Thinking about travelling Europe? View my tips for where to go, what to do and how to save money.
In Europe you can eitness jaw-dropping historical sights, stumble happily from gigantic beer halls, fall madly in love with the world’s most romantic cities, yodel yourself hoarse on green pastured mountain peaks and come face to face with Europe.
If you’ve always wanted to plan an epic European trip then now’s the time to start thinking about it.
Europe Travel Resources
These are my favourite companies to use when I travel.
• Find cheap flights with Skyscanner.
• Get the best deals on hotels on Booking.com.
Where to Go
View my destination guides to some of the most popular countries to visit in Europe:
• Austria • Belgium • Bulgaria • Croatia • Cyprus • Czech Republic • Denmark • Estonia • Finland • France • Germany • Greece • Hungary • Ireland • Italy • Latvia • Lithuania • Malta • Netherlands • Norway • Montenegro • Portugal • Romania • Spain • Sweden • Turkey • UK.
Getting Around
Europe is one of the easiest continents to explore both independently or via an organised trip. You can travel by plane, train, bus, hire a car or camper van, or book a tour. Several low cost airlines like Easyjet and Ryanair offer daily flights to most popular destinations. What you choose really depends on where you want to go, what you want to do and how long you want to travel for.
Europe Tours
One of the best ways to discover the highlights of this continent is on a small group tour. You could visit cities, explore countries or go overland and explore multiple destinations. I recommend trips with G Adventures or Contiki – both companies offer lots of amazing itineraries where you’ll get to see new places, travel with like-minded people and have a lot of fun.
Best Things to See and Do in Europe
The old and faithful Euro-trip. On the list of every twenty something, a Western Europe trip takes you to the likes of London, Barcelona, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Hamburg and Venice, with a host of incredible cities and hidden towns in between.
Explore ancient ruins in Rome, stand under the sparkling Eiffel Tower in Paris or bike through the canals of Amsterdam. Easy, safe and exciting, Western Europe is the perfect introduction to the unique and charming destinations this continent has to offer. And then explore the hidden gems of Eastern Europe. While the likes of London, Paris and Rome are obvious must-sees, Eastern Europe can fall behind as the less cool sibling.
With a host of Old Towns, cultural sites, museums and charming cities, Eastern Europe should be on your radar. From the beers in Prague, ruin bars in Budapest, underground clubs in Belgrade, cavern pubs in Tallinn, the list goes on. Eastern Europe has prime hot spots for young people with a price tag your wallet will thank you for.
For a cultural experience where west meets east you might like to take a trip to Istanbul.
These are just some of the unmissable things you need to do in Europe.
Experience the Beauty of the Greek Islands
The Greek island are spectacular and there are so many to choose between.
Rhodes, full of fabulous beaches with clear blue waters, and a medieval city centre which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover the Venetian city of Heraklion in Crete and perhaps join an optional tour to the famous archaeological site of Knossos to see the extraordinary remains of the Minoan civilisation.
Visit the luxury island of Santorini, enjoy the stunning sunset and the magnificent view over the Aegean, before returning to Athens and a tour of this historic city which includes a visit to the Acropolis. Enjoy the vibrant and cosmopolitan island of Mykonos, with the scenic windmills and white washed houses.
Train Hop
Europe is a blend of natural beauty, culture, history, great sights and even greater food. A must do for any avid traveller is to train hop through these wonderful countries. Eat macaroons in France, sip wine in Italy and dance the night away in Berlin.
Europe is home to some of the world’s most iconic structures and some of the oldest history, from the Romans to the Greeks. An interrail trip around Europe is sure to leave your mind satisfied and your belly full.
Ride Venice’s Canals on a Gondola
Oh Italy. A country that boasts decadently delicious food, ancient ruins and beautiful cities. One of these is picture-perfect Venice. Not a hidden gem by any means, but a constant lure to travellers wanting to see the city from its iconic gondolas. Cruise the canals and soak up the romance before enjoying sunset with a glass of ice-cool limoncello.
Explore the Acropolis in Greece
A visit to Athens simply wouldn’t be complete without the age-old Acropolis added to your list of experiences. Step into Ancient Greece and explore the ruins of the centuries old citadel overlooking the city.
Originally built for the Greek goddess Athena, the Acropolis is also home to its very own museum which contains an impressive ancient collection of sculptures and artwork dating as far back as the 5th Century BC.
See the Northern Lights
One of the world’s most attractive phenomenon, Aurora Borealis, aka the Northern Lights has to be seen to be believed. From Norway to Iceland, the lure of the spectacular colours dancing in the Arctic night sky is a magical sight to see. It is extremely hard to predict when they will occur but the best time to see the Northern Lights is between September and April under a clear night sky. Check out my Oslo travel guide.
Soak up the Mediterranean Lifestyle on the Croatian Coast
Forget Mykonos and Ibiza, Croatia has all the sun, sea and parties you could wish for. Explore the Game of Thrones filming sets in Dubrovnik, swim in the crystal blue waters of Hvar Island or dance the night away amongst the ruins in an old fort at Outlook Festival. Island hop, take a sailing holiday, drive along the coast or join a fun-filled group tour to experience everything this Mediterranean gem has to offer.
Party the Night Away in Berlin
There are few cities in the world that welcome young people quite like Berlin does – it’s vibrant, loud, welcoming and fun. The Berlin clubbing scene is one of the most known in Europe, with all night techno clubs pulsing until the early hours. View more Berlin travel tips.
Hot Air Balloon Ride in Cappadocia, Turkey
For years Cappadocia has enticed its visitors with fairy-tale chimneys, underground cities and mystical caves. The landscape here is truly magical, with an abundance of history and local myths and legends just waiting to be told. The best way to experience the scenery is from above – soar above the national park in a hot air balloon and lose yourself in the beauty of Turkey.
Oktoberfest in Munich
Oktoberfest is an iconic European festival, full of cheer, lederhosen and of course, beer. Held in Munich every September/October, the event draws people from all over the world who are after a true taste of Bavaria. It originally celebrated the 1810 wedding of the prince of Bavaria to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen, and the rest is history! If you want to attend Oktoberfest, check out my Munich travel guide.
Amazing Historic Architecture
Stunning architecture shadows you around Europe. I have selected four buildings I think you have to see in your lifetime.
Food & Drink
Taste test everything you find in Europe. The beauty of the continent is the vast differences between each country – and that includes the food!
Journey through Italy, indulging in pizza and pasta from the best of the best, or become your own cheese expert as you travel through France enjoying what the country is renowned for. Sample pierogies in Poland, schnitzel in Austria and currywurst in Germany. Snack on as many tapas as you can imagine in Spain or go chocolate tasting in Belgium.
From traditional caverns to modern hipster joints, the European food scene is truly like no other and we guarantee your taste buds will thank you for the journey. And if you need something to wash all that delicious grub down with
Be sure to check out the Czech Republic, a country that drinks more beer per capita than anywhere else in the world, or throw yourself in at the deep end with all day drinking at Oktoberfest in Munich.
On top of this, almost every European country enjoys the al fresco dining scene, so visit in the summer and you could be enjoying fresh seafood on the shores of the Mediterranean, watching the sunset with a cocktail in hand.
Europe Money Saving Tips
Europe is possibly the most expensive region of the world which can be a problem if you are a backpacker on a budget. But there are ways to save money and not spend a fortune.
• Stay in hostel dorms which are offer the best value for money accommodation. Couchsurfing is popular with backpackers, although not without the risks.
• Travel out of the busy summer season, prices during June, July and August are really expensive in terms of accommodation and flights. Expect to pay $40+ per night just for a basic bed in a dorm room hostel, whilst private hotel rooms can be $250+. Flights to popular summer destinations like Spain, France and Portugal are also really high during this period.
• Consider organised tours, although often seen as being more expensive than travelling independently, you’ll get accommodation included which for a long Eurotrip can actually save you money.
• Choose cheaper destinations, Eastern Europe is a lot cheaper than West, your budget here can go much further.