Discover the best places to visit in Europe for first-timers, families, couples, history buffs, Christmas, and more, in this Europe travel guide.
Dreaming of sipping mulled wine under twinkling lights or getting lost in centuries-old alleyways? This Europe travel guide is your passport to Europe’s best – whether you’re a first-timer, a lovebird, or a history geek.
Table of Contents
🏰 Best Places To Visit In Europe
We’ll whisk you from Christmassy Vienna to hiking in the Alps, with tips to convert your wanderlust into bookings. Ready to map out your two-week Europe adventure? Let’s roll!
👨👩👧👦 First Timers, Families & Young Travelers
These are the best places to visit in Europe for first-timers, families, teens, and 20-year-olds. Their broad appeal, easy transport, and iconic sights make these cities perfect for your first adventure.
- Rome, Italy – Iconic Colosseum, gelato on every corner, and piazza vibes that delight teens and twenty-somethings.
- Paris, France – Eiffel selfies, Louvre wow-factor, plus family-friendly river cruises.
- Barcelona, Spain – Beach, Gaudí, street performers – ideal for young adults and families alike.
- Amsterdam, Netherlands – Bike canals, coffee shop culture (tea for teens!), and vibrant museums.
💝 Honeymooners, Couples, Valentine’s Day
These romantic getaways are rated best places to visit in Europe for honeymoons, couples, and Valentine’s Day. They offer dreamy scenery, cozy cafés, and are perfect for slow travel.
- Venice, Italy – Gondola at dusk, hidden alleys, candlelit trattorias.
- Santorini, Greece – Sunsets that redefine romance + cave hotels with views.
- Prague, Czechia – Gothic charm, Charles Bridge strolls at dawn.
- Paris, France – The ultimate couple’s city: Montmartre, Seine cruises, love locks.
🎄 Holiday Magic: Christmas & New Year’s
Cherish the cozy festive cheer of the best places to visit in Europe for Christmas and New Year’s, perfect for festivities, culture, and festive warmth for chilly nights.
- Vienna, Austria – Grand Christmas markets, hot punch, imperial hall concerts.
- Strasbourg, France – Said to be the “Capital of Christmas”—fairytale streets full of lights.
- Reykjavík, Iceland – Northern lights, fun New Year fireworks, geothermal pools.
- Edinburgh, Scotland – Hogmanay street parties, torchlit castle runs, Celtic flair.
🏛️ History Lovers & Architecture Fans
Explore the best places to visit in Europe for history and architecture, centuries of human story, jaw-dropping architecture, and endless learning.
- Athens, Greece – The Acropolis, ancient Agora, & Byzantine churches.
- Rome, Italy – Vatican Museums, Pantheon, layers of empires.
- Vienna, Austria – Baroque palaces, grand opera houses, Habsburg heritage.
- Prague, Czechia – Gothic, Baroque, and Art Nouveau masterpieces on every corner.
- Barcelona, Spain – Gaudí’s genius, the Sagrada Familia, and other cathedrals.
🌄 Adventure & Short‑Trip Focus
These European destinations are the best places to visit in Europe for hiking, a short trip, and a 2‑week exploration. They are outdoorsy, memorable, and even in a week, you’ll feel epic.
- Interlaken, Switzerland – Alpine hikes, paragliding, Jungfrau peaks.
- Lake Bled, Slovenia – Fairy‑tale lake, castle views, easy trails.
- Cinque Terre, Italy – Cliffside villages, coastal paths, pesto-fueled strolls.
⏳ Quick-Trip: A Week of Wow
Searching for the best places to visit in Europe for a week? These iconic cities offer a condensed, diverse city mix for travelers looking for big adventure in a week.
- London, UK – Big Ben, West End shows, royal parks.
- Amsterdam, Netherlands – Charming canals, Van Gogh, bike rides.
- Berlin, Germany – Wall history, edgy art, buzzing nightlife.
- Lisbon, Portugal – Tram rides, pastel de nata, miradouros.
🚆 2‑Week Europe Trip Itinerary
Planning the ultimate European getaway? This detailed 2-week Europe trip itinerary includes the top things to see in Europe, blending must-see cities with hidden gems to maximize every moment.
If you need a Europe trip itinerary for 10 days, omit a few of the travel attractions and activities below.
🚉 Days 1–2: London, England
Arrival in London
- Check in and rest after your flight.
- Explore Westminster: Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey.
- Stroll along the Thames, ride the London Eye at sunset.
Day 2: Classic London
- Morning: Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Borough Market lunch.
- Afternoon: British Museum & National Gallery.
- Evening: West End show or dinner in Soho.
🚉 Day 3–4: London → Paris (Eurostar)
Day 3: Travel to Paris
- Morning Eurostar (2 hrs 15 min) from London St. Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord.
- Afternoon: Eiffel Tower, Seine River walk, Champs-Élysées.
- Seine River cruise at night
Day 4: Paris Essentials
- Morning: Louvre Museum or Musée d’Orsay.
- Afternoon: Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur.
- Evening: Enjoy a food tour in Le Marais or Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
🚉 Days 5–7: Paris → Interlaken, Switzerland
Day 5: Travel to Interlaken
- Morning train via Basel or Geneva (approx. 6 hrs).
- Evening: Explore the lakeside or take a short hike for views.
Day 6: Day trip to Jungfraujoch
- Full-day alpine adventure to the “Top of Europe.”
- Train through Lauterbrunnen & Wengen to Jungfraujoch.
- Enjoy glacier walks, panoramic views, and the Ice Palace.
Day 7: Relax in Interlaken
- Optional: Paragliding, boat ride on Lake Brienz, or hike to Harder Kulm.
- Evening: Swiss fondue dinner.
🚉 Days 8–10: Zürich → Cinque Terre, Italy
Day 8: Train to Cinque Terre
- Morning train from Interlaken to Zürich, then to La Spezia/Cinque Terre (approx. 8 hrs).
- Evening: Settle into one of the five villages (e.g., Vernazza or Monterosso).
Day 9: Explore Cinque Terre
- Hike the famous Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail).
- Visit multiple villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, and Corniglia.
- Swim or relax on the beach.
Day 10: Rest + Local Culture
- Enjoy seafood and wine by the coast.
- Take a cooking class or go on a local wine tasting.
🚉 Days 11–13: Rome + Vatican City
Day 11: Travel to Rome
- Train from La Spezia to Rome (approx. 4–5 hrs).
- Evening: Visit Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona.
Day 12: Ancient Rome
- Morning: Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine guided tour.
- Afternoon: Capitoline Museums
- Evening: Trastevere dinner and nightlife.
Day 13: Vatican City
- Morning: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica.
- Afternoon: Relax in Villa Borghese or visit Castel Sant’Angelo.
🛬 Day 14: Departure
- Fly out from Rome (or return to London, depending on flight deals).
- Tip: Choose an afternoon flight for a relaxed morning or last-minute shopping.
✨ Bonus Tips:
- Rail Pass: Consider the Eurail Global Pass if taking multiple train journeys.
- Accommodation: Choose from hostels, boutique hotels, apartments, and guesthouses.
Download this 2-week Europe trip itinerary
✈️ How to Plan a Europe Trip
Ready to level up your European adventure? Get help planning a Europe trip with these travel tips, hacks, and insider secrets. Save time, money, and stress, so you can focus on making the best memories.
- 2-week Europe trip packing list: Download it for everything you need – smart travel gear, from layers to chargers to reusable water bottles.
- eSim for Europe travel: Avoid roaming fees, buy an eSIM online. It’s one of the smartest European travel essentials, especially for those planning a budget European trip and needing easy connectivity.
- Europe travel insurance: Travel insurance for a European trip is a non-negotiable to cover medical expenses, delays, and theft. You will need health coverage for a visa to travel to Europe in 2025; don’t board the plane without it.
- Book rail passes for multiple-city travel: Perfect for a 2-week or multi-city Europe trip. It simplifies travel to Europe and saves money on cross-country train rides.
- Carry a small EU plug adapter: Charge the power bank nightly. It’s essential when you travel to Europe from the USA — outlet shapes vary, and without a converter, your phone becomes a stylish paperweight.
- Book Europe tour tickets online weeks ahead: Must-sees get booked out quickly, especially travel attractions like the Eiffel Tower and the Vatican during peak seasons.
- Use free walking tours in every city: They’re perfect for anyone on a budget European trip and are often led by passionate locals who make history hilarious.
- Visit museums in late afternoons: They’re less crowded and often discounted. Great hack for anyone planning a European trip itinerary on a tight schedule, get more culture, fewer queues, and still have time for gelato.
- Best time to travel to Europe: May, June, and September offer great weather with fewer crowds. December is great for Christmas markets. When booking Europe trip packages or going solo, aim for shoulder seasons to snag better deals and avoid tourist gridlock.
- Cash meets cards: Carry €100 backup cash, but chip EMV is widely accepted. Even in the cheapest time to travel to Europe, a little cash helps in small cafés, markets, or tipping your Pay-What-You-Want walking tour guide.
- Travel to Europe requirements: Do I need a visa to travel to Europe as an American citizen? No, but U.S. citizens will soon need an ETIAS travel authorization. If you plan to travel to Europe in 2025, stay updated on new visa rules and confirm current travel requirements.
- Travel safety for Americans: Is it safe for Americans to travel to Europe now? Yes, it’s generally safe, especially in popular destinations — but follow local news, enroll in STEP, and review your Europe travel insurance options.
Dreaming of croissants in Paris, gondolas in Venice, and castles in Prague? Start with an all-inclusive Europe travel package — your shortcut to epic adventures, stunning views, and zero planning stress.
From the top things to see in Europe (hey, Colosseum!) to local eats that’ll ruin all future diets, our Europe travel guide spills all the secrets. And with unbeatable Europe travel deals, you’ll save enough to splurge on extra gelato.
So pack smart, book early, and let Europe do the dazzling.
- Best Places To Visit In Europe for First‑Timers, Couples, & Christmas - June 10, 2025
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