Where to Go on Your First Trip to Europe

My first trip to Europe was in 2012. It also happened to be my first solo trip and the inspiration for one of my first blog posts. I found an amazing flight deal from Toronto to London and back from Portugal. And so I headed off to spend a few weeks visiting London, Paris, Nice, Barcelona, Madrid and Lisbon – all for the very first time.

I had an amazing first trip to Europe. It was the trip where I fell in love with London, where I realized the kindness of strangers, and where I learned that an overnight train ride doesn’t actually save you paying for a night of accommodation if you get no sleep on said train ride and check into the nearest hotel the moment you arrive in Madrid at 8:00 AM with bloodshot eyes…

Even though I got lost, sad and sunburnt, I had an amazing time and wouldn’t change a thing about my first trip to Europe. But if I was going on my first trip to Europe today? I might make a few tweaks.

Here are my suggestions for perfect itineraries for your first trip to Europe. I’ve catered my suggestions based on whether you’re looking for beautiful scenery, love learning about history, travel for delicious food, are on a tight budget, or only have a short time to fit everything in.

Let’s plan your first trip to Europe!

When should you visit Europe?

Shoulder season is always the best time to visit. Europe gets very crowded with tourists over the summer when North American tourists find out the hard way that a lot of Europe is not air-conditioned. Winter can also be crowded with many people travelling to Europe for the famous Christmas markets, and obviously, winter can be very cold.

Shoulder season – spring and fall – are the best times to visit Europe in nice weather with less crowds. However, a lot of people know about the pros of shoulder season travel, shrinking shoulder season more and more each year. Busy summer months are not just June and July, it’s now May through to October.

So if you really want to avoid crowds, I’d go for the sweet spot just before and after the winter holidays. We travelled to Italy in November and it was perfect. We did get a few rainy days in Naples but it was t-shirt weather in Rome and we didn’t have to fight with anyone to see Pompeii or line up to get into the Vatican. We also visited Spain in early February and enjoyed the same vibe: very small tourist crowds and pretty decent weather.

Where should you stay on your first trip to Europe?

Of course, this will depend on where you go in Europe and what your budget is. Generally speaking, the more touristed cities in Europe will have something to suite every budget and style – you can camp, sleep in a three-bed bunk in a hostel, splurge on a luxury hotel, stay at an adorable bed and breakfast, or rent an apartment.

My advice is always to stay as close to the centre as you can afford in a place that is comfortable and clean. European cities are meant to be explored on foot, so it’s best if you’re just a short walk or transit ride away from all of the sights, shops and restaurants. Exactly what kind of accommodation you choose will depend on the type of stay you want to have. If you’re looking to save money and meet other people, try a hostel. If you want space to spread out and a kitchen to cook your own meals, check out Airbnb. And if you prefer the convenience of a hotel, you’ll find options wherever you are in Europe.

How long do you need for a first trip to Europe?

You could easily spend months and months exploring all corners of Europe but most people don’t have that much vacation time. For your first trip, I think 10-14 days would be perfect. That gives you enough time to explore a few different areas and get a taste for Europe. Of course, if you can swing more time, that’s awesome. And if 10-14 days isn’t doable for you, I’d say the trip may still be worth it (depending on where in the world you’re coming from) if you can get at least five days on the ground.

In terms of pacing, every travel blogger has an opinion on whether you should travel fast or slow, and what exactly constitutes “fast” or “slow” travel. I definitely see the value in slow travel but know it’s not realistic for most people with fixed vacation days. I also don’t think slow travel should be your priority on your first trip to Europe. I’d suggest spending no less than 2-3 nights in each stop, and keeping your travel time between stops as short as possible. You don’t want to spend all of your trip running from the airport to the bus to the train, totally exhausted and too tired to explore. Give yourself time to actually enjoy each place, and remember you can see more on your next trip to Europe!

How do you travel through Europe?

My favourite way to travel through Europe is by train. The train system in Europe is quite comprehensive, fast, affordable and scenic. Often, train stations are located in the city centre, meaning you don’t have to worry about getting to/from an airport in the suburbs. You also don’t have to show up early and go through security when you take the train. Check out The Man in Seat 61 for all of your European train needs!

Of course, the train isn’t always the best option. If you need to travel farther distances, Europe has a number of budget airlines and you can usually hop on a flight for less than $50. There are long distance buses that, while slow, are quite affordable. You may also want to rent a car and road trip, or look into fun boat options to your destinations.

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7 first trip to Europe itineraries 

If you’re looking to hit the highlights: London, Paris & Amsterdam

A lot of people’s first trip to Europe is focused on the highlights – the cities everyone knows. While these cities are generally more expensive and crowded with tourists, they are popular for a reason and have a lot to offer. Three of the biggest cities in Europe, and three that are generally easy to travel between, would have to be London, Paris and Amsterdam.

The itinerary: 

Start your trip with a few days in London: admire Tower Bridge and Buckingham Palace, grab lunch at Borough Market, stroll through Kensington Gardens, see the crown jewels and take in a West End show. Check out my three day London itinerary for your full schedule!

From London, take the Eurostar train to Paris in just two and a half hours. In Paris you can walk along the Seine, eat the best croissants in front of the Eiffel Tower, admire art at the Louvre and pop into all of the museums while feeling very chic. If you have more time, take a day trip out to Versailles.

Next, take a three hour train from Paris to one of my favourite cities, Amsterdam. I studied abroad in Amsterdam and think it’s such a charming city. Shop the outdoor markets, admire the skinny homes, eat Dutch pancakes, tour the Anne Frank House, see some original Van Gogh paintings and take in the tulips or boat down the canals.

Have more time?

If you have more time and want to see more highlights, I’d suggest adding Berlin and Prague onto your itinerary. In Berlin you can check out the Berlin Wall (now a cool outdoor art gallery) and sit back in a beer garden. From there, it’s just a four hour train ride to Prague, where you can visit the castles, admire the architecture and, of course, drink some very affordable and delicious beer.

If you have even more time, you can visit the iconic cities of Rome and Barcelona. In Rome, you’ll stay busy touring the Colosseum and Vatican, taking photos in front of the Trevi Fountain and Spanish steps, and eating all the gelato you can find. In Barcelona, admire Gaudi’s best architecture, wander through the Old Town and eat incredible Spanish food.

If you’re looking to visit hidden gems: Slovenia

Some people prefer to wander on the road less travelled, passing up iconic highlights for hidden gems. And while I do think that London, Paris and Amsterdam are worth visiting, I understand wanting to have a quieter and more unique first trip to Europe.

The itinerary

I think Slovenia is one of the most incredible and underrated countries in Europe. I don’t know anyone who has visited Slovenia who hasn’t completely fallen in love with it. And I don’t know anyone who goes to Europe for the first time and only visits Slovenia, so your trip would certainly be unique!

While Slovenia is underrated, it’s not completely unknown. You may have seen the iconic photos of Lake Bled and you should know that this lake is busy, especially in the summer. But it will be nothing compared to the tourist crowds you’d see in Venice or Paris.

For nature, check out Lake Bohinj and Triglav National Park. Just 30 minutes away from more popular Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj is just as beautiful and offers lots of gorgeous hikes, waterfalls and views. There is also the Soca Valley where you can go zip-lining and white water rafting!

For charming cities, you’ll definitely want to visit Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana. I loved this city so much when we visited and wished we had spent more time walking along the water, shopping in the markets and admiring the buildings.

Slovenia also has a beautiful and delicious wine country to discover, and a cool coastal city, Piran, known for its old city charm and yummy seafood.

More European hidden gems to visit 

Of course, Slovenia isn’t the only hidden gem in Europe. Typically speaking, smaller towns and countries further east will have more undiscovered places. I’ve heard amazing things about the country of Georgia, but haven’t been myself. The Balkans are a great option. My mom and I visited Montenegro in 2014 and felt like we had the entire place to ourselves. I’ve also heard Albania is a hidden gem and a great country for beach lovers. And finally, if you are sticking to Western Europe, add Dresden, Germany to your list. Just a few hours from Berlin, this underrated city is worth the visit!

If you’re looking for art and history: Paris, Rome & Florence

I’ll be honest, this category is not my area of expertise. I have about a one hour limit for how long I can spend in museums before I become painfully bored. I can only appreciate art and history in small quantities and interesting formats.

The itinerary

Start off in Paris and cross the big one off of your bucket list: Seeing the Mona Lisa at the Louvre. As every travel blogger will tell you, prepare to be disappointed. Mona Lisa is a small painting, hidden behind plexiglass and a barrier. It’s much more interesting to take photos of the crowd taking photos of Mona Lisa, than to actual take her photo.

But do let the rest of the Louvre, and the rest of the art scene in Paris, sweep you off your feet. I’ve been to the Louvre a few times now and each time discover new wings that impress me, despite me knowing nothing about art. And you’ll even find wings that are completely empty, as most people only make it to the Mona Lisa and surrounding galleries. There’s also the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, which I haven’t been to but would love to, and countless other big and small art galleries. Once you cross the big ones off your list, I think it’d be most fun to discover the small, private galleries all around Paris.

In Florence, you’ll of course need to visit the famous Uffizi Gallery and see the David statue at the Accademia Gallery. I’ve only spent a few hours in Florence and, sadly, didn’t get to see either of these art galleries. We had planned to stop in and see David but discovered the Accademia is closed on Mondays. Like Paris, Florence is also home to many more art galleries and beautiful buildings you can admire in between cones of gelato.

Last stop: Rome. In Rome you’ll walk in the steps of history as you discover where gladiators fought at the Colosseum and the roads Cesar rode down at the Roman Forum. What really brought history to life for me in Rome was that outside of these huge attractions, you’ll find Ancient Roman artifacts all over the city. I was constantly surprised when we’d be taking a bus to get somewhere and outside the window would be a local city park that just happened to have some ancient pillars in it.

For an even better chance to walk through history, take a day trip to nearby Pompeii or Herculaneum. And for art, you’ll have to check out the impressive galleries of the Vatican, as well as many other Roman art galleries like Galleria Borghese.

Have more time? 

Belgium is a great country to explore if you love art, history, architecture and yummy food. I spent a long weekend exploring a few different cities in Belgium in 2014, and went back to Antwerp in 2018. While I’m not a huge art or history buff myself, I did appreciate the beauty of Belgium and noted a lot of museums. Plus, there’s chocolate and fries to enjoy!

I think it’s also worth noting that while places like Paris and Florence are known for their art culture, there is art all over Europe. It just might not be by artists you recognize. And, because European culture and buildings are so old compared to what you find in North America, there is history throughout Europe too. So don’t feel like you have to go to the Louvre to see art or walk the Colosseum to experience history. That stuff is all over Europe!

If you’re looking for nature and views: Iceland and Ireland

I’m not a big hiker or outdoorsy person, but even I can’t pass up a great view. And Europe is lousy with gorgeous places you can drive, walk, bike or hike through. I haven’t seen them all, but two of my favourites that I think would be amazing for a first trip to Europe are Iceland and Ireland.

The itinerary:

Iceland is an absolutely magical place no matter what time of year you visit. While it has been over-touristed, I hope the pandemic has taught us all to be a little bit more careful with natural resources. I have visited Iceland twice, in January 2014 and October 2018, and both visits were amazing.

With just a few days in Iceland, base yourself in Reykjavik, the capital. Spend a day exploring this funky little town, eating the delicious cafe food and admiring the large church. From Reykjavik you can rent a car, or head out on day tours if you don’t want to drive, to explore sights along the Golden Circle.

If you have a third or fourth day, head for a drive along Iceland’s southern coast (bus tours will go out on this route as well) to see waterfalls, glaciers and black sand beaches. And with even more time, you can rent a car and drive the entire Ring Road around Iceland (budget 7-10 days for this drive).

In Ireland, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to beautiful views. When I visited in April 2018, we spent a few days each in Dublin, Belfast (Northern Ireland), Galway and Cork, visiting natural wonders from these main cities.

If you only have a few days in Ireland, I’d prioritize the Cliffs of Moher by Galway and the Ring of Kerry by Cork. The Cliffs of Moher are not to be missed! Hopefully you get nice weather and can see the cliffs shining in the sunlight. The Ring of Kerry is full of lots of beautiful waterfalls and viewpoints.

Up north, you can check out Giants Causeway from Belfast, as well as some famous Game of Thrones film locations. And in between all of those natural stops, you can rest in cities, enjoying famous Irish hospitality at pubs and restaurants.

Want more views?

Like I said, Europe is lousy with views. Check out the beautiful snow-covered Alps in Switzerland, go on a picturesque road trip through Austria, chase waterfalls and island hop in Croatia, or see the fjords in Norway!

If you’re a foodie: Copenhagen, San Sebastian & Naples

Do you travel for food? Same! A great first trip through Europe would be to follow your stomach to some of the continent’s greatest foodie stops.

The itinerary:

I will confess, this itinerary does involve a few plane rides but I think it’s worth it to hit each of these foodie hot spots. However, if one in particular catches your eye, you could always spend more time there and find lots of great local food in the surrounding area.

Copenhagen is known as the foodie capital of Europe with tons of award-winning restaurants, like Noma. Sadly, on our short visit to Copenhagen we did not enjoy our meals, but I think we just picked poorly. I’d love to go back with some more guidance and try out the really excellent places to eat. Copenhagen is also a really beautiful city, and a short drive from Sweden, so would make for a cool base on your first trip to Europe.

San Sebastian, Spain is another well-known foodie haven in Europe. Sadly, I haven’t been myself but it’s my partner’s favourite city in the world. Pintxos, northern Spain’s version of tapas, are famous here and I could see myself happily going from one pintxo bar to the next.

And we can’t forget Naples, Italy – the birthplace of pizza! I’ve been to Naples twice and both times ate some of the best food of my life. It’s not just pizza (though the pizza is incredible) but also amazing pasta, gelato, pastries and more. Naples itself is a bit gritty, but it’s worth spending a few nights there to eat as much as you can. Plus, it’s just a short train ride from the archeological sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum, and close to Rome.

Still hungry? 

You’ll have a hard time finding bad food in Italy but for the best of the best, head to Bologna, where a lot of the regions food is produced. I can’t wait to visit Bologna and eat the best cheese, meat and balsamic vinegar!

Wine lovers should plan a trip through the Bordeaux region of France, also known for its amazing food. And don’t count out London! While British food isn’t widely admired, the international city of London is home to some of the most diverse and delicious restaurants.

If you have limited time in Europe: Germany, Austria & the Czech Republic

If you only have a short amount of time for your first trip to Europe, the key is to pick interesting stops that are close together. You don’t want to waste all of your time on flights or in transit.

The itinerary:

Our Christmas Market road trip would be the perfect itinerary for someone short on time who wants to see as much as they can. We started off in Prague, where we were living at the time. Here you can enjoy cheap beer, beautiful buildings and epic views.

From Prague, train or drive down to Vienna, Austria (3.5 hr drive from Prague). Visit palaces, check out beautiful art, take in a show and enjoy the famous Viennese coffee scene. From there it’s a three hour drive over to Salzburg, my favourite Austrian city. Wander through the Old Town and don’t miss out on exploring the fortress, complete with beautiful views!

Next, you’re driving just an hour and a half to Munich. Take a tour through the historic part of town, sit down in a beer garden and make a visit to Dachau Concentration Camp, less than an hour from the city. You can wrap up your trip here or head on to Nuremberg (2 hour drive from Munich), an amazing little fairytale town with lots of history. And since this itinerary was a circle, you can head back to Prague (3.5 hr drive) and catch your roundtrip flight home from there.

Other short itineraries

If Czech Republic/Austria/Germany doesn’t strike your fancy, there are so many multi-country itineraries you can put together for your first trip to Europe to maximize your time on the ground.

• My highlights itinerary above: London/Paris/Amsterdam
• Spain & Portugal
• Italy/Switzerland/Croatia
• The Netherlands/Belgium/France/Germany
• Czech Republic/Austria/Hungary
• and so on!

If you’re on a budget: Budapest, Bratislava & Prague

Last but not least, what’s the best first trip to Europe itinerary if you’re on a budget? Unfortunately, a lot of the major cities in Europe (London, Paris, etc.) are also the most expensive. But it is possible to have an amazing first trip to Europe without spending a ton of money. Of course, the way you travel can help with that (e.g. hostel vs 5-star hotel) but so can where you travel.

The itinerary:

You’ll find that Central/Eastern Europe is often much cheaper than Western Europe, so that’s where this trip will take place. Start your budget trip off in Budapest, one of my favourite cities in Europe. Budapest has so much to do and is a truly unique city. Take a cruise down the Danube, tour the largest parliament building I’ve ever seen, explore Buda Castle, party at the ruin bars and soak in one of the traditional bath houses. And do it all on a budget!

From Budapest, you’ll take a short train ride over to Bratislava, Slovakia. I’ll be honest: Bratislava is not a place you’re going to need to spend a lot of time. But it is worth a day or two and is definitely a cheaper place to travel. Explore the Old Town, admire the street art and check out the cool castles.

Lastly, you’ll take another train to Prague. One of the reasons we decided to move to Prague was because cost of living was so cheap – beer is literally cheaper than water! It’s super affordable to travel through Prague and the Czech Republic and there are a ton of amazing things to see and do.

Where else you can travel cheap

Other budget-friendly countries you might want to check out include Romania, Poland, Portugal, Croatia (outside of the touristy hubs, like Dubrovnik), Slovenia, Greece, and lots of places in the Balkans and Baltics.

My #1 tip for your first trip to Europe

This is your first trip, not your only trip. You do not have to see and do absolutely everything. It can be tempting to cram in as much as possible but I promise you will enjoy your trip more if you slow down and appreciate where you are.

There is no prize for seeing the most or moving countries every single day. Take your time! I know it’s hard to pass up all of the cheap flights or to say no to bucket list items that are just a few hours away but trust me, you’ll want to slow down and actually enjoy your trip.

I’m not saying you have to slow travel and spend a week or two in each city. I am saying you don’t want to be on a flight every other day, running from icon to icon, never coming out from behind your camera lens.

So, go for a walk on cobblestone lanes, try the local food, marvel at the history, soak up the culture, and enjoy your very first trip to Europe!

For more, check out my travel tips for beginners and packing tips! 

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Where do you most want to go on your first trip to Europe? Which one of my itineraries above sounds most appealing? Or, if you’re a seasoned traveller, where do you suggest people go on their first trip?

 

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