This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank You and Happy Gallivanting!
2-Month Europe Backpacking Itinerary & Tips
Europe is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. It is made up of 44 countries, all connected with a system of trains making it one of the easiest places to travel. Whether you are backpacking through Europe on a budget or no budget at all, you will get to see the same stunning landmarks. We spent two months backpacking through Europe in the Fall of 2021. Planning a trip like this does take some time, but that’s where this guide comes in. This guide will give you tips on backpacking, what cities to visit, what to pack, transportation, and more!
Europe Trip Highlights
- Wandering the Charming Streets of Prague, Czechia
- Scirocco Restaurant Collaboration in Naxos
- Blue Caves Boat Tour in Zakynthos, Greece
- Eating Endless Authentic Cheap Greek Gyros
- Seeing Venice, Italy for the First Time
- Staying at a 5-Star Luxury Hotel in Florence
- Hiking the Amalfi Coast
- Relaxing by the beach in the Surf Town of Ericeira, Portugal
- Touring Barcelona for just One Day
Europe Backpacking Route
Backpacking Tips:
- Time of Year: I recommend visiting Europe in the Spring or Fall to avoid the crowds and cold weather.
- Main Forms of Transportation: Europe offers great transportation services that allows you to travel on a budget. We took advantage of the metro and public transportation services in each city. Planes, buses, and trains are a great way to travel long distances.
- Be Flexible: If you are a Type A Planner like me you will most likely have your entire trip planned out, before leaving. Not everything always goes to plan! If you are visiting Europe for an extended time, I recommend having a rough layout of where you want to visit and for how long. Some places you may love and want to extend your stay!
- Always have Extra Water and Snacks: You never know when hunger might strike, so pack some extra snacks and water. Protein bars are my go to. Many cities throughout Europe have FREE drinking water spouts, bring your reusable water bottle to fill up.
- Accomodation: We stayed in a variety of accomodations. Hostels are very budget friendly and a great place to meet people. Depending on how many people you travel with, Airbnb can be a great option with a full kitchen and extra living space. If you have the extra money, don’t be afraid to splurge on one luxury stay even if it is for just one night!
- International Drivers Liscense: Get your international driver’s license before heading to Europe. Rental shops will ask for it and if you are renting a scooter you may want to look into getting your motorcycle license as well.
- Currency: I highly recommend exchanging USD for a couple hundred Euros with your bank before crossing the pond. Europe is very credit card freindly but it is always a good idea to carry the local currency.
Europe Packing Guide
Subscribe for my Full Packing List Free Download
Paris, France
24-Hours, 1 Night
Paris, France is one of my favorite European cities to visit. This charming city takes my breath away each and every time. Paris does a great job of making you feel like you are immersed in their culture with the numerous landmarks, stunning buildings, and delicious French cuisine. Paris was the beginning of our two-month Europe backpacking trip, and I couldn’t have been more excited.
Why only 24-hours?
We were not planning on visiting Paris at all during our two-month Europe trip because we had both spent some time in the city prior. We found cheap flights from New York to Paris that we could not pass up. Our plan was to head straight to Prague when we crossed the pound but there were not many flights to Prague until the next day. We thought we would make the best of our one night in Paris.
How Long to Spend in Paris: 5 Full Days
Must-Try Foods: French Dinner at Brasserie Dubillot, Warm Flakey Croissants, French Macarons, and Duck Confit
Prague, Czech Republic
3 Days, 2 Nights
Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic and home to colorful baroque-styled buildings, the Vltava River, and the stunning Charles Bridge. Prague is very traditional with its rich and hearty cuisine. At most restaurants, you will find goulash, Svíčková (braised beef) with dumplings, Grilované klobásy (grilled sausages), and the sweet treat Trdelnik. This was our first time visiting Prague and I quickly fell in love with this romantic city, I cannot wait to return!
How Long to Spend in Prague: 4 Full Days
Must-Try Foods: Trdelnik, Tapas at Fortel, Staropramen Beer, and Svíčková (braised beef with dumplings)
Vienna, Austria
4 Days, 3 Nights
Vienna is the capital of Austria and home to some of the most gorgeous buildings. You may also hear the city be called “Wien” this is the local’s way of saying Vienna. Being just south of Germany, the prominent language spoken here is German. Many people will speak English, making it easy to navigate and explore the city. There are numerous things to see in this historic and expensive city. If you are traveling on a budget but still want to get the full Vienna experience then this is the guide for you!
How Long to Spend in Vienna: 2 Full Days
Must-Try Foods: Goulash, Manner Wafers, Sachertorte, Viennese Coffee, Apple Strudel, Wiener Schnitzel
Budapest, Hungary
4 Days, 3 Nights
Budapest is separated into two cities by the large winding Danube River. On the east side of the river is Pest which is known for a lively experience for tourists with bustling cafes and modern shops. Buda lies directly opposite of Pest and is home to the Buda Castle and Castle Hills. You may notice things are a little bit quieter and more relaxed here. I highly recommend visiting both sides, as they are just one mile apart with the famous Chain Bridge connecting the two.
How Long to Spend in Budapest: 4 Full Days
Must-Try Foods: Goulash, Drinks at the Ruins Bars, and Töltött káposzta (Stuffed Cabbage)
Zakynthos, Greece
6 Days, 5 Nights
Zakynthos is a large northern Greek island known for its stunning Navagio beach and bright blue waters. This is a hidden gem that you may have not heard of but I highly encourage a visit! Zante (what the Greeks call it for short) is an exotic island with a natural landscape of olive trees, beaches, large cliffs, and rolling hills. We stayed in Zakynthos, Greece for one week and absolutely loved our time. If you love adventure as much as us I highly encourage a visit to this stunning Greek island.
How Long to Spend in Zakynthos: 4 Full Days
Must-Try Foods: Greek Salads, Portokalopita (Orange Cake), Lamb, and Olives
Athens, Greece
3 Days, 2 Nights
Acropolis means the city at the top, Athens is home to one of the best Acropolis sites that still stands today. Millions of people visit Athens Acropolis each year, making it one of the top attractions in this large city. The Parthenon is the main building atop the Acropolis with over 60 marble columns built at a small angle. The symmetry and attention to detail is an incredible work of art that dates back to 447 BC. The Athens Acropolis is one place you should visit once in your lifetime!
How Long to Spend in Athens: 1 Full Day
Must-Try Foods: Gyros, Mousakka, Greek Dips with Homemade Bread, and Dolma
Naxos, Greece
4 Days, 4 Nights
Naxos, Greece is one Greek island you need to add to your bucket list. This stunning island is home to white-sand beaches, the Temple of Apollo, and charming white stone narrow streets. The port city and capital of Naxos is Chora, Chora is a small touristy town where the ferry meets the island dropping off visitors from around the world. Keeping with the traditional Greek cuisine Naxos has some amazing restaurants, including one of my favorites in all of Europe!
How Long to Spend in Naxos: 3 Full Days
Must-Try Foods: Gyros, Saganaki, Orzo (Greek Pasta), and Naxos Cheese
Santorini, Greece
3 Days, 2 Nights
Santorini is one of the most visited and well-known Greek Islands. Its pristine white-painted buildings, blue domes, and cliff views have been posted all over the internet making this one of the top Greek islands to visit. I first thought Santorini was going to be a bit overrated and overly touristy but it ended up being one of my favorite Greek islands!
*Crete is also a stunning island I highly suggest visiting. It is great for solo travel and adventure.
How Long to Spend in Santorini: 4 Full Days
Must-Try Foods: Gyros, Saganaki, Greek Wine, and Spanakopita (spinach pie)
Venice, Italy
3 Days, 2 Nights
Venice is by far my most favorite city in Italy, with its winding canals, charming streets, and gothic palaces. This unique destination is also called “The Floating City” because it is made up of over 100 small islands. San Marco is the most popular island in Venice with historic landmarks, restaurants, and shops. This charming city will surely feel like a dream with delicious Venetian food and romantic gondola rides through the Grand Canal.
How Long to Spend in Venice: 3 Full Days
Must-Try Foods: Cicchetti, Aperol Spritz, Pasta E Fagioli, A full Italian Dining Experience, and
Baccalà (local fish)
Florence, Italy
3 Days, 2 Nights
Florence is the capital of Italy’s Tuscany region and home to many museums and art galleries. Fiorenza is the birthplace of the Renaissance, the piano, and the famous frozen Italian dessert, the gelato. The famous red tin roofs and large Duomo have been photographed for years and have become a large tourist attraction with over 16 million visitors each year. This is one charming city that you will fall in love with!
How Long to Spend in Florence: 2 Full Days
Must-Try Foods: Gelato, Famous Italian Sandwiches from All’antico Vinaio, Florentine Steak Dinner, and a 5-Star Dinner at Mimesi Restaurant
Rome, Italy
4 Days, 3 Nights
We spent four days in Rome exploring all of the major landmarks. The Rome Collesuem was a highlight with the wealth of history and large presence it has. Besides eating the best Pasta Carbonaro of my life we also delved into some delicious Neopolitan and Roman food. Visit the charming Ristorante da Barbara for some classic Neopolitan and Roman dishes.
How Long to Spend in Rome: 4 Full Days
Must-Try Foods: Pizza, Pasta Carbonara, Cannolis, and Tiramisu
Positano, Italy
4 Days, 3 Nights
Positano is an Italian village located on the Amalfi Coast of Italy. This colorful city has become one large tourist destination with fancy restaurants and charming hotels overlooking the blue waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The city is built on a steep cliffside with winding narrow streets and lots of stairs. Positano is not the cheapest place to visit in Italy but with my top 10 budget-friendly things to do, you can enjoy all that Positano has to offer without breaking the bank.
How Long to Spend in Positano: 3 Full Days
Must-Try Foods: Pizza, Gelato, Anything Lemon, and Italian Charcuterie
Lisbon, Portugal
6 Days, 5 Nights
Lisbon (Lisboa) is Portugal’s capital and one of my favorite cities to visit in Europe. This large city is home to some of the best food with multiple Michelin Star restaurants, authentic pastel de natas, and the famous Time Out Market. Its rolling hills and yellow trams remind me of San Francisco, USA. The colorful tiled buildings and orange-painted city views will take your breath away! Lisbon is a wonderful place to visit with many things to do, famous landmarks, and great food.
How Long to Spend in Lisbon: 5 Full Days
Must-Try Foods: Pastel de Natas, Anything at Time Out Market, Salted Cod, Port Wine, and Ginja
Ericeira, Portugal
10 Days, 9 Nights
Ericeira is a small surf town on the west coast of Portugal. This stunning place was added to the World Surf Reserve in 2011 making this a surfer’s paradise. Whether you surf or not you will find plenty to do here. The charming downtown offers fun shops and delicious restaurants. My favorite part was the warm ocean views and watching the waves crash in. Ericeira was a great place to regroup and relax after a lot of travel and sightseeing.
Tip: Book a long stay in a relaxing and low-cost area to take a moment and relax after traveling every 3-4 days!
How Long to Spend in Ericeira: 2-14 Days
Must-Try Foods: Seafood, Smoothie Bowls, and Pastel de Natas
Barcelona, Spain
1 Day, 2 Nights
Barcelona is one of my favorite cities in Europe. The ease of living, stunning architecture, sandy beaches, and amazing food won me over after our quick visit. Antoni Gaudí paints this bustling city with architectural works of art. The grandest of them all is the La Sagrada Familia, it will take your breath away. I cannot wait to be back in Barcelona to explore more of this wonderful city!
How Long to Spend in Barcelona: 4 Full Days
Must-Try Foods: Croquetas, Seafood Paella, Patatas Bravas, and Jamon Iberico
Valencia, Spain
3 Days, 2 Nights
Valencia is Spain’s third-largest city. It is one of the country’s most beautiful places with charming warm colors, unique buildings, and large food markets. It is home to the first Paella, an authentic rice dish. The most famous attraction is the City of Arts and Sciences. Valencia is not a very popular city to visit but it will welcome you with delicious comfort food and fun activities.
How Long to Spend in Valencia: 3 Full Days
Must-Try Foods: Paella, Healthy Lunch at Salad Planet, and Fideuà Paella’s (seafood-and-noodles)
Madrid, Spain
3 Days, 3 Nights
Madrid is the capital of Spain and is filled with a variety of things to do. It is home to the Royal Palace of Madrid which is the largest functioning palace in Europe. Madrid reminds me of a European New York City with a multitude of food types, large parks, and famous boulevards. The welcoming people, delicious foods, and easy transportation make this one of the top places to visit in Spain.
How Long to Spend in Madrid 3 Full Days
Must-Try Foods: Spanish Hot Chocolate with Churros, Sushi at Sakale, and Huevos Estrellados (fried eggs and potatoes)
