📖 2-Week Europe Itinerary: 5 Perfect Routes

How to Use These Itineraries

Each itinerary is designed for 14 days, including travel days. They're optimized for logical routing (no backtracking), a comfortable pace (3-4 days per city), and a mix of iconic sights and local experiences.

Route 1: Western Europe Classics

Best for: First-time visitors, culture lovers

Budget: €2,800-4,500/person (mid-range)

Day 1-4: London

• Day 1: Arrive, walk South Bank (Tower Bridge → Tate Modern → Borough Market → Shakespeare's Globe). Evening: pub dinner in Southwark.
• Day 2: Westminster loop: Big Ben, Westminster Abbey (£27), St. James's Park, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park. Evening: West End show (£25-80).
• Day 3: British Museum (free, 3-4 hours minimum), Covent Garden, National Gallery (free). Evening: Soho restaurants.
• Day 4: Camden Market morning, then Notting Hill / Portobello Road (best on Saturday). Afternoon: your choice of V&A, Natural History Museum, or Science Museum (all free).

Day 5: London → Paris (Eurostar, 2h16, from €50)

Day 5-9: Paris (4.5 days)

• Day 5: Arrive midday. Walk the Marais, Place des Vosges, Île Saint-Louis, Notre-Dame exterior. Evening: dinner in the Marais.
• Day 6: Louvre (€22, go at 3pm when crowds thin). Walk Tuileries → Place de la Concorde → Champs-Élysées → Arc de Triomphe (€16 for rooftop).
• Day 7: Montmartre morning (Sacré-Cœur, Place du Tertre, vineyard). Afternoon: Musée d'Orsay (€16). Evening: Seine river walk, Eiffel Tower light show at dusk (free from Trocadéro).
• Day 8: Versailles day trip (€21 + €4.40 train each way). Leave early, return by 4pm. Evening: Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
• Day 9: Your Paris — revisit favorites, explore a neighborhood (Bastille, Canal Saint-Martin, Latin Quarter). Shop, people-watch, eat.

Day 9: Paris → Amsterdam (Thalys, 3h20, from €35)

Day 9-13: Amsterdam (4.5 days)

• Day 9: Arrive afternoon. Walk the Jordaan neighborhood, Prinsengracht canal, Nine Streets shopping area. Evening: brown café.
• Day 10: Anne Frank House (€16, book exactly 6 weeks ahead — they sell out instantly). Afternoon: Rijksmuseum (€22.50). Evening: Leidseplein area.
• Day 11: Rent bikes (€12-15/day). Cycle to Vondelpark, Waterlooplein flea market, Eastern Docklands, NEMO Science Museum. Evening: restaurant in De Pijp.
• Day 12: Day trip to Haarlem (15 min train, €5) or Zaanse Schans windmills. Afternoon: Van Gogh Museum (€20). Evening: canal cruise (€15).
• Day 13: Albert Cuyp Market, Heineken Experience (€23), or Stedelijk Museum (€22.50). Evening: farewell dinner.

Day 14: Depart Amsterdam

Route 2: Mediterranean

Best for: Food lovers, beach + culture mix

Budget: €2,200-3,800/person (mid-range)

Day 1-4: Barcelona

• Day 1: Gothic Quarter, La Boqueria market, Rambla de Catalunya (not La Rambla). Day 2: Sagrada Familia (€26), Park Güell (€10), Gràcia neighborhood. Day 3: Beach morning, El Born afternoon, tapas crawl evening. Day 4: Montjuïc (MNAC, Fundació Miró), sunset at Bunkers del Carmel.

Day 5: Barcelona → Nice (train 5.5h or flight 1.5h)

Day 5-7: Nice & French Riviera

• Day 5: Arrive, walk Promenade des Anglais, Old Town (Vieux Nice). Day 6: Day trip to Monaco and Èze village. Day 7: Antibes or Villefranche-sur-Mer beach day.

Day 7: Nice → Cinque Terre (train via Genoa, 4h)

Day 7-9: Cinque Terre

• Stay in Manarola or Riomaggiore. Hike the trail between villages (2-4 hours). Swim at Monterosso. Seafood dinner watching the sunset.

Day 9: Cinque Terre → Rome (train 4.5h, from €20)

Day 9-14: Rome (5 days)

• Day 10: Colosseum + Roman Forum + Palatine Hill (combined €16-22). Afternoon: Piazza Navona, Pantheon (free). Day 11: Vatican (€17) — go early. Afternoon: Castel Sant'Angelo, Trastevere for dinner. Day 12: Borghese Gallery (€15, book ahead), Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain. Day 13: Day trip to Pompeii or Tivoli. Day 14: Morning shopping, depart.

Route 3: Central Europe

Best for: History buffs, budget travelers, beer lovers

Budget: €1,800-3,200/person (mid-range)

Day 1-3: Munich

Marienplatz, Englischer Garten, BMW Museum, Viktualienmarkt, Hofbräuhaus. Day trip option: Neuschwanstein Castle.

Day 4: Munich → Vienna (train 4h, from €30)

Day 4-7: Vienna

Schönbrunn Palace, Belvedere, Musikverein or Opera (standing tickets €4-10), Naschmarkt, coffeehouse culture (Café Central, Demel).

Day 7: Vienna → Budapest (train 2.5h, from €15)

Day 7-10: Budapest

Buda Castle, thermal baths (Széchenyi or Gellért, €20-30), ruin bars (Szimpla Kert), Parliament building, Great Market Hall.

Day 10: Budapest → Prague (train 6.5h or flight 1h)

Day 10-14: Prague

Charles Bridge at dawn, Prague Castle, Old Town Square, beer halls (pilsner costs €1.50-2.50), Petřín Hill. Day trip: Český Krumlov (3h bus).

Route 4: Iberian Peninsula

Best for: Food, architecture, nightlife

Budget: €2,000-3,500/person (mid-range)

Lisbon (4 days) → Seville (3 days) → Granada (2 days) → Barcelona (4 days). Connected by budget flights, trains, and buses. Highlights: Lisbon's Alfama and Belém, Seville's Alcázar and flamenco, Granada's Alhambra (book months ahead), Barcelona's Gaudí.

Route 5: Italy Deep Dive

Best for: Art, food, and la dolce vita

Budget: €2,500-4,000/person (mid-range)

Rome (4 days) → Florence (3 days) → Cinque Terre (2 days) → Venice (3 days) → Lake Como (2 days). All connected by excellent trains (€9-30 per leg when booked early). This route covers ancient Rome, Renaissance art, coastal hiking, canal romance, and Alpine lakeside beauty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best 2-week Europe itinerary?

For first-timers: London-Paris-Amsterdam (Route 1) covers three iconic cities with easy Eurostar/Thalys connections. For food and culture: the Mediterranean route (Barcelona-Nice-Cinque Terre-Rome) offers the best variety. For budget: Central Europe (Munich-Vienna-Budapest-Prague) is 30-40% cheaper.

How many cities should I visit in 2 weeks in Europe?

3-4 cities is optimal. This gives 3-4 days per city — enough to see major sights, explore neighborhoods, and relax. More than 4 cities means too much time in transit and not enough time experiencing each place.

Should I book flights or trains between European cities?

For routes under 4 hours, trains are better (city center to city center, no security lines). For longer routes, compare total travel time and price. On Routes 1 and 3, trains connect every city efficiently. Route 4 may need one flight (Lisbon to Seville or Granada to Barcelona).

How much does a 2-week Europe trip cost per person?

Mid-range: €2,000-4,500 per person depending on the route (Central Europe is cheapest, Western Europe most expensive). This includes accommodation, food, transport, and activities but excludes transatlantic flights.

What should I book in advance for a 2-week Europe trip?

Book 2-3 months ahead: flights, Eurostar/TGV trains, Anne Frank House, Sagrada Familia, Alhambra (Granada), Borghese Gallery (Rome), and popular restaurants. Book 1 month ahead: accommodation, museum tickets, activities.