amsterdam, Netherlands

I’m not going to go into Amsterdam too heavily because there’s just so much to say about the city.

Considering there is so much to do for all different interests (architecture, canals, red light erotica, history, bicycling, drugs etc.) Amsterdam is a city that appeals to lots of travellers and welcomes newer travellers to try it out.

I’m not into the whole weed thing (if you are that’s totally cool, too – just be safe and take care of your friends) so Amsterdam for me wasn’t about that – but I do like beer and so having the Heineken Experience close by was a major plus!

Things We Did in Amsterdam

With such a huge traveller community there’s no shortage of things to do and hostels to stay at. As for things to do, Will and I ended up buying tickets for the Anne Frank House (we are World War II buffs) that got us a line skip. Best decision ever – just like in Paris.

The Anne Frank House line up looked absolutely terrifying. Will bought our tickets online (I believe from the website) but it’s difficult if you don’t book in advance. Buy this ticket or else you will end up in a lineup that lasts the better part of your day.

Alternatively, there’s a walking tour that’s Anne Frank themed if you can’t get into the House. To be honest, the Anne Frank House Museum was good – but there were so many people which made it difficult to really immerse ourselves in the experience.

I almost feel like a walking tour of the neighbourhood around would have been more beneficial to connect the dots to her life and her narrative. I’d check out the Anne Frank Walking Tour and make the decision for yourself.

As mentioned, Amsterdam is the home of Heineken and so you can visit the factory/museum. They do a great job of really making it an experience (kind of like the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin does). Since it’s so popular, consider booking the Heineken Experience ahead .

Our Hostel in Amsterdam

We ended up staying at the Flying Pig – Uptown location. There’s also a downtown location which lots of people stay at. Flying Pig is a decently known brand around the city.

Uptown was a bit of a further walk from the train station and the centre but still very close to things and a tad quieter of an area.

The hostel itself has a great bar to meet up in for activities and pub crawls. If you’re looking for fun people in a chilled atmosphere, I’d recommend Flying Pig Uptown to anyone passing through .

Cologne, Germany

If you’re including Germany on your Europe trip itinerary, then you might pass over Cologne for Berlin or Munich. We did all three, so we got a good sense of three of the largest centres in Germany!

Again, we kind of only stopped there because Will had a buddy (Pomo) DJing there while we were travelling! We went to his show and went out with him and a few others afterward. Good fun.

Without Pomo, there’s a chance we wouldn’t have stopped to see Cologne. It’s a beautiful city with a very large famous Cathedral. If you’re wanting to see more of Germany you could add on Hamburg on-route to Berlin but it’s quite a ways north.

You could even consider stopping in Münster since it’s a small university town with a beautiful old town.

Things We Did in Cologne

One of the things that define the city is the river, the Rhine, which is one of the famous rivers in Germany and in all of Europe.

Since there’s such a connection to the river, you should  consider a scenic boat tour of the Rhine to see the best sides of Cologne . I sure wish we had!

Our Hostel in Cologne

As for hostel, we stayed pretty central at the bottom of the pedestrian mall – the place was called Cologne Downtown Hostel and it served our needs perfectly.

There was a big kitchen and a grocery store right below it so Will and I saved money on food by cooking a night or two. It also has a terrace which was great for enjoying a beer in the summer. Check out Cologne Downton Hostel .

Berlin, Germany

I actually lied earlier when I said we only stayed in cities for 2-4 days. We stayed in Berlin for 5.

Will lives in Montreal and we’d heard Berlin was an “alternative city” with a similar feel. Therefore, we wanted to spend just slightly more time there to see what Berlin had to offer.

We also used the stop as a rest period that was kind of in the middle of our adventure. From pub crawls to exploring history to naps – we made use of our Berlin time! I mentioned being interested in World War II (Will is a history major) so Berlin had A LOT to offer.

Things We Did in Berlin

Before weWe began our time in Berlin with a walking tour by Sandemans. Honestly, mainly because of how good the guide was, it was one of the best walking tours I’ve ever been on.

We hopped on it from our hostel lobby (which I talk about below) and it left from near the Brandenburg Gate (most of them do).

Another really interesting thing we did was visit the Reichstag, or the German Parliament Building and check out the famous “Dome”. The beautiful glass architecture and audio guide were well worth the money and the small security check to get in wasn’t that bad either.

Since there are set times to visit I suggest booking in advance. You can do this by checking out the same ticket we booked here . We also now have a more detailed guide on the top attractions in Berlin !

Our Hostel in Berlin

We stayed at Plus Berlin – which is a HUGE hostel for travellers. It’s located very close to the East Side Gallery – a portion of the Berlin Wall that is still standing and covered in artwork.

There’s a great schnitzel place under the train tracks near the hostel called Scheers which you have to try.

Overall, the dorm room at Plus Berlin served its purpose for a few nights. This is where we met “the American Boys” and I’ll tell you the whole story about them and their antics down below.

For now, book at stay at Plus Berlin to be close to the clubs and East Side Gallery .

Prague, Czech Republic

After Berlin, a vast majority of travellers you’ll meet on their Europe routes are heading to Prague. Understandably so. The train/bus connection is well laid-out and very simple.

The city is not to be missed – even if you only spend one day in Prague .

It’s a gorgeous city that has lots to offer travellers from beer to history to nature to beer to castles to beer. The Czech Republic is known for its beer.

Things We Did in Prague

With the Vltava River running right through, one of the first things we did after getting off the bus at Florenc was a boat cruise.

We actually went with the hostel we stayed at – The MadHouse – and I’ll talk about Hostels in Prague down below because we’ve written a whole post on the best hostels to stay at in Prague.

Back to cruises – we did a great night cruise but if you wanted to do a cruise that included a nice dinner,  this Prague cruise would be the one for you .

We did all the classic things from visiting the John Lennon Wall, wandering the Old Town, hiking up to Prague Castle, and even renting a paddle boat and taking it out on the river.

We visited the beer gardens and generally did great activities organized by the hostel. Prague is a great stop because it’s another place that everyone needs to see.

You could also take a day trip to Český Krumlov, which is beautiful. We didn’t go on that trip, but we know many people who did. We’ve since written a massive guide on things to do in Prague so if you want inspiration check that out!

Our Hostel in Prague

As for places to stay in Prague, I mentioned the hostel post above for all types of travellers but we’ve also written about hotels in Prague as well.

If you are looking to meet people, and drink while doing cool activities for good prices/discounts, then I’d honestly suggest booking a stay at the MadHouse Prague .

You will not regret the free beer with check-in at the number one rated hostel in the Czech Republic. Be sure to book early because they DO fill up in the summer!

Budapest, Hungary

For many backpackers, Budapest is the furthest they will travel into Eastern Europe. Budapest is certainly a fun international city with lots to offer.

From the famous thermal baths to the ruin bars, you’re sure to find classic Budapest activities that suit your travel needs.

Here at Penguin and Pia, we’ve visited Budapest together (a few times now) since writing this post. So, if you want even more Budapest tips – check out our post on things to do in Budapest and then itinerary posts for  one day in Budapest or  what to do in Budapest in 3 days !

Planning More Europe Travels?-   Here’s a Fully Customizable Eastern Europe Itinerary

Things We Did in Budapest

Like in Prague, Will and I did a walking tour and also almost immediately did a harbour tour which was basically a party boat.

The Danube River cuts through Budapest (and many other Eastern European capitals, for that matter) so it’s a great idea to see the city from the water. If you’re looking for a sightseeing cruise, then here’s a Danube Sightseeing cruise which should suit your needs !

Budapest is known to have an extensive cave system that runs below the city. So, Will and I actually went caving – or “spelunking” as it’s called – with a cave guide and a group of like 20 people.

We went underground in overalls with helmet lights and crawled through tunnels under the earth. It was awesome! The tour we did was WELL worth the money for the experience !

As for Hungarian food, I’m Canadian/Hungarian so I know a thing or two about what’s good and what’s not thanks to my Mama (grandma). For great traditional goulash, head to Kiadó Kocsma – you won’t be disappointed.

If you need more information about awesome food in Budapest, check out our other post on the best places to eat in Budapest . For great cafes in the city, check out our favourite cafes in Budapest !

Our Hostel in Budapest

As for hostels, there are many in Budapest. Will and I stayed at Carpe Noctem Vitae which is one of the four “Budapest Party Hostels” – a group of the most notorious party hostels in the city (and in Europe). It has since been rebranded to just Vitae Hostel .

We WERE originally staying at Retox thinking we’d be able to survive. But then, and I swear this is true, backpackers we made friends with in every city before Budapest were like “oh god, don’t do it.

It’s not for you. You party – but Retox is  next level”.  So, we booked Carpe Noctem Vitae instead and we’re glad we did. Vitae was such a fun stay.

We got to visit Retox at the beginning of a pub crawl and the place was great – but definitely a different vibe. As I said, there are 4 “Budapest Party Hostels” (Grandio and just Carpe Noctem being the other two) and all of them hold events and activities with the other ones.

Vitae was a fun experience but they emphasize coming home and sleeping so that you (and everyone else) can do it all again tomorrow. Fair mentality!

Book a stay at Carpe Noctem Vitae for a crazy time with good people . Alternatively, if you want to understand the best areas to stay in Budapest, you can read our guide on the Budapest neighbourhoods .

Vienna, Austria

I recently read that Vienna was still an “underrated” destination in Europe – I honestly can’t see why. I suppose it’s a little more expensive but overall, the city was voted the most livable by numerous rankings.

Austria as a country is great and there are many other places to visit (Salzburg and Innsbruck, for example) which can be done on your way to Italy, Switzerland, Spain, etc. We actually know a group of travellers that headed for Salzburg and had a great time.

Funny story – remember those “American Boys” from Berlin? We shared a room but didn’t really connect in Berlin. Well, we walk into the hostel in Vienna and there they were calling out to us. We by accident stayed at the same hostel again!

We officially became friends with these guys in Vienna and saw them one last time in Munich. We didn’t stay in the same hostel – but we went to theirs for drinks. Good guys – and we wish them well!

Things We Did in Vienna

Like in every other city, we did the free walking tour from the hostel to understand the area. We then went off on our own and visited the cathedral.

St. Stephen’s Cathedral is absolutely gorgeous and we got to see the entire building. For a Cathedral ticket to explore the towers and the catacombs as well, choose this one !

You absolutely have to go and eat Viennese-style schnitzel at Figlmüller . There are two locations located behind St. Stephen’s Cathedral. You will leave very full and very satisfied. It’s worth the wait and the price isn’t even that crazy.

Will and I went there in 2015 and I liked it so much I took Lisa there when we visited in 2017. Oh, and for dessert you have to have the Kaiserschmarrn. Just do it.

Don’t even look up the ratings. Just trust me and go. We have also written a better guide on things to do in Vienna if you want to check that out.

Our Hostel in Vienna

As for the hostel where we saw the boys again – it was Wombats Naschmarkt. We tend to stay away from chain brands but Wombats was a nice stay.

There are actually two in Vienna and the one we stayed at was a bit of a walk from the bus/train station but a great location close to the famous market.

It was actually under renovations at the time but it was still a good stay. Book your stay at Wombat’s in Vienna !

You might also be interested in reading our full guide to accommodation and neighborhoods in Vienna !

Munich, Germany

Munich. The last stop on our trip. There’s not much to say about Munich besides the fact that we were exhausted. It had been a blast of a few weeks and it was time to get home.

That said, we still did a lot. We had friends in the city who cooked us up a traditional Bavarian breakfast which was great to experience.

Things We Did in Munich

Besides a walking tour (classic), we went and had beers with the Americans at Hofbräuhaus . It’s a world-famous beer hall that’s been around for ages.

Besides the beer, tourist flock there because, yes – Hitler did hold a meeting there but this was well before he came to power. Still interesting to learn about the history.

A lot of travellers use the opportunity in the south of Germany to visit the famous Neuschwanstein castle. Will and I didn’t go but here’s a day trip tour to Neuschwanstein Castle to make it easy on yourself getting there !

One of the things Will and I did do was visit the Dachau Concentration Camp located just outside of Munich. It was the first one and served as a model for the other camps. I’d definitely recommend the trip out there because it’s an important place in history.

We took public transit there because the route was easy and many others were travelling there, too. I’d recommend taking a tour while you’re there so that you can learn more about Dachau from the experienced guides .

Our Hostel in Munich

We stayed at Meininger Munich which was a decent brand hostel. It is located very close to a rail station just outside the absolute centre of Munich so it made getting places easy.

It’s also located across the street from Augustiner Bräustuben – a German beer hall where you can have a dinner of just bread and meat and it’s so delicious! Click here to book Meininger Munich .

And there you have it – the tale of our Europe Trip from once upon a time. Looking back years later and having travelled to WAY more of Europe now, I’m so glad I did this trip.

Experiencing the city centres was a great way to see as many places as we could and I’ve since taken that information and made trips in recent years that reflect my taste and interests.

Travel is about learning about yourself – and you can learn a lot travelling with a buddy for five weeks. I hope it’s a helpful sample itinerary for you as you set out on your next adventure.

If you have any questions, feel free to comment below. I’m happy to share my knowledge! After all, it’s years later and I’m literally sitting in an Airbnb typing this as I travel around Europe with Lisa. We practice what we preach!

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Related Articles

We’ve also written a few guides that are specifically about travelling to Europe:

• Must-Knows When Travelling To Europe For The First Time
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• 27 Hostels In Europe That We Loved Staying At
• Our Guide for the Best Backpacks for Europe
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12 Awesome Day Trips from Berlin, Germany

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From walking over Rakotzbrücke Bridge to exploring Potsdam, these are some of the best day trips from Berlin for your next trip to Germany!

Berlin is an awesome city. The art, food, history, nightlife and overall cool urban vibes makes it one of my favourite cities in Europe. For a travel blogger that’s quite a big claim!

But with loads of cool day trips from Berlin on offer, it’s also a great idea getting out of the city and seeing some more of Germany . Getting a taste of other towns like Potsdam and Dresden is a sometimes welcome break from Berlin’s edgy culture and gritty character.

There’s a real mix of experiences available too.From hiking in Saxony to wandering around the streets of Lipzig to relaxing at the Tropical Islands Resort, there really is something for everyone here.

These places can all be reached within a few hours of Berlin, so they are proper day trips. You can be back in Berlin in time for dinner in Kreuzberg and a night out at the techno clubs, no problem.

So, here are my recommendations for the best Berlin day tours, ready for whenever you’re next in the city. Go on one of these and I guarantee you’re in for an amazing time.

If you’re planning a trip to Berlin, then make sure you check out my Berlin itinerary , my guide to Berlin in spring , and the coolest hotels in Berlin . All of these should help plan that amazing weekend away.

Are you planning an amazing weekend in Berlin? If so, you may want to book your hotels and tours asap to ensure availability. Here are some links to quickly help plan your trip!

Best hotels and apartments in Berlin:

• The Mandala Hotel (top rated 5* hotel)
• Urban Loft Berlin (top rated 4* hotel)
• Motel One Berlin-Alexanderplatz (top rated 3* hotel)

Best activities and tours in Berlin :

• Discover Berlin Walking Tour (top rated tour!)
• 3-Hour Secret Food Tour (this one is super yummy)
• TV Tower Fast View Ticket (best views in the city)

Berlin Day Trips

You might hear Leipzig described as Berlin’s little brother. While it’s true that it shares a similar carefree spirit, don’t write off a visit to Leipzig thinking it’s just a smaller, quieter Berlin. I promise you it’s not.

I was stunned at how beautiful the architecture is here. Just go for a stroll around Altsandt, the Old Town, and you’ll see what I mean. It’s lined with buildings in Saxon style and it’s more classical than other cities in Germany.

There’s a stand-out art scene in Leipzig too. Happy browsing galleries and sniffing out your next coffee in cosy cafes all day long? If that’s a yes, then out of all the Berlin day trips, this might be the one for you.

A 2 and a half hour tour of Leipzig costs £16/US$20 taking in the best sights around the city.

2. Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp

Berlin itself is packed full of ways to learn about the country’s World War II history. None of it really compares, or prepares you, for visiting Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp .

The former Nazi concentration camp stands in Oranienburg, just outside of Berlin. Here, over 30,000 inmates died in the horrendous conditions, subjected to all kinds of evil. The tour guides are very knowledgeable and share the story of Sachsenhausen, as well as giving you wider context.

I understand why people might be reluctant to visit. However, choosing to learn about what happened and remember the people who lost their lives is an important act. I always feel that learning about man’s inhumanity to man is one of the best ways of atrocities like this ever occurring again. I would really encourage you to think about taking a Berlin tour here. 

A 6-hour tour of Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp from Berlin costs £16/US$20 and goes into the history of the area. This tour includes a train ride through the forests too.

3. Saxon Switzerland National Park

One word comes to mind when I think of hiking in the Saxon Switzerland National Park: magical. This rock national park is made up of sandstone cliffs, valleys and gorges, and some amazing wildlife.

Among the atmospheric forest lies the Bastei Bridge – the park’s star attraction. Almost blending into the sandstone rock towers, it feels like it’s come straight from a forgotten fairy-tale.

I was amazed to find out that the bridge, as we see it today, was rebuilt for tourists in 1851. Travellers like me have been walking the same steps for over 160 years – so cool!

By the way, despite confusingly having Switzerland in its name, Saxon Switzerland is definitely in Germany and a doable distance from Berlin. It takes roughly three hours by car or train to deliver you from the bustle of the city into this natural paradise.

You can learn more about the hiking the Bastei Bridge in my blog post. It’s up there with my of the best things I’ve done in Germany!

4. Rakotzbrücke Bridge (The Devil’s Bridge)

Speaking of bridges, this one is an absolute showstopper. Rakotzbrücke gets its nickname ‘The Devil’s Bridge’ because its precarious stone structure was seen as so dangerous, people thought it must have been the work of Satan.

What actually makes this 19th-century bridge special though is its reflection. When the light hits the river, it forms a perfect circle.

I’ve always been bowled over by how beautiful this bridge is – I mean, just look at it!? The best time to visit is in autumn when the surrounding trees and colours make it all the more stunning.

You can’t walk across it but that really doesn’t matter. The experience is all about admiring it from afar. Just don’t forget your camera.

Visiting Rakotzbrücke Bridge is without a doubt one of the most popular day trips from Berlin so make sure you add it to your list.

Since Potsdam can be reached in as little as 25 minutes from Berlin, it’s a top a choice if you’re short on time. Best of all, its a really spectacular place well worth visiting on any trip to Germany.

You’ve got the striking architecture in the Old Dutch Quarter, which is one-of-a-kind in Europe. Then there’s the Sanssouci Park, where you can see not one but three major palaces. This is everyone’s favourite spot in the city.

Film and history buffs like me should come here just to see Filmpark Babelsberg . It’s one of the oldest and largest film studios in the world, with a massive place in the movie history of Germany. 

A full-day tour of Potsdam from Berlin costs £42/US$53 and includes transport with live commentary on the history of the city, a beautiful tour of Sanssouci’s garden and discovering more of the city.

You might wonder whether another big city should be one of your Berlin day tours. Well, I can’t decide for you but I can tell you Hamburg’s character feels a million miles from the capital’s.

With limited time, I’d suggest sticking to a handful of highlights instead of rushing around trying to cram more in. See the historic Speicherstadt district, tuck into some food at the Fish Market and wander down the infamous red light district (it’s a major tourist attraction today).

You can ride the city’s RiverBus too – this is one of the most unique modes of transport I’ve ever come across. When you see it you’ll understand.

One of the most famous tours in Hamburg is a sex and crime tour where you learn all about the history of the red light district (where the Beatles first made a name for themselves). This is genuinely such a good tour.

Hamburg is one of those places where you’ve just got to soak up the atmosphere – it is such a cool city and I always recommend it to people.

7. Tropical Islands Resort

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t totally convinced by the idea of a Berlin day trip to a semi-summer resort. Then I heard it housed Europe’s largest indoor pool and I started to come around to the idea.

The setting is super cool – it’s inside a converted aircraft hangar which makes it feel like you’re in the middle on a film set. And the tropical theme makes it a fun place to chill out for the afternoon. Think artificial waterfalls and waterslides galore. I mean, who doesn’t like the sound of that?

It can be just what you need after a jam-packed schedule of sightseeing and travelling. This is definitely one of the best family friendly activities from Berlin.

8. Spreewald

Spreewald in summer is bliss. This forest is a UNESCO protected nature reserve, which serves as a picturesque and peaceful escape from the city.

The reserve is best explored by bike, on foot or actually on the river Spree. There are canoes and kayaks to rent in Lübbenau or Burg. I chose to kayak and enjoyed a little leisurely adventure after a lot of eating, drinking and indoor activities in Berlin.

If you’re sticking on solid ground, there are nice trails that you can follow to Lehde or Leipe. The first is a lagoon village, while the second is a quaint fishing village. The hiking is really nice here and it’s well worth spending an afternoon exploring the area.

Another great place for kicking back in summer and one of the most popular day trips from Berlin is Wannsee. The suburb is most famous for its lakeside lido. Unfortunately, it’s not exactly a well-kept secret and any sunny day will be busy. But that’s part of the fun, right?

If you do manage to save yourself and your beach towel a spot on Strandbad then you’ll be sorted for a day. Swim, sunbathe, repeat. It’s amazing how popular this place is during summer, but it does quieten down during week days.

There is more to Wannsee than the lido, though. I checked out the House of the Wannsee Conference, which anyone who’s interested in WWII history will find interesting. 

A 2-hour tour of the idyllic Havel Lakes costs £12/US$15 per person and takes you to some of the most beautiful places in the area.

10. Dresden

Dresden was one of the Berlin tours that won me over immediately, thanks to its awesome architecture. Everywhere from The Church of our Lady to the Stallhof, where they once hosted jousting tournaments, is spellbinding to look at.

It’s hard to believe that that this city was flattened by Allied bombings in 1945. Thankfully, the blueprints of the city and the buildings remained, and ever since the war Dresden has been meticulously rebuilt to its former glory.

Dresden was immortalised as a ‘Florence on the Elbe’ by the Italian master Canaletto and I think that tagline is still fitting today. I really hope I can squeeze in a return visit soon. You can find out more about Dresden and why I love it some much in this blog post .

One of the best tours of Dresden is the Taste of Dresden food tour . Then you get to eat your way around the city while learning all about it’s history too.

11. Peacock Island

One of the most popular day tours from Berlin is to Peacock Island.

Called Pfaueninsel in German, Peacock Island is a compact little nature reserve covering an area of just 1.5km by 0.5km.

True to its name, plenty of magnificent peacocks call the island home. I spent a good deal of my time here just watching them strut their stuff and admiring those opulent feathers. They’re kind of mesmerising!

When you do pull yourself away from the birdwatching, there are some nice walks to do and historic architecture to look at. The neo-gothic Kavalierhaus is probably the most photographed. That’s not surprising as the white design is particularly striking.

12. Britzer Garten

Britzer Garden is a beauty of a green space near Berlin. It’s a modern landscape park where you can stumble across a host of themed gardens, all boasting eye-catching flowers and designs.

And it doesn’t stop at pretty flowers. Check out Europe’s largest sundial, ride on the park train, spot the sculptures that are dotted around and more.

The garden was founded as a place to enjoy the outdoors by inhabitants of West Berlin, who were cut off from countryside at the time. I love the idea that it remains a place for locals and travellers alike to enjoy a piece of nature close to the city. This is just another of those Germany day tours that’ll surprise you – this is why I love travelling here so much!

Will you be heading on any of these tours from Berlin? Let me know what you think in the comments below!

If you’re travelling around Germany, then make sure you check out my guides to Dresden , Dusseldorf , Munich , Nuremberg and Stuttgart .

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About the Author

Macca Sherifi is the founder of the multiple award-winning blogs An Adventurous World and the Great British Bucket List. Every month he inspires over 200,000 avid readers to travel the world.

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4 thoughts on “12 Awesome Day Trips from Berlin, Germany”

Great post and collection of quirky places to see in Berlin!

Thank you so much! I have so much time for Berlin – love that city so much.

Wow!! So many great things and amazing pictures. Thanks for sharing this.

No worries! There are so many amazing things to do in Berlin!

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Home » Travel Guides » Germany » 15 Best Day Trips from Berlin

15 Best Day Trips from Berlin

Berlin is a cosmopolitan, hipster-cool capital, with historic sites and modern attractions in equal measure. Here lies the Berlin Wall, with its epic street art; here stand some of the most exclusive and elusive clubs in Europe; here is World War II history in the Reichstag and Checkpoint Charlie; here is modern art and spectacular art galleries.

Berlin is a great place to spend some time on a European adventure, if you’re looking for a place with diverse appeal, great food and epic nightlife.

But if you want to explore further afield, then there’s plenty to do in its surrounds as well.

Here are fifteen fantastic day trips that you should make from the German capital.

1. Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp

A visit to Sachsenhausen is certainly a worthwhile, if sobering, addition to your Berlin itinerary.

The closest camp to the capital, at Sachsenhausen you can take a tour of the premises, and learn more about the horrific reality of life at a Nazi concentration camp.

It might leave you feeling sad rather than uplifted, but this day trip certainly provides a worthwhile history lesson, and the poignant memorial displays are well worth a visit.

‘Arbeit macht frei’ (work will set you free) still hangs imposingly above the entrance.

Just a short hop from Berlin lies pretty Potsdam, with its intriguing Dutch Quarter, the Russian-influenced Alexandrovka, and the main attraction: Sanssouci palace.

The city as a whole is beautiful, but the palace really takes the biscuit, with its beautiful Chinese teahouse, extensive gardens, and the New Palace in pride of place.

Sanssouci certainly gives the Palace of Versailles in France a run for its money.

Spend as much time as possible wandering round and soaking up the atmosphere, before heading back on a coach to Berlin.

Just two hours from Berlin sits the pretty riverside city of Dresden.

Theatres, castles, and beautiful buildings a-plenty characterise this southwest German gem.

Take some time to stroll through the main squares – Theaterplatz and Schlossplatz – and cross the Augustus Bridge to get a view out along the river.

A visit to the Old Town won’t go amiss, either: don’t neglect to visit the old market square and the new market.

Dresden is eminently walkable, so make sure you’ve grabbed your comfiest trainers for this fantastic day trip.

4. Lehnitz Sea

From Tegel, you can take a boat trip all the way out to Lehnitz Sea, passing through the calm waters of Berlin’s surrounds.

You’ll float on down through the Tegel Sea, the Oberhavel and pass through the Lehnitz Lock on the Oder-Havel Canal.

Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride as you explore Berlin’s extensive waterways, finally getting a glimpse of Friedrichsthal and Malz at the trip’s furthest point before making your way back to the capital.

It’s a great choice if you need a break: the calm waters of the canals will soothe your soul.

5. Rüdersdorf

By boat, you can make it all the way to Rüdersdorf from Berlin in a day – a great chance to explore its famous Museum Park.

En route you could also choose to stop off at the cute historic towns of Köpenick and Friedrichshagen, whose rustic buildings and laid back pace of life are sure to appeal.

The riverside journey is a fantastic way to discover more of rural Germany, from the extensive waterways of the Müggelsee to the quaint habitations that fringe the water.

Get your camera out and keep it handy, for you’ll certainly want to get snap-happy on this cruise.

Wannsee often finds itself a spot on lists of best day trips from Berlin, and it’s easy to see why.

The largest European inland beach is ever-popular among tourists and locals alike, and sometimes it can be hard to find yourself a spot to lay your towel.

Even still, it’s a great day trip – especially in summer when you can soak up the sunshine, swim and simply relax.

Insider tip: just a little distance from Wannsee is the quieter spot of Kladow.

Just hop on a ferry and you’ll escape the crowds but still score the benefits of the sandy-shored lakes and tranquil grasslands.

Under two hours by train from the capital, if you feel like a change of scenery but don’t want to stray beyond the city life, perhaps Hamburg is a good option for you.

It’s very different from Berlin, as a port city, but it’s got more than enough to field an entertaining trip out from the capital.

Hamburg certainly has atmosphere to be soaked up as you meander among the boats tied up in the harbour, or explore the famous fish market.

The UNESCO World Heritage status earned by Germany’s second-largest city in 2015 is well-deserved.

And, for something more thrilling, you can check out Heide Park to experience the twists and turns of its rollercoasters – both wooden and steel.

Saxony’s largest city is surprisingly cool: more chilled out and much cheaper than the capital, it has begun to attract Germany’s young creatives, and this certainly shows.

The Altstadt (old town) is well worth a look round, with its impressive Saxon architecture.

Leipzig also holds a lot of cultural appeal in its museum offerings: with options from Bach to fine art, most will be able to find something to tempt them.

There are also lots of great restaurants in the city, and some excellent street art.

9. Pfaueninsel

Pfaueninsel, or Peacock Island, provides something a little different for a diverting day trip.

Just 1.5km in length, and a mere 0.5km wide, Peacock Island makes for easy exploration, yet it still provides plenty to do.

Spend time marvelling at its historic buildings such as the Kavaliershaus, and of course, pointing out the island’s many peacocks.

Peacock Island Castle is another key draw, built in the late 18th century by Frederick William II. It’s amazing how much is packed into this tiny stretch of land.

10. Spreewald

This picturesque forest is a real steal of a day trip – you’ll likely encounter more locals than tourists among the trees.

There’s hardly a better place to get back to nature so close to Berlin, and Spreewald has trails a-plenty for walking, cycling and exploring by water.

Hiring kayaks is a fun, unusual option for discovering the UNESCO-protected nature reserve, if you feel like a change from endless wandering by foot.

Stop off at the lagoon village of Lehde, or the cute fishing village of Leipe, for a peek at rural German life at its most peaceful.

11. Tropical islands resort

A strange concept for a resort, perhaps, but Tropical Islands is a fantastic place to spend the day with the family, once you’ve exhausted all the manifold cultural attractions around the capital.

Make this a day to relax, and splash about in the largest indoor pool in Europe.

Housed inside an old aircraft hangar, the Tropical Islands resort has plenty to keep kids and adults alike occupied for the day – waterfalls, lagoons and a tempting array of waterslides.

12. Wandlitzsee

The lido in Wandlitzsee is a bit of a hidden spot – but it’s so close to Berlin that you wouldn’t believe it.

It’s certainly a relaxing place to spend a day out: simply pack a picnic and soak in the tranquillity of the lakeside area.

If you feel like doing something more active, there are rowing boats available for hire, and of course there are plenty of swimming options – as well as diving boards if that floats your boat.

There are different areas to set up camp, so if you’d prefer a bit more of an escape, you can head further round the lake for more peace and quiet.

13. Brandenburg an der Havel

Brandenburg an der Havel is just the thing for outdoor lovers, with its lakes, nature and myriad walkable attractions.

The town centre is worth having a look around, and for a thrilling ride visitors should hop on the small tram that hurtles around the streets.

Check out the old market square, marvel at the stilted constructions on the riverside – and if you’re still looking for things to do, then browse the local wine shop, Belmondo.

Take yourself up to the highest point of the city for spectacular views of greenery interspersed with red roofs peeking through.

14. Saxon Switzerland National Park

On the fringes of the Elbe River lies Saxon Switzerland National Park – a popular spot for German locals, but lesser known by the tourist masses.

Densely forested paths trickle throughout the park, but one of the key highlights of the place is the Bastei Bridge.

Crafted among the limestone pillars that the park is famous for, the bridge forms an imposing and impressive mark on the landscape.

There are great views from the bridge itself, too: panoramic vistas of the tree-carpeted Elbe Valley.

15. Devil’s Bridge

As the name might suggest, the Devil’s bridge (Rackotzbrücke in German) is another place where the main attraction is a bridge.

Arching attractively over the water, if you see it from just the right spot in calm waters you can get a great picture of a perfectly circular reflection – and in autumn, the red and gold of the trees show the place in a gorgeous backdrop.

It’s housed in the Azalea and Rhododendron park, was commissioned in 1860 – and has been delighting visitors ever since.

15 Best Day Trips from Berlin:

• Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp
• Lehnitz Sea
• Pfaueninsel
• Tropical islands resort
• Wandlitzsee
• Brandenburg an der Havel
• Saxon Switzerland National Park
• Devil’s Bridge

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Europe blends its rich history and modern innovation seamlessly. From the catwalks of Paris fashion week to the awe-inspiring ruins of Greek temples you'll find it hard to fit everything into one vacation. The vast expanse of Europe is covered in numerous cultures, languages and landscapes that can make you feel like you've been transported onto the set of a movie. Sit down for a cup of tea in London, learn how to make your own pasta in Italy or simply take time to stare in wonder at the amazing Highlands of Scotland. Whether you're traveling with family, friends or your special someone, a trip to Europe will be a vacation to remember.

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2 Weeks in Europe – How to Plan a Perfect Itinerary

Last Modified: May 5, 2024 //  by  Anda //   107 Comments

If you are planning a 2 weeks trip to Europe and need some itinerary ideas for your vacation you have come to the right place. As someone born and raised in Europe, I can give you some good advice when it comes to my home continent.

14 days may sound like a long trip, but not on this incredibly diverse continent. With so many attractions, sights to see and cultures to experience, your 2 weeks vacation in Europe will go by in the blink of an eye! 

Table of Contents

How to Plan a Perfect Europe Trip Itinerary

• london, paris, and amsterdam, • lisbon, madrid, barcelona , • rome, florence, and venice ,  • prague, vienna, and budapest.

•  • Berlin, Dresden and Wroclaw     
• • Zurich, Lucerne, Lugano and Milan      
• • Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen      
•  • Riga, Tallin, and Vilnius      
• • Athens, Istanbul, Bucharest        
•  • Ljubljana, Split, Dubrivnik, Kotor     

How to Plan a 2 Weeks Trip to Europe

• Tips for Spending 2 Weeks in Europe 

A Final Note

If this is your first time in Europe, you probably have quite a few places on your Europe bucket list . Without knowing anything about you or your interests, I can only give you basic, generic advice.

Below is a list of 10 suggested itineraries for for a 2-week trip to Europe. The itineraries are grouped according to the different European regions. However, you can choose any combination from the cities listed here, according to your tastes and interests.

Best Western Europe Trip 2-Week Itinerary

These three cities have more than enough to keep you engaged for 2 weeks. You can easily spend the entire two weeks in Paris , if you were to visit all its amazing churches and museums.

London, Amsterdam and Paris are among the Europe’s greatest cities and enjoy a perennial popularity, despite the many problems they have been facing lately. I think they are worth seeing at least once, even though they are always crowded.  

You have excellent direct flights, trains, or bus connections between all three. There are overnight trains between Lisbon and Madrid that run daily, departing at 11:34 p.m. and arriving in Madrid at 8:40 a.m. Also, there are direct flights, trains, or busses from Madrid to Barcelona.   

All these Iberian cities are packed with culture, culinary delights and incredible landscapes. They are easy to reach from most major airports from around the world.

Although you could easily spend two weeks in Spain alone, visiting other historical places like Toledo , or Cordoba for instance, I suggest including Portugal in your European itinerary as well. Lisbon , its capital city, is not only very romantic and cultured, but also quite inexpensive. 

Book  this private walking tour of the highlights of Lisbon and enjoy the history of this city.

These are three of Italy’s most captivating and rewarding cities. If you like archeology, you’ll love Rome ! Florence and Venice are also very charming cities, although quite different from Rome. If you prefer to spend your time in one single country, this combination is one the best itineraries for a 2 weeks trip to Europe.  

Italy has a wealth of archeological sites, most of which are concentrated in relatively compact areas. These three cities also have excellent train, bus, and plain connections (buy your ticket on omio.com ).

Sicily is another great place in Europe where you can easily spend 2 weeks. There are so many archeological sites and  beautiful towns in Sicily to add to your list! I promise that you won’t get bored if you choose to spend your entire European vacation on this island. 

Palermo alone can easily justify a 10-day Italy itinerary . You have good bus connections between cities, but Sicily is best explored by car . You can choose visit the nearby Malta if you go to Sicily.

Central Europe 2 Weeks Trip Itinerary

Central Europe is becoming increasingly popular. 30 years ago, cities like Prague , Budapest , Dresden, or Wroclaw were largely unknown to the world traveler. But after the fall of communism, Central Europe experienced a strong cultural and tourist revival.

These three capitals have it all: beautiful architecture, fascinating history, packed concert calendars, and delicious food. For those who want to tour Central Europe, this trip itinerary is perfect.

Traveling by rail is the best way to go between these three, as distances are relatively short. You can buy tickets at the station right before the train is scheduled to depart.      

READ NEXT : Budapest Travel Tips and Practical Information for First Time Visitors

 • Berlin, Dresden and Wroclaw      

Combining the cosmopolitan  Berlin with the  phoenix-city  of Dresden and the picturesque Wroclaw, will give you a great understanding of what makes this part of Europe so fascinating. You have direct trains between all these cities.

• Zurich, Lucerne, Lugano and Milan        

You can never go wrong with Switzerland and the northern part of Italy! Cities like Lucerne, Zurich, Lugano and Milan have stunning scenery, art museums, old cathedrals, historic palaces, and more charm than you can imagine.  However they are not very big, so 2-3 days in each one would most likely be enough.  

The best way to move between these cities is by rail. Switzerland is famous for its top of the line panoramic trains , so you can choose to travel from Lucerne to Lugano aboard the  Gotthard Panorama Express.  You can also take the same route on a non-panoramic train  if you want to avoid paying the mandatory reservation fee.

READ NEXT : 10 Days in Switzerland Itinerary by Scenic Trains

Northern Europe 2 Weeks Itinerary

• oslo, stockholm, copenhagen        .

These three cities are definitely in a league of their own. Although they can’t compete with Rome’s historic sites or with the charm of Paris, Copenhagen , Oslo and Stockholm have stunning architecture, world-class museums, and some of the best shopping and dining in Europe.

If you plan to spend your 2 weeks vacation in Northern Europe during the summer months, this trip itinerary is your best bet. While the rest of Europe is be boiling hot, Northern Europe enjoys much cooler temperatures and longer days in summer.

READ NEXT : 10 Fantastic Things to Do in Stockholm in a Week

  • Riga , Tallin, and Vilnius       

I can’t mention Northern Europe without including a tour of the Baltic capitals. The Baltic States of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania weren’t even on the map when I was growing up. But like many other European countries that lived in the shadow of the Soviet Union till the 90s, they have enjoyed a true renaissance in the past years.

If you want to travel somewhere your friends haven’t even heard of, you should visit the Baltic capitals. Plus these are among the cheapest countries to visit in Europe .

South-Eastern Europe – 2 Weeks Trip Itineraries

The Balkan Peninsula is the most culturally diverse in Europe. This region has also an extremely varied topography. Bordered by the Adriatic and Ionian Sea to the west, Aegean Sea to the south, the Sea of Marmara to the southeast and the Black Sea to the east, the Balkan countries are stunningly beautiful.

There are so many great destinations in South-Eastern Europe, that it’s difficult to decide which ones to include into your trip itinerary. Here are two suggestions:

• Athens, Istanbul, Bucharest          

If you plan to build your itinerary around these three cities, you could spend 3 days in Athens , 7 days in Istanbul and 2-3 days in Bucharest . Or you can choose spend your entire 2 weeks trip to Europe by visiting just one country. We did that last year and took a road trip in the Peloponnese. It was an unexpected success, it was pleasant and we had a great time there. Peloponnese is one of the less explored parts of Greece, but is so beautiful that you won’t believe. It has plenty of beach town, some of which are nicer and more sophisticated that the Ritzi Greek island, like the beach tow of Nafplio .

Countries like Greece , Turkey, or Romania have plenty of amazing sites to keep you entertained and engaged for 14 days. 

The best way to travel between these 3 countries is by plane. Between Istanbul and Athens you an use Pegasus Airlines (a budget airline) and between Istanbul and Bucharest you can use Turkish Airlines.

 • Ljubljana , Split , Dubrivnik, Kotor      

These four cities will take you through 3 of the most beautiful countries in the Balkans: Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro . The best way to travel between these cities would be by car or by bus, as there are no train connections between Split and Dubrovnik.

For those who want to rent a car to drive through the Balkans, I recommend this 14 days Balkans road trip itinerary . If you have a car, you can extend your itinerary to some other points of interest in this region.

Planning a trip to Europe? Read next: 12 Tips for Traveling to Europe Like a Pro

Being born and raised in Europe I always get asked these two questions:  when is the best time go to Europe and what is the best itinerary for a first time visit to Europe. My answer it’s always the same: it depends what you want to do in Europe and how much time you can spend there.

If this is your first time in Europe and all you have is 14 days, there are a few things to consider before deciding what to add to your list:      

 • Keep your travel plans simple      

Most first time visitors to Europe are determined to see as much as possible on that first trip. Keep in mind that Europe is a big and diverse continent. There is a lot to see everywhere you go. Fitting all your bucket-listed locations in a 2 weeks trip to Europe is nearly impossible.      

 • Start with the most popular cities   

Your first trip to Europe is not the best time to go off the beaten path. I recommend sticking to the big cities, even though they are more crowded. Major European cities have it all: top notch museums, beautiful architecture, great restaurants and a vibrant nightlife.

Besides, they are big transportations hubs and are cheaper for flying in and out of Europe.

• Choose to visit places that are close to each other   

The closest major European cities are at least two hours apart, whether you travel by car, by train, or by plane. Transit between cities takes at least half a day, if you consider the time you need to check out of one hotel and check into your next one. Therefore, you won’t be able to do much sightseeing on the day you travel.        

 • Plan to spend at least 3-4 days in each city you visit   

While it’s possible to cover more than half a dozen countries in your 14 days in Europe, just running between destinations doesn’t mean you actually visited them! If you want to see at least the major sights, you should plan to spend a minimum of 3-4 days in each city you visit.

• Book an open-jaw ticket     

If you plan on touring a specific region or doing a multi-destination trip, you can often save a lot of time and money with booking one.

Once you’re further along in your planning process, you can use our  Travel Resources page for the best deals in airfare, accommodations and local guided tours.

• Rent a car only if you are planning to travel outside the big cities, where parking is expensive and difficult to find. Nonetheless, sometimes renting a car will save you a lot of time and is obviously more comfortable. We usually use Discovercars when we travel in Europe.

Tips for Spending 2 Weeks in Europe  

• book accommodations in the city center      .

Hotel rates are higher in the city center, but it’s worth paying the extra dollars if you can afford it. You’ll save time and money on transportation.     

• Use Hotel Alternatives

AirBnB or VRBO   for lodging instead of booking hotel rooms, especially if you travel in a bigger group. They are a much better deal and have beautiful apartments all around the world. For the same price you would pay for an average hotel, you could rent an entire apartment.    

• Don’t exchange money in the airport   

Airports, train stations, or tourist areas have the worst exchange rates. But if you look for an exchange office outside these areas, your hard earned money can go a way longer way. If no exchange booths are around, use the ATM machines throughout the city.    

   • Consider using public transportation

Driving a car Europe is an expensive and inconvenient complication. None of these European cities were built with cars in mind, so the roads are crowded and full of restrictions. Rather than worrying  about parking fees, one way streets, and pedestrian zones, consider using public transportation during your 2 weeks in Europe.     

 • Travel by train, or use budget airlines  

Train travel through Europe is one of the best ways to see the continent. The rail network is extremely developed and train service is very reliable. For longer distances, flying one of the many European airlines is also a great option.

There are over a dozen budget airlines in Europe that fly anywhere on the continent for unbelievably low prices. They charge extra for seats and luggage, but even so you can fly for as low as €30-40/one way.    

   • Dress comfortably

Dressing comfortably when you travel to Europe is very important, but avoid looking like a tourist. Not sure how to blend in with the locals? Read my guide about how to dress like a European .  

Buy the best shoes you can afford. I can stress enough the importance of wearing comfortable shoes while traveling in Europe. Many of the old European cities are still paved with cobble stones which are very rough on your soles.

   • Travel off season  

Everyone wants to travel when the weather is stable, but summers can be brutal in Europe: big crowds, expensive accommodations and airfare, busy trains and public transportation and very hot.

The best time to visit Europe is in fall or in spring, when temperatures are milder and there are less crowds. December is also a very popular time of year to visit Europe, when most European cities dress up for the holidays .

• Get acquainted with the European lifestyle

Most travelers to Europe expect to encounter cultural differences, yet when confronted with them they are always caught off guard. I wrote a very detailed post about what will surprise you as a first time visitor to Europe. These are very useful tips that you will need before traveling to Europe.

READ NEXT : 15 Cheapest Countries to Visit in Europe

This guide is a good resource if you intend to visit Europe independently. However, if you prefer an organized tour there are plenty of great tours of Europe to choose from.

Hope the itineraries above gave you some idea on how to travel Europe in 2 weeks. And if you like a place you saw, make a plan to return and explore it more in depth. Two weeks in Europe will not be enough to see this magical continent.

Did you enjoy this post? Please pin it to help other travelers to Europe:

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Anda is an award winning travel writer, avid globetrotter and passionate photographer. She is the voice behind "Travel Notes & Beyond," a collection of stories and travel impressions from her wanderings around the world. When she is not busy writing, traveling, or editing photographs, you can find her hiking in the foothills behind her house together with her husband and their dog.

Reader Interactions

July 26, 2024 at 9:52 am

Waaaaahhh what a great adventure, I have always wanted to visit Europe. These are really good itineraries.

Vipin Singh

January 13, 2024 at 6:56 am

Greetings from Singapore Anda. I am an avid traveler but have only done Asia so far. I am planning my first Europe trip in this upcoming June, mid month. I have circled down to 4 cities that iam keen on going to. But now, after reading much online, i figured that it will be more ideal to include just 3 cities in my itinerary. I had London, Paris, Rome, Spain (Madrid/Barcelo) in mind initially. I am looking for advice to reduce one city if needed for this trip. I have 13 days to spend (including arrival date to London in the morning before 7am. And excluding departure date) Appreciate your reply.

January 16, 2024 at 2:24 pm

Since this is your first trip to Europe, I’d go to London, Paris and Rome. I’m sure you won’t regret it.

Chetan Sahu

October 7, 2023 at 5:59 am

Planning my dream 2-week European adventure, and this guide is a goldmine of itinerary ideas! From the iconic cities to hidden gems, it’s packed with invaluable tips for an unforgettable trip. So, which European journey will I embark on? The possibilities are endless!

Chandra Bdr Gurung

July 6, 2023 at 11:43 pm

Excellent advice for those who are first-time visitors. This blog really impressed me. Europe has some really interesting sites to visit.

Ana Delos Santos

April 28, 2023 at 10:55 am

Hi, this is really helpful for 1st time Travelers in Europe. Just want to also ask you, for a 2 week Europe Trip, what do you advise to those traveling with Kids that wanted to visit countries in Europe with an Entry and Exit point from the Philippines? Thanks for the possible response. God bless you.

April 28, 2023 at 11:58 am

I am not aware that coming from the Philippines (with or without kids) may pose any problem for entering any country in Europe. However, if you want further more detailed information you should check the respective country’s entry requirements. Sorry I can’t be of more help.

basil swamy

March 22, 2023 at 11:36 am

Looking for Europe tour starting from India, for honeymoon would like to explore Europe. Places need to cover Norway Amsterdam Brussels Paris Switzerland Pissa Florence Rome Venice

Travel dates will be 9Jun to 29Jun It should be not very expensive , reasonable place to stay either good apartment or good Hotel You can suggest if some needs to be cut short or some other place. Do not want any museum or historical place to cover. It should be main and popular area only.

March 22, 2023 at 7:16 pm

I’m sorry, but I am not a travel agent, Basil. You can use my post for reference in order build your own itinerary.

July 13, 2022 at 2:52 pm

Great guide – but overwhelming!! My wife and I are taking our first trip to Europe next year – a long kid- and COVID- delayed 20th/25th/30th anniversary! – and want to make the most of our 3 weeks. But you just listed 31 must-see cities, and suggested 3-4 days per city!! 🙂

My wife wants to “see the highlights” – if we never can come back, what should we make sure we see? I think we’d probably be best served by a managed tour, but maybe I can cobble together something with even hand-holding? 🙂 Advice would be *so* appreciated!

July 13, 2022 at 6:16 pm

Hi Rick, Thanks for reading my guide. I have indeed 31 must-see cities in Europe, but those are 10 independent itineraries and each one of them is for two weeks. If you want to spend 3 weeks in Europe you definitely won’t be able to include all those places in your itinerary. I can give you a few suggestions for a 3-week itinerary, but planning the trip in detail will require a lot of effort from your part.

You’ll need to research each destination and decide what you’d like to see once you get there, book hotels, check timetables for trains and busses, or maybe rent a car in some places, etc. Since I don’t know anything about your travel style, I can’t tell you whether to attempt this trip on your own, or book a guided tour. Many people prefer to be care-free when they travel and just sit back and enjoy. We like to travel independently and do our own planning, but I can assure you it’s not easy. One other option would be to book local guided tours in each country, but travel independently between countries.This way you’ll have more control over what countries you may want to visit.

In regards to the “highlights” of Europe, there are so many! But regardless of what you choose, you shouldn’t include more than 4 countries in 3 weeks because you’ll have to account for the days you loose when moving from one place to another. Here are my suggestions. My first choice for Europe would be Italy, France and Spain. They are rich in culture and architecture and have gorgeous scenery. My second choice is Portugal, Switzerland and Croatia. Not as culturally rich as Italy, or France, but surely breathtakingly beautiful. If you are looking for less expensive destinations, Central and Eastern European countries are more budget friendly (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania).

I hope this helps. I have lots of European destination on my blog in case you want to do some further reading. And remember: no matter what country you choose, you’ll love Europe!

July 6, 2021 at 11:40 am

Hi there Anda!

Me and my are planning eloping and then honeymooning to Europe. Neither of us have been and I have family in the Sicily area. I originally wanted to go to Hawaii as I am an avid beach lover and have been to many in search of the most beautiful beach. My finance enjoys the beach, but is definitely more of a historian. So, I would like to encompass a little of both. We plan on late September or sometime in October….14 days. What are your thoughts? Do you think we should use a travel agent? Thanks so much!

July 6, 2021 at 1:24 pm

Hi Carrie, September-October is a great time of year for visiting Italy and I think Sicily is a wonderful choice if you like beaches. It has plenty of historic sites, so it’s the best of both worlds: history and beaches. I have a lot of information about Sicily on this blog, so for further reading you can go under Destinations > Europe > Italy > Sicily and read more. I also have a very informative post about driving in Sicily, should you decide to rent a car for your trip.

I don’t believe you need a travel agent to design your itinerary or make reservations for you. At the bottom of my home page there are some links that you can use to check out prices. I also have a Resource Page if you need more information on car rental and lodging. And if you need more itinerary ideas, read this post: https://travelnotesandbeyond.com/10-days-in-italy-itinerary/ . It includes 4 itinerary ideas for Italy to choose from. Please let me know if you need any further assistance.

March 1, 2021 at 10:40 am

This is very informative. My husband and I have been to several countries in Europe, but not our son. He wants to go to Germany, and I think with more than 2 weeks travel time that we will have, a visit to several cities in Central Europe will make sense to us. My friend in Zurich will be happy to take us around.

March 1, 2021 at 7:38 pm

Hope you’ll get to visit Germany, Umiko. I have relatives in Münich and go to Germany quite often.

January 27, 2021 at 3:03 am

Hi Anda, I have to say, this is a great itinerary for first time travelers. I’ve been living in Europe for almost 2 years now but I still have not seen most of the places in this list and I would consider myself a “first time traveler” to most of these destinations. It gave me tons of ideas though once we finally get to travel again and I love your pctures.

January 28, 2021 at 2:05 pm

Thanks, Marielle.

I love Croatia

January 9, 2021 at 6:09 am

Absolutely stunning! Thank you on a detailed impressive guide!

January 9, 2021 at 10:51 am

Thanks, Karlo.

October 22, 2020 at 8:00 am

Hi Anda! Thank you for all of your articles and tips! I’m trying to soak everything in while planning for a 2-week trip next August 2021. I know you said August is the worst time to go to Europe but I am to be a part of a bridal entourage early that month and have no leeway in that regard – hoping to make the best of it! What are your suggestions for 3 first time Europe travelers to make the MOST of our time but with about three days locked in at London for the ceremony? I was thinking of coming a week before the festivities and staying a week after, putting the wedding in the middle of the two weeks – if that makes sense. Please help! Thank you so much, Christine

October 22, 2020 at 4:59 pm

Hi Christine, A wedding in London sounds like a great reason to visit Europe. The good news is that London is not so hot in August as other cities in Europe. Here are my recommendations for you:

1. I would get the wedding out of the way and then go on with my travel plans. Or leave it for the end of the trip, but not place it in the middle.

2. I would avoid big, crowded cities (like Paris or Rome) where the asphalt radiates even more heat in summer. Keep in mind that many of the buildings in Europe don’t have air conditioning, so there is very little relief from the heat.

3. Rather than big cities, I would visit places that have a breeze, or have access to the Mediterranean, or the Adriatic Sea. My personal favorites for summer are the French Riviera (Nice, Monaco, Cannes), Italy (the Amalfi Coast, or Sicily), Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast (Dubrovnik, Split, Pula, etc.) Italy, France and Croatia seem like good options for you since they are also close to England.

4. Other great countries to visit in August are: Austria, Switzerland and Germany. For instance, you could spend 1-2 days in Vienna, then go to Salzburg and use it as a base for wonderful day trips in the Alps. Or stay 2 days in Zurich and do a Switzerland itinerary. You can also do a combination of countries, but I wouldn’t visit more than two considering that you already have London on your list.

Hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any further questions. I’m sure your trip is going to be great!

October 18, 2020 at 11:25 am

Hi: A friend and I would like to visit somewhere in Europe for 2 or so weeks, and stay in a smaller village and “live” like a local. Yet, also be close enough to other places or countries to take day trips via public transportation. Any suggestions?

October 19, 2020 at 4:47 pm

Your friend could stay for instance in one of the many villages on the French Riviera (like Ezé Village) which are close to Nice,and visit the the entire coast in two weeks. Or perhaps stay in one of the villages in Tuscany, which are close to Florence, and many other fascinating places in Italy.

RAJEEV JAIN

October 6, 2020 at 10:14 pm

Me & my wife wants to cover Europe in 20-30 days. Just for your information I had travelled to Italy & covered Rome, Florence, Venice & Milan. I want to cover other countries & beautiful cities of Europe. Can you suggest best time & an itinerary to visit except July/August when the weather is pleasant & one can travel in budget.

October 7, 2020 at 4:23 pm

Hi Rajeev, late September to early October is a great time to travel to Europe. So is spring, late April to early June. As for an itinerary, you can cover a lot of territory in a month in Europe. I would suggest visiting some of the countries in the Balkans (Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia).I have a complete itinerary for the Balkans on my blog, if you are interested. Also, you could visit the Baltic countries (Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia) and Sweden. Eastern European countries like Hungary and Romania are also good choice for a fall visit. Hope this helps.

Mitos Soria

February 13, 2020 at 6:19 am

Hello, me my friend will be traveling to Europe in August 2020 ( I know not a good time to go there) for the first time. We have 2 weeks to go to cities we prefer. And that is Italy and Paris. We are in for outlet shopping, visit museum and architectures. Can you recommend us a place to go to met our preferences? And if we would add one more country what would that be? By the way we are flying from Manila. Thank you very much.

February 13, 2020 at 11:09 am

Hi Mitos, even though August it’s kind of hot in Europe, I’m sure you’ll have a lot of fun. Especially if you plan to go shopping, hahaha! Paris and Rome are great places to shop and so is Milan and London. I also like shopping in Vienna, where they have a big pedestrian area (the Graben) lined up with stores. All these cities have magnificent architecture, old churches and palaces that you can visit. Prices are a little higher in Europe than they are in Asia or the US, but I love shopping there just the same. They have so much trendier clothing stores than we do. My favorite one is Massimo Dutti, you should check it out.

SHYAMSUNDER GAIKWAD

February 2, 2020 at 3:29 pm

Hi Anda, Me and my wife plan to travel to Europe for about 10 to 14 days(depends) from the first week of August’2020 (After my sons final semester Exams). Flight ticket are yet to be booked. This would be our first trip to Europe. We plan to cover Europe in six visits, this would be our first. Both of have past our half century mark and have taken a sabbatical. Could you please suggest us an Itinerary? Is August a good time to travel

February 2, 2020 at 3:30 pm

Hi Shyamsunder, August is one of the worst times to go to Europe: it’s hot, it’s expensive and it’s crowded. I know you may be bound to your son’s vacation time, so if August is the only time you have available, I would suggest going to Northern Europe. You can visit Sweden, Norway, and the Baltic countries (Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia). Either that, or choose to spend your entire vacation in southern Italy, in places close to the sea (Capri, Positano, Cinque Terre, or Sicily).

January 27, 2020 at 1:23 pm

Thanks for your insight and prompt response. Travel planning can be overwhelming and your site has been extremely helpful. The more I dig into options and different itiniraries my gut keeps saying to stick with Italy and you helped confirm this even more! Another thought was to combine a 7n cruise but again my gut (and hubby) prefers a land based trip. So sticking with Italy it seems just 3 cities maybe better (based on your suggestion) with day trips mixed in…Venice, Rome & Florence. Initial plan was for Cique Terre which maybe too much. The idea of Lake Cumo is a really good one! Now need to explore those logistics!

Anda Galffy

January 27, 2020 at 1:28 pm

Glad I could be of help, Sandra. Just one last note: keep in mind that Rome is a big city, rich in history and archeological sites. You will need at least 4-5 days to explore it properly. Have a wonderful trip.

January 27, 2020 at 1:22 pm

Hi Anda, Just found your site and love the information. We are late in planning our 20th anniversary trip to Italy in May. We have 16 days so 14 nights exculuding travel. This is our first time to Europe (other than Greece) in a very long time. Initial thoughts are fly into Venice 2n, Florence, 4n, Cinque Terre 4n, Rome 4n – Now second guessing about all Italy (which I know is all good) but maybe adding Amsterdam or another city and subtracting days from Italy. Any thoughts input appreciated!

Hi Sandra, first of all congratulations on your 20th anniversary! Italy is a great choice to mark this important event in your life and I’m sure this will be a trip to remember. My personal opinion is that Italy has so much to offer that it’s not a good idea to add Amsterdam to the mix. The two-week European itineraries I recommend in my post are for people who want to get a feel of Europe and explore some of the big cities. I think you’ll be better off spending all your time in Italy and exploring as much as you can there. Instead of Amsterdam, you could go to Lake Como, for instance. It’s a very romantic destination for an anniversary.

January 18, 2020 at 10:37 pm

Anda So glad I found your site. I’m in the beginning stages of planning a trip for late 2020 (Christmas time) for my husband and myself. I think you’ve helped me decide on Italy. Christmas is the only time he has vacation so we’re locked in to that time of year. We’d both like to see Pompeii, so I was thinking Naples to Rome and ending up in Venice. We have 2 weeks, so I think we could take our time and stop if we’d like to see something along the way. What do you think about going to Italy this time of year? Are trains reliable in winter? Thanks for any help you can give me. Karen

January 19, 2020 at 12:01 am

Hi karen, Italy is actually a great choice for winter, particularly in December when you’ll have the Christmas markets everywhere. Prices may be still pretty high because of the Holidays, but there will definitely be less crowds. You may expect colder weather in Northern Italy (Rome and Venice), but the Amalfi Coast (Pompeii and Naples) will be beautiful. I don’t think you’ll have any issues with the trains. It doesn’t snow often in northern Italy and even if does, the weather doesn’t impact public transportation. I think you’ll enjoy Italy tremendously! It’s a great place to visit. You may want to check this post as well if you are traveling to Rome: https://travelnotesandbeyond.com/best-areas-to-stay-in-rome/

cybele ryan

January 23, 2020 at 3:35 pm

Anda what wonderful information. My husband and I planning a trip to Europe in mid May for two weeks. Thinking about flying into Switzerland or Austria, dipping down into Italy then on to Slovenia and Croatia. We are told Slovenia is very similar to Italy. We could stay in Slovenia and train over to Venice for the day, avoiding crowds ect. Any ideas? take the train, rent a car?Thank you! Cybele

January 23, 2020 at 5:52 pm

Train is probably better for the day trip. Besides, in Venice you won’t have any need for the car.

December 31, 2019 at 4:44 am

Hullo Anda, your article literally saved my life. I have read it twice and sucked in as much of your advice so thank you. I am black and I was wondering if you have any specific advice for a black travelers in Europe. What is the general reception for black africans in Europe? I may be overthinking it, but I am worried that it may be negative. Your honest thoughts will be appreciated. thanks.

December 31, 2019 at 3:39 pm

I’m truly happy that my article was of help to you. I don’t think you have any reason to worry about traveling to Europe as a black person. As far as I know, Europeans are quite open and welcoming to any race and nationality. I think you’ll have a wonderful time there.

December 28, 2019 at 6:04 am

Thankyou for the suggestions. We are planning to visit Europe from US for two weeks from April 24 to May 9 . Our itenrary idea is to arrive in Paris > Milan > Venice > Cinque terra> Florence > Rome . While at florence we planned to visit Pisa for half day Will this be aggressive or Do-able? Can you please suggest on how many days each city require to explore? Thanks in Advance

December 28, 2019 at 9:15 am

Hi Satya, What you are listing here looks like a very busy itinerary. All these cities are loaded with attractions. Besides, you need time for transportation between the different destinations and time to check in and out from the hotels. Rome and Paris require at least 3 days each. Milan you can probably do in a day, but for Florence, Venice and Cinque Terre you’ll also need a minimum of two days. My suggestion would be to leave Paris for another time and concentrate on Italy.

December 28, 2019 at 7:44 pm

Thank you Anda

December 26, 2019 at 10:30 am

Hi Anda, Thankyou for the detailed itenenaries. We are planning for Europe trip during last week of April for two weeks. Our plan is to arrive in Paris and depart back from Rome. So planning for Paris> Fly to Milan> Venice> Cinque terra > Florence> Rome . Is this agressive or Doable? Do you recommend driving from Milan to Rome for this trip? Can you help me with how many days we will needing to explore these places? Appriciete your help on this.

December 18, 2019 at 12:59 pm

Hi Anda, I am planning a trip with my wife and 2 kids (3 & 9) to visit Europe in Mid-June. we are planning to spend 14 days and planning to land in Paris then train to Zurich > Interlaken (might add Zermatt if time permits) > Venice > Florence > Rome. Does this sound doable in 14 days? Any tips and recommendations? Should we get the Euro Rail Pass or buying individual trip will be better and cheaper option? Thanks.

December 18, 2019 at 7:27 pm

Hi Ali, your plan sounds great for two young adults who can move fast. However, with two kids in tow and using public transportation (not having your own car) this sounds like a very busy itinerary. You need a minimum of 3 days in the big cities like Rome and Paris. As for Zurich, Venice and Florence, you could probably spend only 2 days in each city. But even if you do that, you’ll be left with only two days, which is not enough time if you want to squeeze in Zermatt and Interlaken. I understand you are planning to use Rome as your departure city, but exploring it with a 3-year old will be very difficult. Rome is huge and truly overwhelming, even for adults. I would suggest spending more time in Switzerland instead, which is a friendlier place for small children. You can buy a pass for the scenic trains and go from Zurich to Lucerne, Interlaken, Zermatt, St.Moritz, Engadin and maybe cross over to Lake Como in Italy. The Glacier Express is a fantastic train and goes from Zermatt to St. Moritz. Your kids are going to love the train rides. I wrote a few posts about our train trip through Switzerland, in case you need more information.

November 14, 2019 at 4:16 pm

Hi, my husband and I have plan 13 days trip 11 nights for travel to Barcelona, Switzerland, Munich and Amsterdam. The 1st arrival destination has decided is Barcelona as we want to catch the football match. 2nd destination we not sure want to start from Amsterdam, Munich and end in Switzerland or vice versa. Is it possible to squeeze Milan or Paris in between by the way?

November 14, 2019 at 5:09 pm

You can easily squeeze one day in Milan on your itinerary, Agnes. I wrote a post about how to spend a day in Milan, in case you are interested you can check it here: https://travelnotesandbeyond.com/one-day-on-the-streets-of-milan/ . From Barcelona you can go to Milan, then to Switzerland, Munich and Amsterdam. Not sure exactly what means of transportation you intend to use in Europe, but it makes sense to do it this way rather than jump from Spain all the way to the Netherlands. In regards to Paris, I would leave it for another trip. There is too much to see there to be able to squeeze it into this itinerary. You’ll need at least 3 days for it, while Milan can be done in one day.

November 5, 2019 at 6:20 pm

Hi Anda.. Greetings from Malaysia.!! Great advice for first time traveller to europe. Me and my friends planning to come over to europe in may next year. We are having some difficulties choosing places to visit as europe is super big and all the places look so beautiful. We will be landing in amsterdam. I would love to go paris,london n also swiss. And we have only two weeks to cover and we have no idea where to start. Super confussed. First time in europe.! Thank you.

November 5, 2019 at 9:30 pm

Hi Reva. Since you land in Amsterdam you could probably do Amsterdam, Paris and London. You need to spend at least 3 days in each of these cities in order to see at least the main points of interest. You probably have time to see one city in Switzerland as well. I would recommend Lucerne, since it’s a smaller one and can be done in about two days. Hope this helps.

September 14, 2019 at 4:10 am

Great suggestions! Planning a trip next June ( I know, I know), your suggestions are great.

September 14, 2019 at 2:10 pm

I’m glad if you found my suggestions useful. Thanks, Jackie.

April 21, 2019 at 6:25 am

Anda, thank you for the very informative article. Loved going through it and your detailed responses to the questions below. I and my wife are planning to travel in August(2nd and 3rd week). We have zeroed in on France(only Paris) and Italy. I know the temperature will be on the higher side, but I guess should be a breeze considering we are from India 🙂 (or are we way off the mark?) What according to you are good destinations to include in the itinerary in Italy, beyond Rome, Venice, and Florence)?

April 21, 2019 at 9:31 am

Hi VB, since your trip to Europe in in full summer, I would suggest a couple of destinations closer to the water. In Italy you can add Cinque Terre and maybe Lake Como. Both of them absolutely spectacular. In France, just about an hour away by plane you can go to he French Riviera. The coast is much cooler and absolutely spectacular. You have places like Nice, Monaco, Cann, Antibes, plus the many perched villages along the coast that are absolutely a dream to visit. Hope this helps.

April 9, 2019 at 8:56 am

I was trying to plan a 20th anniversary trip for myself and my wife in July, 2020. I was planning on just doing a Western trip visiting London, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Berlin but now I’m worried it’s going to be too hot. We already live in Charleston, South Carolina (US) which is miserably hot in the summer so we always try to find cooler places to go.

I was thinking of this route because there are now direct flights from CHS to London and I get employee discounts at Hilton properties (about $50 USD/night). There are hotels all within 1.5 miles of the train station in each of those cities so this would be most economical.

I would rather visit Northern Europe because of the cooler weather and because my family immigrated from Sweden. However,, there are no Hilton properties in any of the Scandavian cities except Stockholm.

I’m just wondering if you think it is worth it to spend a lot more to visit Northern Europe or just battle the heat and crowds to visit Western Europe.

April 9, 2019 at 10:15 am

Hi Michael, Europe is very hot and humid in summer, as you already know. I would rather spend a little more and go to countries like Norway, Sweden or the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania). I believe there is a Hilton in Riga as well, if I am not wrong). However, you may want to look into Airbnb as an alternative if you can’t find a Hilton. Most of the time they are way cheaper than a hotel and you get much more for your money.

April 7, 2019 at 11:25 am

This is a great guide! I’ve been searching everywhere for ideas on how to go about a European trip. I’ve never been so I wasn’t sure where to start. Is it possible to do a trip with London, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, Florence, and Venice? What would be the beat way to do that?

April 7, 2019 at 8:54 pm

Squeezing 7 cities of this size into a 2 weeks trip seems too much to me. I would recommend keeping it at 4, at the most. You will spend too much time on the road and too little time visiting the sites. Florence and Amsterdam could be done in about 4 days, if you just want to rush by, but the other cities requires way more time for proper visiting. I would not advise you to add more than at the most 5 cities to your itinerary, unless you have more than just 2 weeks.

April 6, 2019 at 3:28 pm

Hello Anda,

This article is very informative and useful as I am planning a graduation gift for my girlfriend this summer. She’s a mechanical engineer and loves architecture, but has never been to Europe. I do plan on 2 weeks, give or take a few days. Do to the traveling being in June (not the best time), where would you recommend going? Regarding weather, locations, travel season, etc. I’ve only been to France but was there for wine industry. I’m fine with traveling by train or by car as I have done both. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for your time!

April 7, 2019 at 9:01 pm

Hi Nick, I’m glad you found my post useful and informative. Summers in Europe may be very hot, so I would recommend you go to Northern Europe, where the weather is much cooler. And if your girlfriend loves architecture, she will have a blast visiting cities like Stockholm and Riga. I would recommend the Baltic countries and Sweden. You don’t need to drive there. You can fly between the cities for very little money.

March 31, 2019 at 7:45 am

Hi, Anda. I’m taking my daughter to Europe in May. Got a great R/T flight into (and out of) Barcelona. We will be there 2 weeks, and I’d like to add 3 other cities. She really wants to go to Florence (but not Rome??‍♀️). We plan to book a rail pass and Air BnBs. Any recs for our 3 must-see cities. She’s 20 and has never been to Europe.

April 1, 2019 at 1:00 pm

Hi Stacy, Barcelona is a very exciting destination for young people. I’m sure your daughter will love it. You’ll have to decide how many countries you want to include in your two weeks trip. You have quite a few choices in Spain, if you decide to stay only there. You can spend 3 days in Barcelona, then go towards the west and Visit Madrid (3 days), Toledo (a day trip from Madrid), Granada and Sevilla. From there you can fly back to Barcelona. Or you can spend a few days in Barcelona, then go to Paris, Milan and Florence. The second option includes 3 countries, but it will give your daughter a taste of some of the most impressive cities in Europe. Hope this helps.

February 26, 2019 at 9:36 am

I will be visiting Europe for two weeks in may and would like to know what do you suggest we could see as we will arrive in Rome and depart from Paris.

February 26, 2019 at 4:56 pm

Hi Rhea, May is one of the best times to visit Europe. The weather is just perfect and the tourist season is not in full swing yet. Since I don’t know you and your interests, I would make some suggestions based on my own taste and experience. Both Rome and Paris are very big cities and you might want to allow yourself at least 3 days in each one of them. They are packed with attractions, ranging from historic sites and landmarks, to museums, art galleries, parks and restaurants. In Rome you might want to concentrate on the historic center (including the Vatican) and allow yourself a little time to simply wander the streets and admire the beautiful architecture. I wrote a post about the best areas to stay in Rome that will give you an idea about what attractions are in the different parts of the city ( https://travelnotesandbeyond.com/best-areas-to-stay-in-rome/ ). While you are in Italy, you might also want to include Florence and Milan in your itinerary. Florence is not very big and it quite easy to explore (great for art galleries and museums). You could spend 2 days in Florence and one day in Milan ( https://travelnotesandbeyond.com/?s=one+day+in+milan ). From Milan you could go to Switzerland and maybe take a scenic train trip through Zermatt, Interlaken, Lucerne).Or you may go directly to France and visit Marseille, Lyon and then Paris. If this is your first time in Europe I would suggest keeping it simple. Probably just Italy and France would be enough. For Paris, you might want to refer to this post that will give you an idea about what you can see in 3 days: https://travelnotesandbeyond.com/?s=3+days+in+paris . I hope this helps and I hope you’ll come back with some great memories from your trip to Europe.

January 31, 2019 at 9:46 pm

Hi Anda Me and my husband are planning a trip to Europe for 2 weeks in early May 2019. As of now we are planning to visit Prague, Vienna, Budapest & Greece. Could you please suggest if its doable also if its the good time to visit these places.

P.S : We will be visiting Europe for the first time and we are more inclined towards scenic and natural beauty , could you please suggest more affordable options.

Many Thanks ! Parul

January 31, 2019 at 10:20 pm

Hi Parul, Europe is beautiful at any time of year, but particularly in spring. Vienna, Budapest and Prague are very close to each other so can move easily from one to the next (either by train or by car). Trains are very affordable in Europe, especially if you buy a pass. I suggest spending 3 days in each one of these cities to at least get a taste of what they have to offer. You could leave Greece for last, as you will need to take a plane to get there. In regards to affordability, Europe in generally expensive. However, you will find Budapest (and Greece) more affordable overall. For lodging I use Airbnb or VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owner), as I get more for my money. Hope this helps.

Vaibhav Jain

February 2, 2019 at 10:21 am

Hey, thanks for this informative and detailed info about getting around in Europe.. every word made sense to me.. I just want a small suggestion from you.. I am solo traveller and will be starting my itinerary as “Prague (2n)-Copenhagen (4N)-Budapest (2N)- Barcelona (3N)- Amsterdam (2N)” in total of about 13 N starting from 13 th March 2019.. My question is : I want to add another city between my trip from Copenhagen to Budapest as I think 4 Nights will be too boring in there.. so can you please suggest which place to add in for 1 N ??? I am getting some real good deals for Brussels, Berlin, Milan… for Ryan Sir & Easy jet from Copenhagen.. please enlighten me for this as I am super confused ??? Thanks in anticipation ….

February 2, 2019 at 3:18 pm

Your itinerary seems pretty busy for 13 days. All these cities you selected make wonderful destinations in themselves. You could easily spend 13 days in each one of them and still have plenty to see and do. My suggestion would be to spend 3 nights in Prague or in Budapest, rather than trying to squeeze in another city into the itinerary. Europe is packed with attractions and if you were to spend any less than 3 days in a big city you’ll be rushing too much. However, if you want by all means to include another city, you can try Milan. You can just concentrate on visiting the Duomo and the area around it and that would be enough for one day. Hope this helps.

October 1, 2018 at 10:41 am

My family has a two week planned trip to Europe and I am having difficulty picking a third location to visit in addition to London & Paris. I am glad I came across your website which is full of good ideas. I could use some help picking a third city and places to stay. One of my challenges for the trip is traveling around Christmas which I understand the trains close.

Some of the other questions I have are: How long is it recommended to be at an airport before a flight between cities like London & Amsterdam? Is taking a train recommended even though it takes twice as long.

Where are the best areas to stay in London, Paris, Amsterdam and Ghent? We would like to rent an apartment in each city.

We arrive at 6:15am on 12/21 in Gatwick and leave on 1/3 in the evening out of Heathrow. What might be the best itinirary taking into account Christmas and New Years?

Thanks, Michael

October 3, 2018 at 10:24 am

Hi Michael, I’m afraid I can’t make any specific recommendation in any of these cities. We usually stay in Airbnb apartments when we don’t stay with friends or relatives in Europe.

Rob+Ann @TravelLatte(.net)

July 27, 2018 at 4:36 pm

You are so right, Anda – Two weeks in Europe will fly by! We love your itinerary ideas though. Two weeks is such a short time for so many great places to see and enjoy, but these really help make the most of the time. Can’t wait to get back and explore more!

Jennifer Melroy

July 27, 2018 at 2:38 pm

I love exploring northern Europe. The cities have a charm that the rest of the continent lacks. I can’t explain it, but they do. I always feel like they are more welcoming as a city. Plus Stolkhom has the best museums to visit.

Suruchi Mittal

July 24, 2018 at 10:36 am

That is a complete exhaustive guide on Europe. I liked the way how you have divided the itinerary and it is going to be super helpful while we plan up our trip. The 2 weeks really seems like a less time now, for Europe.

Cynthia | Adventuring Woman

July 23, 2018 at 5:12 am

You’ve covered all the important things! I agree that Paris, Amsterdam and London should be #1. I really want to do Vienna, Prague and Budapest. Also the Balkan itineraries. So true that it’s best to spend time really experiencing a place, rather than running around between them.

July 22, 2018 at 12:27 am

These are good itineraries for those who want a quick glimpse of certain areas of Europe. Im not sure on the Nordic ones, I think I need a bank loan for that one. 😀 I found after exploring much of Europe, to see better history, buildings, parks, scenery etc, is to get away from the cities and find the true heart of each country. However, first timers, these are good plans BUT make sure you come back for some more European fun 🙂

July 22, 2018 at 10:58 am

One visit to Europe is never enough, Dabik.

July 21, 2018 at 11:55 pm

Although I agree with you to start with the more popular cities in your first ever trip to Europe and to make sure that all the cities you’re visiting are geographically close to each other (and you’ve grouped them out perfectly), I also think that visiting only the bigger cities in countries like Switzerland, Austria, Greece don’t give you a real flavour of what the country is about. For example- going to Athens and not Santorini would be something I’d not recommend at all! Or going to Zurich and Lucerne but not Interlaken. Having said that, if one wants to focus only on the bigger cities and not venture to the smaller towns and villages, then these itineraries make perfect sense!

July 22, 2018 at 11:00 am

Of course, Medha. Visiting only the bigger cities will barely touch the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. These itineraries are intended for first time visitors to Europe and it is implied the subsequent visits would be necessary to really get the feel of many of these countries.

Christina Pfeiffer

July 21, 2018 at 11:09 pm

Your itineraries certainly highlight the diversity of Europe. There are so many different countries to visit it’s hard to choose! One of the things I love about Europe is that no matter where you go, there’s history, culture and cobblestone streets to discover. Hmm, I think I’m due for another trip to Europe soon!

July 21, 2018 at 11:35 pm

That is so true, Christina. I love everything about Europe!

July 21, 2018 at 9:35 pm

I am a big fan of itineraries! I have created several I want to follow. Sometimes, an itinerary does not work for one particular year but then it is feasible later. From your list, I want to do Northern Europe and the Berlin-Dresden-Wroclaw. I am with you on staying 3-4 days on a city. I do not like to rush places.

July 21, 2018 at 10:19 pm

Planning is part of the fun when you travel, isn’t it?

July 21, 2018 at 9:13 pm

I love your recommendations! I’d love to go and visit Europe one day and this guide will come in very handy. Indeed 2 weeks is such a short time to see the entire continent, but good to know that you can still see as much as long you plan well (especially considering the geographical location and transportation availability).

July 21, 2018 at 10:18 pm

I didn’t realize you haven’t been in Europe, Marvi. Hope you’ll get there soon. You’ll love Europe, I promise!

Jill Chapman

July 21, 2018 at 7:40 pm

I haven’t been to Europe for five years so I am very excited to be heading there this fall. Great tips – we’ve already used a few – booked hotels in the city center or air bnb’s and are traveling off-season a bit but I hope to utilize more when I’m there.

July 21, 2018 at 8:05 pm

I hope you are going to have a great trip, Jill.

July 21, 2018 at 5:31 am

Great idea’s, even for a European. We need to discover more things close to home.

July 21, 2018 at 8:06 pm

Well, if you live in Europe you probably have visited all these places, Wendy.

Lyn aka The Travelling Lindfields

July 21, 2018 at 4:09 am

What a useful post. I think those of us who travel frequently forget that there is a lot of basic stuff we just take for granted.

July 21, 2018 at 10:00 pm

So true, Lyn.

July 21, 2018 at 12:45 am

I have spent quite a bit of time in Europe but I still have so much to see. I would love to do your Balkans roadtrip, I haven’t been to that area yet.

July 21, 2018 at 10:01 pm

The Balkans make one of the best European itineraries, Anisa. You should definitely do that road trip.

July 20, 2018 at 6:27 pm

These are all great ideas. Isn’t it such a gift to be able to spend two weeks exploring?? We love to spend 3 days in cities so we know where we want to return… I also love to pair big cities with smaller towns, too. It’s a great to experience both sides of the coin in the same country. I would love to do your Balkan itinerary! Those places all just look beautiful!

July 21, 2018 at 10:05 pm

I love exploring smaller cities too, Sara. However, for first time visitors it’s always better to start with the more popular sites.

July 20, 2018 at 5:02 pm

Great tips for first-time visitors, especially if you have only two weeks. I wish I’ve been to all the destinations you covered … if we could only travel when I was still living in the middle of it ;).

July 21, 2018 at 10:06 pm

Yep, I hear you! I have the same frustration, Emese.

July 20, 2018 at 4:17 pm

Great advice for first time travelers! We did a similar trip, to your first itinerary, when we went to Europe the first time. Ours was London, Paris, Munich, and Amsterdam. I have to agree that giving yourself 3-4 days in each place is ideal. I ended up feeling like I didn’t see much in London, because we were only there for two days of our trip. Thankfully, we were able to return to London for a longer period later.

Tomas Novak

July 20, 2018 at 1:31 pm

As I live in Prague – kind of a center of Europe. It’s pretty easy for me to do this short trips and I think I visited more than half of this cities. I like how you group them in smaller trips by three. I just have to visit the Baltic states and Balkan… hopefully next year. Thanks for your tips

July 21, 2018 at 10:12 pm

It’s much easier to do these trips when you live in Europe, Thomas. The challenge is for people who travel there from far away.

California Globetrotter

July 20, 2018 at 1:11 pm

What a great itinerary you’ve put together, Anda! You’ve hit up all the best cities and I also recommend 3-4 days in each city!

July 21, 2018 at 10:13 pm

I’m glad you agree with me, Lolo. Now that you live in Europe it’s much easier for you to see all these other smaller cities on week-end trips.

Rhonda Albom

July 20, 2018 at 12:51 pm

I think two weeks is a great intro and taster for Europe. Europe is addictive and by the end of those two weeks you’ll already be planning on which areas you want to concentrate on for your next visit. I agree that you should spend three to four days in each city in order to get comfortable and enjoy the feel of the city.

July 21, 2018 at 10:17 pm

Hahaha, you are so right that traveling to Europe becomes addictive. Everybody I know wants to return there to see more.

Priscilla Willis

July 20, 2018 at 6:23 am

Great tips, Anda. Your suggested Itineraries are perfect – it’s difficult to fully experience a destination when you try to do and see too much!

July 20, 2018 at 9:52 am

Good to hear from you, Priscilla. I know you just came back from a trip to Europe. Hope it was fun.

July 20, 2018 at 9:53 am

Good to hear from you, Priscilla. I know you just came back from Europe. Hope you enjoyed your trip.

March 28, 2020 at 11:11 pm

Anda looking for a 14 day itinerary first time in Europe. This is for my 25 Anniversary. Looking to bring my 3 daughters ages 25/22/20. Also looking to invite my in laws 65/72. My wife is first generation born in the states from Hungary. My 72 year old father in-law has a bad ankle is there scooters to rent or would it be a pain in the butt to travel everywhere with it. Also ball Parker cost per person along with either plane or rail tickets to hop around

March 28, 2020 at 11:41 pm

This looks like a multi-generational reunion and a great celebration. Since your wife is of Hungarian descent, you might want to take a trip to Central Europe that would include Hungary as well. I think all of you are going to love Budapest! You could probably do Prague, Vienna, and Budapest and spend at least 3 days in each of these big cities. There are also a few side trips that you can take around them. I wrote extensively about these three destinations, in case you need some ideas on things to do, places to stay and eat in each one of these cities.

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The best excursions from Berlin with the €49 ticket

The €49 ticket opens up the whole of Germany to many who couldn’t otherwise afford it. Here are the best trips you can take with your new Deutschlandticket.

With the Deutschlandticket (also known as the €49 ticket) you can use all public transport across the whole of Germany! One important thing to remember is that the Deutschlandticket sadly doesn’t give you access to most ICE, IC or EC speed trains. Instead, for long-distance travel you’ll need to stick to regional RE trains. These are generally a lot slower than those snazzy (and pricey) speed trains. But don’t fret! You can still do plenty of travelling throughout Germany with your Deutschlandticket – it just requires a little extra planning and, of course, sticking with some trusted recommendations. These are our favourite trips to take with the Deutschlandticket.

Fürstenberg/Havel

Just one hour north of Berlin and surrounded by three lakes, Fürstenberg/Havel is the perfect summer day trip destination. The town bills itself as a Wasserstadt (water city), and because the river splits into several channels as it flows through the town, you can do a great kayak loop via the town and two of its lakes. You can go further afield too, and we love the novelty factor of going through the locks in a kayak. 

There’s something for history buffs here too, with a beautiful 18th century palace just north of the city centre, an ancient ruined castle (Burg Wesenberg), and the more sombre Ravensbrück concentration camp memorial on the banks of Lake Schwedt. 

For lunch or dinner we recommend the delicious local fish, grilled whole from Gasthaus Zur Linde.

• Getting there: 1hr from Berlin-HBF, direct on the RE5.

Spreewald Lübbenau

Another short train ride away and a hugely popular Berlin day trip is to the idyllic town of Lübbenau, just over an hour south east of Berlin in the Spreewald nature reserve. It is home to Germany’s Sorbian population, a tiny minority slavic language community with a proud rural tradition. 

🚃 Everything you need to know about the €49 and €29 tickets

Spend the day here being punted around the rivers and canals on a traditional Spreewald boat, sampling the region’s legendary pickles, having a picnic in the gardens of the palace, or sipping a cold one at one of the riverside beer gardens. It’s the perfect countryside break for Berliners in need of a breath of fresh air.  

• Getting there: 1hr from Berlin-HBF, direct on the RE2 or RE7.

Lutherstadt Wittenberg 

Wittenberg is famous for its close connection with Martin Luther for which it received the honorary Lutherstadt title. You can go and visit the early 16th century Augustinian monastery where he lived, which was given UNESCO World Heritage status in 1996, and now houses an amazing museum. 

The town itself is an absolute treat to stroll around in the sunshine, with a gorgeous old market square for that perfect photo backdrop. In the summer there’s a wine festival featuring the best of German wines and local food, and we also love ambling along the Elba and stopping off at the nearest beer garden. 

• Getting there: From Berlin-HBF 1:27, direct on the RE3.

The River of life, The Ruhr

The Ruhr is actually an idyllic little river, at least at its source. The best place to experience it is in Mülheim an der Ruhr.  On the edges, the grass rustles and cormorants rest, and in the narrow course of the river, excursion ferries ply on dozy afternoons. The villas of the Ruhr barons are scattered along the slopes, including the old Thyssen fortress.  

Just a short  walk from the river valley, you can visit an open-air museum, the Camera Obscura, and explore the history of this soot-smeared corner of the world. There is the urban center, built thanks to the now defunct coal and steel industry. At the main station there is typical 70s model city chic, with an intricate shopping center complete with residential towers. The pedestrian zone is genuinely charming with a pawn shop and bakery. This city has not yet found its role in post-industrial society, despite its superb location. 

• Getting there: From Berlin-Hbf 7:39, 6 changes, among others via Hannover, Wolfsburg, Minden.
• Staying there: Gartenhotel Luisental, Trooststr. 2, 45468 Mülheim an der Ruhr. Single room from €80, double room from €100. Tel.: 0208/99 21 40, gartenhotel-luisental.com. A convenient starting point for trips, for example to venues of the Ruhrtriennale (Aug. 11-Sept. 18) or to sights such as Zeche Zollverein in Essen.

The lakes of Ratzeburg

Let’s hope those dams are up to code! Ratzeburg’s history dates back some 950 years and features an incredibly cute old-town. This picturesque town in Schleswig-Holstein is surrounded by four lakes and is therefore very popular with water sports enthusiasts. It was also here that the renowned Ratzeburg Rowing Academy was founded in 1966. Henry the Lion – a Saxon duke with a Guelph background who was notably keen on conquest (1129-1195) – laid the foundation stone of the Ratzeburg Cathedral, which towers over the episcopal town. The brick buildings that rise out of the water are particularly instagrammable (especially when seen from a paddle boat).  

A city tour “In the footsteps of the lion” shows the way to 35 landmarks with pink lion paw prints , from the Old Town Hall to the curious limestone figure “The contented citizen”. Especially in summer, the little island town is easily worth a day trip. With its alleys, the spa park with swan pond, the bathing area at the Schlosswiese, the various ice cream parlours and several restaurants (our tip, the Fischerstube with lake view!) and nature-rich biking and hiking trails, maybe even a few days.

• Getting there: From Berlin-Hbf 4:04 hours, 2 changes, via Schwerin and Büchen.
• Staying there: Ratzeburg Youth Hostel, built in 2012, with a view of Lake Ratzeburg, Reeperbahn 6-14, 23909 Ratzeburg, bed and breakfast from €31.50 (shared room), also 1- to 4-bed dorms, Tel: 04541/840 95 04, [email protected]

Rügen, Germany’s largest island, is home to the region’s famous chalk cliffs. Königstuhl, the most famous part of the chalk formations, had been closed for construction work since July 2022 after heavy tourist traffic started to severely damage the stone. The site has officially reopened for visitors, with an impressive new elevated walkway to boot. To the west of Cape Arkona, the windswept Nordstrand leads west for hours and later south to Dranske, where kite surfers speed across the Wieker Bodden. Along the old military site on Bug, a closed headland that is currently a nature park, soon perhaps (unfortunately) a luxury resort. The view across the water to Hiddensee compensates for the fence.

• Getting there: From Berlin-Hbf 15:56, 1 change, among others via Stralsund
• Staying there: youth hostels Rügen, from €9.60 per night, gruppenhaus.de
• Camping: camping-auf-ruegen.de (with vacation bungalows), guesthouses, hotel, vacation apartments: ruegen.de. Attention: Rügen is booked out quickly in the high season

Hiking up northern Germany’s highest peak: The Brocken

If you prefer an A to B hike instead of a loop, the €49 ticket is a godsend. You can walk from one station to the next, no need to backtrack for your car. The most beautiful ascent to the highest mountain in the Harz range is not in our opinion from Wernigerode, but from Ilsenburg through the wild and romantic Ilsental. It’s tradition to kiss or at least touch the summit stone once you get there. What you should avoid: the wretched restaurant in the defiant TV tower built in 1936. Walking time is a good six hours. Make sure your boots are already worn in!

• Getting there: From Berlin-Hbf 3:18 h, 2 changes,  Magdeburg and Halberstadt, on the way back,  rom Torfhaus, 16:35, 4 changes, in Bad Harzburg, Vienenburg, Halberstadt and Magdeburg. It’s best to start early, 6:11 at Berlin Hbf to be precise.

Where three lands meet: Zittau

Zittau is probably the most exotic destination you can reach from Berlin with a €49 ticket and only one change of train. The small Saxon town itself is cute but the star of the show is what surrounds it. Notably, it’s just outside Zittau where three countries meet: Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic. Such places always have something magical and yet The Neisse River -at this point more of a stream-  separates a large meadow on which three national flags are flying. No matter which direction you look, you will see the same wonderful mountain landscape of lush greenery, craggy rocks and neat houses.

It’s only a little further to the Czech Republic with its peaks up to 1000 meters high, rustic inns and delicious beers. The obscure tip of Poland is also worth seeing, but in its own way. The Turow open pit mine is over 200 meters deep, one of the largest in Europe. Coal is still to be mined until 2040 – but the EU has actually banned this and fined Poland 500,000 euros. Don’t worry, that’s not the total amount, it’s what they are charged daily. Zittau once had an open pit mine. However, it has been flooded since reunification and is now called Olbersdorfer See. A wonderful leisure and recreation area, a beautiful lake for swimming with a mountain panorama.

• Getting there: From Berlin-Ostkreuz to Zittau, 3:09 h, 1 change via Cottbus
• Staying there: Caravan & Camping Christina Lake, Hrádek nad Nisou 709, 463 34 Hrádek nad Nisou, Czech Republic, kemp-kristyna.cz

Eisenhüttenstadt

Tom Hanks has visited “Iron Hut City” several times and raved about it on U.S. talk shows. Eisenhüttenstadt is a wondrous blend of the organically grown medieval town of Fürstenberg and the Stalinstadt, as it was then called, which sprang up in the 1950s. Considered to be Germany’s first socialist planned city – a showcase project of the DDR, it was built for the workers of the Eisenhüttenkombinat Ost.

Eisenhüttenstadt turned 70 last year, and even though the once booming model city has its best days behind it, it remains a work of art. A walk through one of the largest landmarks in the republic reveals the architectural and urban planning ideals of German socialism, which explicitly included art in construction. A detour to the “Museum of Utopia – Everyday Culture and Art from the DDR” and a snack at the  restaurant “Aktivist” is also a must.

• Getting there: From Berlin-Hbf 1:30, no changes necessary with the RE1 – day trip possible.

Hessen in „Frau-Holle-Land“

The Hessian Mountains are achievable to all who want to summit a peak without being a hardened hiking professional. The routes in the region between Bad Sooden-Allendorf, Berkatal, Waldkappel and Hessisch Lichtenau – all close to the border with Thuringia – are well signposted and quite easy to hike. The Hoher Meißner, the region’s most prominent range, was the site of the first “Freideutsche Jugendtag” (Free German Youth Day) in 1913, a kind of anti-Wilhelminian Woodstock where the over-drilled teens of the Empire made a statement against militarism.

But the Hohe Meißner is also the scene of some German mythology: according to legends, the Frau Holle pond here is infinitely deep and forms the entrance to the “Otherworld”. The Brothers Grimm apparently took one look and declared the story plausible. No wonder, the entire nature park “Frau Holle Land” is enchanting.

For those who didn’t grow up German, or didn’t read the original Grimm fairy tales, Frau Holle dwells at the bottom of a well, rides a wagon, and first taught the craft of making linen from flax. Holle is the goddess to whom children who died as infants go, and alternatively known as both the Dunkle Großmutter (Dark Grandmother) and the Weisse Frau (White Lady).

But Frau Holle was not always just the nice little grandmother who makes it snow. According to a Hessian folk tale, she sometimes turned nasty girls into cats and then locked them up in the “Kitzkammer” – a rock face made of basalt columns, today a natural monument. If you are ever in the area, you should visit (with a guided tour!) the Kripp- und Hielöcher, a bizarre limestone landscape that is a protected nature reserve. In 1958, a herd of cows fell into the cow hole, which apparently didn’t have a name beforehand -supposedly every child in the area knows the story. A region of wonders and pitfalls – and easy to reach from Berlin with the €49 ticket.

• Getting there: From Berlin-Hbf 5:29 hours, 3 changes, via Magdeburg, Sangerhausen and Eichenberg.
• Staying there: Pelikans Krone, Kirchstr. 76, 37242 Bad Sooden-Allendorf, rooms from €79.90, 05652/2057, pelikans.de

Filmed on location: the Elbe Sandstone Mountains

Some consider the Elbe Sandstone Mountains to be the most beautiful region in Germany, or even Central Europe. The landscape extends all the way from the Czech Republic to Bohemian Switzerland. And from Dresden (which is always worth a visit), you can even get there by S-Bahn! The S1 runs every half hour along the Elbe via Pirna, Wehlen, Königstein and Bad Schandau through the picturesque Elbe Sandstone Mountains to Schöna, past tranquil villages and spectacular rock formations. You can get off anywhere: in Pirna, for example, you can explore the historic town center, and from Wehlen you can start a hike up to the Bastei Bridge, a 76.5-meter-long stone bridge that connects a mighty sandstone formation.

In Königstein, climb up to the fortress of the same name, one of the largest mountain fortresses in Europe. It was once Saxony’s state prison. In the 19th century, celebrities such as the SPD icon August Bebel and the author Frank Wedekind  were imprisoned here. Today’s celebrities like Quentin Tarantino are drawn to the impressive natural backdrop of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains based only on their beauty; Some scenes from “Inglourious Basterds” and “Cloud Atlas” were filmed here.

From Bad Schandau, the idyllic spa town in the heart of Saxon Switzerland, you can set out on various hikes or change to the old Kirnitzschtalbahn train, which winds eight kilometers through the Kirnitzschtal valley that gives it its name. None other than Hollywood star Kate Winslet once checked tickets here – in the movie “The Reader”. You’ve no reason to fear the conductor here: The €49 ticket is valid on the cable car. The same applies to the U28 National Park Railway, which connects the Czech towns of Děčín and Rumburk via Bad Schandau – and thus the Saxon and Bohemian Switzerland National Parks. All the way to the Czech Republic for €49! You better believe it.

• Getting there: From Berlin main station: 16:27, 4 changes, via Elsterwerda, Riesa, Dresden, Pirna.
• Staying there: Pension Bergfriede, Schmilka 63, 01814 Bad Schandau OT Schmilka, directly on the Elbe, approx. €65 in a double room with breakfast, Tel: 035022/92 60 36

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From Paris to Berlin: 1 Week

From paris to berlin and every disco you’ll go in.

In search of a trip that combines culture and partying in equal measure? Look no further and visit three of Europe’s biggest and most popular capital cities with our From Paris to Berlin trip! It’s the best way to get an introduction not only to interrailing but to some of the best travel experiences that Europe has to offer – ideal if you’re a first-time traveller or are time-limited!

Route: Paris Amsterdam  Berlin

Countries Visited: 3

Transport:  Train

Sustainability:   This trip creates 36kg of carbon emissions. Flying the same route would create 218kg ♻️

Reviews:     All independent reviews

Whether you’re a fan of the early 2000s banger or not, this trip will still get your heart pumping!

Start your trip off in Paris; you’ll get to wake up to phenomenal views of The City of Lights! Stroll around Parisian Montmartre with its Bohemian artist community and pretty red-canopied cafes. Go classic with the iconic sights of the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe and, of course, the Eiffel Tower! If you’ve seen it all before, head to the Pompidou Centre for your modern art fix, or sip on cocktails around Quai de Jemmapes – tres chic!

Next up, you’ll continue on to Amsterdam. The capital of the Netherlands is home to a liberal atmosphere, friendly people, world class cultural heritage and incredible architecture. Hire a bike to cruise around amazing museums (our favourites are the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum), before hitting up its trendy bars, famous coffee-shops and the (in)famous Red Light District. Amsterdam is unique and endlessly fascinating – all the more reason to come back time and time again.

Finally finish your trip in Berlin – the alternative, cool kid of Europe. Check out the street food, the history, the East Side Art Gallery, the craft beer and the clubs. Berlin’s underground scene is so extensive that, ironically, it can be seen everywhere. In Berlin you’ll find a truly modern city with a fascinating past. What better place to finish your Euroventure on a high?

– Train tickets from the first to the last city on the route, as shown in the map.

– All possible seat reservations – not just the compulsory ones!

– Accommodation in top-rated, centrally located hostels or hotels – tested by us

– Walking or public transport directions between the stations and your booked accommodation.

– Travel Disruption Protection – alternative travel included if there is a strike or similar disruption.

– 24hr emergency phone number to use while you’re away.

– Personalised travel pack with your travel times, accommodation information, directions, language guides and things to see and do in each location.

– Exclusive discounts on attractions across Europe.

Trip Details

Sustainability:   This trip only creates 36kg of carbon emissions. Flying the same route would create 218kg ♻️

Trip Description

What's included.

• All overland transport tickets from the first to the last city, as shown in the map.
• Any Interrail or Eurail passes if required, based on the best value for you.
• All possible seat reservations on high-speed rail, night trains or ferries.
• Accommodation in top-rated, centrally located hostels or hotels - tested by us
• Walking directions between the stations and your booked accommodation.
• Travel Disruption Protection - alternative travel included if there is a strike or similar disruption.
• Access to our 24hr emergency phone number while you’re away.
• A personalised travel booklet with maps, language guides, top tips, and more.
• Optional walking tours, pub crawls and other activities at our partner hostels.
• Exclusive discounts on attractions across Europe.

Paris (2 Nights)

Paris is a byword for romance, a synonym for style and the epitome of elegance. The pride of France and one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Paris needs little introduction, from the Eiffel Tower to the Pont Neuf, bedazzling visitors and oozing charisma at every turn.

    See the Mona Lisa at the Louvre museum

    Watch a cabaret act the famous Moulin Rouge

    Experience the colourful nightlife of the Marais

    Train to Amsterdam – 4 hours

Amsterdam (3 Nights)

Despite being credited with certain recreational pastimes, there is actually a lot more to the city than the stereotypical picture, with its abundance of engaging museums, beautiful townhouses and canals. Find out what makes Amsterdam the beating heart of the Netherlands.

    Visit the Van Gogh Museum

    Discover Europe’s biggest historic centre by bike

    Take a tour of the red light district

    Train to Berlin – 7 hours

Berlin (2 Nights)

Berlin is the alternative, cool kid of Europe and a pro at being edgy. It’s how people dress, their liberal attitudes, the graffiti, the skaters and BMX-ers, the art, the clubs and the food. Berlin is also crammed full of fascinating WWII history around every corner so there really is something for everyone.

    See a section of the old Berlin Wall

    Climb the dome of the renovated Reichstag

    Discover the nightlife of Schoneberg and Kreuzberg

How to get there

We can include the train from London to Paris to begin your trip – just add on the Eurostar option at check-out!

Alternatively you will need to arrange a flight to Paris (either Charles de Gaulle or Orly Airport) and a flight home from Berlin (Tegel or Schonefeld Airport) – we’ll take care of the rest!

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10 best Europe tour packages from Amsterdam

Compiled by

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Europe Jewel

European discovery (winter, start amsterdam, classic, 12 days), europe explorer, european discovery (summer, start amsterdam, classic, 12 days), european highlights escape - 12 days, european cavalcade (end paris, 18 days), amsterdam and paris, amsterdam, berlin and prague, glimpse of europe (end paris, 7 days), europe's highlights.

• In-depth Cultural
• Coach / Bus
• Sightseeing
• See the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa
• Cruise Amsterdam’s canals and sail along the Rhine River in Germany
• Discover Venice and Budapest

“Lovely trip! I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience.”

• Christmas & New Year
• Explore Amsterdam's vibrant nightlife
• Discover ancient Rome and its night glory
• Enjoy Bavarian beer and culture in Munich

• Visit Ghent in Belgium, Siena in Tuscany, Sète in the south of France, Andorra and more
• Enjoy free days in Barcelona, Rome, Venice, Paris, the Swiss Alps and Amsterdam
• Explore dazzling towns on a scenic drive along the French Riviera

“Wow! With so much packed into a short time, we were expertly guided and supported.”

• Discover medieval towns in Bavaria
• Enjoy a private boat ride in Venice
• Experience Paris from Montparnasse Tower

“Couldn't recommend this the European Discovery Tour enough!! It definitely is fast pace but the Bus rides help to break it up.”

• Adventure by flights & trains
• 5 European Countries
• Historical, Cultural & Exploration Experiences

“We enjoyed the lively city of Athens and beautiful Santorini. Everything was organised perfect by Dot Travel Greece.”

• Walk through Lucerne's historic Old Town
• Enjoy the views from the Eiffel Tower
• Visit the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica

“Amazing!!! No complaints, loved it!! So many memories made, highly recommended!”

• See the Royal Palace in Amsterdam
• Sample local cuisine in Paris
• Take a stroll on the famous Champs-Elysees

“We had an excellent trip overall. The guides did their best to ensure comfort.”

• Tour Berlin's historic sites and memorials
• Enjoy a boat trip from Volendam to Marken
• Explore windmills and canals at Zaanse Schans

“The tour was well organized and well planned. My 13 year old son had a fantastic trip.”

• Take a canal cruise in Amsterdam
• See the Rhine Falls in Schaffhausen
• Cruise down the Rhine from Boppard

“Her experience, adaptability and sense of humour made this a great trip.”

• Walk through Florence's Renaissance heart
• Take a boat to St. Mark's Square, Venice
• See Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany

“Communication was clear and informative.”

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