21 Days in Europe Itinerary: The All-In-One Route
Adorned with eye-catching architecture, animated scenery and ancient cities that ooze otherworldly charm, Europe is a land like no other. Are you wondering how to spend 21 days in Europe? This itinerary will take you through the beating heart of this not-so-humble yet ever-hypnotic corner of the globe.
Oh, Europe. The land that gave us drool-worthy pizza, perplexing art, millennia-old philosophy and so much more…
Bordered by the Arctic Ocean in the north, the Atlantic Ocean in the west and the Mediterranean, Black and Caspian Seas in the south, this continent is coined for its diversity.
Each corner is inexplicably idiosyncratic, from the snow-capped Alps and the quaint Nordics to the treacherous Black Sea and the illustrious Iberian Peninsula.
Whether you’re a frequent flyer or you’re visiting Europe for the first time, you can make the most of your trip with this all-in-one itinerary. Wander around some of the most popular countries, top-rated cities and coast-hugging hot spots.
3 Week Europe Itinerary:
England, France, Belgium, Croatia, Italy, Spain & Portugal
Now, I know what you're probably thinking. The All-in-One Route? You can't really 'do' Europe in one go. But you can certainly tick seven of the most captivating countries off your bucket list.
Explore the collection of cultures, palatable cuisines, and congenial charm and get off the beaten track. In this Europe itinerary, you can expect a variety of languages, traditions and landscapes.
Here’s a breakdown of this 21-Day Europe Itinerary:
Day 1-2: London, England
Day 3-4: Paris, France
Day 5-6: Brussels, Belgium (Optional: Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Day 7-8: Split, Croatia
Day 9: Dubrovnik, Croatia
Day 10-11: Rome, Italy
Day 12-13: Amalfi Coast, Italy
Day 14-16: Barcelona, Spain
Day 17-18: Seville, Spain
Day 19-21: Lisbon, Portugal
Hey you! Stop right there! Before you kick off the trip of a lifetime, it’s important to prepare ahead with travel insurance. I know what you’re probably thinking… Travel insurance?! That’s overrated. Trust me, I used to think the same, until things started to get out of hand while travelling. There has been a handful of times where I’m glad I invested before endeavouring out on a big trip.
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Day 1-2: London, England
Thanks to Brexit, England isn’t technically considered a part of Europe anymore… That being said, we’re going to get the ball rolling in London, England.
Kick off your 21 days in Europe drinking your way through the roaring pub scene, feasting on the cuisine and exploring the endless landmarks. Take it all in from a rooftop bar and don’t miss out on visiting the mind-boggling museums. Get the full scoop in this guide on the Best Things to do in London, England.
Things to do in London:
Shop ‘til you drop in Camden Market
Hit the heights on the London Eye
Enjoy an afternoon tea at the famous Sketch
Feel like royalty at Buckingham Palace
Jump on an iconic double-decker bus
Feel the breeze on a Thames River cruise
Get educated at the Natural History Museum
Tour the Tower of London
Where to Stay in London:
€€€: The Londoner
Day 3-4: Paris, France
From Britain’s capital city, jump on a high-speed train or catch a flight to Paris, France.
Arrayed with awe-inspiring architecture, time-worn monuments and a wealth of whimsical pursuits, this destination will enchant you. Indulge in a crispy croissant in the slew of sidewalk cafes and enjoy a picnic at sunset under the Eiffel Tower.
Get lost in the labyrinth-like rooms of the marvellous museums, hit the heights of Montemarte and feel the enthralling energy at night at the Moulin Rouge.
Things to do in Paris:
Wind your way around the Louvre Museum
Feel the luxury at Versailles Palace
Scream like a child at Disneyland Paris
Cruise down the Seine River
See the sights from the Eiffel Tower
Where to Stay in Paris:
€€: Hôtel Rosalie
Day 5-6: Brussels, Belgium
After basking in France’s capital city, catch a high-speed train, hop on a flight or get an overnight bus to Belgium‘s capital city.
Brimming with charming cultural pursuits, eye-catching street art and a mouth-watering food scene, Brussels is a real highlight of this 21-day Europe itinerary. In this chunk of the journey, you’ll get the chance to devour some of the country’s most iconic foods. Teeming with waffles, chocolates, beers and more, you might leave with a few extra kilos…
Beyond the delectable dining scene, Brussels is surrounded by sublime scenery and quaint villages. Bask in all the beauty of these Best Day Trips from Brussels.
Things to do in Brussels:
Take a tour of Ghent & Bruges
Indulge in a Belgian chocolate workshop
See the innovative light show inside the Atomium
See it all on the hop-on hop-off bus
Get tipsy on a beer-tasting tour
Where to Stay in Brussels:
Day 7-8: Split, Croatia
Following a food frenzy in Belgium, now’s the time to step outside central Europe.
Make your way down to character-packed Croatia, where you’ll stay in Split for the next two nights. Meander through the melting pot of modern and old in this stretch of the idyllic Dalmatian Coast. Peruse the ancient palaces, have a coffee at the top of Marjan Hill and wander astray in the vibrant Old Town.
Split is teeming with top-rated attractions, activities and day trips. See all the highlights with this guide on the Best Things to do in Split, Croatia.
Things to do in Split:
Dive into Diocletian’s Palace
Take a day trip from Split
Get active on an ATV quad bike
Get wet at the Krka Waterfalls
Hop on a Game of Thrones tour
Go river rafting & cliff jumping at Cetina River
Climb up to Marjan Hill
Where to Stay in Split:
€€: Hotel Atrium
€€€: Hotel Ambasador
Day 9: Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dowsed with scintillating scenes, sun-drenched streets and cliff-hugging bars, Dubrovnik deserves your full attention.
Woven with whimsical Medieval monasteries, age-old churches and authentic eateries, this Croatian oasis will surely put a smile on your face. Head to the top of the city walls for sunset and soak in the panoramic vistas over a beer or two.
Find out everything you need to know with this guide on the Top Things to do in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Things to do in Dubrovnik:
Get enchanted on a Game of Thrones tour
Get active on a sea kayaking tour
Walk the colossal city walls
Explore the Elafiti Islands
Take a day trip from Dubrovnik
Enjoy an Old Town walking tour
Go wild on a buggy safari
Feel free on a sunset zipline experience
Where to Stay in Dubrovnik:
€€: Hotel Adria
€€€: Hotel Excelsior
Day 10-11: Rome, Italy
This 21 days in Europe itinerary is about to be taken up a notch. After spending some time in Croatia, catch a flight to the ethereal Eternal City, Rome.
Discover the delightful galleries and museums, step into the tranquil side of the outer districts and take a plunge into the riveting 3,000-year-old history. Get enticed by the charismatic culture, and of course, quench your appetite in the drool-worthy cuisine. Top picks include arancini balls, carbonara pasta and a divine tiramisu. Did somebody say heaven?
Things to do in Rome:
See the once-gladiator-filled Colosseum
Indulge in a local street food tour
Be wowed by the Borghese Gallery
Taste the best gelato in Rome
Explore the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
Go full tourist mode on a hop-on hop-off bus
Reach the top of St Peter’s Basilica
Drive like a local on a Vespa
Where to Stay in Rome:
€€€: Bio Hotel Raphael
Day 12-13: Amalfi Coast, Italy
Rome is a once-in-a-lifetime destination, but now’s the time to head down to the coast. Catch a high-speed train or fly to Naples, then go to the notorious Amalfi Coast.
Crowned with cliff-hugging towns, seaside villages, lemon tree-fringed streets and azure blue beaches, this coastline is one of Europe's most stellar sojourns. From the plummeting emerald mountains in Positano to the colourful ceramics scene Vietri sul Mare, this chunk of your 21 days in Europe itinerary will not disappoint.
Additionally, you could extend this leg of the trip. To make the most of your time, check out this 5-Day Amalfi Coast Itinerary.
Things to do on Amalfi Coast:
Hike the Path of the Gods
Act like a chef in a traditional cooking class
Get wet on a snorkelling boat trip
Explore the ancient ruins of Pompeii
Explore the island of Capri
Tour Amalfi Coast on a vespa
Where to Stay in Amalfi Coast:
€: Hotel7Bello
€€: Hotel Z’Intonio
€€€: Villa Treville
Day 14-16: Barcelona, Spain
Although you may be reluctant to leave Italy, you can trust me when I say that it will get better. Hop on an overnight ferry, or catch a flight to northeast Spain’s sprightly city, Barcelona.
Hemmed in by hefty Roman ruins, game-changing architecture and a rowdy nightlife scene, this part of the country will have you on your feet!
This Catalonian city is woven within the whimsical world of Gaudí, a famous architect who changed the shape of Barcelona. He’s the man to thank for Barcelona’s best-known spots like the Sagrada Familia, Parc Güell and Casa Batllo! Meander through the multitude of masterpieces, soak up the sunshine from Barceloneta Beach and head to the top of Bunkers del Carmel for sunset.
Note: If you’ve already visited Barcelona, you could opt for this 3 Day Madrid Itinerary.
Things to do in Barcelona:
Be amazed by the Sagrada Familia
Go scavenging in the best vintage stores
Explore the wineries in Montserrat
See it all with a sightseeing pass
Relish in the best restaurants and bars
Take advantage of the free things to do
Go exploring on a day trip from Barcelona
Gaze at Gaudi’s top-rated attractions
Sip on the city’s best speciality coffee
Take a hop-on hop-off bus
See a flamenco show
Where to Stay in Barcelona:
€€: Hotel Lleó
€€€: W Barcelona
Day 17-18: Seville, Spain
After spending three days in Barcelona, hop on a high-speed train or catch a flight down to Andalusia.
Scattered with UNESCO World Heritage sites, traditional tapas restaurants and flirtatious flamenco performances, Seville is one of Spain’s most scintillating retreats. As a gateway to the heart and soul of lively Southern Spain, this city truly lives up to all the hype.
Sun-drenched Seville is surrounded by emerald-fringed, cliff-hugging villages and cosy coastal cocoons. Andalusia is adorned with awe-worthy destinations from Cádiz and Ronda to Córdoba and Málaga. If you want to ameliorate your Europe itinerary, spice it up with a Day Trip from Seville.
See it all with this insider’s guide on the Best Things to do in Seville, Spain, or extend this part of the trip with this 7-Day Southern Spain Itinerary.
Things to do in Seville:
Climb to the summit of the Setas de Sevilla
Feel the passion of a flamenco show
Tour the green-graced Royal Alcazar
Tie it all together on a hop-on hop-off bus
Bathe in the AIRE Ancient Baths
Explore the Seville Museum of Fine Arts
Dive deep in the history of the Seville Cathedral
Where to Stay in Seville:
Day 19-21: Lisbon, Portugal
In this last leg of the 21 days in Europe itinerary, cross the border into Portugal’s capital city, Lisbon.
Relish in the flavours of the seafood-rich cuisine, wind through the narrow streets on an archetypal tram ride and tick off all the monuments on your bucket list. Spot the array of azulejo tiles, lock lips with a classic pastel de nata and let loose in the lively nightlife scene. Take your trip up to the next level with this guide on Where to Stay in Lisbon.
Alternatively, you could see the city in this 3 Days in Lisbon Itinerary, then head out into the surrounding regions. Harmonising humble villages and hefty highlights on the city's outskirts, there are copious Day Trips from Lisbon to discover. Enjoy the seaside splendour in Cascais, visit the enchanting hilltop-perched palaces in Sintra or feast your eyes on the eye-catching Cabo da Roca.
Things to do in Lisbon:
Bask in a sunset cruise
Eat yourself into a coma on a food tour
Feel the breeze on a speedy segway
Learn how to bake pastel de nata
Take a day trip to Pena Palace & Cabo da Roca
Learn about Lisbon’s legends on a walking tour
Keep it budget-friendly with the Lisbon Card
Don’t miss a thing on the hop-on hop-off bus
Where to Stay in Lisbon:
Best Time To Visit Europe
Europe is a year-round destination, from the snowy slopes to the crashing coastline. There’s so much going on, and each month hosts an exciting array of events and cultural festivities.
The best time to visit Europe is during the off-peak periods of April and May or late September and October. During these seasons, you can still bask in pleasant temperatures (depending on the country) and enjoy some outdoor activities.
The shoulder seasons are the most affordable times to visit Europe, so if you’re a backpacker or budget traveller, this is your best.
Europe comes into full splendour from June to September. The sunshine lights up the landscape, with warm weather drawing in international crowds. As this is Europe’s busiest season, you can expect higher prices on accommodation, flights, activities and transport.
The winter season, December to February, boasts unique activities like skiing and snowboarding. The weather tends to drop between 7°C to -10°C. But again, this varies greatly depending on the country and location. The Christmas markets are a real highlight in Europe, especially in countries like Germany, Belgium and Croatia.
How to Get Around Europe
Considering Europe is a continent, there’s a lot of land mass involved. Trying to figure out how to get around can be fairly daunting, especially when there's so much to experience.
Make the most of your Europe itinerary with this foolproof guide on the best ways to get around Europe:
Hop on a bus
Not only is taking the bus around Europe a pocket-friendly option, but you’ll be able to whiz between big cities, rural towns and different countries. One of the most reliable companies in Europe is Flixbus, and you can compare various options using Busbud.
Catch a train
Europe has a fairly well-developed train network with fast and reliable options. For multi-destination trips, European residents can consider an Interrail pass, and non-European residents can opt for a Eurail pass. Use Omio and Trainline to compare various options, times and prices.
Fly on an aeroplane
If you’re short on time, the fastest way to get around Europe is by aeroplane. Compare all the options using Skyscanner. If you book far enough in advance, you can score flights for as little as €10. Talk about a bargain. The sooner you book, the better! If your flight is delayed or cancelled, be sure to check out Compensair to see if you can be compensated.
Hire a car
As one of the most scenic ways to get around Europe, hiring a car is ideal if you want to take things slow. Renting a car or campervan allows you extra freedom regarding timetables and route planning. You won't be limited to luggage sizes or waiting around in big tour groups; things like this can really make a difference in how smoothly your trip pans out.
Some countries require an International Driver’s License, so ensure you get everything in order before departure. Brush up on local laws beforehand, like driving on the left or right and ensure you’re prepared for what’s ahead.
Top Travel Tips for Your 3 Week Europe Itinerary
No matter how much you prepare ahead of time, something always pops up. Europe is full of surprises, both good and bad. Avoid conundrums, learn about these essential travel tips and travel like a pro. Boo yeah!
Here’s what you need to know before you visit Europe:
Budget and save for your trip
Brush up on visa requirements
Don’t over plan your schedule
Shop at local markets and stores
Book your flights as early as possible
Pack as light as a feather
Don't try to squeeze it all into one trip
Get off the beaten track
Buy a local SIM card
Book your accommodation in advance
Brush up on the local language
Watch out for pickpockets
Take advantage of the free walking tours
Carry cash on you & leave the majority in your accommodation
Be aware of the different currencies
Have peace of mind with travel insurance
FAQS
How many countries can you see in a 3-week Europe trip?
In 3 weeks, you can see around 3-4 different countries. You’ll visit historic spots, taste local cuisine and experience the natural splendour. Whether you choose east, west, south, north or central Europe, you’ll find there’s plenty to do.
How do you travel all through Europe?
One of the best ways to travel through Europe is by car. Setting off on a road trip allows you to travel at your own pace. With more flexibility, you can spend as long or as little as you want at each destination. Otherwise, you can travel around Europe by bus, train, aeroplane, ferry, cruise, or organised tour.
How long does it take to drive all of Europe?
In Europe, there are around 27,000 km of roads, translating to around 364 hours of driving time without stopping. It would take around one year to see the sights and not rush through every country.
How many European countries can you see in 2 weeks?
Europe encompasses 44 different countries, each with its own culture, cuisine and history. In a 2 week Europe itinerary, you can visit at least 3 to 4 countries. Or, you could visit 2 countries with multiple stops in different cities.
Why Visit Europe?
This landscape goes beyond your wildest dreams. From the enchanting castles and hilltop retreats to the coast-hugging villages and the ancient ruins, Europe is a bucket list destination. Before you stick into all the fun, make sure you save this 21 Days in Europe Itinerary!
Looking for a place to buckle down and get down to business? Here are the best coworking spaces in Melbourne, Australia.