Europe travel guides

Picking a favourite continent as a full-time traveller feels a bit like choosing a favourite child (I assume so anyway, I don’t have kids 🙃) but Europe was where I truly fell in love with solo travel, and I fall even harder every time I visit.

The diversity of experiences within a relatively small area is mind-blowing, yet the ease of exploring is unmatched. Looking for a short and sweet city break? Loads of options. Want to zigzag across the whole continent without setting foot in an airport? Totally doable. Prefer in-depth adventures in one country? There are plenty to choose from.

After many years of annual Europe jaunts, or fortnightly when I lived in London, I’ve published a huge collection of European itineraries and destination guides to help you plan smarter, reduce travel stress and stretch your money further.

Top Europe itineraries

If the idea of planning a Europe trip from scratch feels overwhelming, these ready-made itineraries are the solution.

Built from my countless trips across 37 European countries, these national, regional and continent-wide itineraries cover everything you need to just book your entire trip today if you wanted to. They’ve got route maps, recommended transport connections, accommodation suggestions for different budgets, must-dos/eats/sees and day-by-day breakdowns, so you can avoid months of pre-trip research with a hundred open tabs, and skip straight to the fun part.

And if you actually enjoy the planning process (same!), you can use these itineraries as a starting point to show you what’s doable with your timeframe, then tweak them to suit your travel preferences. Too easy.

Solo travel in Europe

Heading to Europe for a solo adventure? Here are my solo travel guides for destinations across the continent.

Can’t find a solo guide for where you’re going? 95% of my Europe trips have been solo so your upcoming destination might well be sitting in my to-write list, let me know what you’re looking for right here and I’ll prioritise it.

Europe city breaks

Only got a few days to spare? These European city break guides are designed for travellers who want to make the most of a short trip.

Whether you’re squeezing in a quick getaway for a long weekend or adding a city stop to a longer European adventure, these short and sweet itineraries focus on the top highlights, the hidden gems worth seeking out, and the logistics that’ll ensure your trip runs smoothly.

Bucket list experiences in Europe

Some experiences are worth planning an entire trip around, and Europe has plenty! These are the activities, stays, train trips and tours that you’ll be raving about for years to come.

A bustling harbour filled with sailboats and yachts, against a backdrop of colourful seaside homes. Plan a trip to Greece to include vibrant marinas like this for a mix of relaxation and local culture

Sailing Greece or Croatia with Medsailors

Island hop through the Mediterranean on a skippered yacht with fellow travellers, with plenty of opportunities for relaxing or revelling (or both!).

READ MORE

Adler Dolomiti: Best value spa resort in the Dolomites

This Dolomites wellness retreat offers panoramic saunas, mountain-view hot pools and lush rooms with gourmet meals for a very fair price.

READ MORE
The sun deck of La Vie en Rose set up for outdoor dining, with teak furniture and views of a bridge over the canal.

Cruising the Burgundy canals on a boutique barge

Float through France’s wine country on a luxury barge with gourmet meals, e-bikes and daily activities like vineyard visits and market trips.

READ MORE
A serene view from the Flam to Myrdal train, with a mirror-like river running parallel to the track, flanked by the gentle slopes of Norwegian mountains in autumn

Norway’s most beautiful train journey: The Flåm Railway

This scenic detour between Oslo and Bergen is well worth considering, with one of the world’s steepest train rides taking you deep into fjord country via a historic track.

READ MORE
View from the stern of a ship with a Norwegian flag flying, showing the vessel's wake cutting through Geirangerfjord surrounded by snow-covered mountains

Sailing the Norwegian Coastal Express with Havila Voyages

Cruise Norway’s dramatic coastline on one of the world’s most eco-friendly cruise ships, with spectacular scenery and loads of epic excursions on offer along the way.

READ MORE

The Bernina Express panoramic train in Switzerland

This UNESCO World Heritage railway winds through the Alps with panoramic windows for maximum sightseeing, giving you a front row seat to four hours of glacial landscapes.

READ MORE

Sleeping in an observatory dome in Switzerland

One of the coolest places I’ve ever stayed (and that’s truly saying something), Randolin’s Berghotel in St Moritz, Switzerland has a 1924 dome that still rotates and has been renovated into a cosy hotel room.

BOOK YOUR STAY
View from a train window showing a yellow train traveling through the autumnal landscape near Wengen with the Swiss Alps in the distance

The most beautiful train rides in Europe

From Switzerland’s panoramic alpine trains to coastal lines in Italy to sleeper trains that take you all the way to the Arctic Circle, these epic train trips are genuine examples of ‘it’s about the journey, not the destination’.

READ MORE
Illuminated trulli houses at dusk in Alberobello, an essential experience during two weeks in Puglia.

The ultimate Italy bucket list: 50+ things!

Looking for some Italy inspiration? This ultimate Italy bucket list includes more than 50 highlights and hidden gems from the northern mountains right down to the southern beaches and everywhere in between.

READ MORE

Things to know before you go to Europe

Here’s a top-level overview of what you need to know to set yourself up for a stress-free trip.

Where to visit in Europe

So many options!

Art enthusiasts will love cities like Florence, Paris and Vienna, history nerds need to visit Athens, Rome and Budapest, hikers should consider Switzerland, the Dolomites and Norway, and foodies can’t miss Bologna in Italy, Sofia in Bulgaria or Copenhagen.

Sun-seekers should head to anywhere along the Mediterranean Coast, Puglia in Italy, the French Riviera and Alonissos in Greece are my faves, but shoulder season is king if you want to avoid crowds and crazy prices.

If you’re visiting Europe in winter then the European Christmas markets are a must-see, and crossing the Arctic Circle in Scandinavia or Iceland is your best bet for spotting the aurora dancing in the sky.

  • Solo female traveller in summer top and hat above Grama Beach's stunning horseshoe cove, turquoise waters contrasting with rugged cliffs.

Best time to visit Europe

The shoulder seasons of spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are the sweet spot for mild weather, fewer tourists and better value for money.

Summer (June-August) brings long days and warm weather but also massive crowds and inflated prices, so you win some, you lose some. If you can’t avoid these months (sorry teachers!) then I’d highly recommend skipping the obvious hotspots and locking in your plans well in advance to avoid price hikes.

Winter in Europe (December-February) can be magical if you’re in the right place, with colourful Christmas markets, world-class ski slopes and the chance to see iconic attractions at their quietest if you don’t mind the cold and wet weather.

  • Bernina Express train winding through autumn forest landscape with colourful foliage and mountain backdrop
  • A person sitting on a rooftop terrace overlooking Matera's illuminated ancient buildings at dusk, demonstrating a perfect add on to a two weeks in Puglia itinerary.

Getting around Europe

Europe’s transport infrastructure is brilliant, with high speed trains connecting many major cities, budget airlines for longer distances, ferries along the Mediterranean coast and islands, and cheap buses everywhere else.

Trains are the most scenic and comfortable option, and a Eurail Pass can save decent money if you’re taking multiple international trips.

Flying works well to get from A to B quickly, but if you’re moving cities every 2-3 days then you’ll spend more time in airports than actually enjoying the destination.

Buses are the cheapest option if you don’t mind long journeys, and renting a car offers the ultimate flexibility to explore at your own pace, but consider the added costs and inconvenience of parking, tolls and driving restrictions in major city centres.

  • View through a vehicle windscreen of a snow-covered road winding through a forest of snow-laden pine and birch trees in the Norwegian winter landscape

Budgeting for Europe

Europe has options for all budgets, but keep in mind that the post-pandemic tourism boom and global inflation have pushed up prices pretty much everywhere in recent years so a lot of ‘cheap places to visit in Europe’ lists are well out of date.

Your money will go further in most of the Balkans (Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania, Albania outside of the Riviera), the Baltics (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia) and smaller cities in Hungary, Poland or Czechia.

Switzerland, Scandinavia, Iceland and the UK are pricey across the board, but most major cities in Western Europe (London, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Stockholm etc.) aren’t far behind in terms of accommodation costs.

My absolute number one tip for getting the most out of your travel budget in Europe is to travel in the shoulder months and (okay, two tips) to book in advance to lock in good value accommodation.

  • Visitors floating on colourful inflatables in the crystal-clear waters near the rocky coast of Corfu, Greece. Essential tips for travelling to Greece include exploring hidden swimming spots like this

Safety in Europe

Most of Europe is very safe for travellers, though your experience will vary more by city size and tourist density than by country.

Petty crime like pickpocketing and phone snatching is the main concern in busy tourist areas and around train stations, so keep valuables secure and avoid using your phone near busy roads. Violent crime against tourists is very rare throughout the continent.

Obviously avoid Ukraine, Belarus and Russia due to the war, neighbouring countries like Norway, Finland and Romania are generally safe to visit but avoid border areas and keep on top of local news and the global situation in case anything changes.

  • A atmospheric evening street scene in a whitewashed town, with warm lighting and a black cat walking away.
  • While travelling in Albania by boat, tourists gather at the meeting point where tourist vessels congregate on Lake Koman's turquoise waters.

The best eSIM for Europe

eSIMs are super convenient for multi-country Europe trips, letting you keep access to your home number for important calls and texts without having to pay extortionate roaming fees or constantly swap out physical SIMs.

I’ve done hours and hours of extensive Europe eSIM research, these are the best options available:

Check specific coverage before buying an eSIM because it can vary hugely, and you don’t want to cross a border and suddenly realise you have no service.

💸 Use code FINDINGALEXX to get extra cashback on your first MobiMatter eSIM or code ALEXX5 for save $$ on your SimLocal eSIM

All prices valid as of 1 August 2025.

Vienna (12)

Europe FAQs

It depends on your travel style and how many countries you want to visit, but I’d recommend staying a minimum of 3-4 days in most capital cities and major tourist spots to see the highlights without feeling rushed. Smaller towns with fewer attractions might be doable in 1-2 days, but don’t overdo it or you’ll burn out big time.

My 3-month Europe itinerary shows you what’s possible with loads of time, or check out my city breaks, short trips and 1-2 or 3-4 week trip itineraries for more travel inspiration.

For first-timers, I’d recommend starting with countries that have strong transport networks and tourist infrastructure like France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the UK and Scandinavia.

Consider a classic capital-hopping train itinerary like London > Paris > Amsterdam > Berlin (with Prague, Budapest and Vienna as easy add ons), or focus on a specific region like in my Scandinavia itinerary or Northern Italy & Switzerland itinerary.

Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are the shoulder seasons, where you’ll get better value for money, fewer crowds and avoid the summer heatwaves and polar blasts.

Winter can be epic for seasonal experiences like Christmas markets or Arctic adventures, while summer requires advance bookings and careful planning if you want to stay away from overtouristed spots.

For the best prices and availability in popular tourist spots, book your flights and accommodation at least 3-6 months in advance. For summer travel, winter skiing or if you’re on a really tight budget then you’ll want to book even further out.

Last minute travel in Europe is possible (I do it every time!) but you absolutely end up with far fewer choices and much higher prices than if you’d locked in your plans earlier.

It depends on your nationality and where you’re going. Many countries (Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, UK etc.) can travel visa-free within the Schengen Zone for up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism, but some nationalities need to apply for a Schengen Visa in advance.

The ETIAS authorisation system will soon be used to track entry and exits for visitors who don’t require a visa, this was meant to launch in 2024 but the date has been pushed back multiple times and is currently aiming to go live late 2026.

Daily budgets massively depend on where you go and your travel style.

In budget-friendly destinations like Bosnia & Herzegovina, Northern Albania and Poland you can get by on €30-50 per day with hostels, public transport and local food, whereas most Western European capitals would cost you closer to €70-100 for the cheapest accommodation and food.

I travel solo on an in-between budget (mid-range) where I prioritise comfort, convenience and character, usually opting for private rooms in boutique hostels or affordable hotels, dining out once a day and self-catering the other two, carefully choosing what activities to spend money on, and sticking to shoulder season to avoid summer prices. I generally budget up to €100 per day for destinations on the affordable end of the scale, €100-150 per day for most of Central Europe and smaller Western Europe towns or cities, and up to €200 per day for Switzerland, Scandinavia and Western capitals like London, Paris and Rome (and often that won’t allow for a private room so I have to go for a pod-style hostel!).

Most of Europe is very safe for solo female travellers, with excellent infrastructure and cultural norms that support independent travel. The main safety concerns involve petty theft rather than serious crime, and you can reduce the risk by taking precautions like keeping valuables secure, staying alert in crowded areas and avoiding unlit streets at night.

In my many years of travelling solo in Europe I’ve only had a handful of negative experiences where I’ve felt uncomfortable, and none where I’ve been hurt or felt like I was in immediate danger. The most uncomfortable I’ve been in Europe was in Sarande and Ksamil in Albania’s southern Riviera, where the rapid tourism boom combined with a conservative, patriarchal society has created an environment where foreign female tourists face persistent and unwanted attention from men who may not understand or respect social cues around privacy, personal space and consent. BUT I travelled all throughout Albania and only had this experience in those two towns, I felt totally welcomed and respected in northern Albania, the inland towns and all the other Balkan countries, so I do think this is specific to those small destinations.