Top 10 European countries

1. France: #1 visited country. Paris (most-visited city), Provence (lavender), Loire Valley (châteaux), French Riviera, Mont-Saint-Michel. 7-14 days.
2. Italy: 60 UNESCO sites (most). Rome, Florence, Venice, Amalfi, Sicily, Tuscany. 10-21 days.
3. Spain: Madrid + Barcelona + Andalusia (Sevilla, Granada). Beaches Costa del Sol + Mallorca + Canary Islands. 7-14 days.
4. UK: London + Edinburgh + Lake District + Wales + Northern Ireland. 7-14 days. Brexit means separate from EU.
5. Germany: Berlin + Bavaria (Munich) + Rhine Valley + Black Forest. Beer + cars + Christmas markets. 7-14 days.
6. Greece: Athens + Cyclades islands (Santorini, Mykonos) + Crete + Mediterranean. 7-14 days.
7. Switzerland: Alps + Zürich + Geneva + Bern + Lucerne. World’s highest train Jungfraujoch. 5-10 days.
8. Netherlands: Amsterdam canals + Keukenhof tulips + Hague + Rotterdam. 4-7 days.
9. Portugal: Lisbon + Porto + Sintra + Algarve. Cheaper than Spain. 7-10 days.
10. Czech Republic: Prague + beer culture + Bohemia castles. 4-7 days.

Schengen Area

• 27 countries: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Croatia (joined 2023).
• Single visa: 90 days within 180-day period for 60+ countries (visa-free).
• No border checks: within Schengen. Drive Paris-Madrid without stopping.
• Outside Schengen: UK, Ireland, Romania, Bulgaria, Cyprus. Separate visas/entry.
• EU but not Schengen: Ireland, Cyprus.
• Schengen but not EU: Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein.

Classic itineraries

• 14 days “Best of Western Europe”: London (3) + Paris (4) + Amsterdam (3) + Barcelona (4).
• 14 days Italy + Greece: Rome (4) + Florence (3) + Venice (3) + Athens (2) + Santorini (2).
• 21 days “Grand Tour”: Paris (4) + Florence (3) + Rome (3) + Athens (3) + Istanbul (3) + Venice (2) + Amsterdam (3).
• 21 days Eastern Europe: Prague (4) + Budapest (4) + Krakow (3) + Vienna (3) + Berlin (4) + Warsaw (3).
• 14 days Mediterranean: Barcelona (3) + Provence (3) + Côte d’Azur (2) + Tuscany (3) + Rome (3).
• 30 days “Europe complete”: all major capitals + countryside.

Transportation

• Eurail Pass: trains between countries. 33 countries + Eurostar. €300-1,000+ depending on duration.
• Flights: Ryanair + EasyJet + Wizz Air budget carriers. Often €30-100 each.
• High-speed trains: TGV (France), AVE (Spain), ICE (Germany), Frecciarossa (Italy), Eurostar (UK-France).
• Buses: FlixBus connects 2,500+ destinations. €5-50 per route.
• Rental cars: for countryside. Avoid in cities. International driving permit recommended.
• Cruise ships: Mediterranean + Northern Europe + Baltic.

Best time to visit

• April-June + September-October: sweet spot. Mild weather, fewer crowds, lower prices.
• July-August: peak. Hottest, most crowded, expensive. Beach destinations only.
• December: Christmas markets (Germany, Austria, Czech Republic). Very magical.
• January-March: low season. Cold North + mild Mediterranean. Best for budget.

Practical info

• Visa: Schengen 90 days for many nationalities. UK separate post-Brexit.
• Currency: Euro (most), GBP (UK), CHF (Switzerland), Czech koruna, Polish złoty, Hungarian forint, Swedish/Norwegian/Danish krona.
• Plug: Type C/F (most), Type G (UK + Ireland + Cyprus + Malta), Type J (Switzerland), Type K (Denmark).
• Budget: €80-200/day mid-range. Western > Eastern. Switzerland most expensive.
• Languages: 24 official EU languages. English universal in tourism.
• Tipping: 5-10% Western Europe, 10-15% UK, included most of Eastern Europe + Spain.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I need in Europe?

Minimum 14 days for 2-3 countries. Ideal 21-30 days for grand tour. Most travelers spend 7-14 days first visit. Europe rewards slow travel.

Best European countries first time?

Western trio: France + Italy + UK. Or Mediterranean: Spain + Italy + Greece. Or Central: Germany + Czech Republic + Austria. Most popular combos.

Schengen Area what is it?

27 European countries with single visa + no border checks. 90 days within 180-day period for visa-free nationals. Includes most of EU + Switzerland + Norway.

Eurail Pass worth it?

Yes for 4+ trains in 1 month. €300-1,000+ depending on duration. Single tickets often cheaper for short trips. Compare with point-to-point.

Best time to visit Europe?

April-June + September-October ideal. AVOID July-August in cities (40°C, crowded, expensive). December for Christmas markets. May best balance.

Is Europe expensive?

Western: €100-200/day mid-range. Eastern + Mediterranean: €60-120/day. Switzerland + Iceland most expensive. Portugal + Czech Republic + Greece cheapest.

See also

• Best European destinations

Related Guides

• easyJet Baggage, Check-In + Boarding Guide — Airline guide

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