Want to explore Europe? We share this 3 weeks in Europe itinerary so you know where to go and how to plan the perfect trip.
It’s finally happening! You are all set to embark on your long-coming vacation to Europe and the UK. You have the budget, the fashion accessories to stop people on the tracks of European roads, your passport, and 3 weeks of free days ahead. But there is one problem. How do you choose which places to visit in only 3 weeks?
Europe is full of scenic cities to revel in and thrilling activities that must be ticked off the bucket list. But you can’t fit all this in a 3-week trip. Don’t get paralyzed by stress just yet, as here is your perfect travel solution — the 3-week Europe itineraries.
These itineraries are carefully selected to help you make the most of your “Euro-cation.” Whether you are the type to go backpacking through Central Europe or want all the peace of the beautiful Scandinavian countries, let’s get you through some of the paths that will take you on the best 3 weeks in Europe. Dig in!
Tips for travelling Europe
Before you get on to choosing your route, you must take note of the tips below, especially if you are a first-time traveler to Europe. They will make sure you get a smooth trip without wasting any time.
Keep 3-4 Nights for One City
This is a mistake most first-time visitors make. They either keep too many days or too few days for sightseeing in one city. You can count off the days you will arrive and leave, as most people won’t be able to see too much then.
The optimal number is 3-4 days for one city. Setting aside one day for leaving for another city, 2-3 days will give ample time to see all the top exciting places in a city. It is better to see the top spots of multiple cities than all the sights in just one city.
Eurail Pass
When you are traveling for three weeks, you don’t want to be stuck in a new city every few days figuring out their transport system. To prevent this, get a Eurail Pass before hopping on a flight to Europe. Eurail Pass is like a Europe-only ticket that will allow you to board any intercity train in Europe by simply showing the pass. You can order it before entering Europe if you are not a native European.
Claim Compensation for Delayed or Canceled Flights
When you are on the clock, delayed flights are a buzzkill. However, all is not lost if your flight was late. You are eligible for claiming compensation for delayed or canceled flights no matter what citizenship you have. Most people don’t know about their passenger rights, but these rights give you the benefit of getting up to $700 back if a flight is delayed, through no fault of your own, without spending a penny.
It doesn’t apply if you didn’t check in on time. The flight needs to reach the destination late by more than 3 hours for you to get a solid compensation. One of our friends had a flight delay on his way to Europe and he managed to claim TUI flight delay compensation via AirAdvisor. Know your flight delay rights as a passenger before you board one.
Take a Route through the Most Famous Cities
If you are very indecisive on the route but have a solid budget, this is the most spectacular itinerary. It will get you to see the best of Europe in 3 weeks. It is straightforward. It involves going through all the major cities of Europe. In this, you take a route through the following cities:
- Venice, Italy
- Vienna, Austria
- Budapest, Hungary
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Berlin, Germany
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Paris, France
Venice is just 2.5 hours by train from Milan. You can take a 1-hour 10-minute flight from Venice to Vienna. From there, it will take 2 hours and 20 minutes by Railjet train to reach Budapest. An overnight train takes 8 hours to reach Prague.
There is a direct train to Berlin from Prague in 4.5 hours. The intercity Berlin train takes 6 hours and 20 minutes to reach Amsterdam. A Thalys train will take you to Paris in just 3.5 hours. And you are done. All the major cities in one 3-week trip!
Europe in 3 weeks - where to go?
Venice – Italy
It’s one of the finest places in the world surrounded by boats, bridges, and canals; there are plenty of things to do in Venice, Italy. The city gives off vintage, romantic vibes. You can take a ferry to go over the Grand Canal or visit the Bridge of Sighs. The museums, bakeries, and synagogues of the historic Jewish District are a must-visit too. Also, check out the Rialto Bridge and squares of San Polo for markets.
Vienna – Austria
This is a place to enjoy the grand architecture from imperial palaces to classic gardens. MuseumsQuartier District is dedicated to a variety of art. Vienna Prater is the world’s oldest amusement park. The Schönbrunn Palace, with its wide gardens, sculptures, and amazing interiors, is a must-visit too.
Budapest – Hungary
Some of the popular sites to visit include Buda Castle during the day and Chain Bridge during the night. Make sure you don’t miss taking some spa time at Gellért or Széchenyi thermal baths. Lake Balaton and adjacent areas are a great place to witness rural Hungarian life. Take a tram ride to see the scenic view along the Danube River.
Prague – Czech Republic
Prague gives off medieval vibes. It is known for its colorful baroque buildings and distinctive architecture. Go witness the astronomical clock striking the hour and take a look at the Old Town Square as well. Stroll through the Gothic cathedrals. Vytopna Railway Restaurant is a great place to grab some beer.
Berlin – Germany
Berlin is a vibrant city with a full social life awaiting you. You must check out the East Side Wall in the capital of Germany if you are an ardent art fan. The East Side Wall is a part of the Berlin Wall. While you are there, check out the Berlin Wall Memorial too. Some other sites include Grunewald and Tempelhofer Feld.
Paris – France
The city of love and wine! The name that pops into mind when you hear of Paris is the Eiffel Tower, a place on almost everyone’s bucket list. For art lovers, you can’t miss the Louvre and Centre Pompidou. Make sure to get a taste of one of the amazing flans in the Montmartre neighborhood.
Amsterdam – Netherlands
The art scene here is striking, with narrow streets and many canals. You can take a canal cruise here or take a bike for a tour of the city. Van Gogh Museum and Galerie De Appel display some of the artists’ works in Amsterdam. For something brainy, go for a tour at the Rijksmuseum.
The ideal time would be to spend 3 days in each city, but if you are willing to let go of one of the cities, you can work off more nights in one of your favorite cities on the list. The important thing while traveling is not the area you covered, but how much you enjoyed it.
Have fun in Europe!
Helpful Resources
What to pack
- No matter where we travel to, I always take these trusty hand sanitizer’s and a mini first aid kit.
- We love these toiletry bags (especially great for smaller bathrooms) and choose a laptop bag like this as our hand luggage.
- We keep our devices charged on long travel days with these lightweight battery packs and bring these worldwide travel adaptors on all our trips.
- I still struggle not to overpack so stick to using an expandable suitcase like these, over backpack and always take my trusty luggage scales to avoid being charged at the airport.
Travel essentials:
- We LOVE this camera for our travel photography.
- For a cheap, easy and compact camera, we use this to vlog and take photographs.
- We use this travel drone (but make sure to check drone laws in your chosen destination first).
- This is our favourite travel Insurance because it covers so many activities and travel situations that could arise on longer trips but also offers year coverage.
1 Comment
I’m spending two weeks in Europe for the first time this fall. So excited to go to Paris, Amsterdam, and Munich! I will definitely look into your tip on getting a Eurail Pass. Sounds like it’s necessary for a first-timer. Thanks for the info!