Traveling through European cities with a backpack is the best thing that can happen to you in 2020.
Enough of these ‘beautiful’, ‘wonderful’, ‘fabulous’ words about the cities and landscapes you will see.
Here you will learn what to take with you, when and where it is better to go if you are a beginner and what else you can see if you have already traveled all over Europe.
Everywhere there are friendly and not very nice people, clean and dirty areas, expensive and cheap hotels.
This is understandable, but we will tell you how to choose the best options.
In addition, you will learn how you can earn extra money while traveling in Europe, or how to travel while working.
By the way, it might seem to you that some cities are too expensive, but we will try to show where you can save money and how to enjoy your vacation without losing money.
Go!
Contents
Best Time For Backpacking in Europe
What is your priority?
How do you imagine your journey?
Well, of course, you have two options: sultry summer, a sweaty back, crowds of tourists and everything is expensive or winter adventures, skiing, snowboarding, mountains, and everything is cheap.
Obviously, this refers to most countries in Europe.
Basically, tourists ride around Europe in the summer when it is warm, colorful and good.
However, in summer, all tickets are sold, prices soar every day, while in small towns and on major roads, traffic jams occur due to the myriad of tourist buses.
In addition, many tourists walk around the most interesting and popular places in Europe, so you need to think carefully before the trip.
Even the sea in mid-July is too hot for many travelers.
So our advice is not to consider countries such as Greece, Portugal, Spain, Italy, and incomparable France for backpacking in the summer.
The best time to visit these countries is spring and autumn.
As for the ski resorts, it is better to give preference to Eastern Europe which is cheaper.
In case the price is not so important for you, you can explore the Alps in Switzerland, Italy or France.
Starting Point
Let’s be brief: the idea is to get to Europe.
Nothing else matters.
Most often, you make a mistake when booking tickets directly to the country that interests you.
It must be done differently.
Choose the cheapest tickets to Europe from the list, even if you did not plan to go there.
Then it will be much cheaper for you to get to the city of interest by getting a cheap domestic flight ticket.
This is not always the case, but quite often there are very attractive offers that you just need to use.
Coolest Destinations in Europe
So, you made a list of things and took out a backpack.
Now it’s time to make up a list of countries and cities, including beaches and mountains, and prepare for an adventure.
What can we advise?
We really like to advise not tourist places, something offbeat, unusual, and new.
Such places include small unwitnessed villages, glaciers and mountains, and the unknown names of the islands.
Explore everything that you have heard very little before or not heard at all.
This will be your real European journey.
What can we do with all the 65 countries in Europe?
We have a great idea: write all the names of the countries you know on a piece of paper, and go to those countries that are not on your list.
It will be the most unforgettable trip.
We will definitely try to bring this idea to life and tell you about it.
In the meantime, we will open the most exciting places where we have already been to.
Best Way to Get Around Europe
The cheapest way to travel around Europe is by bus.
Bus tickets cost around 25-50 euros, but everything, of course, depends on the itinerary.
In addition, you can often take advantage of special promotions and discounts.
It is better to book tickets in advance if you have already decided on the route.
If suddenly your plans change, you can change your reservation before leaving.
As for the cities where there is a developed public transport, in particular, the metro, use its services to travel sparingly.
Since we are talking about trains, then in Europe there is a great thing called Eurorail Pass, which will save you a lot of money while you ride around Europe.
The road knights will choose for themselves an excellent alternative to public transport – car rental.
Again, if your route is ready long before the trip, you can find the best price and book in advance.
It’s best, of course, to rent a camper van.
If you have such an opportunity, you won’t have to think long.
Hitchhiking is beneficial in many countries in Europe.
First, you need to determine the route, select on the map the roads that you need to overcome in order to get to the desired place.
In a word, prepare everything for your convenience and the convenience of a car driver who agrees to give you a lift.
In big cities, you are unlikely to be able to successfully use this way of travel.
But in small towns, it is quite possible.
And of course, be extremely careful.
Is Europe Safe?
Small towns and villages where the lives of local residents peacefully and quietly flow are safe for travelers.
Most large European cities do not face problems with public order disturbance and are happy to welcome tourists.
Of course, there are some disturbing places in which terrorist attacks or mass protests often take place.
You just need to follow the news and not get into the thick of things.
Or better ask locals for advice because they know best what is happening in their country or city.
Despite the news stories often being exaggerated, this should not prevent you from seeing a beautiful country, in which nothing bad really happens.
Otherwise, you will have to spend your whole life sitting at home on the couch, afraid of the environment.
Now they talk a lot about Muslims, extremists, psychopaths who blow up themselves and people around.
In fact, many other groups of people who have different religions and views do a lot of these things, and even worse.
Everywhere in Europe, in big cities, pickpockets operate, especially in markets and train stations, where there are a lot of people and it’s hard to keep track of your things.
Be vigilant and keep valuables in a safe place.
Also, do not get drunk to unconsciousness and do not let strangers do so, then everything will be fine.
Europe is safe, do not worry.
Itineraries in Europe
90 Days in Europe
Spend this incredible time in Europe.
You have plenty of days off to enjoy so many cities, taste the most delicious national dishes of different countries, learn a few foreign words and make friends with like-minded people.
Three months is a very good amount of time for learning about the countries of Europe, their culture, traditions, and history.
Here are the countries that you can visit.
Greece
Traveling in Greece is inspiring and relaxing.
Either you have a free work schedule, or you receive passive income, if you are not very limited in time, then go to Greece.
There are many beautiful islands, beaches, and amazing architecture and culture.
Greece is famous for delicious food and beautiful landscapes.
Not for nothing, the Internet is full of pictures with white-blue houses, and the stunning sunsets of Santorini.
You can see all this with your own eyes.
As we have mentioned, you can visit numerous islands in Greece, for example, the Cyclades Hop, Crete, or Karpathos.
There are a lot of hiking trails on the latter that will suit you perfectly if you like hiking.
Of the active sports, one can distinguish kitesurfing and snorkeling, because the landscapes and waters here are incomparable.
By the way, you can go to Rhodes if you like to hang out all night.
In addition, this island is interesting for its medieval architecture.
Rhodes, Kos, Leros, Samos, Kalymnos – these are the best islands for a beach holiday.
That’s where you can find secluded places and enjoy beautiful waterfalls.
Georgia
It is impossible to remain indifferent to Georgia.
It’s impossible not to fall in love with Georgia.
This is an extraordinary country with very hospitable people with a wonderful sense of humor and excellent cuisine.
What have you heard about Georgian wines?
What about the famous Borjomi water?
They are must-try.
Having visited some cities, even large ones, you can safely say that this is a country of contrasts.
Sometimes you can see a cow on the main highway of the city too.
In short, Georgia will captivate you with its eccentricity.
Georgia is also a great place to stay in Eastern Europe for longer if your Schengen visa has expired.
You need to go to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and thus explore the Caucasus.
If you are interested in world history, then you just need to visit the homeland of Joseph Stalin.
After you have walked along and across Tbilisi, the turn of Kutaisi, Gelati, Bagrati and of course Motsameta should come.
A few more historical memoirs will meet you in Mestia, a village in Upper Svaneti.
Mestia is also a center of alpine tourism and mountaineering; the ascents to the peaks of Ushba, Dzhangi-tau, Shkhara start here.
On December 1, 2010, a ski resort and an airport opened in Mestia.
Portugal
Many tourists love the beaches of Portugal because they are the best for surfing.
Prices in Portugal are not very high, and the locals are welcoming and friendly.
They like to have fun, cook delicious food and drink wine with every meal.
You can follow suit.
Do not forget to visit Madeira and the Azores, if there are an opportunity and time.
It’s unforgettable.
Spain
Spain is cool.
Tourists love it for hospitality and nature.
Life is in full swing in Spain, so you won’t be bored here.
If you are going on a beach holiday and do not plan to walk at night, get acquainted with nightlife, clubs, bars, and discos, you are mistaken in the direction.
The Spaniards are resting with charm.
They will treat you to orange melon, delicious cocktails and cold wine.
Cities and villages in Spain are buried in olive groves.
It is worth seeing with your own eyes.
Not only Barcelona with its eternally-under-construction temple attracts crowds of tourists to this country.
You should be attentive and notice every little thing, every corner that seems uninteresting at first glance.
It’s worth going to Spain for the sake of mountains and exploring regions like Catalonia and Andalusia.
Well, if you are still impressed by the video about bulls and matadors, then a famous bullfight should be put in your to-do list.
You will undoubtedly find something to your liking in Spain.
France
This country is quite diverse.
Different cultures, styles of architecture, and of course landscapes are collected here.
France is a country of rivers and mountains, lavender fields, white sands, and chic coastal cities.
It is in France that we recommend that you do not only stop in Paris, Bordeaux, Nice or Lyon.
You need to see much more in France.
These are small villages with wine cellars, extraordinarily nice people (some of them understand you with an online translator only), and the world-famous French cuisine.
Active travelers do not miss the opportunity to go trekking, get to Mont Blanc or ski in the Alps.
A week or even a month is so little to explore France.
Tourists who have lived here for several years say that they still have a lot of unexplored corners of this country.
Backpacking in France is exactly what you need to explore the small villages, culture, and history of people, and feel like a hero of a medieval novel.
Italy
Probably, if European countries participated in the competition Italy would take second place after France as the best country for backpacking.
Indeed, in Italy, a huge number of incredible architectural structures, historical monuments, and other attractions are concentrated.
The world’s most famous artists and sculptors lived and worked here.
You must include Florence, Rome, little Sicily and standing on the water Venice in the mandatory program of visits.
Locals are very emotional.
Not everyone is open and hospitable, but basically the country is famous for people’s ability to host tourists well and captivate with their excellent sense of humor.
A mandatory part of the program, as in France, is a visit to a wine cellar, winery, and tasting.
We are sure you will get the strongest impressions from visiting the Dolomites and Tuscany.
Well, visiting beaches in Italy is a good idea for backpackers too.
Switzerland
Taking into account the fact that Switzerland is an expensive country with a strong local currency, you need to make some savings with you to this country.
Here you have to buy everything and for a lot of money.
If you intend to spend two to three weeks in Switzerland, then you will not only have bad impressions of high prices.
What to watch in Switzerland?
Mountain peaks, the cleanest lakes in the Alps, historical ruins and monuments, and uneven picturesque shores.
Be sure to try the world-famous gourmet hot chocolate.
We almost forgot.
If you are a climber then you should go to Switzerland for conquering Matterhorn Mountain.
Croatia
Croatia is a country of fun youth parties, summer hot beaches, freshest seafood in the restaurants, and great tourist places.
The water is crystal clear and the national parks are green and clean.
If you are going to Croatia you definitely need to visit the Krka National Park for a series of seven waterfalls, natural cascades and the monastery built above ancient Roman catacombs.
Croatia is also one of the cheapest countries to travel to.
Of course, it is not as cheap as either the Czech Republic or the countries of the former Soviet Union, but in Croatia, there are a lot of interesting places that you can visit for a small cost.
The main cities to visit in Croatia are Dubrovnik and Split, so you should avoid them in the summer months if you don’t want to be a part of tourist crowds.
Choose less popular destinations, visit small towns and villages, because nature in Croatia is beautiful everywhere.
Germany
Germany is not only the country of powerful cars, delicious pastries and cool beer.
This is the country of medieval castles and world-famous fairy tales.
The itinerary should include climbing or hike in the mountains.
In addition, the prices in Germany are reasonable compared to Switzerland.
Of course, Germany is more expensive than Croatia or Italy but also affordable.
The Netherlands
The name of the country the Netherlands says that it is very cool to ride bikes.
If you like this sport, please go to the Netherlands and you will not have long hilly roads and difficult crossings.
Amsterdam is a favorite place for tourists.
Obviously, because you can order delicious coffee, interesting cocktails, see windmills and try cannabis.
In addition, many locals speak fluent English, so it’s easy to ask where to go and what to see.
We recommend you to visit the Van Gogh Museum.
To see the Northern Lights and Santa Claus, you need to go, of course, to the Scandinavian countries.
They include Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.
There are always a lot of tourists in these countries because these countries are not only the home for fair-haired children and ultramodern cities.
In these countries, you will see the most incredible landscapes on the planet.
Beautiful fjords and picturesque villages are here.
None of the world regions can present you with the experience that you are able to get in Scandinavian countries.
Norway, Denmark, and Sweden are rather expensive, so you should plan accordingly to have enough money to stay in one or all of these Scandinavian countries.
You can save on housing and transportation, by the way.
For instance, by using a bicycle instead of a rented car and by staying on a campsite instead of a hotel.
Iceland
Iceland is not one of those countries that are easy to get to.
Therefore, you need to plan a route to Iceland in advance.
This country is very beautiful, but one of the most expensive too.
It is also much colder in Iceland than in other European countries.
Nevertheless, the weather does not stop tourists from conquering Icelandic peaks.
Mountaineering is well developed here.
If you are ready for such a trip then make sure you have free gigabytes to take photos of every beautiful piece of land in Iceland.
You can find cheap flights to this country from Scotland and the UK, namely the flights from London and Edinburgh.
So a week will be enough for you to go around all the hiking trails and explore the mountains of Iceland.
Scotland and the United Kingdom
We have combined these countries because it is logical to visit them both if you are heading to only one of them.
The UK and Scotland are perfect for those who love adventures.
There are a lot of coasts in the United Kingdom which are not very close to well-known tourist routes.
That will make you feel in seclusion if you like it.
The region is well suited for camping and hiking.
You’ve probably seen the beautiful photographs of the slopes and mountains in Scotland.
So you will have the chance to find a green picturesque place and enjoy the marvels of nature.
After all, not a single trip to the UK can do without a visit to its main city of London.
London itself is a huge attraction.
Your love for colorful musical and cinema should lead you to London.
Take a cab to feel like a Londoner, and ride a double-decker bus.
London makes millions of tourists fall in love with it.
Go and try to resist.
30 Days in Europe
Do you have a month to travel?
You can plan a route as follows: go to Spain and France and Italy.
This is the best European route for backpackers.
Here you can see beautiful cities and high mountain peaks.
Would you like to try local specialties?
There’s nothing better than French wines and Italian gelato.
Besides, these countries are so good for sunbathing on the beaches of the Mediterranean.
To plan your trip to Europe, you should first decide on where you are now and where you would like to go first.
We suggest you looking at these three countries because a month is quite enough to explore their main cities and small villages.
Mediterranean Countries
If you decide to follow our route, start it in Spain.
You need to come to Madrid or Barcelona, have fun at street festivals, eat delicious food, stay in a cheap hostel, and spend money on a fun party in Barcelona.
Go to the mountains for rock-climbing.
Go on a day trip to explore the villages.
Then continue on to France and Italy.
Eastern Europe
We start a new route in Europe in the Czech Republic, namely, you need to get to its capital, Prague.
The city is famous for its architecture, bridges, and canals.
As you move deeper into Eastern Europe, you become richer and richer.
These countries do not use the euro, and with the local currency, you come to understand that the products (and beer) get cheaper.
As you have visited all the famous castles and tried all kinds of beer in Prague, head to Hungary.
Your place of destination is Budapest.
Ir stands on a beautiful blue Danube, the river of inspiration to many composers, painters, and writers.
Well if you are not really interested in the culture, there are incredible Carpathian mountains for you.
We recommend you visiting Bran Castle commonly known as Dracula’s Castle.
Another good idea that we’d like to share with you is to divide your trip into two stages: 15 days visiting the cities and villages and 15 days hiking and camping in the mountains.
Eastern Europe is not only limited to there countries.
Bulgaria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Georgia should be on your list.
Turkey
Where can you see both Europe and Asia at the same time?
Where can you visit Europe in the morning and Asia in the afternoon?
Certainly, in Turkey.
We are not really sure whether it is part of Europe, or it is part of Asia.
Turkey has always been an intermediary between the east and west.
The trip to Turkey is a great idea if you want to relax on the sea and to see the mountains.
Turkey is huge.
It has a rich history and culture, very tasty food, an incredible smell of fresh fish, and great coffee.
If you want to be close to the mountains and nature and feel privacy, then you should go to the Cappadocia region.
Is there any other must-see in Turkey?
Sure.
Istanbul is incomparable to any other city in the world and you must be here at least once in your life.
21 Day in Europe
Three weeks is still a lot of time to visit two to three countries.
Therefore, we are starting in France, then move to the United Kingdom.
France and the UK
Even a few days spent in Paris can inspire you for the rest of the vacation.
So we recommend you to choose France as a starting point for your 21-day vacation in Europe.
In fact, that can be a very tight schedule for a backpacker, but we believe you are strong and inspired so much that you will also go off the beaten path to see more.
So you start in Paris and spend a few days here, then move to the south of France where lavender fields shimmer in the evening rays, and the beaches are so calm that you never want to leave.
Your activities should not be only limited to beautiful beaches, olive groves, and city explorations.
Alpinists choose French Alps to climb the highest peak in Europe, Mont Blanc.
When you have seen enough of the French south, book flights to the UK and enjoy the landscapes of the Cornish coastline with its curved and sculpted landscape.
The next pins on the map should pierce points denoting Brighton and London.
You will never regret the time spent.
If you can afford, be tempted to visit Wales and Scotland too.
14 Days in Europe
So again you are faced with the choice of which countries to choose in Europe to travel for 2 weeks.
That’s not so much as a month or 3 months.
However, 14 days are enough to see many cities in Europe especially if you are traveling for the first time.
You should choose to either travel in one country and explore it as much as possible, or travel to many countries to just get an idea of them.
In any case, it is best to focus on one or two destinations.
If you are in doubt about which country is the best for a 2-week trip to Europe, then we suggest that you choose between countries such as Portugal, Iceland, Greece, Great Britain or Spain.
Choose one big or two small countries for your backpacking trip.
Remember that you always have a choice, and if you wholeheartedly wanted to go to several countries at a time, we dare not bother you.
But please visit large famous cities where a maximum of monuments of culture, history, and architecture of the country are concentrated.
You need to travel around several European capitals.
Of course, traveling with a backpack is not very convenient by bus or train, so renting a car or a van would be the best thing.
Spain
Do you like Spanish food?
Would you like to taste the Basque cuisine, famous fish dishes, pinchos or tapas?
When you are in Spain, you want to relax, sit in a cozy restaurant, put aside your backpack and drink Spanish cider.
You need to start a trip to Spain from Madrid or Barcelona, then head to San Sebastian where you can sunbathe on the beaches and have fun at hot Spanish parties.
The next destination is Asturias with a medieval city where it’s easy to hike with a backpack.
This region has a slightly different flavor of Spain and several other traditions.
The next stop is Galicia.
Beautiful landscapes and a long coastline turned this region into a popular and colorful destination in southern Spain.
The last days of your Spanish adventure can be spent in Santiago de Compostela.
This place is suitable for history buffs and food lovers who love to sample local dishes and get close to cultural heritage.
In the city of Bilbao, visit a famous Guggenheim Museum.
The best works of foreign and Spanish contemporary artists are exhibited here.
The building itself has a very bizarre shape.
We that the first picture you take here will be under a huge Maman, a monumental steel spider.
14 Days in Italy
Rome, Florence, Tuscany, Milano, and Venice is a must-visit list for Italy.
This country inspires backpackers who love bridges and numerous canals, historical wonders of old cities and, of course, local delicacies.
Italian North is what you need for the next 14 days of your vacation in Europe.
Obviously, Italy is diverse and you should not stick to cultural and architectural attractions which are undoubtedly charming here.
For instance, you can choose to go skiing to the Alps or choose a hiking trail to breathe Italian air and soak up the magic of natural landscapes.
Do you know which of the cities in Italy is the most underrated?
The ancient city of Genoa that we highly recommend you to visit for sampling street food, visiting colorful markets and hidden restaurant gems.
Before You Leave
Save Nature
In whatever city of Europe you are, try to keep it clean and attractive, thereby preserving the planet.
Buy food in paper packaging, buy water in a glass, or rather take reusable containers with you.
One of the biggest problems in our world is garbage, in particular, plastic.
The less we use it, the cleaner the world around us and our body will be.
Travel without leaving a trace.
Let your footprints be with you in the form of photos and videos, and not plastic bags that you threw away somewhere at the campsite.
When you visit the center of any European city, its sights, historical museums, art galleries, try to follow the simple rules of visiting them and the art will delight other tourists like you for a long time to come.
We are doing our best to turn this world into a better place for all of us and for our children.
To clean a plate, to sort garbage is easy and very useful.
Imagine how wonderful it will be you make a little better every country you visit.
Enjoy your travels in Europe!
